ECLIPTIC REIGN

Chapter 3

I am roused from my slumber by a resounding knock echoing through the door of my chamber.

"Miss, all participants are expected to gather in the courtyard within two hours. Make sure you use this time to prepare for the second round of the contest," a guard calls from the other side of the door.

Right.

For a brief moment, I had forgotten that my very life hung in the balance. The plush mattress beneath me offered a comfort far surpassing the hard wooden floors of my previous safehouse, granting me a reprieve from my troubles. As I stretch my arms and tail to shake off the lingering embrace of sleep, I'm reminded of the dire circumstances awaiting me. My cloak and bag of equipment rest atop a nearby desk, waiting to be donned for the impending trial. With a determined resolve, I slip out of bed, steeling myself for the daunting challenge that lies ahead.

The courtyard exudes a sense of grandeur and spaciousness, with only ten participants occupying its expanse. As I stroll forward, Terran strides confidently beside me, his muscular arms casually tucked behind his head, drawing the admiring gazes of several female participants.

You and the Duke should compete to see who garners the most attention, honestly.

"Did you have a nice catnap?" Terran asks.

"Cat nap?" I ask.

"Yeah, because you look like a cat with those little nubs of yours."

I forgot he saw my horns.

I retrieve the dagger from my pocket and press it threateningly against his neck. "Listen, do not breathe a word to anyone about what you've witnessed. I may not know precisely who I am, but all I desire is to live. I didn't choose to be hunted or to be born this way. Every action I take is for my survival, so I strongly advise you to keep silent."

Sadness and pity flash in Terran's amethyst eyes before they are once again veiled by humour.

"Relax; if I were going to say something, I would have by now. I made a promise of truce, and I intend to keep it."

I release my hand, which had been holding the dagger against his neck, and securely tuck it back into my pocket. Avoiding further conversation with Terran, I avert my gaze and remain silent. Fortunately, he refrains from pressing the matter further and simply smiles as we wait for everyone in the courtyard to assemble.

The Duke Prince makes his grand appearance and assumes the same position as the previous day when we handed over our tags.

"You must protect your sphere after the grace period of five hours has ended. You can hide it in the forest, but each sphere has a summoning enchantment to ensure no trading or false claims. I will be hunting down five spheres, and whoever is assigned to them will be disqualified. The remaining five will move on to the third round," he concludes his speech. He proceeds to move to a spot that is shadowed and secluded.

I gazed at the Duke for a moment. He seems to blend seamlessly with the shadows, his obsidian hair and dark armour rendering his silhouette nearly indistinguishable in the dim light. This round is shaping up to be exceedingly challenging.

As if attuned to my scrutiny, the Duke locks eyes with me. Once again, I find myself ensnared in his fiery yet icy gaze. A shiver of fear, akin to the touch of death itself, snakes its way up my spine. Hastily, I avert my gaze from the Duke, endeavouring to steady my racing heart.

Terran's voice snaps me back to reality. "So here's my plan," he begins. "I suggest you and I stick together this round. There's no way we'll manage to hide from the Duke indefinitely. We need to create a distraction."