Carnival of Lies by Melissa Marr Read Free Book Online Page A

I train.” He frowned a little. “If you want to watch other fighters, I can buy front-row seats to as many fights as you want. I’m not interested in killing for something I already have. The competition isn’t for me.”
    â€œWhat if it was something for me ?” She nuzzled his throat, dragging her teeth over the skin after a few kisses. She was lucky; everyone said so. Belias’ family was one of the highest ranked, and he was both fit and fierce. She bit gently, and his arms came around her.
    â€œWe can watch as many matches as you want. I can even give you a betting allowance if you want,” Belias offered. “We’ll be wed by then, but you know I won’t deny you spending money any more than your father did when you were a child.” He paused and glanced down at her flat stomach. “You might even have our first child growing inside you.”
    Aya repressed a shudder. The thought of carrying a child filled her with a terror she couldn’t speak. The weight of that fear reaffirmed her belief that this was the right path. She didn’t address his comments. Instead, she steeled herself and said, “The prize in Marchosias’ Competition isn’t something I have, Bel.”
    He laughed. “The prize is joining the ruling caste, little bird. You’re ruling caste already, and you’ll be the wife of one of Marchosias’ generals. Of course, you already have that,” he murmured. His fingers trailed down her spine, tracing her body as if he didn’t already know every bone and muscle, every nerve and pulse of her. “Unless . . . Are you pretending to be someone else?”
    Aya almost smiled at the odd sound in his voice. She wasn’t sure if he liked the idea of pretending or if he was uncomfortable with it.
    â€œThe winner also gets a job,” Aya said mildly, even though her heart raced in fear of Belias’ reaction. He wasn’t her husband yet, so he couldn’t order her not to enroll in the fights. He would be her spouse before the competition started though; then, her every action would be subject to his approval—or require her to lie.
    She caressed his chest as she spoke. “I could be something more than a breeder if I won.”
    â€œYou’ll be my wife , little bird. Mother to my heirs. Fierce enough to keep our young alive. Why would you want anything else?” Belias pulled back from her then and looked down into her eyes. His brow was furrowed, confusion clear in his expression.
    Aya shook her head. Belias might be more thoughtful than a lot of daimons in The City, but he was still unable to see how her lack of options wasn’t for the good. She withdrew from his embrace and walked back to the center of the fight space.
    â€œI want to fight in the competition,” she announced.
    Her betrothed, the daimon she loved and would soon marry, walked over to face her.
    She lifted her chin and met his eyes. Gone was the daimon who teased and smiled. Instead, he looked every bit the stern soldier he appeared when they walked through the carnival together. She knew that he finally understood that she was serious, and a part of her wished that she’d kept her silence a bit longer. They could’ve had at least a few more months together.
    He held her gaze. “I forbid you, Aya.”
    â€œWe are not wed yet,” she reminded him. “You don’t have the authority.”
    â€œBy the time Marchosias’ Competition starts, we will be.” He lifted his fists in a boxer’s stance. “If you want to fight more, I’ll fight you, but I won’t allow my wife to grapple in the street like a cur.”
    Aya lifted her own fists.
    â€œDo you understand me?” he prompted.
    She swung, missed, and dodged his first punch before saying, “I understand.”
    A YA WALKED THROUGH THE carnival with the comfort that came from both class and competence. Those who