Chapter 42: Let the Games Begin

The sounds of the forest played in my ear as I laid beside Leo on the rock—birds, leaves, the water. I breathed in, taking in the sense of calmness and relaxation I felt. Leo's arm was outstretched under my head and his fingers played with my curls. The mating ritual seemed so far from where we currently were. Some couples needed months to get used to one another, really know each other's strengths and weaknesses. I guess that was the advantage of facing a deadly curse and uprising—it really expedited the 'love' process.

"What're you thinking about, princess?" Leo asked, using the name so tenderly.

I turned my head to look at him and smiled. "You," I answered. "And how crazy it is that we're here, like this, right now."

Leo chuckled lightly. "Wild, isn't it?"

"Almost unbelievable. It's like it was fate," I taunted, scrunching my nose when he tapped the tip of it.

Leo fell back into position and looked up at the clouds that were peeking out just behind the treetops. He looked