Page 48 of Champion
“I know what Nansar promised you.”
Her voice didn’t hold recrimination as much as resignation. I prickled at the idea the others had conspired against her, but contained my ire, determined to let my mate continue.
“What do you mean? Rickon huffed, crossing his massive arms across his chest. Of course, he would get defensive. Gudari weren’t the most trustworthy of species. I issued my best scowl in his direction as a warning.
Willa seemed unfazed by his demeanor. “I know Nansar promised you all freedom and money to let me beat you in the arena.”
A hush settled over the room. Some of the gladiators, like Xabat and Cristox, had the wherewithal to appear shamed and contrite. Others, like Rickon, seemed aggravated by the scheme’s exposure.
“It was not to harm you. We would never harm you, my Lady, not for any number of credits.” Pavo insisted. The Romvesian earned himself some respect with that comment, as far as I was concerned.
Cristox grunted, letting a wad of his thick yellow mane cover his eyes. “I apologize for the subterfuge. But you must understand, what Nansar offers us is a new chance at life.”
“What he offers you is death.” Willa’s voice held her usual assured tone. She beckoned Adtovar, who moved to her side and placed the small comm unit in her fingers.
Willa pressed the side of the silver tube, a faint blue glow arising along with squeaky morphed voices, as she forwarded the recording. Not a single person breathed as Nansar’s voice became audible.
I intend to pay them nothing. Once my father is dead, they will all fall under the blade of my Kerzak allies. Even now, Ambassador Yaard travels to Ajaxiun to ensure that I assume the throne without difficulty.
Silence gave way to shocked grumbles and low growls.
“Why would Nansar tell you this?” Rickon demanded, earning another scowl from me.
“Because Nansar didn’t know it was me,” Willa shot back.
“What do you mean?” Beiste asked, his black eyes seeming to glow within the confines of his red skin.
Willa took a deep breath, her shoulders tensing under my palms. “Nansar thought I was a Zarpazian named Vreses that he hired to kill me and take my place.”
Shock silenced the room, save for a few unbelieving gasps.
“Vreses is the best assassin in the universe,” Pavo breathed, awestruck.
“He was,” Adtovar agreed with a snort, then added proudly, “Until Willa killed him.”
“Unbelievable,” Rickon groused in disbelief, drawing both a scowl and a low growl of warning from me.
“It’s true.” Cristox moved from his position by the door into the center of the room. “Xabat and I helped Adtovar dispose of Vreses and a dead Aljani guard in the tunnels.”
“True,” Xabat echoed.
“How did you defeat him, my lady?” Pavo gazed at my mate with a mixture of awe and respect.
Willa shifted her stance, reaching up to draw my hand from her shoulder and around the front of her waist so the stark white bandage on my forearm was visible to everyone. A squeeze of her hand on mine prodded me to reveal my part of the story.
“The Zarpazian had adopted the form of the Aljani guard Malakal, who was helping us. By the time I figured out the ruse, it was too late.”
“A Zarpazian’s touch is deadly,” Rickon said snidely, questioning my words.
I tensed, intending to confront the Gudari for calling me a liar, but Zahavi stepped between us.
“It nearly was. Charick was near death when Adtovar brought him to me. He survived because Adtovar interrupted the Zarpazian before it could drain all of Charick’s essence.”
“So, how did Willa kill him?” Rickon pressed.
That bastard would not let this go, which made me wonder if we could trust him. Perhaps I just needed to kill him and be done with it. I would not let his attitude put my mate in danger.
“He came to me pretending to be Charick.” Willa’s hand squeezed mine, her fingers holding the slightest tremor. “When I saw him….” She glanced over her shoulder at me, eyes warm with affection. “I knew it wasn’t Charick. I pretended to be fooled, and thankfully, it gave me an opportunity to kill him.”
