Page 58 of Champion
Chapter 19 – Willa
“The Duke’s Champion!” The announcer chittered. His triangular head and puffy eyes reminded me of a praying mantis.
From his place in the royal box, Duke Ako rose, clapping furiously, smiling, and leaning over to say something to Pearl that made her laugh. A moment later, he motioned to the guards surrounding the royal box, and four of them broke off, making their way toward the arena floor.
Adtovar and I shared a covert glance. This was exactly what he said would happen. What Nansar planned for. The Duke’s guards would escort me to the royal box to be presented as Champion.
It took them a minute to reach me. In the meantime, my comrades slowly began struggling to their feet, keeping up the ruse of a true and painful trouncing. Most moaned and grumbled, swaying on their feet. Pavo deserved an Oscar, while Zahavi desperately needed acting lessons. One thing none of them did was lose their weapons. God, I hoped it wouldn’t come to fighting.
I turned in a small circle, pretending to take in the adoration. Truthfully, all I did was search for a glimpse of Charick. Besides Pearl’s companion, I caught sight of several Vaktaire amidst the crowd. None, however, who turned my bones to butter upon sight.
Where was he?
Please, God, let him be safe.
My imagination went in two distinct directions. One where Charick would appear to arrest Nansar just as I confronted the little weasel. The other was more of a nightmare where my mate lay hurt from a battle to stall the Kerzak—an imagining where I never saw him again.
Please, please let him be safe.
“Human female.” The guard’s voice wasn’t disdainful but confidently resonant, but it still made me jump. “We will escort you to Duke Ako for presentation as his Champion."
I nodded, stepping forward.
The largest of the guards held out his hand, eyes darting to the twin blades I held. “Leave your swords in the arena. None may carry weapons when presented to the Duke.”
I dropped the scimitars, hearing the faint scratching sound as the blades cut into the dirt at my feet. Would Nansar know I wouldn’t be allowed to take my weapons to meet Duke Ako? Of course he would. Which begged the question, how exactly was I—make that the Zarpazian I was pretending to be—kill the Duke? A renowned assassin would have smuggled a blade in somewhere… or maybe he’d just use his hands. It didn’t really matter. I possessed the only weapon that mattered. I laid my hand over where the small silver comm unit lay between my breasts.
The guards led me across the arena to the staircase leading into the second section toward the royal box. The thousands in attendance hooted and hollered at my every step. There were hundreds of aliens lining my path, all clapping and cheering, some reaching out as if wanting to touch me. Bet they wouldn’t be doing that if they knew of Nansar’s plan and who I was supposed to be.
As we drew closer, I let my gaze drift over the Vaktaire standing at Pearl’s side. He was handsome and smiling broadly at my friend with no small amount of affection. Surely, he would know if anything had happened to Charick. Unless he wasn’t one of the good guys. Lord knows Pearl didn’t always have the best taste in men. Shit! Was I going to need to rescue her, too?
Maybe not.
She pressed close to his side, and I noticed the wrap of his arm around her back, his hand resting possessively on her hip. I bit back a grin. This must be the warrior sent to rescue her. Pearl seemed completely besotted. A complete contrast to Nansar, who sat directly behind her, grinning maliciously. At his side sat an astoundingly beautiful woman with the same golden eyes and golden pelt as Charick. She appeared older, dressed in emerald green velvety robes, and held such an air of regalness that I felt abashed for my dirty, sweaty appearance. At her side, an alien that looked to be of Pavo’s species. He, too, appeared older and wore rich red robes.
“My Lord,” the larger guard who’d done all the talking announced as we came to a stop. “May I present your Champion.”
Duke Ako grinned broadly but acquiesced the first moment of greeting to my friend.
“Willa!” Pearl surged forward, arms outstretched to hug me. I couldn’t allow that, not yet. I cut her a glance, my face stern. Her eyes flashed with confusion, and her steps shuffled, but she stilled, giving me an almost imperceptible nod of understanding. She stepped back beside her alien, giving him a gentle pat on the chest to answer his questioning gaze.
I glanced at Nansar. The fucker looked like a kid on Christmas morning. Time to fill his stocking with coal.
“Duke Ako.” I stepped forward and gave a curt bow. The Aljani was older than Nansar, of course, but still incrediblyhandsome. He nodded at me in greeting, and the smile he offered dripped with sincerity.
I took a deep, steadying breath, casting one last glance at the arena floor. The gladiators had moved closer to the stairwells, ready to fight. Despite not having sight of Charick, I couldn’t wait any longer.
“Duke Ako, my name is Willa. I am a human female and not the Zarpazian assassin your son expects me to be.”
Everyone within hearing range gasped or issued other sounds of astonishment, but oddly, Duke Ako didn’t seem that surprised. Pearl gave a snort of disdain, glaring at Nansar. The Vaktaire at her side placed his arm protectively around Pearl’s shoulders and issued his own, rather frightening glare.
“Lies!” Nansar bounded to his feet, pointing an accusing finger in my direction.
I reached into the V of my tunic, pulling out the small silver tube that I placed in the Duke’s hand. “This comm holds a recording of Nansar’s scheme to kill you, in his own words.”
Nansar gave a hateful laugh and cast a dismissive wave in my direction. “Surely you cannot believe these insane ramblings from a feeble earth female. The heat must be too much for her.”
Duke Ako’s blue gaze leveled on his son. “This female has proven herself strong and worthy. I will hear her truth.”
