Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

A shlyn

“Stop!” Ashlyn reached for Zade’s hand, capturing him when he attempted to step away from the bed. The look of cold calculation in his eyes chilled her to the bone. This was a side of Zade she’d never seen before, the battle commander, a man eager to destroy his enemies. “Zade, this is a ploy. Did you break some stupid rule, bringing me on your ship?”

“A technicality. You are my mate. C’Bor’s widow is, technically, under the protection of the Ubrion family until we are officially married under Cappran law.”

“But what about Caldorian law?”

“On Caldor, you are mine. But we have not issued this challenge for the Council seat under Caldorian law. The challenge operates under the laws of Cappra.”

“So, C’Nar and Ocliver are taking advantage of the situation? That’s not a surprise. Obviously, the Council is not going to help us. They are using the excuse that their hands are tied by Cappran law. They’ve ignored their own rules more than once, putting these stupid chains of obedience on me and letting the Ubrions demand the medical exam. Still, I find it hard to believe they want to start a full scale war.”

He sat on the edge of the bed and pulled her into his arms. “What are you saying, mate? You do not want me to destroy them? The Reaper will annihilate the Ubrion’s ship without effort.”

“The Reaper?”

Zade looked around the room with pride shining in his eyes. “My ship. This is a Caldorian battle cruiser. She has never been defeated in combat. She’s fully armed and ready to destroy your enemies, shenga.” He leaned down and stole her breath with a kiss. “Councilor Faro, say the word and I will destroy them all.”

Councilor Faro. He’d never called her that before. With a battle hardened commander, his undefeated battleship, and an entire crew of warriors waiting for permission to attack C’Nar Ubrion and his asshole legal advisor, she’d never felt safer. Calmer. More in control of her own life. The feeling was new. She liked it. A lot.

“What will satisfy both the Ubrion family and the Council? Without starting a war?” She lifted a hand to cup his cheek. Was he truly willing to start a war for her? The resolve she saw in his eyes said yes, he was. That seemed insane, yet here they were, discussing the possibility of interplanetary war like it was just another totally normal day. Where was this calm coming from? Normally she’d be panicked by now, freaking the fuck out.

Zade groaned and kissed her again before answering. “You would need to return to neutral territory on the Caldorian base.” He gripped the back of her neck and pulled her lips to his, speaking with his own pressed against them. “Where I can’t protect you. Where you will be vulnerable.”

“That’s it?” She smiled against his mouth and took advantage of his nearness to rub her palm over his chest in a soft caress. Damn, he was gorgeous. Hard muscles. Hot skin. She didn’t know how she could possibly want him again, but she did. Too bad there was no time, not if she was going to prevent a war. “Let’s go. Take me back to base.”

“ Shenga, no. Your life will be in danger.” His Saltrec instincts were nearly out of control now that she could be carrying his child. Every cell in his body demanded he keep her safely tucked away, out of reach of C’Nar Ubrion’s and the Council’s influence.

“There is only one more test. One more. We cannot surrender the Council seat to them now. And I refuse to start a war. Call your people back and have them send a message to the Council that we will report to them for the third test within the hour.”

Zade groaned and locked her hand to his bare chest with his own. “I don’t give a fulack about the Council seat, woman. You are mine to protect. I am having a very hard time convincing myself there is enough reason to leave this bed.”

She sighed, her resolve hardening to pure steel. “I haven’t gone this far to fail now. You know now that I’ve met C’Nar, now that I know firsthand how rotten he is, I can’t just let him have the seat. He’s evil. Can’t you feel it?”

Zade rubbed the back of her hand with the pad of his thumb. “The Ubrion dynasty has always been vile, shenga. Yes, I feel it, too.”

“Then we agree, we can’t let him have any more power. He has to be stopped.”

“Not at the cost of your life,” he insisted in a tone that made her toes curl and her heart skip a beat. He meant every word. He would walk away from the challenge for her.

“Zade, I’m fine. We will get through this and then—” Words failed her. Then what? Did she still want to fake her own death and never see him again? What if she was pregnant? Did she want to have the baby and stay with him on Cappra? She wasn’t the kind of woman to hide a child from his or her father. Could she do this Council thing for real? Now that she’d seen them operate, it looked like a bunch of bureaucratic bullshit, posturing, and manipulating the rules to get one’s way. She’d been in dance troupes with vicious competition. Backstabbing and lies were nothing new.

Maybe she could do this after all. Maybe. If he still wanted her when the challenge was over. If Cappra wasn’t a hellhole. But they weren’t all like C’Nar and Ocliver. In fact, Doctor Kubro had gone out of his way to make her feel like she had people she could trust on her side.

Maybe she could get permission from King Dagan to tell Zade the truth about the maju paste and she could make things work with Zade. Her pulse raced at the possibilities, her future opening up before her with infinite possibilities. All she had to do was survive the next test and this stupid challenge would be over.

Realizing she’d been silent for too long, she looked up from where Zade’s hand covered hers on his chest and found him watching her. “You are mine, shenga. It matters not what happens today, I will never give you up. Do you understand?”

She was terrified and excited by the prospect that he meant every word. “Let’s get through the final test, and then we’ll talk about the future. Okay?” A future that a week ago she never could have imagined. A future with him.

“Truly C’Nar, you waste our time. Clearly state the terms of the final test, so that we may all go home and get back to the business of the Council.” Councilor Boleen had two arms crossed, while the other two waved at C’Nar Ubrion in irritation. Her almond shaped blue eyes were closed but the two, round, purple eyes were locked onto the Cappran like lasers. She looked like she was ready to kill him herself. “I do not care for this world. It’s too hot, too bright, and I have not seen my family in weeks. I grow weary of your games. You threatened the life of a Council member this morning. Nearly started a war. Is your family so greedy for power they would sacrifice millions of lives in battle because a female refuses to marry you?”

The crowded arena fell silent at her words. Rarely did a member of the Council speak so plainly.

C’Nar bowed curtly to the Councilors. “I am merely exercising my rights, Councilors. The Caldorian prince kidnapped a member of my family.”

“Yes, yes. Indeed. Cappra acted within the rule of law.” Councilor Jorax’s tentacles seemed to move with excess excitement, like a group of writhing snakes. “The Ubrion family have been respected members of the Council for generations. We must ensure their Council seat is in the appropriate hands.”

“Ubrion’s hands, you mean.” Zade stepped forward, blocking C’Nar’s view of Ashlyn. The Cappran’s glare wasn’t just greedy, but possessive.

C’Nar’s dark red skin gleamed under the arena’s bright lights, making his black eyes look like bottomless pits as he raised his voice to address the crowd. “If C’Bor’s widow is unwilling to marry me, or a member of my family, we are ethically obligated to ensure her ability to safeguard the seat for all Capprans.”

“So you’ve said. Repeatedly. Get on with it. I have business on my homeworld, and I grow tired of these games. Councilor Faro has passed two of the three tests. Let us finish this.” Councilor Boreen’s blue eyes opened and locked onto Ashlyn with what Zade hoped was sympathy. The female Councilor had an obvious dislike for the Ubrion family, but that did not make her an ally.

“Of course, Councilor.” C’Nar waved his hand over the tablet he held. Every Councilor’s attention was immediately drawn to the personal screens in front of them. A gasp from the crowd indicated whatever he’d shared with the Councilors was also being displayed across the arena’s multiple large screens.

Councilor Boreen frowned, her skin turning a darker shade of gray. “The Council has allowed many concessions to Cappran law, but I will not allow a sitting Councilor to be forced into combat with… this ,” she warned. “This is unacceptable.”

Combat? Ashlyn’s heart dropped into her stomach. Who was she supposed to fight? C’Nar? He was easily twice her size. He would kill her. Was that what he wanted? If she died before she was officially married to Zade, did he win the Council seat by default? She craned her neck to see what was on one of the large screens, but they stood directly beneath the main displays and the angle made viewing the images there impossible.

“Silence!” Councilor Dur’vok slammed a closed fist down on the table in front of him when the Councilors erupted in a loud argument, all speaking at once. “C’Nar Ubrion will be heard.” His booming voice echoed through the large space as he stood, his heavy battle armor made more sinister by the topic being discussed.

Well fuck. Obviously, he was on C’Nar’s side. Was he going to let C’Nar try to kill her?

Without thinking, Ashlyn stepped forward and slipped her hand into Zade’s for comfort. He turned to her at once.

Shit. Maybe she should have stayed in bed with Zade after all. At least he’d given her soft soled boots, a pair of form fitting black pants and long sleeved black tunic to wear. Her outfit matched Zade’s, including the crossbody tactical sling he wore. She knew his sling was packed with weapons. In fact, she felt like they’d come full circle. He looked exactly like he had the first time she’d seen him, complete with a sword sheathed on his back.

Her tactical sling held three small black cubes, the weapons’ activation systems specifically coded to her DNA, and familiar enough that if she were forced to use one, she wouldn’t feel like a bumbling idiot. Then again, she wasn’t exactly a sharpshooter. Outside an arcade, she’d held a real gun once in her life. One of the dancers she’d been friends with a few years ago had been dating a police officer at the time. He’d taken them to a shooting range, said everyone should know the basics of self-defense. Never thought she’d be so grateful for that one lesson.

Zade had promised her the fabric she wore would block any attack, even a knife blade, or sniper’s bullet. The fact they’d thought it necessary to consider such things made her shift her feet and squeeze Zade’s hand. Hard.

She looked to the box where she knew Rachel, Cam and the rest of the Caldorians would be seated. She met her sister’s gaze, recognized both horror and hope in Rachel’s eyes. Not difficult to understand, as Ashlyn was torn between the two emotions herself.

“Do not fear, shenga. No one will touch you. I give you my word.” Zade drew her attention away from Rachel. His gaze did not falter, and she relaxed at his whispered promise. She wasn’t alone. Whatever was coming, they’d deal with it together. Rachel had said every single one of the Caldorian princes was a warrior, trained in battle and chosen specifically because they could keep her safe. Had King Dagan somehow known something like this was going to happen? Guess that meant she was the only one who hadn’t considered armed combat would be part of the tests.

She tore her gaze from Zade’s as C’Nar shouted to the crowd. “We propose a test of physical strength, endurance, and skill in battle.”

The crowd was here for a show. The roar of approval made Ashlyn feel like a sacrificial lamb about to be fed to a pack of hungry lions. She glanced at Zade to judge his reaction. His face gave nothing away. He looked like a man carved from marble; a man ready to kill.

“Prince Zade is a military Commander on his planet. Cappra is a volatile place. Anyone taking a leadership position must be able to protect Cappra and her people from both rivals on the planet, and enemies from other worlds. For the final test, we challenge Councilor Faro and her intended to trial by combat.”

Councilor Boleen looked toward Zade and Ashlyn as C’Nar finished his announcement with a flourish designed to rile the crowd. “The final test shall be a battle with a viderbeast. A battle to the death.”

Councilor Dur’vok’s deep voice sounded like rock rolling down a hill as he arched one brow at Ashlyn and bellowed over the noise of the crowd. “Councilor Faro, do you accept the final test, or do you surrender your Council seat to the Ubrion family?”

Ashlyn stared into his steely gaze and waited for the crowd to quiet. What the hell was a viderbeast? Whatever it was, it probably didn’t look like a fluffy white bunny. She needed to discuss this with Zade. “I will discuss the test with Prince Zade. You shall have my answer shortly.” Ashlyn’s heart pounded as she turned toward Zade and pulled him a few steps away from the seated Councilors aggrieved stares, and C’Nar’s gloating.

“Zade?” The moment she looked up, she knew he wanted to fight. His eyes held a gleam of anticipation.

“Do not fear, shenga. I expected this.”

“Do you know what a viderbeast is? They said the challenge is for both of us,” she whispered, unable to keep the fear out of her voice. “I don’t know anything about fighting. I’m not one of those women who likes to kick ass. I don’t think I can help. I’m so sorry.”

Zade’s eyes softened at her look of panic. “I knew fighting would be part of the challenge, shenga . I have been waiting. I can handle it without your help. In fact, I look forward to it. I know these beasts. We have this creature in the wilds of Caldor. All you need to do is stay out of the way.”

“But...” Was he serious? He was going to fight on his own? And he wasn’t even worried?

Zade cut her off with a long, soul drugging kiss that stole her breath and made her weak in the knees. Only when she melted into him did he slowly pull back to whisper in her ear, “I said I can handle it. Don’t argue with me or they will think you do not have confidence in my ability to win. They will see it as a weakness and find a way to exploit it.”

At her nearly imperceptible nod, he gave her another long, hard kiss, making everything else fade into the background.

“Ahem,” Councilor Jorax cleared his throat, his tentacles coated and gleaming with what looked like drool. Was he excited? Gross. “Councilor Faro, have you made a decision?”

The impatient tone of the Councilor’s question finally penetrated the spell Zade cast upon Ashlyn’s body so she could move. She pulled away, embarrassed by how easily he could affect her. Turning away from Zade to address the Council, Ashlyn nodded. “We accept the challenge. When and where is this to take place?”

All eyes shifted back to C’Nar. “Capprans must always be prepared. As you can see, female, this arena is the perfect place. We are here, so why not right now?”

Zade took a menacing step toward the Cappran scum. “We came fully prepared for any challenge, and you will address my mate as Councilor Faro.”

C’Nar sneered. “I’ll address her as Councilor Ubrion when she is my wife.”

Zade’s slow grin belied the death in his eyes. “That will never happen. Not while I live,” he vowed, “and Caldorians live a very long time.”

Ignoring Zade’s remark, C’Nar turned to the Council. “The challenge has been accepted. However, the Caldorian must surrender his weapons. Per the ancient laws, this challenge is traditional hand-to-hand combat.”

Councilor Jorax’s tentacles whipped around like live snakes as he chortled and grumbled. “Indeed. C’Nar Ubrion speaks true.”

Next to her, Zade stiffened. What was he thinking? What was a viderbeast? Could he fight it without weapons? His voice, when he addressed C’Nar, held death. “If you insist on hand-to-hand combat, I will gladly fight you to the death, C’Nar Ubrion. I am sure a contest between challengers is the intention behind the law.”

Ashlyn wanted to slap the smirk off the red-skinned demon’s face as C’Nar glared at Zade. If that asshole tried to force her to marry him, she’d kill him herself.

Councilor Seraphina stood; her shimmering iridescent wings unfurled behind her like an avenging angel. “I have allowed Intergalactic law to be bent for these tests but will not condone what would amount to an execution. Prince Zade will either be allowed to keep his weapons to engage the viderbeast, or C’Nar Ubrion will accept the Caldorian prince’s challenge, and face him in hand-to-hand combat, where the two warriors will fight to the death.” She glared at C’Nar, her silver skin gleaming under the arena’s bright lights. Her wings fluttered behind her with agitation. “You insist the male who takes Councilor Faro as his mate must always be prepared to fight. Are you ready to do battle, C’Nar Ubrion?”

Ashlyn nearly fainted in relief when C’Nar lowered his beady black eyes and inclined his head at Councilor Seraphina. “The prince may keep his weapons.” His gaze searched out Ashlyn’s. Locked on and held. “Do not worry, female. I will claim you when your betrothed falls.”

“He isn’t going to fall.” She wanted to add ‘you piece of shit’ but didn’t bother. The asshole already knew how she felt about him.

“Let us hope not. But accidents do happen.” C’Nar smirked and focused his sinister gaze on Zade. “But then, Prince Zade knows this. Didn’t you lose your brother recently? Prince Zedrick? Seems accidents are quite common in your family. One might even say suspiciously frequent. First the queen, now her son and heir to the Northern Sector of Caldor. That title falls to you now, doesn't it? No doubt your fragile female will be relieved to be under my protection.”

“That is enough from both of you.” Councilor Boleen stood as well and tapped her medallion with long, claw-like fingernails. She opened all four of her arms wide as she addressed the crowd, the Council, and everyone watching via their monitors, in a high-pitched, theatrical voice. “A challenge has been issued and accepted.” She scowled at C’Nar. “Per your report, the Council assumes the viderbeast is caged and ready.”

C’Nar’s smile made Ashlyn’s blood run cold. “Indeed.”

Councilor Dur’vok made a noise that sounded like an elephant’s snort as C’Nar spun around and shouted, “Clear the grounds!”

The few stragglers standing around the edges of the arena floor—Ashlyn had assumed they were either bodyguards or administrative assistants attached to the various Councilors—scrambled off the main floor and climbed into the stands. C’Nar ascended a set of stairs and then walked to stand safely behind the raised dais so he could watch from where the Councilors were seated. He took a position next to Councilor Jorax as if they were old friends.

“I’m going to kill that bottom feeding vemrin when this is over.” Zade’s low rumble barely registered as they stood alone in the center of the arena.

Before she could respond, a loud clicking noise made her jump. The lights went out. Near total darkness engulfed them both. She couldn’t see a damn thing.

Zade’s voice floated to her in the darkness, reassuring. Completely calm. Composed. “When I tell you to run, go to the darkest corner of the arena, as far from the fight as you can. Stay in the shadows. It has poor vision in the dark.”

“Okay.” She wanted to reach for Zade in the dark but knew he needed his arms and legs free to face whatever was about to attack them.

What the hell is a viderbeast?

A trio of bright spotlights sliced through the darkness, one forming a large halo of light around Zade, one around her, and the third…?

She spun at the sound of a metal grate sliding open. The third lighted area was five times the size of the spotlight around Zade. Centered in the bright halo, a giant metal cage, at least twenty feet tall, rolled into the arena on what had to be remote controlled wheels. Inside? A creature like nothing she’d ever seen before emerged from the shadows. Terror choked her as she counted twelve legs. Each jointed leg reminded her of a tarantula’s, but instead of hair, the legs were covered in sharp looking spikes.

A set of floor lights activated on the bottom of the cage to display the belly of the beast. The creature’s body was the size of a small bus and covered in a thick exoskeleton. Its underbelly was separated into segments that looked like they could expand or contract like an accordion.

What was that thing? A terrifying cross between a giant spider and a centipede? It appeared the creature could walk with its body fully extended, or roll into a ball so it could utilize thousands of black needles the size of golf clubs protruding from its back. The monster’s head was attached from the front like an elephant’s, but instead of a trunk it had four pincer-like jaws dripping with a thick substance she assumed was venom.

At first sight of her and Zade, the viderbeast lunged at the front of the cage, its four snapping jaws opening and closing around multiple rows of sharp teeth, each triangular tooth the size of her head. She tried to count the number of eyes and gave up, its entire head covered with bulging lenses that reflected light like a dragonfly’s. “Oh my god.”

She took three steps back and glanced at Zade. He inclined his head and nodded toward a darkened corner of the arena. He took her hand and helped her remove a small, black object from her tactical sling. As she held it, the DNA coded weapon activated. When the object finished expanding, she held a small, alien handgun that fired bursts of light she could only describe as barely visible lasers. “Remember what I told you. You also carry a knife and a crossbow with five exploding bolts. Do not fire them at me, please.”

Hands trembling, she checked the weapon, wishing the ten minute lesson Zade had given her on The Reaper had been ten hours. “This won’t kill that thing.”

“Indeed. Your weapon will only make it angry. That is for anyone else who gets in your way. I do not trust C'Nar, nor Councilor Dur’vok.”

So he’d noticed the Councilor’s obvious bias as well. “Or Jorax. His tentacles are disgusting.”

Zade chuckled at her shudder of disgust. “Go, shenga. All will be well. I will handle the viderbeast.”

Shocked by the boyish grin on his face, she opened and closed her mouth without saying a word. Was he serious right now? Smiling? Did he want to fight that thing?

He turned and watched as the cage rolled to a stop, the creak and groan of shifting metal like fingernails on a chalkboard.

She had to trust him. She didn’t have a choice. “That thing is huge.” Zade would have to stretch just to touch its underbelly. “Promise me you aren’t going to die.”

His grin faded to a look so serious she forgot to breathe. “I love you, Ashlyn Faro. I vow to you, I will not die this day.” He lifted his hand to cup her cheek. “And neither will you.”

I love you. The words were there, in her heart, in her throat. She opened her mouth to tell him, but a loud boom made her flinch as the door to the cage crashed to the floor of the arena. The viderbeast scuttled toward them with shocking speed, jaws clicking open and closed like metallic razors.

“Go! Run!” Zade nudged her toward the dark corner, and she ran as fast as her legs would carry her, flying across the floor with a burst of terror. She didn’t stop until she was as far from the fight as she could be, her back wedged against the hard side walls of the arena floor.

The damn spotlight followed her, the bright light making her blink in irritation as she turned in horror to see Zade facing off with the viderbeast.