𝐅𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐇 𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐆 || X.R.

𝟎𝟎𝟓 ⸺ the gauntlet

I hold my breath as Dorian sprints towards the ramp. He starts to fall but reaches up with one arm and grasps the lip of the ramp. He leaps himself over the edge and he has made it. I hear someone clearing their throat and I turn my head aside. My eyes meet those of Xaden and I tilt my head in confusion. His eyes flicker down before looking me in the eyes. I scowl as I look down.
     "I'm so sorry," I gasped and let go of his hand. I hadn't noticed that I had reached for his hand. I look up and I feel a blush covering my cheeks. He leans in closer until he is next to my ear.
     "It is alright." His soft, yet deep voice sends a shiver down my spine. His presence sends a tingling feeling across my body, something Garrick hadn't achieved in the way Xaden does it.
     "Don't die on the Gauntlet, Aelin," he adds. He pulls back so that his eyes are fixed on mine. I let out a shaky breath, forgetting the world around us.
     "Only if you don't die too," I whisper. "I cannot stand losing you, Xaden." Before I avert my gaze, I notice a small smile on his lips. I feel my chest tighten and my heart ache. All for him.
     ''Perfect technique!'' The voice of our Professor makes us both look toward him. My eyes flicker to Garrick who is standing beside Professor Emeterrio and his eyes aren't fixed on me, no they are fixed on Xaden and he looks pissed.
     ''Perfect and yet he didn't bond,'' Amelia snarls. I roll my eyes at her comment, however, she is somewhere right. How can someone pass the Gauntlet flawlessly yet be without a dragon?
     ''You should stay focused on yourself, Amelia,'' Nymeria comments. Amelia sends her another glare before probably focusing on the Gauntlet.
     ''I'm too short,'' I hiss softly, feeling a sense of anxiety clawing my stomach.
     ''You are fast,'' Xaden adds. I was slightly startled because I thought no one would have heard me. ''Besides, you are not that small. You are a head smaller than me.'' I glance aside to glare at him, but I see his serious expression. ''Use your speed and momentum,'' he adds. ''And—''
     ''And trust your ability and instincts,'' I chuckle while rolling my eyes. My eyes shift to Xaden once more, only to see him shake his head. However, the corners of his mouth are twitching into a small smile.
     ''Don't get too confidential, Vervain,'' he says with a hint of amusement.
     ''No,'' I say, trying to hold my grin. ''I would never.'' I watch Xaden shift his eyes to me and I fail to suppress a grin. Amusement flashes in his eyes, however, it disappears the moment Professor Emetterio announces Chaol to start. I turn to the Gauntlet where Chaol ran off to.
     ''Keep running!'' Celaena yells. As if Chaol could hear her, he sped over the log without fault. It takes him about four rotations before finishing the first ascent.
     ''Amelia, start,'' Professor Emetterio orders. His eyes are focused on his pocket watch and not the course. Amelia passes the first ascent without any hesitation. She rushes and follows Chaol's trail to the hanging balls. If she falls, she has a minimum chance of hitting the single spinning log from the first ascent. However, she doesn't fall yet she clings onto the swinging ball.
     ''You need to go, Amelia!'' I yell from the top of my lungs, desperately hoping she would hear me. From the corner of my eye, I watch Celaena getting ready. My eyes shot to Professor Emetterio, who is focusing on his watch.
     ''Swing to the next one!'' Nymeria yells.
     ''I can't!'' A high-pitched scream ripples from Amelia's throat. My chest tightens as Professor Emetterio commands Celaena to go. My heartbeat elevates while a knot tightens in my stomach. The gravel crunches beneath my boots as I move to the starting position. If you don't make it to the end, keep in mind... No Presentation and no Threshing. That should do it. Terrifying thoughts motivate me to face this thing. While Amelia climbs down, Celaena passes Amelia with ease. Much time I didn't get to think about it as Professor Emetterio called my name.
     ''Aelin, begin!'' I bolt toward the first part of the ascent, facing the spinning logs. Keep going. Keep going. I keep repeating as if my mind would forget to keep going. The easy part was leaping from pillar to pillar because Xaden and I used to do that all the time.
I jump into the rotating wheel and run. Timing. Timing. This part is all about timing. I seize the opportunities and I race through the openings toward the second ascent. The first ascent is done. Second ascent, go. I take a leap and jump onto the first ball, grasping it up top. I force the ball to rotate, using my weight. It swings me to the next call and I repeat this four times before landing on the gravel path.
     The third ascent is all momentum. I sprint forward to attack the first lines of metal rods. The iron rails are the next ones. I catch my breath, swiftly glancing over my shoulder to see Xaden gripping the hanging balls behind me. His eyes briefly meet mine and I continue. I swing from the first rail to the next one, however, I feel my fingers slipping away.
     "Fuck!" I curse, desperately reaching for the next rail. I cling to it as I need a moment to comprehend.
     "Trust your abilities, Aelin!" Xaden shouts.
     "Keep going, Aelin!" I know for sure that it isn't Xaden's voice, no it was Garrick's voice. I take a deep breath before moving across the rail. I push myself off the edge and swing out for the rail. Trust your abilities.
     "This is the best!" Celaena screeches. She is right before me, reaching the twisting staircase.
     "You're mad, Celaena!" I shout. "See some healers afterward if you think this is fun!" I hear her laughing while I watch her bolt up the stairs. I leap onto the first post, reminding myself to go straight ahead. A roar sounds from above and I freeze immediately. I shift my eyes upwards, only to see the underbelly of a Green Daggertail. It must be heading back to the Vale. Celaena cries out and my eyes flicker to where I last saw her. My blood runs cold as I see her wobble and fall.
     "Celaena!" I scream but I don't dare to move. Our eyes meet as she reaches for me. She falls.
     "Aelin, you need to continue!" Xaden bellows. "You mustn't fall!" My breathing is unsteady and uncontrollable.
     "I can't do it, Xaden," I yell. "I'm stuck! I can't move!"
     "Yes, you can," he speaks. "You must. Bolt up in an instant and keep going. I believe in you." I desperately try and steady my breathing, closing my eyes for a moment. I can do this. Three. Two. One! I bolt forward, acting on the adrenaline that is pumping through my veins. I step onto the last post before I jump myself to safety. I let out a cry of relief as Xaden followed my last steps.
He jumps onto the platform with me and engulfs me in a hug. I press my face into his chest as I allow him to comfort me.
"You are alright," he whispers in my ear before pulling away. He grips my shoulders to look me in the eyes. Even though I was comprehensively thinking about my life, I could see the relief in his eyes.
     "Come," he says and gently pushes me to the stairs that will lead us to the ground. I let him gently guide me to the earth, which I am happy to set my feet upon. Once I place my foot on the solid grounds of the earth, I remember that Nymeria is still out there. My head snaps in the direction of the Gauntlet. I watch her step onto the last post before finishing the Gauntlet.
"Nymeria!" I cry and wait for her to fall into my arms. Nymeria sprints down the stairs and flies me in the arms.
"I thought you were the one who fell when I heard those dreadful screams," Nymeria breathes. I close my eyes for a brief moment before pulling away from the embrace.
"Luckily I wasn't, it was Celaena," I mutter. She gently cups my cheeks and presses a soft kiss on my forehead.
"It could have happened to any of us, we commend her soul to Malek," she answers. I nod. I commend her soul to Malek. However, it doesn't sit right with me.