Page 31 of Champion
Her quickness and agility also granted her a distinct advantage on the offensive. She landed jabs and strikes effortlessly while her opponents struggled to keep up with her speed. It was like watching a nimble prey outmaneuver a predator in the wild. Her small stature belied the fierce fighter within, a true force to be reckoned with.
My emotions were in turmoil. Worry, rage, and pride all vied for dominance as I watched Willa. Nansar, usually stoic and unimpressed, seemed visibly shocked by Willa’s prowess, which gave me no small sense of pride… and amusement. But more importantly, I decided that Xabat, Cristox, and Pavo earned my trust based on their actions in the ring. Despite the intensity of their fighting, none of them ever once aimed to harm Willa.
“Bravo, bravo!” Nansar feigned glee when Pavo sank to a knee, admitting defeat. “My father will be most pleased with his gift.” Willa’s pale skin sheened with sweat, her chest heaving,as she gracefully accepted Pavo’s acquiescence. Turning toward Nansar, a fierce scowl settled on her face.
“Thank you, my Lord, she trains very hard.” Adtovar jumped to Willa’s side, a hand curving around her wrist as though he feared she might throw the blade she held at Nansar.
“See that she keeps it up.” Nansar waved his guard to his side. There were only six. I could defeat six Aljani easily… it was the other twenty or so that loitered outside the arena that might prove a hindrance.
Nansar stepped forward, stopping a few inches from Willa and eyeing her with gleeful malice. “I intend for my father’s celebration to be one people will talk about for years,” he quipped before turning on his heel and heading toward the exit.
“I just bet you do, asshole,” Willa muttered to herself, wiping the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand.
My eyes followed Nansar until he disappeared amidst the dust and cobblestones, lingering on the long figure standing in the crumbling archway.
Malakal.
His pale gaze purposefully met mine, his chin dipping as his head turned toward the escarpment where we’d rendezvoused before.
“What’s all that about?” Willa murmured, coming to my side. I resisted the urge to draw her into my arms, content to feel her lean against me.
“I think he wants to meet again.” I watched as Malakal’s head turned once again in the direction of the escarpment, his gaze never leaving mine. When I inclined my head with comprehension, he answered with a nod of his own, then turned on his heel, disappearing down the cobblestones.
“Perhaps he has information about the Zarpazian,” Adtovar suggested, his eyes flicking over the gladiators’ slowly recovering from the sparring session.
“I don’t think it’s any of us,” Willa insisted, turning the scimitars slowly in her hands as though she’d just realized she still held them.
“While I might agree with you, I still don’t want to take any risk. Do not get within touching distance of anyone but Adtovar and me,” I insisted.
“My pleasure,” Willa teased, desire dancing in her deep blue eyes so heavy it made my cock throb.
The rest of the day passed painfully slowly. Not because of my curiosity about what information Malakal might have for us, but more because I couldn’t wait for the moment to draw Willa into my arms again. I remained close to her side, always conscious not to let my feelings show, aware that unfriendly eyes rested upon us.
Yet the minute we returned to her room, Willa turned to me, slipping her arms around my waist and issuing a heavy, contented sigh as she snuggled against me.
“I’m afraid we do not have time before meeting Malakal,” I grumbled. I wanted to take my time, explore my mate thoroughly, and discover the places on her lovely body that made her moan and tremble.
“It’s okay,” she murmured, resting her cheek against my chest over the heavy thud of my heart. “I just needed you to hold me.”
I wrapped my arms around her, lifting her and carrying us over to the cot, where I sat, drawing her into my lap. She sighed again, her smile sweet and content as she wrapped her arms around my neck and laid her head in the crook of my shoulder.
Goddess, I could stay like this for eternity.
“I was very proud of your skill in the arena today.” I’d been nervous, anxious, angry, and vengeful… but I’d also been impressed and pleased by her prowess.
“That’s me,” Willa snorted, then laughed. “Kicking ass and taking names.”
“Taking names?” I covered her shoulders with my palms, pulling back so I could look at her. “I thought you already knew Cristox, Xabat, and Pavo’s names.”
Her giggle turned into an all-out laugh. “God, you’re so cute.”
Confusion was cute? I opened my mouth to argue the point when a sharp rap sounded at the door, heralding Adtovar’s arrival.
“I just saw Malakal headed for the escarpment,” he said, stepping inside and closing the door behind him. His pale gaze roved over Willa cuddling in my lap, and while he rolled his eyes in exasperation, Adtovar could not hide the wash of approval that crossed his expression.
Willa climbed from my lap. “Time to go.”
“You’re not going.” The words came out sterner than I intended based on the way her gaze hit me, sharp with aggravation.
