Chapter Nineteen
Rykaur couldn’t believe that he’d mentioned the word mate to Mary. She’d only known him for a short time, and the thought of mating with him was no doubt the furthest thing from her mind. It should be the last thing on his mind as well. Especially after the pain he’d experienced at the hands of Kaura.
Trust wasn’t an easy thing for Rykaur to give. And trusting Mary would be near impossible. She’d lied to him every step of the way since the moment he’d laid eyes on her.
In her defense, he silently acknowledged, she’d really had no choice but to lie. She not only had to protect herself, but she protected the lives of her little gang of orphans as well.
Even now, as they traveled through the corridors of Aukrabah, Rykaur could feel her worry, her helplessness where the children were concerned. Even while in his arms, the anxiety and tension remained.
He glanced down at the top of her fiery red head, and a strange longing overtook him. His stomach clenched with the realization that he wanted her to feel that same intensity for him that she did for those children.
“We will get them back,” he found himself assuring her. “No matter what I have to do, Mary. I will return those children to you.”
And he meant it. He accepted, in that moment, that he would do just about anything to remove the deep despair she carried in her heart. To free her of the torment she battled every second of every day.
She peered up at him, her soft gray eyes full of sorrow. “I pray that you can, Rykaur. If something happens to them, I won’t be able to live with it.”
They took a left at the next corridor, the rumble of cheers spilling out from the training room up ahead.
“Stay close to me,” Rykaur ordered, rounding the corner and entering the crowded space.
The first thing Rykaur noticed was a pale-faced Gryke standing along the edge of the arena on the opposite side of the room. Though his stance appeared relaxed, Rykaur could read the emotion in his steely eyes.
He is afraid for his mate, Rykaur thought, taking hold of Mary’s hand and circling the crowd. And rightfully so. Where Syrina was well over six feet of muscle and barbs, Fiona was merely a human.
Pushing his way through the roaring crowd, Rykaur sidled up next to Gryke. The other Bracadyte didn’t need to look at Gryke to convey his feelings. Rykaur fairly choked on them.
“You should put a stop to this,” Rykaur mentally sent to an anxious Gryke. “No one would hold you to blame. Your mate is not Bracadyte. The Arkadian will kill her.”
Gryke’s muscles tensed, but he didn’t move. “Fiona challenged her. I cannot simply pull her out. She will be labeled a coward, and that is something she would never forgive me for. I will stop it if it becomes too much.”
Mary tugged on Rykaur’s vest, demanding his attention. He leaned down to hear her over the thundering of the crowd.
“This is barbaric, Rykaur! You have to do something.”
Rykaur squeezed her hand, speaking to her mind instead of aloud. “This is our way, Mary. It is a challenge and a great honor to the winner. Gryke will not allow his mate to be injured greatly. Of that, I am certain.”
Mary didn’t respond, instead, staring instead at the two females circling each other in the arena.
Fiona crouched low, her hands extended out in front of her as the Arkadian stalked her.
Syrina suddenly attacked, her fist swinging with a quickness that stunned Rykaur.
What happened next shocked him even more.
Fiona ducked, spun around, and jumped, kicking out with her booted foot and connecting with the Arkadian’s jaw.
Syrina’s feet came out from under her, leaving her on her back on the unforgiving rock floor.
The tall blonde Bracadyte was on her feet in an instant, charging Fiona before she could regroup.
Syrina took Gryke’s mate to the floor, her larger fists pummeling Fiona’s face.
Gryke took a hesitant step forward, stopping when his mate bared her teeth. “No, Gryke!”
The fighting went on for what seemed an eternity until both females were out of breath and bleeding profusely. They rolled around on the floor, grappling for domination when Syrina finally pinned Fiona’s arms with her legs, preventing her from further retaliation.
Everyone in the room grew quiet, waiting with bated breath for what would happen next.
The females stared into each other’s eyes for long moment before Syrina pushed away and staggered to her feet. She reached down and offered Fiona her hand.
Fiona hesitated, gauging the Arkadian’s intentions, and then accepted her outstretched palm.
They stood face to face in the center of the arena, both attempting to catch their breath.
“You are a great warrior, mate of Gryke. A worthy opponent indeed.”
Fiona grinned through bloodied lips. “You kicked my ass.”
Syrina’s lips twitched. “I do not know what would have happened had the fight gone on another ten minutes. You had me worried.”
Cheers exploded throughout the room like the thunder of a thousand horses.
Gryke instantly burst forward, his arms going around his mate. He scooped her up, ignoring her protests, and shouldered his way to the exit.
“Come,” Rykaur insisted, giving Mary’s hand a slight tug. “Let us go eat and rest. We have much to discuss before we return to the surface in less than two days.”
Mary nodded, allowing him to guide her through the throng of people.
“Anyone else?” Klause called out, from his position in the crowd.
A cocky male Arkadian stepped forward, his white hair pulled back into a ponytail and his amber-colored eyes glittering with malice.
Klause nodded to the warrior before raising his hand for silence. “Tell me your name, Arkadian.”
“I am called Pyre.”
Rykaur slowed his steps, curious as to who would fight the newcomer.
“Pick your opponent.” Klause waved toward the warriors lined along the wall, waiting to fight.
Pyre studied the faces along the wall, his gaze touching on every Bracadyte in a calculative manner before turning his attention toward the doorway where Rykaur and Mary stood.
Narrowing his amber eyes, Pyre slowly lifted his hand and pointed to Rykaur. “You.”