“Madeline.” He reached a hand out to her.
“I’m fine. Look—” Suddenly she cried out, wrapping an arm across her stomach. Pain twisted her features.
He’d seen hints that she was in pain the night before, too, but he’d let her brush it off. Not this time.
“What’s wrong?”
Her face had gone pale.
“That’s it. I’m taking you to Medical.”
“I’m fine. I’m not going to Medical.”
“Madeline—”
“No.” She shook her head, a wobble in her voice. “I don’t want any more poking and prodding. They checked me over when I arrived and gave me a clean bill of health.” She straightened. “I’m fine, just worried about Blaine.” She pulled in a long breath. “I’ll help you with your show.” The words came out in a rush.
Lore felt a shot of satisfaction. “You might just enjoy yourself.”
“I doubt it,” she said, bad-temperedly.
“I’ll send an outfit to your room.”
Her eyes widened. “Outfit?”
“It’s all part of the show, Madeline. We have to set the scene. It’s all part of getting the information we need from Vashto and Cerria.”
She muttered under her breath. “Fine.” She started to turn away.
He grabbed her arm. “You’ll watch me fight tonight?”
“I’ll be there. I’ll be watching everyone.”
He leaned in close, getting a hint of whatever scent she’d rubbed on her skin. It wasn’t flowers, something deeper and muskier that once again made him believe that there was heat buried in Madeline Cochran.
“I think you’re lying, dushla.” This close to her, he sensed the rising warmth on her skin. It was a neat little skill common to the males of his species.
“You’ve called me that before. What’s it mean?” She kept her tone brisk and he knew she was trying to change the subject.
“It means little fire.” He tugged on her hair. “I think you’ll be watching me. You like watching me.”
Her blue eyes sparked. “You are so arrogant. And I should know—I’ve been dealing with arrogant men my entire life.”
“My mother accused me of overconfidence as well.”
“She knows you well.”
Lore felt a slashing pain. “She did. Before she was killed.”
Madeline fell silent. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s hard to lose those you love.”
Her lips pressed together. “Do you have a child?”
“No.”
“The pain of losing a child is unimaginable.” She took a step back. “I’ll see you tonight.”
She turned to walk away, the subtle sway of her hips under her tunic and trousers drawing his gaze. She had delicious curves that she preferred to hide, rather than showcase.
Lore wanted to follow her. He wanted to pull her in close and hold her. Soothe her.
But just like that pet lizard he’d had, he knew that in this moment, she’d scratch and bite.
He needed more patience. He turned his gaze to a sky that was turning from pale blue to dark purple as the suns set. And more determination.
He smiled to himself. His mother had always accused him of being stubborn, too.
Chapter Three
Madeline sat in the stands, her hands twisted together in her lap. Her eyes were glued to the arena below. She was gobsmacked.
She’d attended a few arena fights in the last few weeks. She’d watched sword clash against sword, and blood splatter the sand.
But this spectacle wasn’t like anything she’d ever seen before. All around her, the tiers of stone seats of the massive arena were packed with screaming spectators.
Down below, the arena floor had been transformed. It was filled with water, with flat-bottomed boats floating on them. The boats were made of a dark, black wood with sharp, reinforced prows for ramming other boats. A few had masts with white sails flapping in the wind. Expectant energy throbbed off the crowd.
They were waiting for the gladiators to appear.
“They use a mix of holographic technology and real-life objects to change the arena,” Regan said from beside Madeline. The other woman was popping some sort of popcorn-like snack into her mouth.
“It’s incredible.” God, Jack would love this. Her son was as obsessed by history as he was by space.
“The boats have hidden engines,” Rory added from Madeline’s other side. “I got to do some maintenance work on them. The sails are for show.”
Somewhere, high above them, some of the crowd started to stomp their feet. Madeline saw movement on the other side of the arena.
The rival gladiators appeared. They swam out of a flooded tunnel, with powerful strokes of their arms.