Page 7 of A Legacy of Stars (The Lost God Legacies)

A bsolutely nothing was going according to plan. Teddy had woken early the morning after the bonding and fled the temple while Stella was still asleep, riding back to Olney City with Grace.

But the crowds heading into the city ahead of the Gauntlet Games tournament had slowed their progress, and they didn’t get in until well after midnight.

Teddy had crashed hard from the exhaustion of the ride and had woken so late that he’d nearly missed the deadline for reporting to the competitors’ tent behind Olney Castle. The priestesses had been in the middle of rolling up the scroll of competitor names when he had walked in.

It was for the best that he’d had no time to second-guess himself or consider that this wild idea had come from the least likely place.

When Stella was speaking about how the only way to guarantee a favor from kings or gods was to enter the Gauntlet Games, Teddy realized he had one last chance to get what he wanted. Of course, it was a risk, but a lifetime of happiness was worth it. Entering himself into the contest and winning meant whichever god was the gamemaker of this year’s tournament could grant Teddy the ability to choose his future wife. His father would never refuse a union blessed by the gods, especially one made so publicly.

It would also be a deeply romantic story and the exact type of thing that would lend the Savero family some much-needed goodwill. It would be nice to see some rumors in Teddy’s favor for once, instead of just gossip about whether his father was a bastard.

As he peeked out from the private curtained-off warm-up room he’d been granted in the bustling competitors’ tent, he was grateful Grace had come with him. She peered out beside him, counting the other competitors who stretched and paced along the center walkway. Servants ran back and forth down the length of the corridor, delivering fresh water and linens and all matter of other things to those in the curtained-off rooms.

Teddy wondered who else was competing. He wished he’d gone to watch the hunters training before the event as his father had suggested. It was up to him to play catch-up now.

He knew what everyone would think when he walked into the arena in his fine ceremonial clothing. They’d think he was a spoiled prince playing warrior for a day. He needed to be ready to show them what he could do.

A particularly burly man with a fine tunic straining over his thick chest walked by, and Grace turned toward Teddy, looking pale. Her face was drawn with worry as she crossed the small space to the table and poured herself a glass of water from a crystal pitcher.

She drank slowly, not meeting his gaze until she was finished. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“I thought you were on board,” Teddy said.

“I am on board with you doing something you want instead of what’s expected for once, yes. But you’ll have to forgive me for hating the idea of you entering this tournament—which is, as you’ll remember from the bloodbath we saw just last year, deadly. I am uneasy with the risk you’re taking for me and—” She looked away, her shoulders slumping. It was so unlike Grace to look defeated. “I don’t feel worthy of that kind of risk. I wish you wouldn’t enter. You’ve only given your name. You haven’t taken the binding vow yet. You could back out.”

He stared at her in disbelief. “You’d prefer I give up on you?”

Grace frowned. “No, I would prefer you be safe . Who knows who these competitors really are? Some of them could be Sons of Endros who will see this tournament as a way to get easy access to you. There are already enough risks to your life on a regular basis. And before you ask, no, I don’t doubt you, but your attention will be divided in this competition. You will have more than defending yourself on your mind and—” She pressed a hand to her sternum. “The bond is certainly distracting at times.”

Teddy took her hand. “Is he bothering you?”

Grace’s face softened into a smile and she brushed his hair back from his forehead. “Always my protector. No. Arden is actually very respectful. He’s trying to learn how to control it.”

“Really?”

Grace nodded. “We’ve known Arden for years. I know this was unexpected, but he’s not a bad person. I think we’re all just trying to make the best of complicated circumstances, and it’s actually nice to have someone share so much of himself.”

Teddy felt both relieved and unnerved. Logically, he knew it wasn’t Arden’s fault. It was just another case of gods playing games. They had all been tangled up in the first place because the goddess had a bone to pick with Stella. But Teddy didn’t like that Arden had the chance to know Grace in a way that he never had. He was not prone to jealousy, but he envied that closeness.

“This is all Stella’s fault,” he grumbled.

Grace laughed. The sound was soft and comforting, and Teddy could not remember the last time he’d heard it. He’d been so wrapped up in himself, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d really thought about her as a person instead of just his person.

“Stella is hardly to blame,” Grace said. “You two are so alike and you refuse to see it because you think she has it easy.”

“She does,” Teddy insisted, but he sounded so petulant.

Grace glanced around the room, then pressed onto her toes to kiss him. She drew back and took his face in her hands. “We don’t tell each other what to do, but if you walk away from this now, we will find another way. I just want to be certain you aren’t exchanging safety for instant certainty. What might a little patience buy you?”

“I’ve been patient. I’ve tried to be reasonable with my father, but he isn’t having it. Look at Arden. He’s betrothed to one woman, in love with another, and heart-bonded to you. I am not waiting around to make a bigger mess. I promise I’ll be careful, but I have to do this.” Teddy kissed Grace’s forehead. “Besides, it will give me a chance once and for all to put the rumors that I’m weak and hiding behind my guards to rest. It’s time to let those who doubt me see what I’m capable of—even my own parents.”

Two men from somewhere deeper in the tent laughed and startled them apart. Though they were tucked into a private room that was partially closed off from the rest of the space by a curtain, for the sake of Grace’s reputation, Teddy didn’t want her to be caught alone with him.

She nodded and stepped away. “I wish you’d reconsider, but I trust you.”

Teddy’s mouth went dry. “Are you having doubts about me?”

“It’s quite a lot of pressure for you to risk your life to marry me. Is it so wrong to want you to be safe? To not feel worthy of that kind of risk?”

Teddy searched her face. He sensed the specter of something she was not saying. He’d been so concerned that she was stuck with this temporary bond to Arden that he hadn’t even considered how she’d feel about him risking his life. If the roles were reversed, he’d be beside himself with worry.

“I just think we should talk about it a moment before you’re hurt,” Grace said.

“I’m sorry. I should have considered how you’d feel about this, but I deserve to choose my partner for life and I am fighting for that choice. I love you, Gracie.” He wanted to kiss her, but the rest of the competitors were beginning to mill about and he couldn’t risk it. “I’ll see you soon. ”

She waved tentatively, a tight smile on her lips as she ducked through the curtain, leaving him to stew in his nerves.

Teddy tugged on the sleeves of his tunic as he turned to the looking glass in the corner. He startled when Stella McKay’s reflection appeared behind him in the glass.

She stepped up beside him, examining her own reflection. “Figures you have a full-length mirror in your royal waiting room, Your Grace . As if you need it.”

She turned side to side, assessing the white off-the-shoulder dress. The delicate silver beading on the bodice shimmered as she moved. “Did Grace come to give you a pep talk before you introduce all the competitors?”

“I’m not introducing them this year,” Teddy snapped.

She ignored the deflection, her assessing gaze sliding over him as the connection in his chest pulsed to life at her presence. “That’s a very fine tunic even by royal standards.”

“Competitors are supposed to wear their finest to be presented to the godly gamemaker. What else would you expect me to wear?” Teddy asked.

She stilled. “You must be joking. You’re going to enter the contest, too?” Stella shook her head and barked out a disbelieving laugh. “I won’t take pity on you because you’re the prince of Argaria and our parents are friends. I’ll put you on your ass in front of both of our kingdoms and I won’t feel bad for doing it. That favor is mine.”

“So you can what? Ask King Marcos to marry his son?” Teddy laughed at the thought.

But Stella crossed her arms and stared at him.

Teddy blew out a laugh. “Women don’t ask for the hand of princes.”

“Perhaps they should. No surprise that you’re unimaginative and old-fashioned. Just when I think you can’t be more boring, you say things like that.” Stella shook her head. “You and I are playing for the same thing. The chance to marry the people we love. How is it so normal for you but so odd that I’d want the same thing?”

“Because you are not bound by the same responsibilities. Your plan is flawed,” Teddy snapped. “You’re a lady playing dress-up. This isn’t another fairy tale. You’re not a warrior.”

She moved so quickly that he barely blocked the swing she took at his face. He caught her hand and smirked at her, just in time for her left fist to slam into his cheek. The impact drove his teeth into his lower lip.

She winced as his pain hit her through the bond. That flinch was just enough for him to catch the knee she brought up to thrust into his groin. He lifted her and slammed her onto the table beside them, only to find a dagger pressed to his throat.

Her furious eyes narrowed on him.

“Not bad.” Teddy licked his lip and tasted blood. “Guess you drew first blood.”

“Doubt it will be the last,” she said, her gaze dropping to his lips.

The bond in Teddy’s chest did a strange sort of squeezing.

“Going to let me up, Your Grace ? Or do I have to fight my way out in this dress?” she taunted.

Teddy slowly extracted himself from Stella.

She sat up and held out a handful of dried chamomile. “Why are your pockets full of tea?”

“Why are you rifling through my pockets like a common thief?”

Stella grinned. “You can learn a lot about a man by what he keeps in his pockets.”

Teddy arched a brow. “How many pockets are you groping around in?”

She glared at him. “Why? Are you jealous?”

She was so irritatingly evasive.

“You never know when you’ll need an exchange for a spell,” he said.

Stella cocked her head to the side, her dark brown curls bouncing with the movement. “The future king of Argaria is casually practicing spells? I never would have dreamed of such a thing.”

Teddy looked away. “Sometimes Grace has trouble sleeping and the soothing spell helps her. ”

What he didn’t want to say was that he had trouble sleeping and used it on himself most often.

“That’s sweet.”

Teddy met her eyes, expecting teasing, but she looked sincere. Two hunters stumbled by the opening to their curtained-off room. They leered at Stella, but she just rolled her eyes and waved her hand for them to move along.

She waited until they were out of earshot to face Teddy again. “Are you sure this is a good idea for you? There’s a reason that my father and yours have picked their spots to compete in even the more casual tournaments over the years. They both know they would lose respect if they lost. There’s wisdom in choosing battles you know you can win. You should follow their example.”

As if Teddy hadn’t already considered that. As if he didn’t consider it in every moment ever. As if he could ever be free of it. The panic twisted his stomach, and a cold sweat rose on his back.

“I’m not saying it to be cruel. Those men competing—I’ve had a good look at them and at least some of them are vindictive,” Stella continued.

“How would you know?” Teddy asked.

Stella huffed a sigh. “You think I’m not trained? That I haven’t been doing combat drills since I was old enough to learn footwork? My parents might have preferred otherwise, but they were smart enough to know I’d always have a target on my back. Once you do the tournament binding, the only way out is through—by maiming, death, or victory. While I have confidence you’ll survive the tournament, your ego might not.”

Every word stoked Teddy’s anxiety higher until he felt like he couldn’t draw a deep breath.

Stella pressed a hand to her chest. “Hey, are you well?”

Teddy stared at her with wide eyes. There was no air in the tent. He couldn’t breathe. Panic spread ice through his veins, his fingers tingling as his vision narrowed to her bright green eyes and a pinched crease in her brow.

She looked worried, but that couldn’t be right. There was clearly not enough oxygen getting to his brain, and it was making him delusional.

“Teddy?” She stepped closer.

“I’m fine—” The words were hoarse.

A cold sweat rose on his back, his hands curled in, and his chest grew even tighter.

“Do you need a healer?” Stella asked, pressing a hand to his forehead, her other hand pressed to her heart. “What is this? Did you drink something? Poison?”

“Can’t breathe.” He leaned back against the table, trying desperately to master himself.

If Teddy failed, all of his life would have amounted to nothing. The kingdoms could descend into chaos. His family would be hurt. His people would be vulnerable. He had to be impeccable. Anything less than perfection in such a public forum would spell ruin.

He slid down the table leg and landed on his ass with his legs out in front of him. His vision darkened so much that he barely saw or felt Stella straddle his lap. She snatched his hand and placed it over her heart. He tried to pull back. Someone could see. It was inappropriate. But she held him fast.

Her other hand came to his face, her palm cool against his burning cheek.

“Breathe with me. It’s going to be all right,” she said softly.

She was trying to help him. He focused on the slower rise and fall of her chest, but the panic had him in its iron fist and he could not shake it. His heart beat so loud he could barely hear her.

“Gods, you’re pale. Come here.” She wrapped her arms around him so they were chest to chest. Her chest expanded against his and he tried to focus on following her slower, calmer pattern.

“Let me tell you a story,” she murmured, her voice sounding just a little sharper, though still far away.

He felt a sudden rush of warmth in his chest. Their bond. She was sending something through their bond, or maybe it was just responding to her being so close. But the distinct feeling of calm spread through his body .

“Once upon a time, there was a village where it rained stars that granted wishes for one night every year,” she said, her lips brushing the shell of his ear. “The villagers waited all year, collecting empty jars so they’d be ready.”

Teddy’s vision brightened, and his heart settled into a steadier rhythm. He wrapped his arm around her waist and held on tight as she continued to tell the story, her animated voice becoming clearer as he calmed.

It was pleasant, being held and told a story. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d heard a fairy tale. When he was young, his father used to lie on the castle roof with him and point out fake constellations and make up stories about them, but that was so long ago. Teddy scarcely remembered any of the details.

Stella combed her fingers through his hair. He wanted to complain that she was mussing it, but it was too soothing. She smelled so good—like wildflowers after a rainstorm.

Teddy had been foolish to not even consider her competition. She no doubt had goddess-blessed bow skills like her mother, but Stella hadn’t really been raised to be a warrior. She looked fit. Her dress showed off strong arms, the slit up the side offered a glimpse of a well-toned leg, and the dip in the neckline gave a glimpse of her cleavage. She was fit, but this type of fight required more than practice-ring skill.

Stella shifted in his lap. They were in a terribly compromising position. The memory of their bonding felt sharper, more vivid in the tense silence. He wanted to bend down and kiss the freckle on her collarbone.

The impulse ground against all the reasonable thoughts in his brain. He forced himself to meet her gaze. Her eyes dropped to his mouth. Heat rushed through his chest. Did she want to kiss him?

Teddy stared at her. He’d known Stella his whole life and yet she was a stranger. Her eyes were striking, almost supernaturally green with flecks of gold and framed by long, dark lashes. Her cheeks were flushed and her nose was covered in a light dusting of freckles. It was annoying how beautiful she was .

“Are you a demigoddess?” The question slipped out in some sort of half-stunned stupor. He knew she was—or it made sense that she was given her bloodline, but he had just never thought too hard about it until she was this close.

Stella laughed softly. “Yes.”

“I didn’t know that.” Idiot. Stop talking, Teddy.

“You never asked.”

“How does it work?”

She shrugged half-heartedly. “I heal faster without having to channel any magic. My memory affinity is stronger and more intricate than most. I have more endurance and I’m naturally stronger than other women my age would be, but I don’t think it’s otherwise noticeable.”

Teddy disagreed. It was impossible to miss up close. The air around her held the subtle hum of magic—that, and she was so incredibly striking. It was hard to look away.

“Why are you helping me now? I’m your competition.”

She cocked her head and frowned. “Sometimes we all just need a hand to hold when we’re close to breaking.”

“But you can’t stand me,” Teddy mumbled.

“And that is why I’d like to beat you when you’re at your best. At least then you’ll have to respect me, even if you go on hating me.”

“I don’t hate you. I just—” He didn’t have a sufficient word for how he felt about Stella McKay. He cleared his throat. “How did you know how to calm me down?”

She shrugged like it was nothing. “My father used to do it for my mother when she had a hard day. It’s been a long time, but he used to do it for us when we were little too. A hug and a story—when I was young, there was nothing that combination couldn’t fix.”

“And now?”

Stella smiled sadly. “And now I’m grown up and I think all the hugs and stories in the world wouldn’t change the fact that the love of my life might be meant for someone else.”

Teddy frowned. “You don’t know that. The gods play games.”

Stella’s eyes lit up. “You think so? ”

Teddy nodded. “Would anyone know better than us? Our families?”

Stella smoothed his tunic and combed her fingers through his hair. The movements were intimate—only Grace had done these things for him. It felt strange for Stella to be doing them now.

“Maybe you’re right,” she said. “Maybe this is a test from my Aunt Des. I guess I’ll find out after the tournament. Now, will you let me up?”

He hadn’t even realized he was holding on to her waist. He jerked his hands away like he’d been burned, and she grinned as she rose to her feet and helped him up.

Teddy tugged at the linen sleeves of his tunic and turned to fix his hair in the mirror. Then he whirled back to Stella.

“Aren’t you nervous?” Teddy asked.

She flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Of course. But I’m more afraid of my parents’ reaction at the moment. I’m compartmentalizing.”

Teddy stared at her in disbelief. He’d seen the competition. Most of them were big and burly enough that Teddy was sweating it. Stella certainly wasn’t slight, but she was probably the smallest contender, and, demigoddess strength or not, she certainly hadn’t received the same kind of training he had.

Rainer McKay was the most talented swordsman he’d ever seen, but Teddy couldn’t imagine that he’d made sure Stella was comfortable with killing. Surely she knew how to defend herself and would be a competent fighter, and she had a sharp tongue, but she was too empathetic for this kind of violence. That empathy would be a liability that Teddy could not afford.

Stella pointed at the tent entrance. “No one out there is half as tough as you and I. None of those warriors know what it’s like to be under so much scrutiny every moment of their lives. Only you and I know what the weight of perfection feels like.”

Teddy scoffed. “What do you know of it?”

She laughed bitterly. “Oh, you think it’s easy to be the daughter of the perfect love story? Do you have any idea what other people expect? Gods, do you have any idea what I expect?” She shook her head. “Everyone in this field thinks they are resilient, but few of them are mentally tough. The only person I am worried about beating is you.”

Teddy licked his lips. “Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Why? Are you scared you’ll be beat by a woman? Will your royal ego survive?”

Teddy bristled. How she could go from being so soft to so biting in mere moments was disorienting. “No. I’m worried it will take something from you that you can’t get back. Have you ever killed a man?”

Stella stared him down for a long moment. “No. But I’ll do what I must.”

“Did Arden stop to see you off?”

Stella looked away. “He can’t sneak away because he has to entertain the princess and her family, but he sent me a letter this morning.”

“How gallant,” Teddy said.

She ignored the jab and nodded toward the binding room. “Shall we?”

Teddy nodded and fell into step beside her as they walked by several curtained-off competitor areas. Most curtains were pulled back, the competitors already having made their binding commitments and entered the arena. But the one toward the entrance was still closed.

A familiar laugh bubbled up from behind the curtain.

“What the—” Teddy shoved the curtain aside and nearly barreled into his sister. “Alex?”

“Teddy?” She stared at him with wide eyes, a beautiful priestess in Goddess Desiree’s rose-colored robes standing before her. The priestess’s robes were half-unbuttoned, a hint of pale cleavage peeking out from the gap.

Teddy averted his gaze immediately. “What are you doing in here, Alex? This is the competitor tent. ”

She was quiet for so long that Teddy finally looked up and met her eyes. Recognition tore through him.

“You’re going to enter the contest.”

Alexandra glanced over her shoulder at the priestess. “I’m sorry my very rude brother interrupted our talk. Could you give us a moment? I’ll find you in a little while.”

She winked, and the priestess flushed bright pink, then finished buttoning her robes and scurried away.

Alexandra’s charm was as uncanny and mesmerizing as it was exasperating. She turned her attention back to Teddy, hands on hips. “I was trying to get insights into whether her goddess is going to be the competition judge.”

Teddy arched a brow. “Was the answer inside of her robes?”

“Well, brother, I’m not certain since you barged in before I could get a good look. Should I call her back in to check?”

A soft laugh behind Teddy startled him. Stella . It was irritating how the bond in his chest hummed softly at her proximity. He’d momentarily forgotten she was with him, but now his body was remarkably aware of her. The soft springtime scent of her skin hit him, and his body surged with warmth, remembering her in his lap moments ago.

“This is family business,” he grumbled, turning to glare at Stella.

She waved a hand. “By all means, proceed with your business.”

Alexandra pulled a throwing knife from her leather vest and examined the gleaming blade with faux boredom.

“Why are you in the competitors’ tent, Alex?” Teddy asked.

“I presume the same reason you are?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why?” Alexandra asked, her golden eyes lit with a challenge. “Afraid I’ll exploit how you leave your left side open after a turn?”

Stella smothered a laugh.

Alexandra grinned broadly. “He also has a temper. If you smack his ass with the flat end of your blade, he will just lose it.”

Stella laughed harder. Teddy ignored the way the bond buzzed at the sound .

“Alex, you can’t compete, because I can’t lose, and you can’t either.”

His sister crossed her arms. “If you can’t lose, perhaps you shouldn’t enter because I have no intention of surrendering so you can take the glory.”

Teddy threw his hands up. “Always you with the glory. This isn’t one of your Novumi legends, Alex. There are more important things than glory. This is the only way for me to have any kind of peace in my life. I’m not using this to prove a point to our parents. I’m entering because I need the right to choose my own life partner and the only way to convince our father of that is to win this stupid contest.”

Stella stepped closer to him, and he tried not to flinch. The pull to her was so constant and irritating. He rubbed his sternum as if he could swipe away the magical connection.

“Are you well, brother?” Alexandra asked.

“I have myself to worry about. I cannot also contend with your recklessness. I can’t protect us both in that arena and you know it, Alex.”

“That’s why I’ll protect myself,” Alexandra said.

A bell rang outside—the ten-minute warning to competitors. Teddy did not have time to argue with his sister. He needed to enter the competition officially and get out in the field to face his competitors.

“Fine. A hug for luck before I have to embarrass you in front of two kingdoms,” he taunted.

Alexandra would never have gone for it if he didn’t bait her. But she pulled him into a hug and clapped him on the back.

Alexandra was not as affectionate as Juliana, but she let Teddy hug her all the same. He’d always been the one to have a soft spot for her, letting her tag along to his training when she was little. Perhaps that had earned him more trust. Trust that he was going to abuse now. But that same trust would get her hurt in the tournament, and it lent him the certainty he needed. He just wanted to do what was best for her.

Ever so carefully, he slid his hand up to the nape of her neck. His other hand slipped into his pocket and he grabbed a small handful of loose herbs. Soundlessly, he mouthed the soothing spell he knew by heart. It was some of the first magic that he’d ever learned, but he’d only used it on Grace or himself to sleep. He’d never tried it with someone else.

Where summoning was inside magic, pulling an element through the channel of your body, spellwork was outside magic that compelled the physical world to bend to your will. Because it came from outside the body, it didn’t use his energy supply. It required some sort of exchange from the physical world. The chamomile worked well because it was a soothing herb, and as he whispered the incantation, the herb turned to ash in his hand—a clear sign that the exchange for his spell had been accepted.

“Rare for you to show such affection. Are you going soft in your old—” Alexandra’s body tensed. “Teddy, no.” But her words slurred into a rush of breath and she slumped against him.

“What did you do?” Stella asked.

“I just put her to sleep with a soothing spell. All the more reason she isn’t prepared for this competition,” Teddy said, lowering Alexandra’s limp body to the plush chair in the corner of her room. “She’s too emotional and impulsive. It’s just lucky that she hasn’t already entered the binding tournament pact.”

Stella narrowed her eyes at him. “You can’t just put people to sleep when they do things you don’t like.”

“I know that, but?—”

He’d already been far too vulnerable in front of Stella McKay for one day. He didn’t know how to explain to her that his baby sister was different. While Jalen and Juliana had always had an ease about them, Alexandra had always fought the role she was expected to play. The difference was that she could act on her impulses. As jealous as her freedom made Teddy, he was almost relieved to see someone struggle under the weight of expectation and be so vocal about it.

Teddy and Alexandra had bonded over that struggle, and he always felt so much more protective of her. He’d managed to keep her from making any mistakes that would have permanent consequences so far. He could do it once more.

He gave Stella his most pleading look. “She’s my baby sister. Would you let Rosie compete?”

Stella crossed her arms, and her cheeks flushed. “Rosie is a grown woman. I would respect her choices.”

Teddy blew out a breath. He was destined to be surrounded by stubborn women. “I respect Alexandra’s choices in many things. All other things, in fact—but if she is out in that field, I will be distracted the entire time.”

“Sounds like your problem.”

“Stella, I know. But my—” He ran a hand down his face and glanced at Alexandra slumped in the chair. “Alex has been through a lot lately. Her first love broke her heart right after Isla left. Surely you noticed the consort’s absence. My father asked for her resignation. He didn’t want to, but he was getting too much pressure with the rise of Sons of Endros attacks. I’m very close to Isla, but Alex worships her.”

He let that information sink in, waiting for judgment on Stella’s face, but she just looked sad.

“Jules mentioned that. I’m sorry to hear it.”

“Now Alex is heartbroken and without the person she would most like to talk about it with. She is dead set on going to Callemoore because she thinks the only way to prove her worth is by completing the Final Forging test as my mother and Isla have. Alex is very talented, but she is not an elite warrior yet, and if she continues to be in such a rush, she will meet her end before she can get there. I don’t want to stop her. I just want her to have the time to get there. Please . There’s so much of my life I can’t control, but I can protect my siblings. I can protect Alex from this. You know what it’s like to be the oldest—to want to kill anyone who hurts them. It’s not rational.”

The crease in Stella’s brow disappeared. “You love her.”

“Of course I do. She is a pain in the ass, but she is still my sister. I won’t always be able to protect her. But I can save her from this.”

“What do you want me to do?” Stella asked.

“You said you were good with memory magic, right? ”

Stella licked her lips and nodded.

“I’m not as precise with memory. When I’ve tried to practice on people before, they always know something is missing,” Teddy said. “Will you remove the memory of wanting to add her name to the competition? Give her the idea to just go seek out that priestess, maybe in a more discreet location. She is such a magnet for scandal.”

Stella pressed her hand to the back of Alexandra’s neck. She hesitated. “I can’t promise she won’t remember. I’m uncomfortable doing this to someone I know without their permission. If you take this choice now, she might make a worse one later. I understand the impulse to protect, but you have to let her make her own mistakes.”

“Just not this particular mistake.”

Stella only hesitated briefly. She closed her eyes, and the air prickled with her magic. Her brow creased in concentration as she went to work, carefully removing the memory from Alexandra’s mind.

A moment later, when Stella blinked her eyes open and nodded that it was done, relief washed over Teddy. It was bad enough to compete while bonded to Stella and her moodiness. Worrying about Alexandra would have been way too much to manage. As annoyed as Teddy was with their father at the moment, he knew that losing Isla had taken its toll. Something happening to Alexandra at the same time could break the king. Teddy didn’t wish him more pain.

Outside the tent, the crowd began to cheer.

Stella stood a little straighter and smoothed her dress. “We have to go. You certain you want to leave her here defenseless?”

Teddy nodded. “I didn’t use the full spell, just a temporary version. She should wake up in twenty minutes. Once the binding ceremony is over and she’s barred from the tournament. Even if she remembers, she won’t be able to enter herself.”

He cast a nervous glance toward the opening in the tent that led to the commitment room. A priestess in golden robes stood waiting for them at the entryway.

“Having second thoughts, Your Grace ?” Stella taunted .

Teddy glared at her. “Of course not. I was just wondering if it was worth taking one last try at convincing you not to enter.”

She smiled broadly. “Sorry, you’re not getting off that easily. Let’s go.”

Stella bumped his shoulder as she walked by, her dress swishing around her as she walked into the binding room. Teddy trailed behind her, pausing in the doorway.

The gold-clad priestess spoke to Stella in a hushed tone. Stella nodded and closed her eyes in silent concentration. Then she extended her hand over the bowl. The priestess pulled out a golden ceremonial dagger and Teddy fought the instinct to knock it out of her hands and yank Stella away.

Instead, he watched as the priestess slid the blade across Stella’s palm. Stella didn’t even flinch, but her pain hit Teddy in the chest. She squeezed her hand into a fist and allowed her blood to dribble into the bowl.

“I commit myself to the Gauntlet Games’ challenges of wisdom, memory, and magic. I bind myself to the outcome of this tournament and promise to compete until I am eliminated by challenge failure, injury, or death,” Stella said.

The conviction in her words sent a chill through Teddy’s blood. Death had always been a possibility. Logically, he knew that, but was Stella really willing to die for someone who hadn’t even stopped in to see her off?

A jolt went through Stella’s body and Teddy felt the binding snap into place as the magic hit him like a blast of wind.

“It is done. Welcome to the competition, Stella Selene McKay,” the priestess said. She flipped Stella’s hand over and healed the cut on her palm.

Stella nodded and left the tent.

Teddy took her place in front of the priestess.

“The Gauntlet Games were designed to keep the peace in Olney and Argaria. So long as peace is kept, they will endure as this binding will endure until this year’s tournament is over. Theodore Davide Savero, do you understand that, once made, this binding promise to the tournament cannot be broken? You may only exit by failure to complete a challenge, debilitating injury, or death. If you don’t show up for an event, or if you try to leave early without attempting a challenge, you will experience intense burning in your blood that won’t let up until you complete the required task. Do you understand?”

The weight of the words pressed in on Teddy from all sides, but this was the only way. He thought of Grace and hesitated only a moment before holding out his palm for the priestess and surrendering to the outcome of the Gauntlet Games.