Page 82 of Courting War
Secrets were at the core of her very nature.
Kellyn understood it and could respect it.
“How did you get them all here?” Kellyn cut in, trying to get the two to focus on the task.
Pure, unfiltered, unaltered joy painted across Gallagher’s rosy cheeks. “I told them Theodra would owe them a favor if they survived the games.”
Morrigan swallowed hard, sucking in a long, slow breath. “Of course you did. I’m sure she’ll love that.”
“Oh, absolutely.” Gallagher winked.
A favor. It was a huge deal and from a god it was worth a ransom in gold—was worth more than any human possession. A favor from the Goddess of War was priceless. She was known as the pantheon’s second most powerful and influential god. It was almost as valuable as getting a favor from Nefeli.
“Can you make that deal for Theodra?” Kellyn asked.
“Yes, Theo will fulfill it,” Morrigan gritted her teeth, “in this instance.”
“You invited us all here. Do you want to get to the point? Some of us have challenges to complete,” the Simark champion said from the side of the room, his countenance hard.
Morrigan strolled to the center of the room as if she were an empress and demanded everyone’s attention. Her posture and general demeanor were painted with command and confidence—the type of person everyone wanted to listen to. With as few words as possible, she explained the plan to work together. Thegoal was to group together for challenges so that champions and priests could watch each other’s backs.
Fifteen brains were stronger than one, and together, they could outwit the gods—especially since every champion also had a god aiding them. So, in a way, they would trick the gods into helping all of them too. Since Theoden’s Quarters were hidden from the gods’ eyes, it was the perfect place to strategize without all the others seeing.
The plan was solid, but the other champions weren’t as convinced.
“There are certain things we cannot anticipate, like Medusa, but together we are stronger,” Kellyn said. “The gods use our weaknesses against us, but we can cover each other’s vulnerabilities and counter the gods’ attacks.”
“What if they force us into challenges alone?” the Lokai champion said, sitting beside the fireplace, his onyx hair glimmering against the flames.
“Then we aid each other in other ways,” Kellyn responded. “For example, Morrigan knows how to break Medusa’s curse . . . we can save each other with knowledge like that. The next people to play Andromache’s challenge can go in there and save the Tierland delegates.”
The Lokai champion crossed his arms. “That’s only if the challenge stays in the library. The gods switch up their games to mess with us.”
“The point is we can try.”
“Why does the War Court suddenly want to help us all?” the Ertomesian champion asked.
“Frankly, because Nefeli enraged Theodra,” Gallagher wrinkled her nose with delight, “and War sent me here to enact revenge.”
“What do we get in exchange?” asked the Nefesia champion. “We’re risking the Theoden curse by even being in this room.”
“The Theoden curse doesn’t exist.” Morrigan’s tone matched her eye roll. “That’s a ridiculous rumor the gods made to make the games harder. They don’t want countries working together.”
“Still doesn’t answer what we get out of this.”
The Nefesian champion was grating on Morrigan’s nerves because she clenched her fists, slid her mask of disinterest over her features, and spoke in a rich, lazy tone. “Besides a favor from War and a better chance at survival?” Morrigan paused for effect. “Gallagher will also give you all top scores in your tribunals.”
“If you don’t, I’ll give you all terrible scores.” Gallagher’s words were like venom dipped in candy cherry syrup. “And I’ll get my friends to join me. Trickery and Poison love chaos as much as I do!”
At this, the champions capitulated. Threats were better motivators than mutual boons. Kellyn didn’t care either way. It was his end goal that mattered.
Save as many champions as possible.
They spent the next two hours sharing their clues and following challenges, and devised a strategy to have two teams go into each game together when possible. Then, after each Tribunal, they would check in with each other to strategize again. The Ertomesian and Maleden champions were going into Andromache’s challenge next, and they would free the Tierland delegates if they could.
Kellyn’s next challenge was with Cecile, which worked out perfectly . . . if only Emmett would wake up.
Once the champions were gone and they were finally alone again, they prepared for bed, which proved even more awkward than the other nights. Because now, their desire was evident.
