Tentative steps brought Shen away from the wall and beside him. “Astonishing.”
Rym’s chest swelled with pride. He, like all shifters on his planet, knew their cats were a sight to behold.
Shen stared at him, taking in everything about him with his thin little eyes. The shorter man brought his hand forth and then seemed to come to himself and snatched it away as he met Rym’s feline gaze. “May I?”
“Yeeees. Between the shhhhoulder if you plllllease.”
Moving in a little closer to reach around his massive head, Shen began first with a light touch and then a more firm stroke.
Unable to restrain himself, Rym began to purr and shivers of euphoric tranquility raced through his body and caused his tail to flick from left to right as if dancing. At the base of the head, between the shoulder blades was the sweet spot. The only place on a feline’s body that could not be reached by claws or tongue, so when it was touched it just turned them into big kittens.
Rym’s purrs became half roars as Shen began to scratch, digging those small fingers into the depth of his thick pelt.
“It is truly a shame you will not be able to display such splendor in the arena…the people would go wil—”
“What!” In an instant Rym sat before Shen a man once again, dressed in his trousers and boots.
Shen hustled back two steps and then added a third, his narrow lids wide with trepidation. “I-I-It’s truth. You will only be allowed to battle with an Argona female in the same form as she. You are considered to have an unfair advantage as your cat.”
“What of their majji abilities. Will those be forbidden to her?”
“No, no.” Shen shook his head.
Shoving his hands over his short hair, Rym rose and paced the room, feeling more caged at that moment than he had during his banishment on Earth. “Only a planet of females would tilt the scales to their advantage.”
“Well, Krysteena, the queen’s daughter will not be allowed to use her magic for anything but protection or strategy that does not cause you severe injury or death.”
He faced Shen. “Then it can be said that my feline is a protection for me.”
Shen grinned, but shook his head. “My job is only to provide you with the instruction of the arena.” Crossing back toward the table, he pointed to the tray still half filled with meat and the untouched pink drink still in the cup. “I must insist that you completely consume your fair or it will not matter whether you can shift or not, you will be weak and defeated quickly.”
Rym had to put stock in the other male’s words. He could not allow his own pride to let him get bested in the arena. The temperature on Argona was different than on his home planet. The atmosphere here, because of their three suns was hot, but dry. Even with all of the thick foliage and bodies of water on the planet it still did very little to add much moisture to the air. He was used to Kitcy’s environment, it was much cooler. He could only hope that whatever nutrients were in the food provided for him would make up the difference.
“It will be done.” Rym moved back to the table with a purpose and his blood alight with determination. He would enter that ring and show Krysteena, the queen and the rest of the planet’s inhabitants that Kitcy males were to be reckoned with. It wouldn’t be any time soon that they would deem to capture another from his planet.
Eating with more vigor than he had previously, Rym allowed his mind to shift and move around thoughts and ideas like a puzzle he would assemble and find the right plan to get himself off the planet.
“In a short while, this door will open to allow you entry into the arena.” Shen stood on the other side of the room, the furthest spot from the door they had entered. “Once through it, you will be in a long passageway. It will lead you to your end of the labyrinth.”
Finished gulping down the liquid that was both sweet and spicy, he set the cup down. “I thought the arena was an open space in which princess and I could showcase our skills for the amusement of the people, not a complex pathway?”
“It is that. In the center. You must use your wit and cunning to arrive there and meet your challenger.”
This exhibition was becoming more convoluted by the galaxy minute.
The door began to open and Rym rose. “Is there anything else I must know?”
“Yes, best the princess and you may ask for a boon from the queen.” Shen held up a tiny blue finger. “One request she will grant as long as it is not to refuse the joining. Speed of the solar gods to you.”
With a nod, Rym accepted the man’s good wishes and walked through the doorway, apprehensive about what he would encounter on the other side.
The hallway was dim and cool, barely enough light coming from the room he’d just left and the beam down at the distant end. The narrow passageway was dusty with a high ceiling that easily accommodated his stature due to the extraordinary height of the females that resided there. His feet made a soft thudding sound with each step he took against the hard-packed dirt floor. The further he moved along the tunnel, the stronger he could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, faster, faster. He wondered if the food ingredients were the cause or if the fierce pounding of his heart, which he could almost swear he heard echoing off the wood walls, elevated by his anxiety over the coming encounter.
It wasn’t fear. But apprehension. This, males and females in a battle of strength, was not something they engaged in on Kitcy. Females were shifters on his planet too, but their form was slimmer, smaller and more delicate compared to males. It could be death for a Kitcy male to strike out against a female.
Now he was expected to use his strength to subdue and overcome a female. One he would be joined with for eternity all too soon.
If given a choice, he would have declined the match, but without having that option he was prepared to do what he had to.
The oppressive heat began to creep into the passage, it began to surround him. Wrapping around him like the tail of a comet and drawing him out, closer to it. The area around him became brighter the closer he moved toward the end.
Rym’s sensitive ears began to pick up on the rumbles and excitement of those that must be filling up the arena even now. This crowd was ready for a show and he was more than ready to get the whole event over with. Increasing his pace, he rushed forward only to come to an immediate halt as he came upon the first wall of the maze.
~YH~
Krysteena knew the intricate patterns of the mazes. As a young Argona this maze was a playground to her. However, it didn’t take away the magnitude of this moment. The result of this day would be a testament to the rest of her life, a joined female or not.
Rounding the final corner of her side of the maze to the cheers of all the Argona inhabitants, Krysteena raised her hand in a greeting to them all. Queen Eyleen sat in her designated box with her joined male, Krysteena’s father, beside her and the council on the rise behind her. She was their oldest. However, they had created two male offspring. Krysteena’s brothers would soon have a joining ceremony planned for them. Queen Eyleen had waited longer than most families to send her eldest, Krysteena, out on her mate selection expedition. Her mother believed wholeheartedly that the energy between an Argona female and her male must be just right, the perfect match and could not be rushed. She believed the galaxy god’s of sorcery would let her know when the timing was right to select a mate that would allow them to procreate. Those that followed the queen’s leading birthed males from their joining…those that did not, only female offspring.
Krysteena moved to the center spot in the arena and kept her focus on the mouth of the other maze. She didn’t expect Rymingten to make his way through the intricate labyrinth any time soon. If he took too long, she may have to go in and get him. Which wouldn’t bode well for how he would be viewed by the inhabitants of the planet.
They valued intelligence as well as brawn.
Shifting from one foot to the other, Krysteena performed some intricate moves to work out her tight muscles and enterta
in the audience. This was a weaponless match, it was all about skills and she was one of the best. In spar training no one could best her with a sword or freehand.
Launching herself up in the air, she exhibited a classic spin kick. In the dirt she landed soundlessly with the applause of the observers ringing in her ears.
“Well, princess, do you plan to battle against yourself? Should I return when you are ready for an opponent?”
The audience’s cheers turned to a loud gasp.
Coming to a stand quickly, she turned and dropped into a fighting stance as her gaze met Rymingten’s bronze eyes. It wasn’t possible.
No male that wasn’t from her home planet had made it through the maze with such speed. However, there stood Rymingten leaning nonchalantly against the wall next to his opening. It had only been a short time since they had been apart, but the beautiful masculine view of him struck her in the core and removed her breath for a moment. It should not be lawful for a male to have such a captivating and striking physique. It made it difficult for her not to think about what followed the joining ceremony.
The moment she would be able to see all his bared flesh revealed to her and being allowed to touch it. Feeling his strong, wide hands on her.
Taking a deep breath she shook herself. Besting him in this match would take all of her cunning and she didn’t have time to waste imagining lusty thoughts.
“Impressive, Kitcy warrior. Most males rush too quickly to prove their dominance over females and find themselves lost for long periods of time. At times even needing their female to lead them out.”
He shrugged, still not moving closer. “I’ve always been good with conundrums.”
“That ability serves you well.” With a hand she beckoned him toward her. The people would be looking for a physical match, not discourse.
“Usually.” He pushed away from the wall and strutted toward her—a cat on the prowl. His movements were slow, graceful and precise. “I must say that there is one puzzle I find myself at a loss to figure out?”
A few feet away from her he began to circle her.
She countered his movement by turning, not wanting to offer her back to him. Rule number one. “What’s that?”
“You, Krys.”
Unsure of which caught her off guard more, the fact that he’d confessed to attempting to figure her out or the moniker he gave her. On their planet, someone’s name was their name and nothing else was used. Hearing him rename her was almost too intimate.
Stunned she lowered her arms and stood to her full height, relaxed for the moment. “As you well know my name is—” She didn’t have a chance to finish her thought before she found herself in the midst of a dust cloud.
The impact of her back hitting the packed dirt jolted her awareness. Staring up into Rymingten’s face she snarled. Evidently, he’d used subterfuge to throw her off. He had just been spouting words to distract her for his first move. “I see on your planet you like to use trickery to win.”
“Strategy it is called, princess.” He leaned his upper body over her and pressed his forearms into her shoulders pinning her.
“Less talk, more action, Kitcy cat.” Swinging her long legs up over his back she hooked her ankles around his neck and pulled hard flipping him off her.
Springing to her feet, she crouched and waited.
On his hands and knees in the dirt, the look on his face wasn’t one of anger or even shock, but one of respect. “Well done.”
“Don’t be impressed so quickly, there’s so much more for me to show you,” she taunted.
He chuckled. Rising, with two fists full of sand he tossed it into the air.
Not toward her face as she would have suspected, blinding her, but a dust cloud. It was so thick she couldn’t see him.
Clapping her hands together, she whispered a spell as she swiped her hands through the cloud causing a gust of wind to dissipate it.
As fast as the dust disappeared she saw Rymingten sliding along the ground and between her parted feet.
Preparing to evade him, she shifted. But he still caught her around the thighs and brought her down again.
On her back between his legs, she acted swiftly. Clapping her thighs together, she smacked the sides of his head hard with her knees, then planted the heels of her feet into his chest and shoved away. Tucking and rolling backwards she was up on her feet again.
Rym flipped back and landed on his feet. He winked at her. “Nice.”
Again, she wasn’t looking for or expecting his approval. Yet hearing it caused warm tingling sensations in her belly. She had to remind herself that everything this sly male did was simply to disturb her mind. She wouldn’t allow it.
Going on the attack, she tumbled once hands to feet headed toward him. Two more flips brought him a well-placed kick to his side.
“Um.” He grunted, but grabbed her leg and pulled.
“Ah!” She landed hard on her shoulder. She shoved the heel of her other foot at him to break his hold. He took hold of that one too.
His hold was firm, tight, but it didn’t cause her pain.
“Do you give, Krys?”
“Never. I will best you warrior and you will submit to me and know my name, Krysteena.”
“Show me your best.”
Using his hold against him, she bent her knees and wiggled herself closer to him as she pretended to struggle. Once she was close enough, she seized his ankles and with an abrupt yank she slipped his feet from under him.
She felt the impact of his body hitting the ground as it shook beneath her, but she moved quickly. Rolling up, she landed on his chest with her knees planted against his sides and gave him two strikes to his chest. “Submit.”
Ignoring her words, he grabbed her hips. He rolled them right until he was on top of her, bearing down on her with his weight and holding her shoulders into the ground.
Raising her knees up, she got them between their bodies and against his chest. She bucked and propelled him away from her.
They were both on their feet again in an instant, circling one another.
Unable to keep herself from admiring his skill and form, she could only imagine what this fierce competitor was like in true battle. Remarkable.
For long moments they sparred. As one of them gained advantage, the other took it back. Over and over again, they exhibited matched strength and skills.
“Are you ready to give up, warrior?”
“Are you ready to give up, warrior?” He quirked an eyebrow up as he countered with her words back to her.
She bared her teeth at him in a growl, only to keep herself from laughing. She’d trained and been in battles before, but she never predicted that a joining match could be intense, yet amusing. However, she had to admit, she was enjoying herself immensely. But they were not here for an extended game. She had to show and prove to her people that she could subdue and control her mate.
Tossing her long, high braid over her shoulder, she continued to circle around in the sand with Rymingten, both of them looking for an angle.
There was one solid attack move that all Argona warriors learned to wield. Something they utilized as a defense—their hair. It was braided and fashioned intricately as a tight whip. Taking a few steps back from him, she took a deep breath and summoned her energy. She had to be careful, because too much power and her braid could be used as a deadly weapon, but just the right amount would give the male before her a charge and subdue him enough for her to get the upper hand and win the exhibition.
The vibrations started in her core, the center of her magic. An internal hum spread from her belly down her legs and out through her arms. She shifted her feet outwards in a wide-legged stance as the heated energy swirled up her spine.
Rymingten stopped as well. He no longer circled her but watched her with his intense bronze gaze. Tilting his head, he stared at her as if he could sense what she was doing, see the build-up of her power. However, that could not be. The level of magic needed to execute the
move she was prepared to perform was on a frequency not easily picked up and if it was, it was practically undecipherable by anyone not majji.
But, Rymingten continued to stare at her, crouching low as if preparing himself for an attack. Very subtly at first, she started to rotate her neck in a slow circle as if working out stiff muscles. She stepped right, crossing over her other foot and rotating her head a little more feeling her ponytail start to sway.
Another side-step to get the right angle for her strike.
The Kitcy warrior didn’t move, but his expression changed to one of awe as his gaze tracked her.
He can’t see my energy. He can’t know what is to come.
Even if he could figure it out as her ponytail began to circle above her like the blades of a galaxy cruise liner, she knew that soon it would become undetectable. Almost appearing to vanish, this made the striking of it quick, powerful and deadly at times.
One…two…three…four… Around and around she swung her hair, hearing and feeling the swelling excitement of the crowd above them.
Why isn’t he rushing to me? Trying to attack me or take me down?
If he launched himself at her, she could really do some damage to him. It was the mistake of most Argona opponents. But, Rymingten just kept himself crouched, almost in a ball, as if waiting for something.
Well, she was prepared to give him more than he could handle.
Her scalp began to tingle and feel as if a million moon worms crawled through her hair, because of the energy that gathered there. Everything was ready. Leaping forward she snapped her head forward so that the end of her ponytail would smack his left shoulder, nicking him. The injury would cause such a jolt it would render the arm momentarily useless.
Rymingten sprang forward at the same moment. In a flash she saw his hand reach left.
“Shit!” He cried out as her magic-tainted hair made contact with his skin.
Before she knew it, he’d captured her braid and wrapped it around his forearm as he yanked her toward him.
Not prepared, the unexpected move threw her body off balance. She tried to secure her footing but found herself tumbling forward as she tossed her head back attempting to free herself from his astonishing grasp.
Scandalous Heroes Box Set Page 140
