CHAPTER 69: TOURNAMENT

At long last, the week came to a close, and the heroes began preparing for the tournament. With my usual training spot taken over in preparation for the tournament, I knocked on Soltair’s door, hoping he would keep me company.

"Ah, Xiviyah. I was hoping you’d come by," he said as I entered, "would you help me with these straps?"

I nodded, slipping behind his muscled frame to tighten the stiff leather straps of his armor. "The maids must have been busy. You’re shining brighter than the sun."

He chuckled, lifting an arm to allow me better access to a particularly difficult strap. "They certainly work hard. But what about you? It’s been a few days since you joined us for lunch."

My fingers slowed, but I forced them to keep moving. "I-I just got busy," I said, trying to sound casual. "Besides, you and Alex seemed to have plenty of fun together without me."

He tried to turn and catch my eye, but I danced around, attacking his armor with renewed fervor. "I know he was coming on a little strong, but he means well," Soltair said, finally giving up the chase.

I nodded, holding my tongue. Throughout the week, some of the other heroes tracked me down, as Korra did that first day. Soltair had invited me to join them almost every day for lunch, which I happily accepted the first time.

"A little tighter," Soltair said, flexing his back against his breastplate. As I tugged on the strap, he continued, "I think Alex was crushing on you a little, to be honest."

"I’d rather not talk about it," I muttered, blushing slightly. "He talks like that anyone wearing a dress."

"No, really, I haven’t seen him that forward in a long time, not since the first night we arrived, when he somehow got a maid in bed with him. The Pope was livid, let me tell you," he chuckled.

I hurried on, feeling a twinge of regret. Perhaps coming here was a mistake. "Oh? Somehow that doesn’t surprise me."

"Hey, you don’t need to be so distant," he chided, pulling away and facing me. "At worst, he was only teasing you. Who knows, maybe you’ve successfully seduced a hero to your side. One step closer, right?"

"That’s not funny," I sighed, sitting on his bed.

His smile faded, and he sighed heavily. "No, I suppose it’s not. How has your training been going?"

The question felt rather clumsy, and I nearly rolled my eyes at his attempt to change the subject. "It was good."

He waited expectantly for some time, but I didn’t feel like elaborating. After a long moment, he sat down in a chair, stringing the wooden legs beneath his armored weight. "Xiviyah, I know things aren’t the best between us right now, but I want to help you. If what Alex says makes you uncomfortable, I’ll have a word with him."

"Oh, thanks." I looked away, the familiar conviction in his eyes making my heart tremble. It drew me on, promising a back to shelter behind and a shoulder to cry on, but I didn’t know if I could trust it. Where was that earnestness at the banquet? Or when he left me behind to kill my own blood? I wanted to tell him Alex wasn’t a part of it, that there was so much more, but my mouth wouldn’t move. He’d already made it clear where his priorities were, and bringing it up again would only bring both of us pain.

"I-I should go," I stammered, rising to my feet, "You have to get ready for the tournament."

I jerked back as he caught my arm in his gauntlet, binding me to him. "Wait. Would you go with me? It feels strange to go to the arena without you beside me. Even if you’re not on the battlefield, I’ll rest easy knowing you’re close by."

His words sent my heart in disarray once more, and I found myself nodding, voice soft and sweet. "Okay."

He sagged in relief and a smile fluttered across his handsome face. "Thank you. We’d best head off, or we’re going to be late."

The underground passages were thick with people worming their way toward to the colosseum. It looked like half the city was in the tunnels alone. No one wanted to miss the crowning event of the festival, after all. I hung close to Soltair as we pressed through the clogged tunnels, flinching as the blurred faces thronged us. Many wanted to interact with the Sun Hero, even if it was something as simple as stroking his armor and calling out his name. As he walked by, their attention inevitably shifted behind him, landing on me. Amid the recoiling disgust and hatred, a few stretched out their hands, grabbing or groping me roughly. I bit my lip, holding back a cry, as one grabbed my tail, giving it a jerk before it slipped between his fingers. The cries of "filthblood" and "demon" filled the hallway, and I ran forward, clinging to Soltair for protection.

Soltair looked back as my fingers dug into his arm, and his expression hardened. He opened his mouth, fury in his gaze, but his tongue froze. I watched, dismayed as he turned around and continued walking, allowing the crowd to act as they pleased. Although he pretended ignorance, his steps quickened and his body stiffened every time a sudden prod or poke drew a wince between my lips.

At long last, we reached the colosseum and were picked up by a white-robed priest. I sagged in relief as we left the hostile crowd behind, glancing down to find my arms and shoulders red with fingermarks. I silently cast a Life Dew, sighing in relief as the soreness and marks faded away.

"Right this way," the priest says, ushering us through a door.

We emerged in the blinding light, finding ourselves in one of the boxes closest to the ground. The other heroes were already assembled and sat patiently, conversing together in low voices. Korra looked up and flashed me a smile, gesturing to an empty seat next to her. I shot a quick look at Soltair, but he’d already left me, sitting between Alex and Victor. Was he really going to talk with Alex? I pushed the doubts away and sat beside Korra, finally allowing myself to relax in her presence. A moment later, the Pope stood, and the event began.