Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
But both of their words fell on deaf ears. I wouldn’t be facing a typical opponent; I would be fighting a powerful demigod while I possessed only human abilities. It would be like boxing Superman.
I lifted my eyes to Christos and lamented, “I don’t want to let you down.”
“You won’t,” he replied with a wink and a squeeze to my shoulders. “Go get some rest, and we’ll face this in the morning.” He turned to Lyric and requested, “Take care of him, okay?”
“Of course.”
My friend left us alone, and I led my mate off the main path of golden bricks onto one lined with cobblestones. On both sides stood homes much smaller and more humble than the rest. They housed young men in training. Though my father loved decadence, he believed it must be earned. Everyone paid their dues in these small cottages, but I never thought I’d be returning to one.
I made my way to my old bungalow and tried the handle. The door opened, and gave way to an empty house. It was unoccupied, and I assumed it had been that way since my departure. It was as if my father expected me to reside here once more.
Everything was as I remembered; the same furniture stood, collecting dust. There were no photos or decor on the walls. There was no source of entertainment, except for a weight bench along the back wall. As a child, I was constantly told, “If you have time to rest, you have time to train.”
I took Lyric into the bedroom, which held a small mattress on the floor. It wasn’t meant to be inviting or comfortable. It was only a necessity. I sat on the firm springs and took my head in my hands. It felt as if it were going to spin right off my body. I had so much to say to my mate, but no idea how to begin.
Lyric sat next to me and pressed a kiss to my cheek. He rested his head on my shoulder and told me, “I’m here whenever you’re ready.”
Those few words of support opened the gates, and all of my pent up thoughts came tumbling out. “Growing up, I would marvel at my brothers who returned home; everyone would. Every champion received a feast in his honor, and there was a great celebration when he received his powers. Those were the only times I ever saw my father smile.”
Angry energy built up inside me, and I couldn’t sit still. I stood up and paced the room as I spoke. “It was the moment I dreamed of my whole life. It was my motivation in every fight. It was what gave me hope every time I sliced through my skin, but was denied access to my home; it was what gave me a reason to keep going.
“But even when I finally earn my place, it still isn’t good enough; I’m not good enough. There’s no feast or celebration; only disappointment.”
And rage; it burned inside me for the first time in my life. Anger towards my father and brothers boiled in my veins. Maybe this is what I had been missing. Maybe this was the key to my success. I had to let it fuel me, show no mercy, and take down anyone in my path.
It was what set the others apart from me. They let anger and vengeance take the reins, and that allowed them to be victorious. Maybe it was time for me to do the same.
I stopped pacing when a sweet, heavenly voice filled the air:
When you walk through a storm,
Hold your head up high,
And don't be afraid of the dark,
At the end of a storm,
There's a golden sky,
And the sweet silver song of a lark,
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
For your dreams be tossed and blown,
Walk on, walk on,
With hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone,
You'll never walk alone.
I turned around to find Lyric's lip trapped between his teeth, and his cheeks glowing red. “It's from one of my favorite musicals,” he whispered. “I sing it sometimes when I'm overwhelmed or scared. I thought it might help you.”
I took stock of my body, realizing that my fists were no longer clinched, my pulse was not elevated, and my mind was not clouded with dark thoughts. Lyric's sweet song soothed my soul.
This is why Fate chose this wonderful man for me; to remind me there was beauty in softness and compassion. She delivered him to join me on this journey, to bring balance to a world riddled with competition and rivalry. I couldn't let victory come at the price of inner peace. Rage and pride fueled those around, but they would not fuel me. Win or lose, I had my perfect mate by my side, which made me the most blessed champion of all.