Page 48 of Starfall

Elias

I wasn’t sure why it tore me apart inside that Ari had kept the ring from me. Kept that man— Xavier —from me.

I had trusted her completely, and she’d deliberately kept me out of the loop, holding onto some dangerous ring that some bastard immortal had given her.

For all I knew, he planned to use her. To trick her into believing he could save her sisters.

Ari was desperate enough to do anything for them, and if someone promised her their safety, I worried she’d take his hand—which could lead to her death.

The urge to find this prick and wrap my hands around his throat was strong. Of course, the fucker never showed his face to me. I might not have power, but I could make him hurt with my fists. Or, I’d go down trying.

After she confessed, I tucked her back in bed and sat by the window in the kitchen, ruminating over everything I once learned about the Eternal.

There had never been any claims of him visiting people himself, dreams or otherwise.

He was practically a myth, a ghost. Xavier, the other entity, had to be something mighty enough to have reached her to begin with.

What exactly that made him, I couldn’t begin to fathom.

Personally, I wished to strangle him. Again, I was back to envisioning my hands around his throat .

The next morning, Ari barely looked my way as she went to the bathroom and dressed. I tried to cook some breakfast for her, but she shook her head. We hadn’t said a word since last night.

Since I had one more day to train before the grand championship match, Darren required me at the ring. I bought Ari her usual assortment of pastries, yet she hardly glanced at them.

I loathed her silence. How she didn’t speak to me when she clearly was in pain.

Before I trained, I brought her up the arena steps. I noticed her pace slowed, and a whimper left her when she reached the last step. Her hand reached for her temples, her eyes squinting.

Screw this.

Without asking, I swooped her up and into my arms. She lay still, her body stiff and hesitant—which pissed me off further.

Carrying her to the blue room, where I usually got ready, I brought all of her things from the red changing room and to the lounge I laid her on.

Covering her with a blanket, I placed her newest book at her side.

Not that it would hinder Xavier, but having Ari here, in my space, made me feel better.

Since she’d taken to hiding in the back rooms, Liv assured me that no one would bother her, going as far as to yell at the other servers and performers if they neared. She was safe here. From mortals.

Fucking Xavier . I had to shove him from my thoughts or my face would betray me. It was more difficult than I imagined.

When I pulled myself from Ari’s side, my damned chest squeezed, and my steps grew heavier the farther I walked away. I was seconds from turning around to check on Ari when I saw Liv refilling the bottles at the bar. Before she could open her mouth, I barked orders at her.

“Ask three of your trusted workers to watch that entrance.” I tilted my chin to the changing rooms. Great, now I was being an ass to my closest friend. “We were attacked by Charlie’s men last night.”

Liv nearly dropped her glass. “What?” she gasped. “What do you mean?— ”

“It was handled,” I replied. “But for extra precaution, please just ask for some back-up to watch over her.”

I walked away, Liv continuing to shout questions at my back.

The ring didn’t work to take my mind off shit like it typically did. Gage was a decent partner, but I had too much frustration to work out, and I was afraid I’d break the younger lad.

I jabbed right, striking Gage’s square in the jaw. Blood flew from his mouth as he went down, and guilt rose like bile. I hadn’t meant to strike him that hard.

“Good blow!” Darren bellowed from his perch on the second floor. He lifted his full cup high in the air, liquid sloshing from the sides.

I grimaced. His praise meant nothing.

Gage swayed when he lumbered to his feet, and I waved a hand as I eyed Darren. “Let him take a break.” I unwound the wrappings on my hands, aiming for the sidelines. Gage wasn’t the only one who needed some time. We’d been at this for hours.

I took a seat, resting my elbows on my knees.

The last week had gotten to me.

I’d believed that if I wanted to be anyone—anyone capable of power or love—that someone like Grace would have to stand by my side.

She had always pushed me hard. When I’d been on a losing streak months ago, Grace grasped my chin and looked me square in the eyes, and said, “You’re not a quitter, Elias. The man I love doesn’t give up, and he doesn’t stand for second place. Second best.”

It made me fight harder, yes, but if I’d lost?—

I doubted she would have stayed.

I thought about all the times we’d spent together, and most of them centered around what Grace wanted.

Since I rarely let people into my personal life, having Ari thrust upon me had opened my eyes.

I was in no condition to give my heart to anyone, even if…

fuck even if the black organ in my chest beat wildly whenever the star maiden so much as glanced at me.

Maybe that was why it stung so much that Ari lied, when I had laid myself bare for her to see.

She’d seen the real me more than anyone else had .

The plan to win the fight could continue without a problem. It had to for Ari’s sake; I wasn’t so much of an ass that her lie would have me jeopardizing her sisters’ safety. And I still wanted to talk to Grace. To find closure. Then, I could move on to another city and start fresh.

Though the idea of leaving Liv behind made me anxious. Perhaps she’d want to come with me.

But Ari would be gone.

It all kept coming back to her.

Always.