Page 49 of Alien Prince Fake Fiancé

Ashlyn nearly fainted in relief when C’Nar lowered his beady black eyes and inclined his head at Councilor Seraphina. “The prince may keep his weapons.” His gaze searched out Ashlyn’s. Locked on and held. “Do not worry, female. I will claim you when your betrothed falls.”

“He isn’t going to fall.” She wanted to add ‘you piece of shit’ but didn’t bother. The asshole already knew how she felt about him.

“Let us hope not. But accidents do happen.” C’Nar smirked and focused his sinister gaze on Zade. “But then, Prince Zade knows this. Didn’t you lose your brother recently? Prince Zedrick? Seems accidents are quite common in your family. One might even say suspiciously frequent. First the queen, now her son and heir to the Northern Sector of Caldor. That title falls to you now, doesn't it? No doubt your fragile female will be relieved to be under my protection.”

“That is enough from both of you.” Councilor Boleen stood as well and tapped her medallion with long, claw-like fingernails. She opened all four of her arms wide as she addressed the crowd, the Council, and everyone watching via their monitors, in a high-pitched, theatrical voice. “A challenge has been issued and accepted.” She scowled at C’Nar. “Per your report, the Council assumes the viderbeast is caged and ready.”

C’Nar’s smile made Ashlyn’s blood run cold. “Indeed.”

Councilor Dur’vok made a noise that sounded like an elephant’s snort as C’Nar spun around and shouted, “Clear the grounds!”

The few stragglers standing around the edges of the arena floor—Ashlyn had assumed they were either bodyguards or administrative assistants attached to the various Councilors—scrambled off the main floor and climbed into the stands. C’Nar ascended a set of stairs and then walked to stand safely behind the raised dais so he could watch from where the Councilors were seated. He took a position next to Councilor Jorax as if they were old friends.

“I’m going to kill that bottom feedingvemrinwhen this is over.” Zade’s low rumble barely registered as they stood alone in the center of the arena.

Before she could respond, a loud clicking noise made her jump. The lights went out. Near total darkness engulfed them both. She couldn’t see a damn thing.

Zade’s voice floated to her in the darkness, reassuring. Completely calm. Composed. “When I tell you to run, go to the darkest corner of the arena, as far from the fight as you can. Stay in the shadows. It has poor vision in the dark.”

“Okay.” She wanted to reach for Zade in the dark but knew he needed his arms and legs free to face whatever was about to attack them.

What the hell is a viderbeast?

A trio of bright spotlights sliced through the darkness, one forming a large halo of light around Zade, one around her, and the third…?

She spun at the sound of a metal grate sliding open. The third lighted area was five times the size of the spotlight around Zade. Centered in the bright halo, a giant metal cage, at least twenty feet tall, rolled into the arena on what had to be remote controlled wheels. Inside? A creature like nothing she’d ever seen before emerged from the shadows. Terror choked her as she counted twelve legs. Each jointed leg reminded her of a tarantula’s, but instead of hair, the legs were covered in sharp looking spikes.

A set of floor lights activated on the bottom of the cage to display the belly of the beast. The creature’s body was the size of a small bus and covered in a thick exoskeleton. Its underbelly was separated into segments that looked like they could expand or contract like an accordion.

What was that thing? A terrifying cross between a giant spider and a centipede? It appeared the creature could walk with its body fully extended, or roll into a ball so it could utilize thousands of black needles the size of golf clubs protruding from its back. The monster’s head was attached from the front likean elephant’s, but instead of a trunk it had four pincer-like jaws dripping with a thick substance she assumed was venom.

At first sight of her and Zade, the viderbeast lunged at the front of the cage, its four snapping jaws opening and closing around multiple rows of sharp teeth, each triangular tooth the size of her head. She tried to count the number of eyes and gave up, its entire head covered with bulging lenses that reflected light like a dragonfly’s. “Oh my god.”

She took three steps back and glanced at Zade. He inclined his head and nodded toward a darkened corner of the arena. He took her hand and helped her remove a small, black object from her tactical sling. As she held it, the DNA coded weapon activated. When the object finished expanding, she held a small, alien handgun that fired bursts of light she could only describe as barely visible lasers. “Remember what I told you. You also carry a knife and a crossbow with five exploding bolts. Do not fire them at me, please.”

Hands trembling, she checked the weapon, wishing the ten minute lesson Zade had given her onThe Reaperhad been ten hours. “This won’t kill that thing.”

“Indeed. Your weapon will only make it angry. That is for anyone else who gets in your way. I do not trust C'Nar, nor Councilor Dur’vok.”

So he’d noticed the Councilor’s obvious bias as well. “Or Jorax. His tentacles are disgusting.”

Zade chuckled at her shudder of disgust. “Go,shenga.All will be well. I will handle the viderbeast.”

Shocked by the boyish grin on his face, she opened and closed her mouth without saying a word. Was he serious right now? Smiling? Did hewantto fight that thing?

He turned and watched as the cage rolled to a stop, the creak and groan of shifting metal like fingernails on a chalkboard.

She had to trust him. She didn’t have a choice. “That thing is huge.” Zade would have to stretch just to touch its underbelly. “Promise me you aren’t going to die.”

His grin faded to a look so serious she forgot to breathe. “I love you, Ashlyn Faro. I vow to you, I will not die this day.” He lifted his hand to cup her cheek. “And neither will you.”

I love you.The words were there, in her heart, in her throat. She opened her mouth to tell him, but a loud boom made her flinch as the door to the cage crashed to the floor of the arena. The viderbeast scuttled toward them with shocking speed, jaws clicking open and closed like metallic razors.

“Go! Run!” Zade nudged her toward the dark corner, and she ran as fast as her legs would carry her, flying across the floor with a burst of terror. She didn’t stop until she was as far from the fight as she could be, her back wedged against the hard side walls of the arena floor.

The damn spotlight followed her, the bright light making her blink in irritation as she turned in horror to see Zade facing off with the viderbeast.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

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