Read Online Winning the Legend by B. Kristin McMichael - Free Book Online Page A

Did you not know
that?” Rhys was genuinely interested because he had been told that
Arianna was actually very new to the night human world.
    Arianna shrugged. “He gets even more bored
with all this than I do.” Arianna didn’t deny or confirm what Rhys
said. Rhys smiled back at her. He didn’t need her to admit what he
already detected with his own eyes. Arianna looked back outside,
and they stood in silence for a few minutes, both lost in their own
thoughts.
    “Then is it true what you told me at
breakfast?” Arianna whispered as if they were sharing a big
secret.
    “That I’m not here for you?” Rhys whispered
back.
    “Yeah,” Arianna replied. She had been
thinking about it all day. Could Rhys really be on her side?
    “I made a promise to my sister that I would
not pursue you romantically. She is going through the same thing
right now, being forced to marry before her birthday, and she
begged me to not put you through a forced marriage. If I win, you
are free to say yes or no. My people are actually divided on the
issue. Some would love to have your power, but others would rather
stay out of night human politics.” Rhys shrugged, and ran his hand
through his hair. All signs were pointing toward him being on her
side. He didn’t seem to be lying.
    “And you? What do you want?” Arianna asked,
still watching out the window at the trees with the birds in them.
It was springtime, and everything was coming back to life while
Arianna’s own life would drift to an end if this did not work the
way she wanted.
    “The same as you,” Rhys answered. “Freedom
from this cursed system.” Rhys’ retainer finally noticed him
missing, and came over to pull him back to his work. Rhys sighed as
the man neared with a scowl on his face.
    “Sorry for the interruption, my lady,” the
retainer said formally before pulling Rhys away. Rhys was obviously
getting a mental scolding. Arianna was tempted to listen in, but
was distracted as Andrew neared the room.
    ‘Are you done yet?’ Andrew asked from somewhere outside of the room.
Arianna looked into the courtyard outside the window and smiled. He
was nearby but not inside the house.
    ‘I am now,’ Arianna rushed over to Gabriel and Devin. Giving
each a kiss on the cheek, she returned to the window and jumped out
to the waiting Andrew.
    “She can’t just leave,” Loan’s retainer
Harris whined. He had been granted access to the library to assist
his son remotely, not his grandson who was competing.
    “If you didn’t understand the rules of the
game before, maybe I can explain them to you,” Devin replied, eager
to get on with his work and not have to listen to the old man
nitpick. The man glared at Devin but that didn’t stop Devin from
continuing.
    “Arianna is in charge. She can do whatever
she wants.” Devin over-enunciated the second sentence before
looking back to his papers. “Now if you’re finished ranting, the
rest of us have work to do.”
    Arianna didn’t even listen to the bickering
because as soon as she touched Andrew’s outstretched hand, she
ignored the men grumbling behind her. Andrew and Arianna enjoyed
the sunlight that kept most of the competitors inside. Most could
do nothing to disturb them as they walked the grounds. It was
almost like they were actually free from the stupid life changing
game. Arianna strolled through the gardens with Andrew for over an
hour as the sun rose and got hotter. She told Andrew exactly what
had happened back in the library.
    ‘Do you actually think Rhys
is telling the truth?’ Andrew wondered as
they finally walked back to the house. By now everyone was in bed
asleep.
    ‘I really do. There is just
something about him. He seems as trapped as I am,’ Arianna replied. Andrew shrugged. He didn’t
appreciate all the attention Arianna was getting, but even he
noticed that the vibe from Rhys was different. Rhys didn’t eye her
with lust, but, rather, admiration.
    Andrew reached over and tucked a loose
strand