Chapter 7

I saw him standing at the edges of the fighting pit, staring at the sunset. I grimaced, in a few hours there would be bloodshed inside that pit. He looked much more intimidating from the back. His broad shoulders looked so threatening, and the way he stood was so disciplined with perfect posture. I almost mistook him for a statue. "Do you get fall foliage like this where you're from?" I asked, sidling up next to him. I was thankful I was wearing heels that made me a few inches taller. That way I wouldn't have to hurt my neck to talk to him. He turned and nodded at me. "Not as beautiful as this, Lightwing is not as high up in the mountains." He replied, referring to Lightwing Palace, residence of the royals. Silence followed. I just stared peacefully as the sun began to set, casting a pink orange glow over the sky. "You're lucky, you know. You get to opt out of The Claiming." I said, taking a deep breath. "The time's not right for a mate." He said, not looking at me. I nodded. "I bet, I