Page 30 of Champion
I stiffened in reaction to his words and watched several gladiator’s shoulders slump in chagrin. While a few of the males were warriors, most were simply victims of Nansar’s schemes.
“I believe the Champion and I are prepared to spar,” Adtovar suggested and motioned for me to accompany him to the weapons rack.
Nansar squared his shoulders, a malicious smile spreading across his face. “While I look forward to the display of skill from two venerated warriors… right now, I want to seeherin the arena.” He raised an arm, one long finger pointing at Willa.
Only Adtovar’s sharp gaze kept me from growling.
“I would be most happy to help Willa display her prowess in the ring,” Adtovar offered. Beside me, I felt Willa shift on her feet, tensing in anticipation.
“Haven’t you been acting as her trainer?” Nansar crossed his arms over his chest, his expression calculated.
“I have,” Adtovar admitted, gesturing for Willa to join him.
It was a physical pain not to stop her as my mate stepped away from me.
“Then you understand why I don’t think watching her spar with you would be a true test of her skill.” Green eyes flickered at me, and his mouth twitched in what might have been a sneer. He knew my mission was to rescue Willa, but hopefully didn’t realize how dear a mission it had become. “I believe I would like to see our lovely human female against….” His eyes darted around the arena. “The Kaelaks.”
Of course, the fucker would pick one of the biggest males. Thankfully, what he didn’t know was that despite his size, Xabat was a good male who adored my mate and would slit his own throat before hurting Willa—which was the only thing keeping Nansar breathing at the moment.
“As you wish, my Lord,” Adtovar issued Nansar a curt bow. “Please allow me a moment to give my protégé some pointers before we begin.”
Nansar waved permission for the request. Adtovar took the gesture with a respectful nod and turned back, drawing Willa and me into a huddle.
“I don’t like this,” I hissed, keeping my voice low.
“Neither do I,” Willa agreed. “But we don’t have a choice, do we?”
Adtovar glanced at something over Willa’s head. “None, unless you fancy fighting off thirty or so guards and any gladiator who thinks throwing his lot with Nansar is the way to go.”
“What do we do?” Willa made a face as if Adtovar’s words contained a taste… a bad one.
“You get a hold of yourself.” Adtovar’s finger hit me squarely in the chest. “You cannot let on how much you care for Willa, or it will endanger you both.” He turned to my mate, the finger that poked me now resting under her chin, raising her gaze to his. “And you. You may be small, but you’re fast. Use it. Xabat.…” His face twisted with distaste. “If that is the real Xabat,he won’t hurt you. But just in case it’s not the real Xabat, don’t let him touch you skin to skin.” He glanced over Willa’s head, frowning this time. “Don’t let anyone touch your skin to skin. If someone tries, hurt them… kill them if you have to.”
“No one touches you,” I echoed, even though I ached with the need to do just that and draw her into my arms where I knew she’d be safe.
“Except you.” Willa teased, smiling.
“Except me.” I agreed and elbowed Adtovar lightly. “And this guy, but he doesn’t get to touch you as much and only in certain places.”
Adtovar moaned, rolling his eyes. “Can you pay attention, please?” He waited until my mate nodded in agreement before continuing. “Use your double blades and keep moving. Stay in the center of the arena. Don’t get too close to Nansar or his guard, and don’t let anyone touch you.”
“You got it, Grandpa,” Willa’s comment strove for lightness, but the tense way she held herself didn’t go unnoticed. How I wanted to draw her into my arms, even just to give her a moment of comfort. But Nansar’s eyes were too watchful… too dangerous.
Willa didn’t glance at me as she walked into the arena, pausing by the weapons rack to withdraw the scimitars she favored. Nansar’s eyes followed her every step, but neither he nor his guards made a move toward her.
Xabat waited in the center of the sparring ring, his deep purple eyes darting between Adtovar and me, as Willa approached. The Kaelaks seemed to have enough sense to realize what would happen to him should he hurt my mate.
Willa walked to within a few feet of her opponent, the top of her head hitting barely above his waist.
“Lady Willa.” Xabat bowed deeply from the waist. “I give my vow. I will not hurt you.”
The smile she gave him was bright and easy. “I know Xabat. Let’s just give them a good show, okay?”
Xabat relaxed, his mouth curling into something that might be a smile. “It will be my honor.”
Not content with Willa sparring only against Xabat, Nansar ordered Cristox and Pavo to take a turn sparring with her as well. While I felt satisfied from watching their movements that none of these males were inhabited by the Zarpazian, it still took everything in me not to rush to my mate’s defense when faced with warriors twice her size.
Despite being dwarfed by her opponents, Adtovar was right to call Willa fast. She moved with graceful agility, effortlessly dodging the swing of a blade or a fist. Her lithe figure seemed to dance around the larger fighters, her movements fluid and precise. Not a single attack landed on her as she weaved and spun through the chaos of battle.
