quicker than his thoughts, wrapping around her, drawing her in. This is dangerous. This is wrong. But it was the single greatest feeling he had known in years, and that alone made it worth the risk.
A rustling sounded, and Leila pulled away, glancing down the labyrinth. “The first group is coming. I have to go.”
Tobias pulled her closer, pushing her hair behind her ear. “I wish you could stay.”
“Is that so?”
“The moment was too fleeting.”
He kissed her again, willingly forgetting the men headed their way. She sank into his lips before tearing away from him, throwing her cloak and satchel over her shoulder.
“We’ll see if you still feel this way tomorrow,” she said.
“You think I won’t?”
“I think men can be fickle in matters such as these.” She gave him one more kiss. “I have to go.”
She was on her feet before he could protest, skipping across the stone steps and shuffling into the labyrinth.
“Leila.”
She spun around.
“I’m not fickle,” he said. “I’ll still feel this way tomorrow. Nothing will change.”
A grin spread across her cheeks. “I hope so.”
As she disappeared into the darkness, Tobias exhaled, flopping onto his back like a tired sack. The other competitors neared the sanctuary, but he was still reveling in Leila’s touch, her kiss.
“Is that Tobias?” Flynn asked. “Bet he spent the entire time beating off.”
Caesar chuckled. “You dog.”
“What? That’s what I would’ve done—take advantage of the privacy. My balls are nearly about to explode.”
Their chatter bounced off the walls, but Tobias paid no attention to it. He could still feel her, could taste a hint of peaches, and he stared at the ceiling in silence, replaying the moment in his mind.
“There’s our infamous loser,” Flynn said. “How was your solitude?”
Flynn kicked Tobias’s leg, but he didn’t budge. The men ambled through the sanctuary, invading his space, but still the moment was perfect. Potent. He smiled.
“Terrible.”
Tobias sprang from his tent and sauntered through the sanctuary. It was early in the morning, and while most of the men were worn and groggy, he felt rested. Flynn examined his swollen fingers, while Raphael partook in their dismal breakfast—water and nothing else, a fact that should’ve perturbed Tobias, but not today. Certainly not after last evening.
With gusto, he wedged himself between Flynn and Raphael. “Morning, gentlemen.”
Flynn snorted. “You’re looking awfully chipper for a loser.”
“Today’s a new day.”
He ladled a helping of water before stopping short, distracted by his own hand—mangled just a day ago, now functional, painless. Laughing under his breath, he peeled off his bandages. “God, she’s good.”
“What was that?”
Raphael watched him, a single eyebrow raised, and Tobias looked away. “Hm?” He sipped his water. “Nothing.”
The back wall dissolved into a narrow portal, and in walked Delphi, her gaze instantly locking with his. “Tobias. You first.”
Dropping his bowl, he hurried to her bench, and she chuckled at his steadfast grin. “You look in high spirits.”
“I could kiss you right now.”
“Now, Tobias, don’t go kissing everyone.”
“She told you?” His eyes widened. “What did she say? She didn’t say anything bad, did she?”
“Actually, she was rather tight-lipped—more so than she was with you, apparently.”
“Oh. Is that good or bad?”
Delphi laughed, and he frowned. “Why are you laughing?”
“You two.” She lathered his skin with something fruity. “You’re precious.”
“Before she left, she said she feared I’d change my mind about her come morning. What does that even mean? I think about her constantly. Why would I change my mind?”
Delphi sighed. “Oh, poor Leila. She’s nervous, is all. I think she likes you quite a lot.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Another grin spread across his face. Kneading his biceps, Delphi worked her balms into his skin before swatting him with her rag. “All done.”
Tobias looked down at his unoiled body. “But you’ve hardly touched me.”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s all coming off anyway.”
“Coming off? Oh God, I haven’t asked you a thing about today’s challenge.”
Delphi looked him in the eye, her stare suddenly severe. “Be careful, love.”
She shooed him away, leaving him to wander the sanctuary, his grin reduced to a blank stare. Orion, Zander, and Enzo had risen, and he joined them and the others in their usual spot, only vaguely aware of their chatter.
“So what are we anticipating today?” Flynn glanced around the circle. “We’ve given Her a gift, we’ve played a game, perhaps now we’ll talk about our feelings?”
“We did that one already,” Orion said. “The poem, remember?”
“Ah, right you are.” Flynn chuckled.
Raphael grimaced, eyeing Flynn sidelong. “You make light of the challenge?”
“I’m just saying, they haven’t exactly been challenging as of late.” Flynn slugged Tobias in