Page 47 of Aria's Desire

The woman cut her off. “So, you are the female who saved my brother.”

It wasn’t a question. Aria bristled a bit at both her rudeness and the implication Rellik had needed saving, but a glance from him had her answering, “I am. My name is Aria. This is one of my mates, Thrasin.”

She didn’t introduce herself or even glance at Sin. “Mm. I will excuse the offense as Rellik has told me you were ignorant of our ways, but you are here now. We shall remedy this. I warn you, we are not like the pampered females you have met at the castle. We follow the old ways.”

Lost as to what the hell she was talking about, Aria frowned. “Okay?”

“Good.” She waved a hand, prompting three males to move forward. “They will prepare you.”

Okay, now the woman’s imperiousness was starting to piss her off. “Excuse—”

“We will assist,” Rellik added quickly.

Moving quickly to her side, Rellik rested a hand at the small of her back and urged her forward while trying to walk a step behind her, jerking his head at Sin for him to follow. Biting back a growl, she let him push her toward the small building to which the three males were headed.

The look Ariaaimed up at him told Rellik he had some explaining to do. Grimacing, he forced himself to hold his tongue and gave her a pleading look, wordlessly asking her to wait until they were inside.

As soon as they closed the door of thepriparsek, the unattached males set to work preparing the space, lighting candles and filling the tub.

“What the fuck is going on?” Aria growled, thankfully keeping her voice quiet so the males didn’t overhear.

“Apologies, mysarasha. I didn’t know she would—” Blowing out a breath, he shook his head. Flicking a grateful look at Sin when he moved to block the males’ view, he rushed to explain. “When a female wants to claim a male, she must first prove herself capable.”

Her eyes narrowed. “How?”

There was a tone in her voice that told him she knew how, but he said it anyway. “Hand-to-hand combat. It’s an old tradition, but still common in the outer villages. I didn’t thinkHamphawould insist. I lied and told her we’ve been mated for months, but she wouldn’t be dissuaded. Said she wouldn’t be fooled twice.”

Her frown eased, and her gaze softened. “She didn’t fight Ishtal and look what happened?”

Relieved she understood, Rellik nodded. He started to apologize again, but she held up a hand.

“So, that’s why you were so quick to reassure me all those other people weren’t family,” she murmured. “Alright, tell me what to expect.”

Rellik felt his heart stutter. “You… you’re going to—” Stunned nearly speechless, he searched her face, looking for a sign she only agreed because she’d been backed into a corner.

She cocked a brow at the doubt he couldn’t hide, a fierce smile that had his groin tightening curling her lips. “You’re goddamn right. Now, tell me the rules.”

Even knowing she wasn’t fighting for him with intention, he couldn’t stop the almost painful surge of pride that a female such as her would stand for him. On its heels came an even more painful wave of longing. He would saw his horns off to have her fight for him in truth.

Ignoring the ache in his chest, he bent to touch his forehead to hers, thankful she was willing at all. His voice was rough as he whispered, “You honor me.”

This close, he saw the tenderness that softened her gaze and, thrilling him, more than a little possessiveness. Gaia, but she drove him to madness.

Making himself straighten away from her, he quickly, quietly told her what to expect. “First you’re bathed, usually by unattached males.”

Ignoring the flare of aggression at that thought, he hid the growl in his voice and made himself keep going. “After, you’re dressed in the traditionallimi, a band around your breasts and hips to prevent hidden weapons. You’ll face Hampha in front of the village. She’ll ask questions. You answer. Then you fight. You need only remain standing.” He hesitated, but something dark inside him demanded he add, “Better, though, if you best her.”

At her nod, he cleared his throat, nervous to tell her this last. How would she react? He knew what he wanted, desperately, to see: anticipation. Despite knowing that wasn’t likely, Rellik’s heart was pounding in his chest, hope impossible to extinguish completely, even as he braced himself for the worst.

“At the end, I’ll be expected to… please you. To prove my own willingness to the union. The… speed with which I give you pleasure is proof of our compatibility.”

Seeing the shock that slackened her features, he tried to smile reassuringly. He wouldn’t allow her reaction to hurt. It was enough, more than enough, that she was willing to fight.

“We can decline, claim cultural difference. As you aren’t Gaiaeshi, they will not know if we speak the truth.”

Her gaze sharpened on his face, reading something there in that frustratingly perceptive way of hers. Strange that he could never seem to hide anything from her when he’d always thought that one of his best skills. He’d find it irritating if he didn’t like it so damn much.

“What happens if you don’t… please me?” she asked, her cheeks turning an intriguing shade of pink. Before he could speak, she narrowed her eyes up at him and cut him off. “Don’t lie.”

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