Page 37 of A Match Made in Error

Obviously, this is all just the game getting to me. The island. The forced proximity. The way she keeps forcing herself to look at me like I’m worth more than the worst things I think about myself.

That’ll mess with a man eventually.

Still…

When she ducks her head, smiling despite herself, I catch myself wondering what it would take to make her look at a man like that when no one else is watching.

To do it for real and not for show.

“Challenge complete!” the Mother’s proud voice interrupts any response Poppy was about to give. I carry Poppy to the beach again, hoping to look over and see the jealousy burning in Angora’s eyes. Honestly, I’d be happy to see some women in Fate’s Fortune wearing shirts with my face on them. Anything to validate that gnawing in my chest.

But…what the hell is Erik doing hugging her like that? They just lost.

She is…laughing. Again. Is she laughing at his joke even though they lost? She hates losing. She once yelled at me for thirty minutes for losing spades at her couples-only game night.

Don’t stare. Don’t stare. Oh, Fate, I’m staring.

“You look jealous,” Poppy quips, wiping her lips like she’s trying to remove our kiss from them. Why does that sting? “She’s not worth it.”

“I’m not jealous,” I snap back. “I’m observationally furious.” And I’m not jealous. Not of them in that way. I just don’t understand what about me brought out the worst in Angora when she’s so…nice with Erik. Angora makes eye contact and starts to walk over, hand-in-hand with her match. “Quick, look in love.” I sling an arm over Poppy’s shoulder and tug her into my side, nearly knocking her over.

“Congrats, you two,” the lord says.

“There you are, looking so cozy again,” Angora adds with, what looks like, a genuine smile. “And just think, you almost didn’t enter the Festival.” She says it like a joke, but I can see something twinkle in her eye. A hint of jealousy, perhaps? She rubs her eye. Nope. Just sand.

“Well, I didn’t know what Fate had in store, but I suppose the Moirai knew better.” Truth. They knew better than to match me with Angora. A truth that Poppy knows, but I feel her flinch beside me, nonetheless.

“Okay, well…bye, Poppy,” Angora starts, looking me up and down before continuing. “Bye, Riven.” They walk to the front of the group, standing before the Moirai as they hand out emotional resonance scores. The Moirai and the audience have always scored the couples at the end of each trial or check-in based on how compatible they think they are. Usually, the couple with the highest score earns a night in Amor Domus, a cabin spelled to give its inhabitants anything their heart desires. I wonder what the prize is here.

“Riven and Poppy.” The Maiden’s eyes pass over the crowd until she finds us. With a smile on her lips, she says, “An eighteen.” The number flashes above our heads. “Not bad at all for your first trial.”

Arm still around her shoulder, I pull her in. “All according to plan,” I hum.

“Riven, that was not a plan.” She shrugs out of my hold when the Moirai’s attention flutters to the next couple. “That was a whim and a prayer.”

“Last couple, Angora and Erik. Fourteen.”

I snort and have to force myself not to outwardly gloat. “We beat them.” I can feel Poppy’s weighted sigh.

“That means that Poppy and Riven have earned a coveted prize,” the Maiden starts.

“Exclusive access to a secluded hot spring for the entire Festival,” the Mother continues. I’ve heard of this spring. Of the healing properties and the sexy rendezvous that can be had there. I bet Angora is pissed. That shouldn’t bring me as much joy as it does.

The Crone brings it home. “You may use this spring for relaxation or bonding, but whatever you use it for, only you will be able to enter.” She waves her hands, and our palms flash with a key sigil before it quickly disappears. “That sigil will work as a key to give you exclusive access.” She turns her attention away from us to address the full group. “Tomorrow night, we will meet at the beach for a bonding activity. Until then, your time is yours to enjoy the island.”

The other couples branch off one by one. Some walk away, others use magic to poof themselves away, but Poppy stands still.

“Want to go to the hot spring?” I flip my hand over, looking at the place where the sigil had flashed. “Might be nice to relax after all that.” I wave a hand at the place in the water where the rock platforms had been.

“You can go.” Poppy turns on her heel, and I swear I can hear irritation in her voice. “I need a shower, a nap, and to eat a hot fudge sundae in bed.” Unceremoniously, she snaps her fingers and leaves me on the beach alone, wondering what just happened.

Chapter Thirteen

RIVEN

Poppy chose to use a portal instead of walking back. That kind of magic is exhausting. Even though she’s only transporting a short distance away, I bet she’s going to be tired tonight. How desperate was she to get back to the bungalow? I know the hike here was annoying, but it’s more than manageable.

I don’t follow because I long ago learned better than to chase her when she’s like this. I exhale and scrub a hand over my mouth. Maybe I was a little much. The closeness, the flirting, the kiss. I’m sure she needs a break from me. I huff out a low laugh. My thumb brushes my lower lip absentmindedly. It was a good kiss, though; she can’t be that upset. It’s not like I bit her or clanked my teeth against hers. It was gentle, smooth. Fate knows I’ve had practice.