Page 32 of Damned and Broken Gods (Labyrinth of Gods #2)

My Demigod

ARAZ

L eela climbs the ropes to the crow’s nest like an expert, moving fast despite the wind and the rain lashing at her and threatening to dislodge her.

Dharma is close on her heels, Priti not far behind.

Leela makes for the bridge—a thick stretch of rope that extends all the way to a slippery wall of wood with hidden notches for climbing.

Vick is halfway up it already, clinging to it, his face a mask of terror.

Leela looks across at him, and I can hear her mind working. Her desire isn’t to finish the course but to help her friend.

Admirable or stupid, I’m not sure.

Over the past week, Vick has proven himself to be a liability. Failing again and again at the tasks set to prepare the demigods for the test to come. For their introduction to the Shattiraksha and whatever voyage lies ahead.

This fake ship and the course built around it is designed to build endurance and strength and hone balance. Cogs whirr, and the whole contraption begins to sway, just as it would on the sea.

Fuck.

I’d hoped that Leela would have crossed the bridge by now.

Bhartina, the sea trial trainer, stands below the fake ship, her head tipped up, arms on her hips.

Ramashi’s mother is one of the most powerful water djinn working with the Asura to help train the troops in the way of the Shattiraksha.

She brooks no argument and takes no nonsense, and it’s because of this that the demigods have come so far in a mere week.

Ramashi joins me under the canopy of the training hut. A small building for the demigods to catch their breath, grab a bite to eat, or get cleaned up.

“Leela’s doing well,” he says. “She has the strength of a royal.”

“Yes, but her heart is too soft. Watch…”

The fake deck sways. Leela braces herself and reaches for the barrier rope that runs parallel to the rope bridge. The bridge is wet; one false step and she’ll plummet to the deck beneath.

My chest is tight as I watch her take a moment to gather herself before starting across, her hands gripping the barrier rope, guiding her with careful, measured precision. She allows her body to move with the deck, just as we’ve practiced. Good girl. Good?—

A gust of wind hits her. She stops, knees bent to brace against it, and for a moment, she wobbles. My heart slams into my ribs.

Ramashi gently grips my arm, and I realize I’ve taken a step forward.

He shakes his head, his mouth a thin line. “She must do this alone. You can aid her during the trial, but only if she is in mortal danger.”

“I know.” My gaze is back on Leela.

She makes it across and leaps onto the wooden wall, catching it just right.

That’s my demigod. Vick is above her, and she climbs until she’s parallel to him.

The wind picks up; the rain falls harder.

Vick climbs onto Leela’s back, and my strong, compassionate, brave warrior demigod carries him the rest of the way.

Bhartina yells something up to Leela, but the words catch on the wind and fly away from me.

“Leela has the heart of a Vijayroodra and the fire of Iblees,” Ramashi says. “I can see why Pashim loved her.”

I glance sharply at him, noting the way his gaze lingers on the scene. On my demigod. “Don’t get any ideas, Ramashi. She’s mine.”

“Is she?” Ramashi arches a brow. “Although she carries your scent and your bond, I don’t believe that you’ve claimed her body.”

Leela has finished the course and waves at me. I wave back. “Our relationship is not your concern.”

“Of course it isn’t,” Ramashi says. Why does he sound amused?

Leela runs over to me, a huge grin on her face.

“I did it!” she says.

“Third time in a row.” Ramashi hands her a towel before I can, and she turns the warm beam of her smile on him.

The urge to break his face is a tidal wave crashing into me. I allow it to wash over me, forcing my lips into a smile. “You did brilliantly, Leela. Now let’s get you back to quarters and dried off.”

She finishes wiping her face and starts on her bare arms, pebbled with goosebumps. I step closer, bringing her into the circle of my heat, and then I burn for her.

She sways toward me, her eyes fluttering closed. “That’s divine.”

Her clothes dry, and her cheeks flush with warmth. She opens her eyes and looks up at me as if I’m the center of her universe, and every inch of me is alive with longing to be just that for her. To be her center of gravity. Her anchor. Her pulse.

I swallow all those feelings and school my features into a polite, friendly smile. “Are you hungry?”

“Famished!”

“Then we should go eat.” I place my hand on the small of her back, reveling in the way she leans into my touch. But as we begin to walk away, she pauses and looks back at Ramashi.

“We still on for the temple tonight?” she asks.

He smiles and nods. “I’ll come for you after supper.”

A prickle rushes through me. “What’s this?”

“Ramashi offered to take me up the mountain to the temple,” Leela says. “I’ve been dying to visit ever since we got here.”

I shoot Ramashi a hard look. “I can take her.”

He makes an ‘o’ with his mouth. “I’m sorry, I did not mean to overstep. I assumed, since you had no interest in visiting, that I could provide an escort for Leela in your place.”

“No need.” I grind out the words. “If Leela wants to visit, then we’ll visit.”

“Really?” Leela’s eyes light up, and something inside me fractures.

A lump rises in my throat, and when I speak, my voice is thick with emotions I’m not quick enough to suppress. “Yes, really.”

“Well,” Ramashi says, “in that case, I shall see you both tomorrow morning for your introduction to the Shattiraksha.” He winks at me and walks away, leaving me with the distinct impression that I may have just been manipulated.