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Chapter Fifteen
I was careful as I shifted out of bed. I didn’t want to wake her. She needs the rest. I moved a blanket to cover her naked body with. “Sleep well,” I whispered, bending to pick up the cloth I’d dried off with. My clothes were still back in the bath, so I would have to wait to get dressed properly till I got there. So I tied my drying cloth back around my waist and headed to find Melite.
I could smell her as I got closer to the bath. She’d washed herself using some of the oils I had on hand. Even with the scent of the oils, I could still smell her natural scent. It was mouth-watering. I could hear her humming a song to herself as I turned the corner. I smiled, watching her drying herself as she hummed.
“Do you intend to lurk in the shadows or help me dry off?” she asked, turning her back to me. I chuckled, co
BryantNew chapters are posted Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. You can follow me on Instagram @authorbryant for updates on this and other books.
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I groaned as I shifted, the chains loosening now that the guards weren’t holding them in place. I looked and saw my mother with Melite and Europa just behind her. My mother was crying and the girls...they were both pale and looked horrified. Damn it. I didn’t want any of them to see that, to see me like this. Why would my mother bring them out here? “How… how could he be so cruel?” Melite sobbed as Europa hugged her. I groaned as I moved to get to my feet. I had to reach out to stable myself on the wall. “Asterion…” my mother called out, rushing forward. “I’ll be okay, mother.” I nodded trying to reassure her. “I’ll be alright, girls.” I said looking to the distraught Melite and Europa. “Does he do this often?” Europa asked. I shook my head. “Not recently.”I assured. It wasn’t the first time I’ve been beaten. Probably won’t be the last either. My mother
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“Let us come with you.” Melite instantly spoke up, grabbing my arm. “Melite…” I sighed. “I know Andromache. She was my friend even before our names were drawn to come here. She’ll feel safer if she sees us.” Melite argued. As much as I adore her big heart, it’s a liability right now. I know she wants to reassure her friend, but I can’t allow that, not yet.“That’s the problem. She needs to scream, blood-curdling level scream. If she doesn’t, they won’t think she’s dead. If they don’t think she’s dead, Minos will send people in to verify. Soldiers come in here, enough of them that I can’t hold them back. They not only see she’s alive but that you two are as well. And then Minos takes all three of you.” I warned, shaking my head.I don't
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There were no middle-of-the-night disturbances. No one tripped over me to leave the room. No Minos or his guards coming to hassle me. I can only hope that Minos leaves the remaining tributes untouched. I don’t want anyone harmed because of me.I groaned, hearing the horns echoing from outside. “I hate that horn.” Europa grumbled from across the room. “We all do.” Melite grumbled. But her voice wasn’t coming from across the room. I opened my eyes and looked down. Melite was snuggled against me, face buried in my chest.“When did you get over here?” I asked, shifting, tightening my arms around her. I hadn’t even woken up when she decided to lay next to me. I’m usually a much lighter sleeper than that. “Not sure. Can’t really tell the time in here.” Melite sighed, nuzzling de
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Demoleon blinked and looked from me to the girls as if wanting confirmation. All three nodded. “I would never hurt my cousin.” he defended. “It’s not just your cousin I protect. You touch Europa or Melite in a way they don’t want. If you hurt them in any way, I will kill you.” I warned, glaring at him. “I wouldn’t ever touch either of them.” he stated though I smelled embarrassment at the statement.I cocked my head, not really sure what that was about. I glanced at the girls. Europa and Andromache snickered while Melite looked as confused as me. I shrugged, letting it go. “Follow me. Did they feed you before sending you to die?” I asked, starting to walk back to the main room.“Um… no. Just some bread last night before lights out.” Demoleon answered cautiousl
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“You can’t decide that for us.” Melite frowned, eyes narrowing up at me. “I… you need to understand. I care about you. It would be best if you got to live your life free. Out there where you can see the sun and the moons. Where you can take in all the wonders of nature that I have only ever read about. I want you to have more than this.” I sighed.“Who’s to say it will be better for us out there? If anyone ever found out we had been with you, we’d be mistreated. You know it.” Europa pointed out. “That’s a risk, but I know my mother would only entrust your lives with people she knows would take care of you. And while I don’t know if you’d all even go to the same place, it’s possible, and you’d have others as support.” I sighed.“And if either of us is pre
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