The Immortal Game by Talia Rothschild

Author:Talia Rothschild [Rothschild, Talia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

24

IYANA

Iyana tightened the seaweed around her waist and curled up. Sleeping underwater was becoming more familiar, but she still didn’t like the way her body shifted and rocked all night long. Hopefully, she was tired enough that she’d sleep through the night this time.

She closed her eyes, waiting in the darkness for sleep to overtake her. One by one, she heard the others’ breathing deepen. Just as she thought she might sink into oblivion, Demitri’s fingers ran down her arm.

He wants to talk about today. She bit her tongue.

“Iyana.” He spoke in a quiet voice.

Slowly, she uncurled and turned to look at him.

“Listen.” He scanned her face, a contrite expression in his gaze. “I’m sorry I lost my temper when you wandered off in the labyrinth.”

Dark stubble had grown on his jaw since they left Olympus, and his blue eyes caught a glint of filtered moonlight. Why do you always have to look so perfect?

She turned her head, not wanting him to read the emotion on her face. “Well … it’s true, isn’t it? I keep getting us in trouble. I’m making things harder.”

“You know I only said those things because I care. I just don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I wish I could just protect myself,” she muttered.

“But you don’t need to—I’m with you. I promise I’ll take care of you.” He pulled her into his embrace, and she breathed deeply. The familiar scent of oak was still there, but faint, mingled with the brine of the ocean. “I should have been the one to find you and pull you back, not Braxtus.”

She tensed in his arms.

“Didn’t I tell you I was concerned about his motives?” When she didn’t answer, he continued. “He didn’t stay with us to help Galene or stop Poinê. He stayed for the same reason he came. For you.”

She took a breath, wanting to defend Braxtus’s intentions but not sure how.

“I know you were friends. I get it. But this isn’t healthy. It’s an obsession. It drove him all the way out of Olympus, potentially into exile, and it concerns me.” He drew her up, scanning her face. “I’m worried he’s going to get to you—drive a wedge between us. I’m not sure how to protect you from that.”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Demitri, he won’t.”

“Can you promise me that?”

Her heart panged, and she brushed the hair from his eyes. “You’ve done everything for me. I’m here. I’m not leaving you, no matter what Braxtus says or does.”

“Good,” he breathed. “Then do one thing for me.”

“What?”

“Stay away from him.”

She frowned. “That’s pretty difficult in such a small group.”

He took her head in his hands. “Just don’t allow him to continue to engage you. Avoid him all you can.” He lowered his head and kissed her. His lips were warm and soft against hers, and after a moment, he pulled back just enough to look in her eyes. “Please.”

“All right,” she whispered.

Giving her a gentle smile, he tucked back a strand that had come loose from her braid.

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