#Chapter 169 – The Ringer

Because there’s no denying it – no denying who he’s pointing to, or what he’s smiling about. And there’s absolutely no way to pretend that I’m not laughing, and leaning across this barrier, and grinning at him with joy in every inch of me because I don’t feel precisely the same. The crowd screams their approval of their champion and their Princess, and I let it all run through me, and I pass it to him, and let it bolster him. My Luca, my mate. Our champion. Luca laughs a little and stares up at me, almost as if he’s unable to take his eyes away, and then he brings his glove to his lips, kisses it once, and holds it back out to me briefly before he turns back to his corner, striding over to speak to his uncle and get his head in the game. I lean back too, away from the barrier, still smiling like crazy, and when I look around at all of my family and friends I see that they’re all looking at me, beaming, and I can’t help it. I blush, and laugh, and lift my hands to my cheeks. Becau