Page 3 of Champion
“I know you.”
Eyes as deep blue as the gems mined on the Gilese moons stared at me, her dainty brows pinched together in a frown.
“Yes.”It was all I could do to keep from grinning like an idiot. “I am Charick, Sage of theBardaga.” I gave her a curt bow of greeting.
I’d never been this close to her. My first sight had been at a distance as Nansar dragged her onto his ship. I’d witnessed enough at the time to know she was beautiful. I just didn’t realize how beautiful.
She stood taller than her friend Emmy, with broad shoulders and luscious curves that my fingers itched to caress. Her hair was dark brown, the sunlight filtering through the alley shadows bringing out glints of gold in the strands. Her skin was creamy pale with a smattering of small brown dots over her nose and cheeks—freckles, I think they were called. And her lips… sweet goddess! Her lips were full and rosy pink. When the tip of Willa’s tongue came out to wet them, I nearly moaned aloud.
She stepped nearer, putting herself between me and Adtovar. I suffered the sudden dread she meant to protect him until she drove the point of a slender finger into the center of my chest.“Alright, Charick, Sage of the Bardaga. Where the fuck is my friend Emmy?”
“Emmy?” I blinked at her, too occupied by the feel of her finger against my chest to focus on her words.
“Don’t play dumb.” She poked again, harder this time, drawing a wince, not of pain but of pleasure. “I know you know her. You were with her and those other guys trying to rescue me from Nansar on that desert planet. I want to know about Emmy. Is she okay?”
The loyalty to her friend impressed me.
“Emmy is safe,” I vowed, putting my fist over my heart to punctuate the statement.
Relief made her scent fresher, like the flowers of my home world.
“What about my other friends, Agnes, Pearl, Clara, and Daisy? Do you know anything about them?” She crossed her arms over her chest, which made her breasts plump in the V-neck of her tunic. Adtovar stepped close behind her, adopting her posture but with a threatening air. He protected my Willa. Why, if he had not claimed her as a mate?
“Your friends are all safe aboard theBardaga,” I told her, watching relief sweep across her face. “All but Pearl.” I would speak nothing but truth to my mate. “The last I heard was that my brethren Jutuk found her on the Ardeese Valout space station, and her rescue was imminent.”
“Do you believe him?” Adtovar’s blue eyes held ice as he glared at me.
“Vaktaire do not lie?” I squared my shoulders in challenge of his doubt.
Adtovar issued a disdainful snort, shaking his head. Renowned gladiator or not, if he impugned my honor, I would happily put him on his ass. When I’d met him once, years ago, he was undefeatable, but an older Adtovar faced me now. His white hair had turned almost pure silver, common for an elder Aljani.
“I think I do.” Willa studied me, her lips pursed slightly. I couldn’t help recalling the mating of mouths that humans called a kiss. I’d read extensively on human mating practices, and my Chieftain and his mate certainly seemed to enjoy the ritual.
She stepped closer, lifting her chin to meet my gaze. “I remember you tried to rescue me when Nansar carried me aboard his ship.”
I nodded. “Yes. I have traveled many galaxies to rescue you.”
The corners of Willa’s lips twitched, curving upward, and I lost myself in the beauty of her face.
“How sweet,” Adtovar snorted, rolling his eyes.
I was truly beginning to dislike him. There was an old saying among the Vaktaire—be careful of searching for heroes. They might disappoint.
“Exactly how do you plan to affect this rescue?” He leaned against the stone wall, crossing his muscular arms over his chest. “In case you haven’t noticed, we are in a heavily guarded arena.”
“I am well aware of the obstacles,” I assured him, watching as Willa’s deep-blue gaze bounced between the two of us.
“Let me tell you something. I bet you don’t know.” The gladiator smirked. “Duke Ako
Birthday celebration occurs in a few rotations and Nansar has something devious planned. From what I’ve learned, he intends for Willa to be a big part of that plan. She is watched closely. You will not get her away easily.”
I noticed a frown of confusion cross Willa’s face. Like most abducted humans, she’d received a cochlear translator implant from the Trogvyk, but I knew some words did not easily translate.
“A rotation is the same as a day on Earth,” I told her, explaining the concept I thought she might not understand.
“I know,” she huffed.
“Of course,” I smiled at her. “I didn’t want you to suffer any confusion from our conversation."
