Page 11 of Champion
“Fine.” She gave with a sigh. “I believe they are safe. But until I can talk to my friends and make sure all this mating shit isn’t some weird alien Stockholm situation; I’m not buying it.” Her fierceness was back in a blink. “And as for you. I’m not looking for a mate, so you can just put that idea right out of your head.”
“As you wish.” I let my fingertips drop from her chin, feeling the uptick in her heartbeat. The spiciness faded from her scent, replaced by a hint of sweetness. Arousal, despite her anger and disbelief. I could work with that. As a Sage, I was the most patient of males.
“Will you still help me escape if I don’t want to be your mate?” Her lower lip trembled slightly as she asked.
“Of course. I gave Emmy my word that I would see you safe.” Whether Willa believed so or not, she was my mate. I would do anything to protect her.
“Okay. Thanks.” Willa appeared a bit discombobulated but gathered herself quickly.
“Well, now that we’ve got this little lover’s spat settled.” Adtovar rolled to his feet.
Willa’s face flushed with anger.
“Calm down.” Adtovar rolled his eyes at her, but to me, his gaze was intent. “I believe you are a man of honor but know this. If you try to make Willa do something she doesn’t want to do. I’ll kill you.”
“I would never hurt her,” I vowed, thumping a fist to my chest in the Vaktaire warrior salute. “My life and happiness for hers.”
Adtovar nodded, appeased by my vow. Willa blushed enticingly, and I felt her sweet scent grow stronger.
“So, how do we escape? What’s the plan?” She awkwardly changed the subject, returning to her seat on the cot.
Adtovar pulled out one of the wooden chairs, settling his enormous frame. The chair creaked so loudly in protest that I waited a few moments to make sure the warrior didn’t end up on his ass before doing the same.
“We need to figure out what Nansar plans for you at the Duke’s birthday celebration.” Adtovar tapped his chin with theblunted end of the sparring blade. “It might give us an indication of his timeline and how best to plan your getaway.”
Willa’s face twisted adorably in worry. “Will what Charick and I did to the guard make them watch us closer?”
“No,” Adtovar was quick to disagree. “Like the others, he would not admit to trying to harm you. It would anger Nansar.”
I swallowed back a growl. Others had tried to hurt my mate. I would ask Charick to point them out, and this time, I would not let Willa hinder my retribution. No one hurt her.
“Maybe we should have tied him up and stashed him somewhere instead of letting him go,” Willa pondered, drawing her legs up and wrapping her arms around her knees. “We might have been able to get some information out of him.”
“It is not Nansar’s style to confide in the grunts,” Adtovar snorted. “He is smart enough to know that the fewer who know of his plan, the more margin he has for success. I wouldn’t have discovered the information that got me thrown in the pit if I hadn’t accidentally walked up on a conversation between him and Ambassador Yaard of the Kerzak.”
Kerzak. I knew from my brethren of their involvement in Nansar’s plans, but the mention of the bloodthirsty beasts made my blood run cold. The creatures were known to have a taste for human flesh. Willa seemed to share my disdain. She shivered at the mention of them. At least there were no Kerzak in the pit, which gave me an idea.
“What about the other gladiators? Do they know anything?”
“I haven’t tried to find out,” Adtovar shrugged. “I was more concerned with protecting Willa from them.”
“None of them ever tried to hurt me,” Willa insisted at my frown.
“You’re welcome,” Adtovar snorted.
“They are prisoners, too, correct?” I postulated. “Thrown into the pit by Nansar?” My mind spun with an idea at Adtovar’s nod. “It might be worth seeing if they know anything of Nansar’s plans.”
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Willa murmured.
“Earth poetry?” Adtovar inquired with a cocked brow.
“Sort of,” Willa laughed. Goddess, I adored that sound. “It’s more of a war strategy. It means that two groups can and should work together against a common enemy.”
Seeing that her mind worked like a warrior made me feel proud. “Then we make friends with the other gladiators.”
Adtovar gave a grumble at my suggestion, but I paid him no heed, beguiled by Willa’s reaction. Her blue eyes widened, and the corners of her full, rosy lips curved upward in a smile as she gazed at me with approval.
I’d do anything to have her look at me like that again.
