Games of Ambrosia {Book I}

5. The Selection (Part I)

      I chewed my breakfast as quietly and as slowly as I could. The eggs from the Faery farm were even better than the ones back home, though I hated to admit it. These days I missed my family so much it hurt; I hadn't talked to them ever since the Alliance Day. At night, I remained curled in my bed for hours, awaken by my own sobs and the fallen tears I shed for my loved ones. I still remembered how they embraced me the last time we were all together. Who knew if I'd ever see them again...

      Ever since the night of the Gathering, Caspian had been throwing glances my way and I felt annoyed. It made me feel observed and as if my every move was analyzed. I felt the intense gaze of his stormy blue eyes, and as I ignored it, I couldn't get rid of the unfamiliar tingles at the pit of my stomach. 

Get yourself together Beatrix. 

      I told myself I couldn't let myself get involved with a vampire. I could never do that. Despite my thoughts, my emerald eyes met with him and his beauty was once again striking. His metallic blue eyes bored into mine, and my breath hitched. I looked away quickly and had to mentally scold myself for a few seconds.

Vampire Zander, with his beautiful and solemn features typical to any vampire,  rose from his chair and spoke. "Good morning, dear Chosen. The Consul wanted to announce the success of The Gathering this year, you all outdid yourselves and Ambrosia was very pleased. Especially by you two lovebirds-" he looked at me with curiosity and amusement, "- Beatrix and Caspian. You guys stole Ambrosia's heart."

Somebody whistled, yelling out. "Yeah!"

A few chuckles echoed and others cheered. At that point, my whole pale face had turned a deep shade of beet red. On the other hand, Caspian's features remained serious and intense, though he did let out a light amused chuckle and smirked (obviously), crossing his arms. 

Vampire Zander raised his voice, "Anyways, as I was saying, you showed off quite some impressive tricks that night and the Consul wanted to congratulate you all. Also, I'd like to remind you that tonight's a very important night. Tonight, you will be selected by the gods and be put in teams. So, as you are all informed, we will be celebrating the Selection and the Numbering together."  

      The Selection is an event where the gods choose whom they'll be watching over during the Games; it's one of those sacred moments when we really are in contact with the gods. Usually, it is very rare for the Chosen to have to switch factions, so that casualty is badly seen. To your home faction, it means treachery and you will most likely be hated and lose supporters. It's kind of messed up since you don't really have anything to do with that, but I guess it's just the way it is.

And as the motto always goes, "May the gods bless your beings."

      I was growing tired of hearing that sentence five times a day. 

      The breakfast was finally over and everyone started rising from their tables to get back to their dorms. There was a bit less of an uncomfortable silence this morning, but the underlying awkwardness was still there. On the other hand, some people seemed to be quite sociable and spoke with everybody, laughing and enjoying their meal. I think that the nerves are the reason why people are acting so unfriendly. You don't know who'll be your rivals and who'll be your allies, which makes it wiser to not get attached too soon. I walked down the hall towards my room, caught up in my thoughts.

"Blonde Locks!" I heard someone yell out and immediately recognized the voice. "Beatrix!"

I swivelled around, rolling my eyes. "You called me by my name. Now that's a first."

      I turned back around and walked to my door, reaching for it but a hand quickly blocked my passage. In a matter of seconds, I felt his cool breath on my neck and his chest against my back, sighing while my heartbeat doubled its pace.

"What do you want," my voice sounded breathy.

      His hand touched my waist and he turned me to face him, still keeping me in his strong hold. Caspian towered over me, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from his. I noticed a small scar across his perfectly dark and arched eyebrows. It gave him a certain bad boy vibe. His pale skin and icy aura reeled me in and I couldn't help wondering who he truly was under all this masquerade. 

His voice was deep and masculine, smooth but with a raspy edge. "Nothing. I just wanted to show you something."

He smiled a boyish smile and I noticed a dimple on his left cheek. 

"Come with me."

I pushed him away gently to put some distance between us. "Are you crazy? Caspian, as far as I know, we could be rivals starting tomorrow! I can't get attached to anybody, especially not with a vampire boy."

A pang of hurt crossed his face and he clenched his jaw.

I closed my eyes and bit the inside of my cheek. "I'm sorry, that came out wrong."

"It's alright. But I think we should make the most out of this last day. Don't you think?" He curled a strand of my ash blonde hair behing my ear.

My eyes widened and I blushed.

Caspian said, "I'll see you at the Selection."