Page 64 of Xeda

Xeda knew not to say anything, lest he give Ophilia away. But the desire to rip his throat out there and then, rules be damned, was painfully tempting.

"Whatever you've done, it's worked for you," Kaxek said as they circled each other. "That's all that matters. In fact, I'd say it looks to have energized you quite considerably. Perhaps I should try her too. Did she cry when you took her? I like when they cry."

Xeda's lip twitched, but he refused to appear affected. Kaxek wanted to get to him in any way he could. But Xeda couldn't let him. And he remembered he could be vicious too.

"I'd rather cut her inch by slow inch than touch her like that,” he hissed. “So, I found hurting her was a good distraction, a good substitute for my body’s betrayal. And she complied out of fear and desperation. I refuse to be with anyone but vrisha. All else are lesser."

Kaxek's eyes had narrowed on him, and Xeda doubted he had convinced him fully. "We must work with what we have, brother," was his remark. "And you can find a little enjoyment in them at least."

That was when Xeda had decided he was going to take Kaxek down in this next game. Even despite Ophilia's warnings that a surprise attack didn't always mean an advantage. But there were no rules saying he couldn't attack at all, and that's what he cared about. When Kaxek was distracted with his hunt, Xeda would make his move.

And if he could win this today, he and Ophilia would be free, no one could touch them. He'd make sure of that.

When he was done fixing his armor, he waited for Ophilia to return from a meeting with the wardens. He hadn't forgotten he was going to be penalized in this game for his actions at the showing, giving him a disadvantage.

Again, it didn't matter. He just needed to find an opening and take out Kaxek right away, then worry about the others after.

When Ophilia returned to take him down to the arena, he could tell the meeting hadn't gone well.

"You aren't going to be able to start the obstacle until after the others. A ten-minute delay. They wouldn't see that it would be hard for you to catch up even in that amount of time," she said, clearly irritated. "You'll have to take one of the enhancements now if you want any chance. I suggest the agility or the stamina."

He felt that wasn't the only thing that bothered her. Something else seemed to be affecting her, but she wouldn't say. She went over to his chest full of enhancements and started sifting through them, cursing under her breath.

He crept behind her, pulling her to him, pressing her back to his chest. "I'll get through it, don't worry," he said. Unable to stop himself, he nuzzled the top of her head, letting her scent overtake his senses. Then, he realized that was a mistake as he could feel the dull ache returning between his legs, even when she had just satiated him that morning. Her hands gripped the arm he had around her. "I just need this to go right. For us both. We can't afford to have anything stop us now." She turned in his arm to face him. "I know you’re strong, Xeda. But anything could happen."

He leaned down and bit her shoulder gently. "Don't worry. This will be over soon."

She pulled away to peer up at him, her brow furrowed in concern. She was about to say something but was interrupted by the sound of a low bell, which signaled it was time for them to head to the arena.

"Let's do this," Ophilia said, grabbing a couple of vials from the chest. "We're so close."

Closer than you think,Xeda thought as he followed her out the door.

* * *

He stared at the large door before him, the same one he'd stared at in the last game. The waiting room was much the same as it had been the first time. Ophilia once more strapped the emblem of House Salimar to him, making sure it was secure. He turned to watch her adjust it, and a growing eagerness filled him. He thought about what would come next once Kaxek was dead and he and Ophilia were free. He knew the first thing he would do and that was find a ship. He couldn't return to Tryth, his homeworld. He knew as soon as he stepped foot on that soil they would hunt him down and drag him to the underkeep where he would spend the rest of his days. But there were many other worlds out there...somewhere had to be one they could settle on.

But how safe will you be?

Being on an uncharted world wasn't the problem. But unknown strangers traveling the stars were. He knew he likely had a price on his head. And hunters would always be searching.

He studied Ophilia, feeling a strange but intense warmth in his blood. There was her to consider too. If he convinced her to come with him, she would be in danger also. He would have to hide her somehow, and he knew she wouldn't like that. They might have to run for some time before others stopped giving chase.

He didn't think further on what came next. Not yet. He didn't allow himself to consider how much had changed in a small span of time. He and Ophilia would be running free soon, and he could laugh at himself later that he had stolen away with a human. How strange life was.

Ophilia patted his chest and smiled up at him. "You got this." Her smile dropped. "When you get inside...you'll be looking for others with this same seal on them.” She tapped the emblem. “Hunt them down and take the seal, then find the exit before time runs out." She brought the enhancement vials out of her uniform pocket. "Which one would you care to choose? Stamina or speed?"

He looked between them. "Both," he said. The more advantage he had to take down Kaxek, the better.

Ophilia frowned. "Are you sure? Xeda, you won't have them for the final game..."

"It's not a problem."

She looked at him suspiciously but didn't say a word as she handed them over. "Be careful. Even two at a time could be taxing on your body."

"I'll be all right. I have to catch up remember?" He smiled at her, feeling his blood beginning to heat knowing what was to come. He reached out and touched a lock of her hair, then let his fingers trail lightly over her jaw, tilting her chin back with the tip of one talon. "It will be over quickly."

Her eyes searched his. Then she rose on her toes and, pulling him down, touched her lips to his own. It felt intimate though it was not a touch he was used to, but he enjoyed it all the same because it came from her. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the feel and taste of her, pulling her closer, letting himself have this moment. The tenderness was unlike anything he had experienced. As an aggressive kind, it was not something vrisha were used to, and it wasn't something he expected to like. He'd seen such moments in the other humans he'd encountered before, but he never thought much of it, never thought it could mean anything till now.

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