Page 48 of Alien Prince Fake Fiancé

Without thinking, Ashlyn stepped forward and slipped her hand into Zade’s for comfort. He turned to her at once.

Shit. Maybe she should have stayed in bed with Zade after all. At least he’d given her soft soled boots, a pair of form fitting black pants and long sleeved black tunic to wear. Her outfit matched Zade’s, including the crossbody tactical sling he wore. She knew his sling was packed with weapons. In fact, she felt like they’d come full circle. He looked exactly like he had the first time she’d seen him, complete with a sword sheathed on his back.

Her tactical sling held three small black cubes, the weapons’ activation systems specifically coded to her DNA, and familiar enough that if she were forced to use one, she wouldn’t feel like a bumbling idiot. Then again, she wasn’t exactly a sharpshooter. Outside an arcade, she’d held a real gun once in her life. One of the dancers she’d been friends with a few years ago had been dating a police officer at the time. He’d taken them to a shooting range, said everyone should know the basics of self-defense. Never thought she’d be so grateful for that one lesson.

Zade had promised her the fabric she wore would block any attack, even a knife blade, or sniper’s bullet. The fact they’d thought it necessary to consider such things made her shift her feet and squeeze Zade’s hand. Hard.

She looked to the box where she knew Rachel, Cam and the rest of the Caldorians would be seated. She met her sister’s gaze, recognized both horror and hope in Rachel’s eyes. Not difficult to understand, as Ashlyn was torn between the two emotions herself.

“Do not fear,shenga.No one will touch you. I give you my word.” Zade drew her attention away from Rachel. His gaze did not falter, and she relaxed at his whispered promise. She wasn’t alone. Whatever was coming, they’d deal with it together. Rachel had said every single one of the Caldorian princes was a warrior, trained in battle and chosen specifically because they could keep her safe. Had King Dagan somehow known something like this was going to happen? Guess that meant she was the only one who hadn’t considered armed combat would be part of the tests.

She tore her gaze from Zade’s as C’Nar shouted to the crowd. “We propose a test of physical strength, endurance, and skill in battle.”

The crowd was here for a show. The roar of approval made Ashlyn feel like a sacrificial lamb about to be fed to a pack of hungry lions. She glanced at Zade to judge his reaction. His facegave nothing away. He looked like a man carved from marble; a man ready to kill.

“Prince Zade is a military Commander on his planet. Cappra is a volatile place. Anyone taking a leadership position must be able to protect Cappra and her people from both rivals on the planet, and enemies from other worlds. For the final test, we challenge Councilor Faro and her intended to trial by combat.”

Councilor Boleen looked toward Zade and Ashlyn as C’Nar finished his announcement with a flourish designed to rile the crowd. “The final test shall be a battle with a viderbeast. A battle to the death.”

Councilor Dur’vok’s deep voice sounded like rock rolling down a hill as he arched one brow at Ashlyn and bellowed over the noise of the crowd. “Councilor Faro, do you accept the final test, or do you surrender your Council seat to the Ubrion family?”

Ashlyn stared into his steely gaze and waited for the crowd to quiet. What the hell was a viderbeast? Whatever it was, it probably didn’t look like a fluffy white bunny. She needed to discuss this with Zade. “I will discuss the test with Prince Zade. You shall have my answer shortly.” Ashlyn’s heart pounded as she turned toward Zade and pulled him a few steps away from the seated Councilors aggrieved stares, and C’Nar’s gloating.

“Zade?” The moment she looked up, she knew hewantedto fight. His eyes held a gleam of anticipation.

“Do not fear,shenga.I expected this.”

“Do you know what a viderbeast is? They said the challenge is for both of us,” she whispered, unable to keep the fear out of her voice. “I don’t know anything about fighting. I’m not one of those women who likes to kick ass. I don’t think I can help. I’m so sorry.”

Zade’s eyes softened at her look of panic. “I knew fighting would be part of the challenge,shenga. I have been waiting. Ican handle it without your help. In fact, I look forward to it. I know these beasts. We have this creature in the wilds of Caldor. All you need to do is stay out of the way.”

“But...” Was he serious? He was going to fight on his own? And he wasn’t even worried?

Zade cut her off with a long, soul drugging kiss that stole her breath and made her weak in the knees. Only when she melted into him did he slowly pull back to whisper in her ear, “I said I can handle it. Don’t argue with me or they will think you do not have confidence in my ability to win. They will see it as a weakness and find a way to exploit it.”

At her nearly imperceptible nod, he gave her another long, hard kiss, making everything else fade into the background.

“Ahem,” Councilor Jorax cleared his throat, his tentacles coated and gleaming with what looked like drool. Was he excited? Gross. “Councilor Faro, have you made a decision?”

The impatient tone of the Councilor’s question finally penetrated the spell Zade cast upon Ashlyn’s body so she could move. She pulled away, embarrassed by how easily he could affect her. Turning away from Zade to address the Council, Ashlyn nodded. “We accept the challenge. When and where is this to take place?”

All eyes shifted back to C’Nar. “Capprans must always be prepared. As you can see, female, this arena is the perfect place. We are here, so why not right now?”

Zade took a menacing step toward the Cappran scum. “We came fully prepared for any challenge, and you will address my mate as Councilor Faro.”

C’Nar sneered. “I’ll address her as Councilor Ubrion when she is my wife.”

Zade’s slow grin belied the death in his eyes. “That will never happen. Not while I live,” he vowed, “and Caldorians live a very long time.”

Ignoring Zade’s remark, C’Nar turned to the Council. “The challenge has been accepted. However, the Caldorian must surrender his weapons. Per the ancient laws, this challenge is traditional hand-to-hand combat.”

Councilor Jorax’s tentacles whipped around like live snakes as he chortled and grumbled. “Indeed. C’Nar Ubrion speaks true.”

Next to her, Zade stiffened. What was he thinking? What was a viderbeast? Could he fight it without weapons? His voice, when he addressed C’Nar, held death. “If you insist on hand-to-hand combat, I will gladly fight you to the death, C’Nar Ubrion. I am sure a contest between challengers is the intention behind the law.”

Ashlyn wanted to slap the smirk off the red-skinned demon’s face as C’Nar glared at Zade. If that asshole tried to force her to marry him, she’d kill him herself.

Councilor Seraphina stood; her shimmering iridescent wings unfurled behind her like an avenging angel. “I have allowed Intergalactic law to be bent for these tests but will not condone what would amount to an execution. Prince Zade will either be allowed to keep his weapons to engage the viderbeast, or C’Nar Ubrion will accept the Caldorian prince’s challenge, and face him in hand-to-hand combat, where the two warriors will fight to the death.” She glared at C’Nar, her silver skin gleaming under the arena’s bright lights. Her wings fluttered behind her with agitation. “You insist the male who takes Councilor Faro as his mate must always be prepared to fight. Are you ready to do battle, C’Nar Ubrion?”

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