Page 141 of Galaxy Games Four-Book Box Set (Galaxy Games)

141

Carpe Diem

W illow

If I had just carried Braveheart and me for miles over hot, rocky terrain, I’d be prostrate on the ground right now, panting and possibly dry-heaving. Valor is just standing here, looking dazed, as if he never truly believed we’d make it.

Perhaps it’s his third eye that tells the story. It’s a sick shade of yellowy-orange. I’ve never even seen his eye in that color family before.

Braveheart hugs us both as he hands us each a water bottle, then pulls us toward our tent.

Valor shakes his head. Shower , is all he says.

I don’t blame him. It’s hot as hell out here. I see a bucket filled with water bottles and grab him another.

“Jackpot. Someone took pity on us. It’s cold.”

We’re beyond self-consciousness at this point, as are the other contestants. We just shuck our shoes and clothes and the three of us cluster under one of the showerheads.

Valor looks ready to drop. He’s not even washing himself, just standing under the spray and letting the water do all the work. I should be focused on a thousand other things, like what Zedd’s going to throw at us next, but I’m captivated by how beautiful he is.

Whoever created him might have had jungle camouflage in mind. His skin is a combination of light blue with almost metallic blue embellishments and spots. The lines on his scalp where a mohawk would be make it hard to tear my eyes from his beautiful head and that swirling psychic third eye.

What was the phrase my best friend used? Embarrassment of riches. That’s what I have because when I turn my gaze in the other direction, I see Braveheart’s gorgeous purple fur with those feline stripes. The shape of his face is triangular with high cheekbones, and those piercing golden eyes do more than just hint at the ferocity barely hidden under his humanoid exterior.

After washing myself and my hair, I turn Valor so his back faces me and use the bar soap they supplied us with to clean him.

You deserve a rest, Big Guy .

As tired as he is, Valor must have us all psychically connected, because I hear Braveheart say, You saved all of us .

I’m sure Zedd has some new torture arranged for us , Valor says, but until she announces it, I’m going to lie down.

Braveheart

We walked naked from the shower to our tent. The bed is staring at us, the only thing in the room. I don’t know what the sleeping arrangements were last night. I was comatose. We all stand at the foot of the bed, probably wondering the same thing.

We all said loving things hours ago when we thought our death was minutes away, but things are different now. Valor staked his claim on her last night. I’m the interloper.

“I call dibs on the middle,” Willow announces, then plops onto the middle of the bed.

That said all we needed to hear. Valor and I flank her. She pets him until he falls asleep, which takes all of a minute.

“He saved our asses,” Willow says when she turns toward me.

“We’d all be dead without him.”

Things are awkward between us. I’m not sure where I stand. By her reluctance to look into my eyes, I think she’s feeling it too.

“We’re in this ridiculous life-and-death race,” she says with a sigh, finally gazing at me with those beautiful blue eyes. “Despite the fact we could be dead tomorrow,” she shrugs, “or tonight if Zedd wants to play dirty, I’m more focused on what’s going on between the three of us.”

She is? If I’m honest, I’ll admit I am, too.

“I was telling the truth earlier. I love you both. If we win, we’ll have all the time in the world to figure out the details. If we don’t, we’re going to carpe diem .”

“Sometimes I have no idea what you’re saying and just let it go, but I need to know what those last two words meant. They didn’t translate.”

“Seize the day.”

With that, she leans closer, places her soft palm on my cheek, and leans in to kiss me.

“Seize the day,” I repeat, then kiss her back.