Vengeance (The Prince's Games Book 1) Rebecca Grey (first e reader txt) 📖

lips. If I close my eyes I can still imagine the press of his body against mine and the unexpected warm feeling that expands inside of my chest whenever he is near.

"What are you so happy about?" Juilliard examines his sword before he shoves it into the sheath against his hip.

The smile that had grown on my face, one I hadn't even realized was there, quickly dissolves under his pointed glare. I look up from the laces on my boot that I try to tame into a tight bow. I ignore the way Finnegan and Sloane snicker and whisper amongst themselves, seated on the concrete on the other side of the fire.

"Aren't you happy today is the last of the challenges too?" I quickly lie.

He pulls yet another shirt over his head, speaking through the fabric till his head pokes out the other end again. "I have a feeling that even after today, victory or not... we are not without more challenges to complete. They'll just be different."

"How profound," I purr.

Hedda steps out of our tent and shrugs her gun over her shoulder, squinting at me. "What happened to you? You look like you're glowing."

I straighten. "I'm not glowing. By the Saints, can a woman not be a good mood for once?"

The tent behind Juilliard rustles and Marcello steps out. His hands are empty of any weapon whatsoever. That is assuming that Marcello isn't a weapon on his own. He grins, looking at our little group. How had we all managed to live up to this point? Could some credit be given to Marcello's silly little motto?

"I can think of a reason or two that her mood might be lifted." He slips his fingers into his pocket and bounces on his toes. The action itself makes him look more innocent than the man has ever been.

"Ugh. Did you two..." Juilliard points between us. "Finally?"

"We did not!" I stand abruptly. I may have fucked a lot of men, but I certainly haven't done so with Marcello and I will not have any of them thinking we did.

"Well you've certainly done something, dearest." Sloane interjects with a sly smile. "You look happy as a clam. I didn't think you were even fully capable of the emotion at all."

"And what if I'm just excited to end the Games today? Are you not excited to be so close to all this money?" And power. But I won't say that out loud.

"We kissed!" Marcello announces. The declaration is met with a chorus of oohs and ahhs, with the exception of Juilliard who merely rolls his eyes.

"So we're just telling everyone then?" I rest my hands on my hips, squaring up to Marcello. "I just didn't think it was important enough to declare to the team, much less any listening ears." I gesture to the rest of the room and to the ceiling where a camera could appear at any moment.

"You thought it unimportant?" Marcello scoffs, a mockery of real offense. "I've broken through that cold exterior of yours. I've earned myself a kiss with all my efforts. It was no easy feat, and I feel it must be celebrated."

"Saints, what would you have done if I'd slept with you?" I pinch the bridge of my nose, not wanting to know.

"Easy. I would have bought a huge blimp to roam across the skies, both in The Oasis and then down to The Bend." He holds his hands up in the air creating a rectangle with his fingers. "A streaming banner would float behind it with large red words that read 'Nilsa Windsor slept with Marcello Torres!'" He lowers his arms. "Would you like to sleep with me? I can come up with bigger fanfare than that, even. Perhaps a parade?"

"I do love a good parade!" Hedda nods along.

"Don't encourage him." Juilliard says to the Orc while elbowing Marcello in the side. Marcello coughs at the motion and playfully shoves his friend away.

"If I ever did have a desire to sleep with you, the feeling was fleeting and it certainly passed as soon as you offered up the idea of the parade." I want to sound menacing but my lips betray me as much as my skipping heartbeat does and I smile.

"Alright then." Marcello holds my gaze for a minute until the ringing of the bell and the flash of lights reminds us of the next event.

Finnegan and Sloane stand together, leading the way to the dreadful arena. Hedda claps her hand between my shoulders before she walks around me and keeps pace at Juilliard’s side. Leaving just me and Marcello to follow.

"Would you like to take my arm again?" Marcello says with a teasing tone.

I exhale loudly, choosing to put my hand on the dagger in my belt. "No thank you."

"You may not be a proper lady in any aspect of the term, but I'll have to teach you a thing or when you stay with me in The Oasis."

My attention stays pointed ahead, though what I really want to do is gape at the man. Me... stay with him? "Well you're certainly right about one thing. I am not a proper lady. I don't know a thing about being one, nor do I care much for learning."

"You'll stick out like a sore thumb." He laughs as we approach the crowd of teams meeting at the arena for the final time.

"I'm Human, I already stick out."

We stop behind Hedda and Juilliard. Hedda twists, waving me up to her side. I move with the assumption she has some sort of last minute terribly awkward question. Instead, the Orc grabs my shoulder and pulls me against her in a colossal hug.

"We've made it, Human! The final event." She presses a wet kiss against my cheek. My nose wrinkles at the feeling and I watch the announcer step