Kai Villalvazo’s Nemesis (The Kalon Tetralogy #1)

Chapter 44

I took a deep breath as I gazed at the snow trail ahead.

I’d been practicing day and night with Kai, and I had learnt so much from him in that short space of time. But of course, I could never have his strength and agility.

He had been chosen to compete for the Championships as well, hence why he was three people away from me.

I didn’t mind if he won, he deserved it after all the pain he went through to practise snowboarding. My heart ached at the thought of Kai suffering day and night to be an excellent snowboarder.

I wished I’d done more to the people who hurt him.

The world around me seemed to stop as the signal to start went off. I was disoriented for a minute as people pushed forward, their boards cruising on the snow.

I didn’t think that being back in the competition would affect me deeply, and I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t feel someone holding my hand until I heard a voice calling my name.

I looked up at the giant standing beside me, disguised by the dark helmet, but that didn’t stop me from feeling his intense stare on me.

“Let’s go, baby, you can do this.” His muffled voice seemed to switch something on in me, and I nodded, allowing him to lead us for a little.

He knew that my past was threatening me. So many what ifs were hindering me, but Kai’s presence made all the self-doubt evaporate. We held hands for a small distance until I felt ready, then I let go, picking up the pace on my own.

I tucked my posture, reducing the air resistance, doing some minor jumps and swerves. Within seconds, I had already caught up with the others.

The route was a little tough this time, and my stomach churned when I thought of how the other half of the race was going to be off piste.

I inhaled deeply, visualising Kai and I competing in the devil’s track. For a split moment, it was just him and I, speeding through the snow and spraying each other to spite one another.

That helped me gain my confidence once more and now, my spins became faster and more aggressive. I shredded my way through the snow, overtaking multiple people but that was a blur as I did a five-forty air, then landed riding switch.

Kai was surprisingly hot on my tail so I picked up the pace, my heart pounding violently as he closed the gap, his board gliding over the snow as though he were a god.

I shivered at the sight of him, the chill of electricity empowering me to heighten my speed. My board had been upgraded to a flex of nine, and Kai had helped me adjust to the perilous speed.

I performed a Haakon flip and made a steady landing. My sintered base crunched the snow beneath as I carved with long swerves.

The trail was getting rougher, and now I was on high alert as I scanned the terrain. It was unfortunate that it was a whiteout day, so the clouds and the snow had the same colour.

It was difficult to differentiate, but years of skill helped you in those kinds of situations. I made a few speed checks as the obstacles got trickier, putting my weight on the tail of the board to keep my board afloat in the deep pow.

The edges of the terrain got sharper, steeper, and very deadly. I could feel my skin tingling with anxiety, but I swallowed it down, refusing to be consumed by last year’s nightmare.

I hate myself, why can’t I get over it? Why can’t I forget everything for just a minute? Why am I like this? Ethan had completely damaged a fundamental part of me that day.

When Kai and I retrieved the footage, turns out he needed to win the championship to stay at the academy. We still don’t know what he really wanted apart from me, but it didn’t matter anymore. He was dead.

I inhaled deeply, suddenly feeling suffocated as I navigated the deep powder. My eyes watered and my legs became numb, and I hadn’t realised that I was so close to the edge of the cliff I fell off until a presence loomed behind me.

Kai swerved to come beside me, slowly turning his head to acknowledge me. He knew it was all coming back, so he shredded on the edge of the cliff to keep me away from it. He nodded once and I smiled, feeling my chest bloom with inexplicable warmth.

He was so patient with me, picking his pace and I did so, too. He was my dark guardian angel, protecting and watching over me when I least expected it. He knew what I needed when I didn’t even know it.

We raced together, and he overtook me within seconds. I huffed, going over an obstacle and while I was in half-pipe, I gained some extraordinary air and then rotated a swift three-sixty.

When I landed, I was still behind him, but closer than before. The fact that he didn’t have to make much of an effort to be ahead frustrated me.

In a good way, though.

I screamed when he suddenly stopped in front of me, spraying large amounts of snow into the air, but I quickly swerved past him, keeping a tight control of my board. I shook my head in amusement, wondering why he’d do that during such an important event, but nevertheless kept going.

He loved doing that a lot whenever we snowboarded together, and I laughed as I realised that I had mastered the art of riding in the mist of the snow.

I was so consumed by my own thoughts when an uproar of cheers caught my attention, startling me as something blocked me, but broke under the pressure of my speed.

I gasped as I realised that I was the first person to go past the finish line, and everyone was gathered, screaming and waving at me. A wave of relief salvaged the broken parts of me, and something in me came back to life as I looked around, realising that everyone’s attention was on me.

I had won. I had actually won the Championships. It wasn’t real, it wasn’t real?—

“Congratulations, Yasmina! You were amazing!” I felt some arms wrap around my body and I giggled when I saw the familiar mass of ginger hair. Yelena was obviously present.

“You looked so gnarly on the terrain, and I must say, you and Kai are such an iconic couple!” she squealed and I laughed, feeling the tightness in my chest disappear.

“Thank you, Lena. I can’t believe I did it, I must find Kai?—”

“You might have to wait for a bit. He has been disqualified for spraying the contestants. They couldn’t go through the mist.” I gaped as I swerved, searching for him, but the crowd had multiplied in number and everyone was trying to touch or congratulate me.

The realisation that he did all of this for me made my heart clench, and I sobbed as everyone congratulated me. Soon enough, the authorities were leading me to the table to get my details.

“Can you please tell me where Kai is?” I asked one of the ladies at the table.

“I’m not sure, but I don’t think—” She paused as a silence descended over the atmosphere. I followed her shocked gaze, and I gasped when I found Kai standing in the distance, holding some flowers in his hands.

Some grey roses, to be precise.

I removed my helmet slowly, the cold air slapping my face, but that didn’t matter.

Everyone had dispersed to make a little path, and I didn’t hesitate to run towards Kai. I jumped onto him, gripping him so tightly that he chuckled in amusement.

“Congratulations, baby, you deserve it,” he murmured into my ear as his warmth seeped into my bones, urging me to hold him tighter.

I never wanted to let him go. Ever.

“You’re full of surprises, Vazalo.” I smiled into his neck when his hands held my waist securely.

“You think so? I meant it when I said I’d do absolutely anything for you.”

“But you got disqualified?—”

“So what? This competition doesn’t mean anything to me, you’re far more valuable than a stupid race.” He kissed my cold cheek and I shook my head, tears welling up in my eyes.

He put me down then put some distance between us. It was then that I realised there were some words professionally carved out in the snow. I screamed involuntarily as I deciphered them, shaking my head vehemently as he nodded.

They read, ‘ Will You Be My Girlfriend? ’ and I found myself helplessly falling to my knees in the cold snow. Kai closed the gap between us, falling to his knees as well and lifting my chin with his large hand.

I hadn’t realised I was crying until he was wiping my cheeks, leaving kisses where his thumb had brushed. I hugged him tightly to my body, a different type of fulfilment settling in my soul.

I couldn’t believe this at all. This wasn’t real, this entire day must have been a dream?—

So this was what love felt like. This is what it felt like to find your soulmate.

“Yes, yes, yes, yes,” I whispered to him, our heartbeats aligning as we held each other. People cheered and applauded as Kai took my hand, then slowly slipped a sparkling diamond ring onto my ring finger.

“Here’s a promise ring, baby. This is my promise to you, Yasmina, that I will marry you soon. I want to spend the rest of my miserable life with you, but then again, if you’re a part of it, it will never be miserable. I want to love you, to take care of you, and to permanently bask in your ethereal presence. My forever doesn’t have meaning or existence without you, that’s how engraved you are in my soul. Please choose me again, choose this, choose us.” He looked so solemn and I couldn’t help but choke on a sob as he patiently wiped my cheeks again.

“I choose forever, Kai. I choose you. And I always will, in every lifetime. I love you,” I whispered as he smiled, kissing my forehead and hugging me tightly to his huge, muscular body.

I felt so safe and protected with him, I couldn’t believe that he was the love of my life.

“I love you even more, kücük tavsan .” He spoke into my hair, and when he helped me up, we lifted our adjoined hands, causing another uproar of cheering from the crowd.

Our friends came forward to hug and congratulate us, and I laughed as Kryptonite twirled a small blade between his fingers before congratulating Kai. It was another warning that he’d have Kai’s guts for dinner if he fucked up.

He didn’t play around when it came to me and Kai knew that.

“So, are you married now or what?” Kryptonite asked innocently, but his intimidating stare erased innocence entirely.

“No, it’s just a promise ring.” I smiled as Kai put his arm around my shoulders.

“I’m going to make her my wife soon, watch the space.” He smirked and Kryptonite laughed.

Or more like roared. It was so startling that some people who were nearby moved away.

“Wonderful. Maybe that will tame dynamite for once. You’ve done us a favour, Villalvazo.” He lit a cigarette as I glared at him. I would have kicked or punched him, but I was in a good mood.

“Maybe you should consider settling down, too. That way, you might start winning your races again.” I took a dig at his recent loss and he frowned.

“Fuck no, I’d rather lose my trust fund than stick to one pussy for life.” He smiled, but of course, it looked far too predatory to console anyone.

“Yeah well?—”

“So, what’s the after party looking like? Is everyone coming?” Yelena asked eagerly, and everyone hummed in agreement. We usually celebrated after these kinds of events, especially after a win.

The day went by in a blur, and I had gotten plenty of pictures with my medals and trophies, then popped so much champagne to celebrate. Kai had been by my side majority of the day, and this memory was going to be very unforgettable.

I was so exhausted at the end of the day, and I sighed happily to myself as I relaxed into Kai’s back. We were soaking up in a tub full of hot water and bubbles.

He was massaging me occasionally, and whenever he’d hit a spot a bit too much, he’d kiss the area until the burn faded.

“I’m glad you won the Championships. That has been your dream for so long,” he commented.

“All because of you. I almost lost myself out there, but you came to the rescue.”

“I would have sacrificed myself on that cliff if it meant you’d win.” He chuckled when I hit his leg.

“Don’t say that.”

“Well, you have to know what’s on my mind.” He stroked my hair.

I inspected my ring with a giggle, turning to face him briefly. God, he was so breathtaking. His wet hair partially covered his heterochromatic eyes, the golden hazel one glowing brighter than the mercury-silver one.

He was biting his lip as he gazed at my bare shoulders and chest, and I felt like the luckiest girl in the world to witness these facial expressions that no one ever saw.

“You’re so beautiful,” we said to each other at the same time, then erupted into a synchronised laughter.

“I can picture you, naked, with a little bump.” He gave me a mischievous stare and I hit his leg as he laughed.

It was such a beautiful sound, I had to make it my ringtone.

“Stop, we’re not yet ready for babies.” I scowled and he raised one slit brow.

“Are you sure? Our baby could be three by the time you finish your degree.” He scooped some water and poured it over my shoulder.

“Exactly why we can’t have the baby. I wouldn’t be able to go for my lectures,” I pouted and he stole a kiss, licking my bottom lip in the process.

“Hmm. I’ll go with whatever you decide, so if you want one, just let me know.” He winked, rubbing my shoulder gently.

“Stop being silly.” I rolled my eyes and he gave me a toothy smile, and I thought he had the most flawless smile.

“You know I’ll do anything for you—” He was cut off when his phone started ringing.

He gave me a questioning stare and I nodded. He prioritised our quality time so much.

“It’s Kayden,” Kai informed me before answering the call and putting it on speaker.

“What’s up?” He spoke and there was some shuffling on the other end of the line. He was breathing hard and heavy, it made me sit up in alert.

“I need help.” His voice was rougher than usual and I frowned. Kai looked impassive until he sat up, too.

“Go on.”

“I killed someone, and I need help getting rid of the body,” he exhaled.

“Easy work, send me the location.”

“But it’s not just anyone. It’s the King of the East, and the Kingdom has released a search team. The torches are inching closer, and if they find me, I won’t make it out alive.”

THE END