Page 89 of Star Champion

Startled, Klark and Jemm leaned in together to read the note.

Security level: Private

Miss Aves, Queen Jasmine and I are fans of yours. For obvious reasons, we cannot say that we will be rooting for you, but draw your own conclusions if you will. Good luck. RB

“RB? The king of the entireVash NadahTrade Federation signed a note to me with his initials?”

“And wished you good luck.”

“Crag me.”

Klark tipped his head back and laughed. “I love you.”

She came up on her boots and kissed him. “I love ya, too.”

He held her there for a moment longer, while she was still his and not the fans’, as she would soon be. His hand lingered on her back as he willed her to know that he would be with her in spirit in that ring. Then he dropped his hand. He had done all he could to help her reach this point. Now it was up to her.

To the deafening thunder of a capacity crowd numbering in the hundreds of thousands, in one of the most awe-inspiring arenas in the galaxy, Klark emerged into the open with Jemm, Coach K, and the team’s staff. He watched Jemm exchange nods with Skeet and Xirri, and her other teammates, and with some league officials. What pressure she must be feeling now.

On the other side of the ring stood her opponent, waiting. The B’kah champion. Fit, capable. Ready.

Jemm paused for a moment before entering the ring, turning her head to cast a glance back over her shoulder at Klark. He waited, questioning, as he tried to read her. Was there some doubt she wrestled with? Second thoughts? But her glittering gaze was sure and steady as one corner of her mouth lifted in an impish hint of a smile.

He smiled back.You’re ready.

I know. Then she was off, striding into the ring, and he knew the Galactic Cup was theirs.

CHAPTER27

The reactionto Jemm’s victory was explosive. Even before the lights came on, she heard the crowd roaring. When the referee pulled her to her feet and the helmets came off, the defeated B’kah champ congratulated her—graciously—and she thanked him, complimenting him on his fine playing. It was a long, brutally exhausting and well-executed match that left her limbs feeling rubbery.

As she always did, she went still and closed her eyes for a second.Thank you, Da. Then, dispensing with protocol, she thrust two triumphant fists in the air.

Holy dome. She craggin’wonthe Galactic Cup.

If only she could see Klark’s face. She knew he was out there, wishing he could be with her, but enjoying the win and celebrating with their families and the rest of Team Eireya. He would tell her this was her moment. It was! By the dome, she had seized it.

Hundreds of thousands of strangers cheered as she kept her fists high, turning in a slow circle as a gesture of appreciation and respect for all who came to see her play. Her grin was so wide that it made her cheeks ache. Her vision blurred with tears, even as she let out a laugh of pure joy. The win was so much more than just her sens-sword hitting her challenger’s chest plate, more than putting Team Eireya on top. It was a victory for commoners, and for females, a reason for every person who had ever looked hopelessness in the face to keep on fighting and never give up.

To never forget how to dream.

In winning, she brought honor to Barésh and also Eireya, to the Aves family and the Vedla clan. She could not have wanted anything more, or wished for anything harder, than winning the Galactic Cup. Except to see the joy of it reflected in the face of the man she loved.

With fireworks exploding overhead, refs and league officials ushered her from the ring to where her teammates and coaches waited to mob her. They swept her up into a storm of hearty hugs and shouts. Xirri kissed her loudly on the cheek then Skeet started the chanting, “Team Eireya.” They all shared in the victory. Bajha was a sport of individuals in separate matches, but it took a team to win the games—and the Cup.

Finally, she fought her way free to search for Klark. She saw him heading for her, his expression of exultation and love powerful enough to make her knees go weak.

He threw her backward over his arm, dipping her low for a very public victory kiss. They had never before displayed their affection publicly, although the entire team knew they were together. But now, in the flashing lights of the media crush, it would never again be a secret. Owner and pro, coach and player, prince and trill rat: they would be the leading story across the vast Trade Federation for days to come.

Laughing, Klark hauled her back into his arms and spun her around like she weighed nothing, letting her slide slowly down his long, hard body to her feet. They grinned at each other, needing no words, never needing words. Everything they could ever desire was in each other’s eyes. She could not have done this without him, and he could not have done it without her. “I told ya I’d get ya the Galactic Cup,” she said, grinning.

Love glowed in his golden eyes. “You did.”

“So, now that we got that out of the way, what’s next?” she asked with an air of mischief.

He gave her a quick hard kiss on the mouth. “The rest of our life is next, Baréshti lass.”

“Ourlife, aye.”

---