Out of the Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter Forty-Four

The crowd rushed down to the lawn and all gathered in front of the Champions' tent. We could hear them awaiting us while we all cleaned up and debriefed together on what had happened.

"Rachel, you did amazing! 'Ow did you complete that Riddle Room so quickly?" Bridgette asked me.

"I don't really know. I just ran the clues in my mind over and over until something clicked and I just went with my instincts and tried the answers. I was lucky." I said, feeling my cheeks pink up.

"No. No, you weren't." Will said, looking sternly into my eyes. I was about to ask him what he meant by that, was he insinuating that I cheated? But he continued, "You are bright. You are smart and logical. It's like this task was tailor made for you." He smiled, encouragingly.

"Well, I used to play wizard's chess almost every night with my little brother... he's rather good." I said, trying to give someone else the credit for my win. I was feeling embarrassed by it for some reason.

"You 'ave a leetle brozer? That is so very nice." Bridgette said, smiling at me.

Will looked confused. I supposed it was because just last night, I told him I was an orphan. But clearly adoption was a thing, right? Surely, he'd put that together.

"Well, Will, I was thoroughly impressed with your chess playing. We MUST play each other sometime." I said slyly changing the subject.

"You're on!" He smiled again, his blue eyes sparkling at the challenge.

"And Bridgette, you didn't get any wrong answers in the Riddle Room! Neither did I! I was so impressed with your performance. That room was crazy."

"Yes. I enjoy riddles. But I sink I was oversinking ze answers and it ended up hurting my time." She said sadly.

"It's ok. You still finished and with no wrong answers to boot! Will can't say that, can you, Will?" I jibed him a bit but he still smiled.

"I admit I was rushing and thoughtlessly put the math answer to the first riddle."

I laughed! "I almost did that, too!"

We were all smiling again and even Bridgette seemed cheered up a bit after her third-place finish. So, we decided it was time to leave our tent as we were all cleaned up and ready.

As the flap opened, several flashes went off in our faces from the newspaper photographer and the crowd's cheers were almost deafening.

My eyes were still blurry from the flashing when warm arms encircled me and squeezed hard. "You did it, love! I'm so proud of you!" Seb said into my ear, rubbing circles on my back. I closed my arms around his waist and snuggled into his comforting ocean smell.

"Thanks, Seb. I'm glad it's over." I mumbled into his chest.

"Hungry?" He could probably hear my stomach growl.

"Yes, very." I answered and he grasped my fingers with his as we started back to the castle for lunch.

"Make way, make way. First Task Champion coming through." He called, proudly.

I playfully slapped his arm, turning a bit red. "Seb. Don't rub it in."

--

It had been almost a week since the first task. I was starting to feel normalcy settle over me with the routine of classes and spending time with old and new friends.

Although, Seb was still being as possessive as ever. And his craving for my physical submission to his needs seemed to never be satisfied. Not that I was complaining. I craved his touch as much as he craved mine.