Free A Star is Born: The Coming Dawn: Book I by Austen Knowles Page B

achieving unnatural feats,” Airia bragged as if it were her achievement because she contrived the idea.
    “That is enough,” Ky snapped, furious with Airia. She got to her feet, and scanned the city center, disgusted at the masses of people who gathered to watch. She never thought much of gladiators and that was all Cobaaron was to this city. In their eyes, he was a slave fighter. “He’ll never fight for me as sport again. Men died tonight, Airia. Don’t forget the men who died!” It was then she repeated her last words to the crowd, vowing Cobaaron would never fight for her again. However, the entire hall burst into cheering as if they just witnessed a legend in the making.
    Because of her anger, Ky’s light flared. A council member stood and took Ky by the elbow. “It’s frustrating; I know. I hate the fights myself. Let’s get you away from the hall, before you start a riot, shall we?” Without waiting for a response, he ushered her to the edge of the platform. Three warriors helped her down. Cobaaron watched as she left. The councilman escorted her through the crowd to the winding staircase.
    “You know,” he said consolingly as they wound up the spiral stairs, “it’s not too late for you to reject the union. It’s been done before plenty of times. I’m a powerful authority in the council and I can see to it that you bond for love, and when you’re ready.” He hurried her, picking up his pace. “Of course it’s your desire I long for.” When they reached the top of the steps, he pulled her down the wrong corridor if he was leading her to Airia’s room.
    “Where are you taking me?” she asked and tried to free her arm from his firm grasp.
    He ignored her question and struggling, as he continued to lure her down the tunnel. “I do smell something, though. It’s sugarbeads or...I can’t put my finger on it…”
    “Let go of me, please. Get off !” she yelled when he stopped and yanked her toward his chest. He was a wild beast the way he was acting. He grinned, making no apology for not giving her space. He pressed her against the wall, and he was so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. She shoved him hard. “Get off me!”
    “I mean no offense,” he lied as he continued to be forceful, and tried pinning her hands to the wall.
    She kneed him hard in the groin. He toppled over, and she turned, desperate to flee back to the great hall. However, he clutched her garments and seized her. He dropped her to the floor.
    “Get off me!” Ky screamed as she struggled and fought him.
    She heard running footsteps and at once the councilman stood, and put several feet between them. Ky scrambled away from him, crawling backward as fast as she could. A moment later, Cobaaron found her in the hall. He picked her up from the floor and stood between Ky and the councilman. Airia soon arrived in the tunnel, panting as she clutched her chest for breath.
    “Explain yourself! What is going on?” Airia asked, eyeing the councilman.
    “I should kill you!” Cobaaron roared, looking as if he could tear the councilman to bits. Instead, he held Ky closer to him, and then led her away. His long strides forcing her to run beside him.
    “He could smell me,” Ky trembled. “You did something to me, Cobaaron, and I want you to change me back to the way I was. I’m terrified to be alone, now. I trust no one.”
    “Cobaaron, stop ,” Airia called, and then hurried to catch up. Cobaaron didn’t halt right away. He slowed at first, and then spun around to face Airia. “What is everyone smelling, Cobaaron?”
    “It’s the way she smells. It’s sweet like warm honey, or sugarbeads, or maybe it’s sandraberries. I don’t know, but I like it. The scent is very strong,” Cobaaron confessed.
    “Well, you better start wanting to be the only man who can smell her because you’re putting her at risk.” Airia poked a threatening finger into his chest as she chided him. “Now, I’m going to study