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Blood pounded in my veins, and my mouth went dry. Would he be this disciplined with—everything?

Weapon in hand, he twirled the slim length as though it were an extension of his lithe body. The metal sang, whistling through the air. My heart sang as well, taking flight.

His dance took on a new, more vigorous cadence. This time, he sliced his invisible partner into precise ribbons. With the deadly sword, he taunted his prey, threatening to end them at anymoment. And yet each cut appeared magical, much as I imagined I’d find the vampire’s touch.

Thrusting, plunging, undulating.

Beneath the relentless glare of Carcerem’s sun, it seemed his skin glowed, shimmering with a golden light.

Sweat trickled between my breasts.

His speed increased. Oxygen grew short. My head swam.

Until…

At last, he leaped. Spun. Slammed his blade into the sand. Ending his prey.

Endingme.

I exhaled the breath I held, goosebumps breaking over my flesh. I stared, transfixed, while the vampire remained frozen like some glorious statue of virility.

His performance, unlike my debacle, was… orgasmic.

Applause erupted, waking me from my trance. Boos rang out as well. The women cheered while the men and other competitors scoffed. Some of their insults hit my ears.

“What a pretty boy. What’s he going to do? Bore us to death.”

“Look at me. I’m a dancing princess with a dainty little sword.”

Clearly, they all had sword envy.

There was nothing boring about Custodis’s performance. Nothing at all.

Chapter Fourteen

VICTOR

“You performed well, Master Custodis.”

I strode behind the servant on bare feet. A silent Runa padded at my side. She’d had little to say since we’d left the pit. Nor had she met my eyes.

“Yes, I did.” It was a good performance. One full of grace and refinement. No doubt the other competitors were eager to pick my bones clean after that display.

I cast a sideways glance at the sorceress. Did Runa find my presentation appealing? I’d felt her eyes on me. Her heated gaze prodded me to greater heights. I’d strived for mediocre but couldn’t bring myself to perform so dismally in front of the woman who’d once held me captive.

“Here we are,” Milani said. “Gamma cell’s bathing chamber.”

Before us was a pool worthy of the ancient Greeks. In the center, there was a large, sunken expanse of steaming water. From the tiled walls, gurgling streams emerged in gentle waterfalls for those who preferred a cascade. Bubbling nooks waitedto soothe aching muscles. In those secluded hideaways, I noted several writhing couples.

Runa’s head swiveled in the same direction, and her indrawn breath whistled in my ears.

I resisted the urge to study her expression. What would I find there? Shock? Arousal? I wondered strictly from an intellectual standpoint, of course. After all, now we were partners, I needed to understand the nature of who I worked with.

Milani turned to us. “Tomorrow, you will face your first trial.” The baleful gleam in her rounded eyes hinted she didn’t expect to see us again. “Tonight, you shall rest and rejuvenate. In the morning, I will assist you with your costumes.”

“Costumes?” Runa asked, breaking her uncomfortable silence.

“Why, yes.” Though it seemed impossible, the servant’s eyes grew larger. “During the Fallen Trials, contestants are presented before the king, his most honored lords, and leaders from other kingdoms. It’s important that you represent Carcerem in a favorable light.”