HannahI fidgeted nervously as the stage assistant guided me and Noah through the bustling backstage area, leading us toward the other contestants. The whole place was like a cacophony of noise—almost too much for my frayed nerves.The games were to be held on a large, flat athletic field, and each
“I had the same thought cross my mind,” she admitted. “But I didn’t want to sound—”“—Ladies! If I could have you join the others, we’re about to begin!”The announcement cut me off, and Zoe and I both startled, whipping around to see one of the assistant directors waving us towards center stage. Wi
HannahMy heart sank as one of the attendants approached us, a length of rope held in his hands. I eyed it warily, already envisioning the tangled disaster Noah and I were sure to become. We hadn’t trained for this since that one day last week when we had fought so hard that we had fallen.“For the
HannahAs soon as my feet touched back down on solid ground, the world came crashing back into focus. A deafening roar of cheers and applause reached my ears, along with the sound of my own breaths coming out ragged and startled.Noah released me, although his hands momentarily remained around my wa
HannahThe lights of the grand ballroom seemed to blur together as Noah and I took center stage, the Luna Queen’s attendants placing ornate crowns on top of our heads and sashes around our shoulders. My heart pounded in my ears, the roar of applause fading into the background as I turned toward Noah
She regarded me for a long moment, her expression unreadable before she pulled out the chair beside her with a loud scrape. “Sit.”I did as instructed as she leaned back, swirling her wine idly while regarding me down the length of her birdlike nose.“You have been a busy girl, haven’t you, Hannah?”
HannahI couldn’t quite help the way my stomach grumbled as the scents of the reception’s lavish buffet wafted through the ballroom. Plate after plate piled high with gourmet delicacies caught my eye—tender cuts of meat glistening under a sweet glaze, buttery pastries dusted with powdered sugar, col
Hannah“You’re embarrassed.” Noah’s low voice ran across the side of my ear, making me flinch. “I can tell from the redness in your cheeks.”I recoiled, blinking owlishly up at him as he smirked down at me, one broad palm braced against the wall beside my head. His cheeks were somewhat rosy from dri