Mated To Rival Kings

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Darian's POV

Watching them lead Raven toward the center of the courtyard made my jaw tighten. She looked so small, her eyes darting between me and Valen as the workers guided her toward that ridiculous contraption. It was a cage made of thick, pulsating vines that looked like they had a life of their own. Below it was a pool filled with water so cold that frost was already forming on the stone rim.

I felt a surge of fury. My wolf, Sage, was pacing in the back of my mind, his fur bristling. They shouldn't touch her, Sage growled. They shouldn't put her in danger for a show.

Sage was always like this—logical, protective, and incredibly demanding of order. He didn't like chaos, and right now, my life was a mess of it. I was months away from being forced to marry a woman I didn't want, and suddenly, I had a mate who was an Omega and a rival King who claimed she was his too.

“Control yourself, Darian,” I whispered to myself, smoothing out my shirt.

We were led away from the sofas toward the entrance of the Labyrinth of Shadows. Valen walked beside me, his gait uneven and his eyes looking a bit glazed. He looked like he was one bad thought away from a total meltdown.

“Try not to mess this up, Valen,” I said, my voice low and biting. “If you move too fast, she falls. If you move too slow, she falls. Can your tiny brain handle that?”

Valen let out a sharp, dry laugh. “My brain is fine, Darian. Maybe you should worry about your own stiff legs. You look like you’ve got a pole up your backside.”

“It’s called posture,” I retorted. “Something you wouldn’t understand.”

We reached the edge of the darkened maze. The guards were waiting with heavy black blindfolds. I looked at the distance between the two lever stations. They were on opposite sides of the labyrinth, completely cut off from each other.

“We can’t do this by shouting,” I said, stopping in my tracks. “The crowd is too loud, and we’ll lose the timing.”

Valen stopped too, wiping a smudge of blood from his cheek. “So what do you suggest, genius?”

“A temporary mind link,” I said. The words felt like ash in my mouth. A mind link was an intimate thing, usually reserved for an Alpha and his Beta, or mates. Linking with Valen was the last thing I wanted to do. “It’s the only way to coordinate the pull perfectly.”

Valen’s eyes narrowed. “Fine. But I’m not submitting to you. I’ll be the one to initiate it. You take the bite.”

I felt my face heat up. “I am a King. I don’t submit to anyone, especially not a Northern lunatic. You take the bite.”

“In your dreams, Darian. My wolf is on edge. If you try to bite me, he’ll rip your throat out before the link even forms.”

We stood there, glaring at each other while my mate was being hoisted into the air. I looked over my shoulder. Raven was already in the cage, her hands gripping the vines. The cage began its slow descent.

“Fine!” I snapped, shoving my wrist toward him. “Do it quickly. And if you try anything stupid, I’ll kill you the moment the blindfold comes off.”

What I do for love, I thought sarcastically.

Valen didn't hesitate. He grabbed my arm, his grip bruising and his canines elongated slightly. It was a weird, unsettling experience. I had been bitten in wolf form during spars and battles, but being bitten by a man in human form felt different and incredibly invasive.

He sank his teeth into my wrist. I hissed through my teeth, the sting of it blooming into a strange, buzzing heat that traveled up my arm and into my brain. Suddenly, I could hear him. Not his voice, but his essence. It was a chaotic, swirling mess of dark thoughts and rough edges.

Seriously, how messed up was his mind?

Can you hear me, uptight? Valen’s voice echoed in my head.

Clearly, I replied, pulling my arm away and wiping the blood on my pants. Now let's go.

The guards stepped forward and tied the blindfolds. Total darkness swallowed me. I was led to my starting position on the left side of the maze. My other senses immediately kicked into high gear. I could hear the rustle of the wind, the distant cheers of the crowd, and the slow creak-creak-creak of the vine cage lowering Raven toward the ice.

“Are we ready?” Maddox’s voice boomed through a microphone. “Kings, on my mark... Go!”

I moved. The labyrinth was filled with obstacles like hanging chains, low walls, and uneven ground.

I’m at the first turn, I thought toward Valen. Move three steps left, then straight.

I know how to walk! Valen snapped back. I’m already past the chains. You’re moving like a turtle.

Because if I trip, the timing resets! Stop rushing!

I could feel his impatience coming through the link. He was moving too fast, his movements jerky and aggressive. I had to concentrate on my own path while trying to keep him from veering off-course. I bumped into a stone pillar, the impact jarring my shoulder.

Focus! Sage barked in my mind. Mate is in danger!

I heard a splash. A small one.

“She’s touching the water!” someone in the crowd screamed.

Panic flared in my chest. I abandoned my cautious pace and sprinted forward, using my hands to guide me along the cold stone walls.

Valen! I’m ten feet from the lever. Where are you?

I’m... I hit a wall! Wait, I’m turning. I see it—I mean, I feel it!

I reached the lever. It was a heavy iron bar. I gripped it with both hands, my muscles straining.

On three, I told him. If we aren't exact, the cage drops. One...

Wait! I’m not there yet! Valen’s voice was panicked. The floor moved!

“She’s halfway in!” Maddox shouted.

I could hear Raven now. She wasn't screaming, but I could hear her sharp, terrified gasps as the freezing water probably hit her legs. It's nothing life-threatening but the thought of her in pain sent a surge of adrenaline through me.

Valen, get to the lever NOW or I will personally hunt you down!

Got it! I’m on it!

One... two... THREE!

We pulled.

There was a sickening mechanical groan. For a heartbeat, I thought we had failed. The ground beneath me vibrated, and I heard a loud snap. But then, the sound of the lowering vines stopped. Instead, I heard the rapid whirring of a pulley system.

“They did it!” the crowd erupted into cheers.

I ripped off my blindfold. My eyes took a second to adjust to the lights that have been put on because it was getting dark already. Across the courtyard, the vine cage was being pulled rapidly upward, away from the ice-cold pool. Raven was drenched from the waist down, her dress clinging to her, but she was safe.

Valen was already running toward her from the other side, his blindfold dangling from his hand. I didn't stay behind. I sprinted toward the center, my heart hammering.

We reached her at the same time the workers opened the cage. She stumbled out, shivering violently. Her lips were a pale shade of blue.

Valen reached her first, wrapping his good arm around her and pulling her against his chest. I moved to her other side, tempted to rip her away from him but I placed my hand on her back instead to share my warmth.

“You’re okay,” I whispered, my voice thick with a relief I didn't want to admit. “You’re safe.”

She looked up at us, her eyes darting between my face and Valen’s. She looked exhausted, like the weight of the last few hours had finally crushed her.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

I looked at Valen over her head. He looked back at me, and for a split second, the hatred was dampened. We had worked together. We had saved her.

I still don't like you, I thought to him, my eyes narrowed.

The feeling is mutual, he fired in return.

“The first day of the Peace Summit is officially over,” the Elder announced, his voice carrying a weight that silenced the crowd. “You can all mingle and play as you will. Tomorrow morning, we feast and drink together, then at night, we run!”

Cheers arose everywhere. Then he looked towards the entrance of the courtyard, his face turning grim.

I turned around, following his gaze. A messenger was sprinting toward us, his face pale and covered in sweat. He was wearing the colors of the Southern palace.

“Your Majesty!” the messenger gasped, falling to his knees in front of me. “Lady Celeste... she’s gone missing.”