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“You’ll recognize me, I’ll be the badass bitch crossing the finish line first, breaking shells and taking names the whole way.” She winked at him.

Aculus smiled sardonically as he leaned down. “You’re funny, gorgeous and amazing,” he whispered into her ear.

“And you’re sexy as hell. When this is over, I’m gonna claim my prize, strip you naked and fuck your brains out,” she replied, with a casual naughty glance.

His brows rose and a lusty growl bubbled up in his chest before he shoved it down. She repressed a laugh as Aculus’ gaze flew to Tellar, Axilla, and the rest of the Conclave sharing the platform. The elders weren’t paying any attention, busy waving to the people as they reached the shore.

“You’re very good at distracting me.” He grinned evilly at her. “But I caution you, another word and I’ll throw you down on this platform and treat the citizens to a very different show.”

“Maybe I don’t understand this Trial, then. Aren’t we supposed to prove how perfect we are together?” she coyly asked, her head cocked.

“Oh, ivory beauty,” he chuckled in warning.

The velvety deep timbre of his voice was panty melting. If she wasn’t certain they were being watched, she would’ve kissed him.

“Aculus, Nadzia.” Tellar pointed ahead as the platform docked.

This was it. Where they parted ways. Anxiety reared its head and she wished she had kissed Aculus while she had the chance, public image of impartiality be damned.

She glanced at Axilla as she stepped off the platform and the matron gave her a subtle but meaningful nod.

Let’s do this.She nodded back.

Twenty-Seven

And They’re Off

Nadzia

Nadzia cast Aculus a parting smile as he remained with Axilla and Tellar.

“Come. Take your place as I inspect the candidates,” Bregma said in an authoritarian voice as she took her arm and led her down the line.

As planned, Bregma squeezed her arm whenever they passed in front of a woman they couldn’t confirm was who they were supposed to be. With the two dozen candidates all dressed in the same yellow armor, she had to figure out a way to tell the potential hitmen apart.

Long nose, squinty eyes, narrow mouth, small head ridges.

Mentally she rattled off each one’s identifying characteristic, at the same time desperately trying to not look judgy or weird in general for staring at everyone as she passed.

Just walk by like you did after every soccer game.She resurrected the awkward memory from her childhood that taught her more about life than it did about soccer.Good game. Good game. Good game,she repeated the mantra.

Although she wasn’t slapping the palms of her opponents as she walked past, and the game hadn’t really started or finished yet, she walked confidently.

Because I’mthebitch, and I’m going to win here today. So you better recognize.

As all this swirled in her head, Nadzia smiled and nodded to her fellow candidates. But the farther down the line she went, the harder it was to ignore the way the Osivoire women started to murmur behind her. As she stepped into place at the end of the line, she realized the candidates weren’t the only ones shocked to see her. It had just dawned on the crowd that she, a soft foreigner, would be competing in the Trial. The disconcerting quiet followed by murmuring was magnified by thousands. And then she noticed the projection screens scattered across the sky, like flying billboards, all with her face plastered on them big as day. It reminded her this was being televised across the galaxy.

Or across whatever ungodly amount of space the Conclave rules…The panic she’d successfully repressed started to bubble over, every horrible and embarrassing scenario she could imagine erupting in her mind.Oh God.

Seeing that she was floundering, Bregma’s gaze softened for a moment before turning serious again. Nadzia’s eyes widened at the expression that reminded her so much of her own mother, who was undoubtedly watching from the arena and making the same face.

Yes, ma’am, message received. I can do this. I’m pulling up my big girl panties right now. She gave Bregma a subtle nod and mentally pulled herself together again.

“May Unda be with you on your journey,” Bregma wished them all luck, and rejoined the Conclave.

“Citizens of Osi, we are honored that you have come to bear witness to this, the eighth Trial of Premiere Servant Aculus, scion of Tellar, scion of Uncturam, scion of Skel.” Axilla gestured to her fellow members of the Conclave, then magnanimously cast her hand out over the crowd as she rattled off Aculus’ ancestors.

“Candidates, you are a credit to your Nation, each and every one of you,” Tellar said.