by T. J. Quinn
“Our Ruler will see you now,” he announced, gesturing them to follow him.
Chapter Twelve
It wasn’t a surprise for anybody to find Ethor there. Considering how important the man was, he had to be there.
Kenyon felt the urge to destroy the man that had dared to take his woman from him, but he knew it wasn’t the time, nor the place.
“My assistant tells me you’re accusing my counselor from abducting a female from the building you’re staying in,” the Ruler said coldly, skipping any formal introductions or greetings and going straight to the point.
“That’s right. He abducted my mate,” Kenyon practically snarled.
“Your mate?” Ethor sputtered, with scorn. “That’s discussable. Abducting her from her parents’ home doesn’t turn her into your mate,” he added.
“No, fate and all the powers of the universe make her my mate,” Kenyon replied in an icy tone. “But, you’re wrong with your facts. I didn’t kidnap her from Borzan, the Sherlaacs did, following the instructions of their client. I rescued her from the Sherlaacs, and she has been with me ever since. After all, her own parents disowned her the moment they heard she had been abducted by pirates.”
“This doesn’t really matter since I already had signed the mating contract with her parents, that makes her my mate, not yours,” Ethor retorted, unhappy with Kenyon’s words.
“If she was your mate, why didn’t you do anything to rescue her?” Kenyon asked in utter disdain. “Like her parents, you abandoned her to her fate and did nothing to get her back.”
“Is this true?” the Ruler asked, looking at his man.
“We had no idea who had taken her. They chose a day with a lot of air traffic in the area, due to Sharian’s sister’s mating ceremony and it was impossible to determine who had abducted her,” Ethor defended himself, though he didn’t sound that convincing.
“She contacted her parents as soon as she was free, and they pretended they didn’t know her, so, it’s hard to believe they had any interest in getting her back,” Kenyon replied, with a scornful scowl.
“They never informed me she had contacted them, even when they were obliged to do so, after all, I kept my part of the bargain, and they didn’t, alleging she was already my responsibility at the time of the abduction,” Ethor grumbled.
“That only makes your inaction look worse,” Kenyon assured him, barely containing his rage. “If she was yours, you should have done the impossible to get her back.”
“But, I did. I have her now, with me, where she belongs,” he announced, with a victorious grin.
“No, you lost that right when you abandoned her to her fate. Her fate now is with me, at my side, as MY mate. You cowardly abducted her and forced her into a situation she has no wish to be in,” Kenyon roared.
Ethor took a couple of steps forward, and Kenyon did the same, his beast striving to come out and fight for his mate. But, the Ruler stopped them both.
“As I understand it, you’re both claiming to be the female’s mate, is that right?”
The contenders never stopped looking at each other as they roared their answer.
“Yes!”
“Well, our legislation has rules for cases like this. As far as I can see, you both have the right to claim the female, and since neither seems about to give it up, I shall apply those rules,” the Ruler announced sternly.
Ethor wasn’t very pleased with the other man’s decision. He clearly was expecting him to rule in his favor. “He has no right to claim her as his mate,” he growled furiously.
“I believe he does since he rescued her from the Sherlaacs and has taken care of her ever since, something you failed to do, Ethor,” the Ruler pointed out in a severe tone that didn’t allow any argument.
“What rules?” Ethan asked, sure Kenyon wouldn’t even ask. He could tell his friend was ready to jump in head first, into whatever they were planning.
“When two males dispute a female, the only way to solve it is through a fight to the death. The winner takes all, including all of the loser’s possessions,” the Ruler explained. “They are entitled to use a ceremonial sword, but nothing else.”
Ethor smiled and raising his hands, displayed what looked like some very sharp blades that came out of his knuckles. “I don’t need the sword. I can take him with my own hands,” he bragged.
The Ruler frowned. “Are you sure of it? Your opponent is an Asloran warrior,” he pointed out while watching the way Kenyon let out his beast.
Kenyon’s body covered itself with the brownish scales that were part of his almost impenetrable armor, and his claws grew to the point they were a perfect match to Ethor’s blades, and his horns moved forward, turning into lethal weapons.
Ethor clearly hadn’t realized who he was up against and his resolve trembled. “He can’t wear armor,” he protested.
“It’s his own skin, it comes out whenever they are facing danger,” the Ruler explained, with a lot more knowledge about Aslorans than his man. “I believe I’ve seen you fight in Kalyko’s arenas,” he added, looking straight at Kenyon.
“It’s possible. I spent a few sun rotations there,” he said, with a scowl. “Since I can’t take off my armor, I guess it’s only fair to allow my contender to use some.”
The Ruler nodded and turned to look at his councilor, poised to open his mouth again. “Choose your words wisely, Ethor, or you’ll lose this battle before it even starts,” he warned him.
The man pursed his lips, and his face turned into a mask of hatred. “I accept his offer,” he agreed, through gritted teeth.
“And you’ll both use the ceremonial swords. Until the battle, you’ll stay here, at the palace and the woman shall be brought to me at once. She’ll remain under my protection until the battle is over,” the Ruler announced. “The battle will take place, tomorrow, in the public arena, at sundown.”
Four guards appeared out of nowhere and escorted Kenyon and Ethor out of the room.
“You’re welcome to attend the event in my personal box. Please, join me there tomorrow before the sun goes down,” he invited Ethan and his men.
“Thank you, we’ll be there,” Ethan said, with a nod.
“I advise you not to bring your females. It won’t be something a woman should endure,” the Ruler added, with a slight frown.
“Why make it public, then?” Ethan asked, not sure that was a good thing.
“Whatever the result is, I want my people to know it was a fair fight, and that the winner is entitled to their respect. Our females don’t usually attend this kind of thing,” he explained.
Still not feeling too comfortable with leaving Kenyon behind, alone with the Eflorians, Ethan lingered a few more moments.
“I understand your doubt, after all, this place doesn’t look unbiased, but let me assure you, it is. When it comes to our honor, things like blood and friendship bonds don’t exist. Your friend will be well-taken care of,” the Ruler, declared. “I reckon you’ve never seen your friend fighting,” he added, with a faint smile.
“No, I haven’t. He had already left Kalyko when I met him and asked him to join us,” Ethan admitted. “I had never seen him in his full battle mode.”
“Aslorans are almost impossible to beat in combat. Their abilities as warriors are well known all over the universe.”
“Then, isn’t this battle a bit unfair?” Ethan asked with a frown.
“Not really. Ethor is one of my best warriors and with armor on, he’ll be an acceptable match for your friend. Besides, he would never accept anything less. He’s too stubborn for that.”
Ethan sighed. “Let’s hope for the best.”
The Ruler nodded, and the cyborgs finally left the palace.
Sharian moved as far as possible from the man sitting next to her. Her worst fears had come to life, and she was now in the hands of her suitor.
She bit her lips to hold back a sob and wished she had been able to call for help. She knew it was a vile desire, consi
dering the consequences, but she felt so lonely, so abandoned, she couldn’t help wishing someone had come to her rescue.
The man next to her ran a thick finger down her cheek, and she shuddered with disgust and fear.
“You’re mine now. I’m sure your parents will be happy when they find out I rescued you,” he said, with a conceited tone that made her squirm in her seat, barely containing her wish of wiping the smile off his face.
“You didn’t rescue me. You abducted me,” she replied icily.
“Of course not. I just recovered what’s rightfully mine, that’s all. You shouldn’t have escaped from me,” he continued, stroking her chin between two of his fingers, pulling her a bit closer to him.
“I didn’t escape,” she protested. “I was taken away by pirates.”
“Or so you say,” he replied. “But now, you dared to show up on my planet, with another male, as if nothing had happened. I couldn’t allow such defiance from you, not after I already paid for you,” he added.
“What do you mean you paid for me?” she asked, surprised.
“The day you disappeared, your parents and I had signed the mating contract. I complied with my part, so it’s only fair to have you complying with yours.”
She looked at him startled, struggling to free her chin. “I never agreed to the mating,” she assured him.
“You knew very well you wouldn’t be allowed to say no. There was no other option.”
She pursed her lips and tried even harder to escape his grip.
“There’s no use fighting me, my dear, you’re mine now, and no one will take you away from me,” he said, with an arrogant grin.
“Why do you still want me? My own parents disowned me after the abduction. They wanted nothing to do with me,” she asked, refusing to believe his words.
“Well, I couldn’t care less what happened during the time you spent away from me. Our females initiate their sex life at a very early age, and they usually only settle down with their mates after they’ve gained enough experience to know how to please a male,” he explained.
She bit her lips again not to let out a moan of despair.
“You better start getting used to your new life. No one will take you away from me,” he assured her, leaning over and stealing a kiss from her lips.
She protested and tried to move her head back, but he hadn’t let go of his grip to her chin, and though she tried, she wasn’t able to reject the kiss.
She felt defiled. Violated. She didn’t want another man’s kisses. She belonged to Kenyon and only to him. How could she allow this disgusting stranger to take what was only his?
They finally reached a huge gate that opened to let them in. The place looked pretty much like a fortress and with a heavy weight on her chest, she realized she would never be able to escape from such a place.
The vehicles stopped, and he dragged her out of it. “This is my home. I’m sure you’ll enjoy living here,” he said, with obvious pride.
The place had small windows and fortified walls all over. “Do you often have wars here?” she asked, trying not to overthink her dreadful fate and trying to find out more about the place.
“No, we haven’t had a war in ages,” he answered.
“Then, why did you build a fortress?” she asked, signaling the tall, thick walls, the guards all over the place, the reinforced main door and the small windows.
“A man of my position has too many enemies. I’d rather be prepared for any eventuality,” he explained, dragging her to the main door. “I’ll show you to your room.”
The door only opened to his palm print, and that simple fact only plunged her heart even deeper into her belly. There really wasn’t a way out of this place.
And she had no hopes anyone would come to her rescue. She was sure Kenyon would contact the man and make sure his intentions were noble and that done, he would move on and forget he’d ever met her.
Ethor, if she weren’t mistaken, would make sure to tell him he had signed the mating contract with her parents and that he had the right to keep her.
That would make things easier for Kenyon. Now, he wouldn’t have to worry about what to do with her when his interest in her faded and he wanted to go on with his life.
The metallic band around her heart squeezed so hard she was having trouble keeping her composure. She was alone in this, and she’d better get used to it, fast.
The house inside wasn’t much different from the outside, with only the basic furniture one would need to live in it. He practically dragged her to the second floor and into a room with a huge bed in the middle of it.
“Get some rest. I have to resolve a few things downstairs, but I’ll be back soon,” he said, making her enter the room and locking the door behind her.
Sharian didn’t even try to open the door. Even if it were open, there was no way she could leave the premises. And if she did, where would she go? She couldn’t go back to where Kenyon and the others were, because he would follow her, and things could easily end up very bad.
She had no place to go.
The cruel reality crashed over her and sent her to the floor on her knees. She finally allowed the tears she had been welling up to fall freely.
She lost track of the time she spent crying. At some point, her sobbing stopped, and she laid down on the floor and closed her eyes, too exhausted to move.
But she didn’t stay there for long. After a while, she jumped to her feet and walked to the small window and looked at the woods not far from the fortress.
With a deep breath, she made a resolution: she would not let herself sink into a world of self-pity and despair. She would find her way out of this place, even if it meant living out in those woods. She was a survivor, and she was not going to let this ruin her life.
Ethor wouldn’t keep her in a cage, so at some point, he would lower his guard, and she would be able to escape.
Her heart still ached like hell, but she would survive that like she had survived so many other things.
She was still looking out the window when the door opened and a man she didn’t know entered.
“Your presence has been requested at the palace. Please, accompany me,” he informed her in a tone that let her know he would not accept refusal.
She looked at him startled. ‘What was going on?’ “Do you have any idea why I am being summoned?” she asked him, with a slight frown.
“No, citizen, I wasn’t informed,” he replied.
She took a deep breath and walked towards the door. Outside, there were three more guards, and they escorted her to the entrance and into the vehicle that waited for her.
It only took them a few minutes to reach the Ruler’s palace, and she was immediately taken to meet the Ruler’s assistant.
“Welcome, citizen. Please, follow me,” the man received her with a faint smile after examining her from head to toes, as if evaluating her.
“Thank you. Would you care to explain why I am here?” she asked, as she followed him, up the stairs and down the hallways, still with her escort of guards.
“I wasn’t informed. You’re to stay here until the Ruler decides otherwise,” the man informed without emotion. “It’s no use escaping and trying would send you to the palace dungeon, and believe me, it won’t be as comfortable as this room,” he warned her as he opened one of the doors and stepped aside to let her in.
The room was amazing, nothing like the one at Ethor’s place, with a small living area as she entered, with a couple of sofas and a small table and with a huge bed near a window that opened to a small balcony. It was impossible escaping through the window, so she discarded the idea.
It wasn’t the moment.
“Your meal will be sent to you in a few minutes. Enjoy your stay at the palace,” the assistant informed, leaving the room and locking the door behind him.
Sharian let herself fall on one of the sofas with a deep sigh. Though she tried not to think of him, she couldn’t help wondering what Kenyon was doing,
how he had reacted to her disappearance. Was he relieved? Did he miss her?
Scolding herself for going down those dark paths, she jumped to her feet and went looking for a bathing room. Now that she was away from Ethor, she felt safe enough to shower.
She was coming out from the bathing room wrapped in a comfy bathing robe when the door opened, and a couple of females entered the room.
One was carrying a tray, and the other one had what looked like clothes in her arms.
“Greetings citizen, we are Althia and Merthia,” the female carrying the tray introduced them.
“Our Ruler has sent us to help you change into clean clothes,” Merthia informed. “We’ve also brought you some food.”
“Thank you, that’s very kind of him,” she replied, watching as the women displayed the clothes and the food.
They had brought some exquisitely embroidered tunics with colors from dark blue to shining white. The woman picked the dark blue one and handed it to her. “Why don’t you try this one?” she suggested, with a smile.
Sharian took the tunic and went back to the bathing room to change into the tunic. It fitted her perfectly.
When she came out, the other woman had laid out the food on the small table.
“Enjoy your meal. If you need anything else, all you have to do is contact us through the communication device on that wall. We’re the 002 extension,” Althia explained with a smile.
While Sharian had been in the bathing room, Merthia had put away the other tunics in a closet near the bed.
“Do you have any idea why I am here?” she asked, too curious to hold back the question.
“No, citizen, we were not informed.”
“Thank you for your help.”
The women left the room, and she decided to eat some of the food they had brought for her.
The night slowly fell, and by the time she finished eating, two blue moons were lighting the skies.
Chapter Thirteen
Kenyon paced the room, impatient, barely able to control the urge to kick some doors and go looking for Sharian. If the Ruler had kept his word, she was somewhere in the palace waiting for the outcome of the battle.
