chapter 4

Nectar POV

My heart panted faster and faster as I noticed Hilder inches from me. My eyes locked with hers as I shot a glance behind her. It held so much competitive spirit. An unhealthy relentless one. A persistent look that could make any opponent cower unfortunately it only made me more competitive. I was not going to lose this race, to any one and most importantly not to Hilder of all people.

She had been my rival in horse racing, sword fighting and literally anything that had to do with her showing off.

"Hiya hiya hiya", I yelled ferociously jolting my horse to increase its pace as I perceived her presence close in on me like I had inhaled the hot breath expelling from her mouth.

The nerves in my body stood as I felt the whole crowd focus on just this two rivals. I never had to look it was obvious enough considering other competitors were far left behind. We raced like our life depended on it.

Nothing ever takes Hilder by chance. Her preparations for mere games alone were top notch, and this was no mere game it was the Adnah Annual hunger games, she had spent hard six months training for this and from those eyes I could tell how much the insatiable hunger to grab that staff at the finish line ate her inside out. But like she had trained I had also, she picked the wrong opponent yet again because I was not willing to give in either. My father was watching and I understood what this meant to him I wasn't going to let him down.

I watched from peripheral vision how her competitive eyes were replace with fury "C'mon c'mon!!! Girl" she shouted. As she lowered her back her eyes narrowing straight down the path to the finish line.

Unexpectedly as if her horse had heard her it increased its pace forcefully taking the competition into his hands. His eyes becoming more bigoted than his rider. I had never seen a more determined horse like that with the exception of my fathers, I admitted internally. I knew at that moment if only my cavalry could steal a look at the terror of his opponent it would have given up.

But I refused to be intimidated I would rather die on this ground tonight.

I yelled and yelled repeatedly pushing my horse to take the lead but they all ended in futility as Hilder's Cavalry gained on me enormously. I watched an evil smirk print on her lips as she knew she was onto the finish line again.

This is where she's made boast, I had beat her in swordsmanship and rowing. I knew the thought of it had killed her internally over and over, those relentless eyes I see now was what held those thoughts in her mind.

But she wasn't the only one hunted by those dark thoughts, I myself wasn't fit to bear the feeling of losing in horse racing to Hilder three times in row. Father was watching also this is his best play in all the events today considering most of Adnahtis battle strategies where tied to the use of Cavalries. This was his only one true moment and I was determined to prove to him that I'm warrior worthy and warrior ready. She had been the best in horse racing ever but not anymore, things were about to change tonight. Or maybe even get worse as the look on Hilder's face still gave me the impression that I might swallow up the ugly bile of failure yet again.

The increased uproar from the crowd as they notice her gain on me sent shivers down my spine, shivers of agony and fear. I observe from my peripheral vision as my father adjusted his throne causing his head to protrude forward with keen attention on me. Which led me to believe that at this moment if he was no king he would have yelled my name to encourage me but unfortunately he had a reputation to guide, and a crown to keep. Nevertheless his heart said it all even louder than his lips would have said it.

Our eyes locked again only this time the distance where only inches away.

We rode side by side now. My eyes took her features in as her blonde hair flapped on the wind wrestling against it. Every jolting from the horse caused her breast joggle which my made it easy to see how finely shaped they were even under her thick surcoat.

She rode with so much furiousness breaking the tie within us, narrowing her eyes to the one and only goal, the staff at the finish line. She didn't take a second to look at me.

God she was so focused.