Tempting Rever (20 page)

“My regret, Argis Rever. I have shamed my family and I have shamed my service to you. I deserve the harshest death but I plead for quickness on the condition of no fight.”

Brenda wondered what the hell that meant, totally confused. Coto leaned down.

“It’s a death sentence to mount someone’s bound. They fight to the death. The younger male knows Rever will make him suffer for hours if he wishes to take his time killing him. He is offering to not fight back if Rever will just snap his neck quickly.”

Rever took a step toward the kneeling guard. The frightened Zorn lifted his head, his eyes closing. The men holding Rever’s chains released him so he could walk to the other man. Brenda opened her mouth to ask Rever to not kill the guy but before she could say a word, Rever spoke.

“I won’t kill you, Olt. I punish you worse by not offering a challenge and giving you Tina. I concede my bound to you. Take the Earth woman and go freely.”

“What?” Tina screeched. She glared at Rever. “You can’t give me to him. He’s nobody. He was just fun to fuck a few times and he’s not even that good at it. I just did it to get even with you since you were hot and bothered over that fat-assed freeloader you let stay in our house. I saw the way you looked at her.”

Rever was still grinning. “Zorn law, Tina. You offered your body to another male and you let him spread his seed inside you so you belong to him now.”

Zalk gave a nod of his head. “The law requires the males to challenge for a bound and Rever has conceded. You are now bound to Olt. Go now with your bound.” Zalk issued the order to the shocked guard. “Take your bound away now, Olt. Go and know gratitude of Argis Rever’s generosity since all are well aware that you would have died in a challenge.”

“No damn way,” Tina tried to fight her way to Rever but his brother kept a good grip on her arm so she couldn’t get near him. “Rever, damn you. Don’t let him take me 102

Tempting Rever

anywhere. You brought me to this God-forsaken planet. You can’t just give me away like a damn puppy. You’re the fucking animal.”

Rever crossed his arms over his chest. “He will cherish you.” His grin was still wide. “The next male you offer yourself to be aware that if you are as pleasant to Olt as you were to me, he will give you away when the male challenges for you. Have a happy life.” He grinned at his brother. “Hand her over, Argernon. She has a new bound.”

The brother, Argernon, who kept hold of Tina, grinned back at Rever. “I am happy to hand her over.”

Olt quickly rose to his feet still looking stunned but also relieved that he wasn’t being killed. He moved fast for Tina. Tina glared up at the large guard.

“No. I’m not yours.”

Olt growled. “Come now.”

Tina glared. “No fucking way. It was just a few quick fucks. I am not going anywhere with you.”

Argernon released Tina. “Take her and go quickly. She’s yours.”

Olt moved fast. Brenda watched as the man bent, grabbing Tina, and tossed the protesting woman over his shoulder. His large hand slapped her ass hard when she tried to wiggle off his shoulder. His other arm locked over the back of her thighs to hold her in place. He strode quickly for the doors.

Brenda couldn’t help but smile as she watched Tina being taken away. One of the Zorn warriors opened the door for Olt. Everyone in the room could hear Tina screaming at the “big ox” to put her down until they left the large chamber and the door was firmly closed again.

Brenda’s attention flew to Rever to find him watching her with a smile. She wondered what was going to happen now, almost afraid to hope for a good resolution.

Rever turned away, taking his focus from her. He nodded at his brother Ral, another nod to his brother Argernon, and then shot a grin to his brother, Vhon. Vhon laughed. Rever gave his attention back to Zalk.

“With respect of the new facts, I now offer challenge for the human to Volder.”

Excitement and dread raced through Brenda when the reality of the situation became clear as if a ton of bricks had fallen on her. It sank in that Rever wasn’t legally bound to Tina anymore and it was no wonder he was so happy that Tina was someone else’s problem. He’d have to fight to win Brenda now and she was afraid over the possibility of him getting hurt or killed.

Zalk stared at Rever for a long moment. He turned his head and eyed Volder. “He will kill you, Volder. The human is unknown to you and she obviously prefers Argis Rever.” He paused. “Do you accept the challenge? There is no lost pride to concede under these circumstances.”

Volder snarled. “I accept the challenge to the death.”

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Brenda’s knees almost crumpled.
They are going to fight to the death and Rever can be
killed. He could die trying to win me.
She reacted by kicking at Coto, her foot making contact with his shin as she jerked hard at her arm he held, managing to catch him by surprise. He stumbled, releasing her. Rever turned around right as she threw herself at him.

Rever’s arms went around her to hold her in his arms. She felt heavy chains running down her back from his wrists and the other chain was between their bodies where it hung from the collar around his throat. She didn’t care about how uncomfortable that chain was against her breast. All that mattered was they were holding each other and they were touching. His head bent down so he could whisper.

“I will win. Don’t worry, Brenda.”

She blinked back tears. “I love you. I just want you to know that.”

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“Release my woman,” Volder snarled.

“Not here,” Zalk roared. “Back off, Volder. There will be no fighting in the chamber. We will take this outside to the arena.”

Brenda turned her head, alarmed that Volder was so damn close. He was furious that Rever held her and the rage showed in his dark glower. Rever turned her in his arms and moved her out from between them. He released her but only to gently push her behind him, snarling at the other man.

Brenda peered around Rever’s side at Volder, who looked ready to attack at any second. The guards moved once more, gripping Volder to push him away. Rever’s tense body relaxed. His hand reached back, gripping Brenda’s smaller one in his and he turned his head to look down at her.

“It will be fine. You are mine and I will win. I have everything to fight for.”

Staring up into his eyes, she fought tears. “I don’t want to lose you.”

His blue eyes sparkled with amusement. “I am Argis and I will win.”

Volder snarled. “Don’t be so bold boasting your skills.”

Brenda tore her gaze from Rever’s, frowning at Volder. “Do you understand that I love him? Why fight for me when you know I will never be happy with you? I promise that we’d both be miserable if you forced me to be a part of your life. Don’t you want a woman who wants you? I don’t and I never will.”

Fury made the man lunge forward but the guards grabbed him and hauled him back. Rever moved his body totally in front of Brenda’s to protect her in case Volder broke free.

“Outside to the arena,” Zalk roared.

The guards took a furious Volder out of the large room. The witnesses and the judge filed out next. All who remained in the chamber were Brenda, Rever, Coto and Rever’s family.

“Much appreciated.” Rever looked at his three brothers. “I owe you Ral, Vhon and Argernon.”

Argernon snorted. “We are family. Be silent of vows.” He carefully studied his brother. “Are you well enough to fight? Volder isn’t a weak adversary. I have battled him in practice and he recovers very quickly. He is well trained so watch him very closely.”

Rever gave a nod. “Understood.” Rever’s focus shifted to Coto, his expression tight with anger. “You—”

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“Blame me,” Hyvin Berrr suddenly gripped Rever’s arm, turning him until they faced each other so son and father stared into each other’s eyes. “I ordered Coto to tell me where you would take the human. He only did so because I asked. He would have died otherwise to keep silent. Volder was ready to have the entire crew of the
Drais
search the Outlander areas for you. I knew we could find a solution but you needed brought in alive to do so. Direct your rage at me. Coto was loyal.”

Rever looked over his shoulder and his features softened when he met Coto’s worried stare. “You protected my bound. Appreciated.”

Coto gave a nod. “I am always loyal.”

The expression on Rever’s face softened more. “I knew it but I was angry.”

“Understood.” Coto hesitated. “If you fall I will challenge to protect your bound from Volder’s wrath, with your permission. I know you feel very strongly for your human. Ral and Argernon are already bound so they may not offer.” His gaze shifted to Vhon. “You definitely don’t want to leave her in this one’s care.”

Vhon growled. “It was my plan to bring the other human here and I was the one to force the confession from Olt. It was my quick thinking that made this possible.” His gaze slid to Rever. “You should be honored by letting me offer to challenge Volder for your bound if you fall.”

Brenda stared at the tall men around her. “What is he talking about?”

Rever lowered his head to gaze at her. “If I don’t win then Volder will claim you as his. Coto will challenge in the event of my death, winning no matter how well of a fighter Volder is because I will have worn him down. If I do fall, Coto will bound to you to protect you. Do you understand? He will cherish you in my place, Brenda.”

“I will challenge for her first if you die,” Vhon growled. “I am the one who made this challenge possible.”

Brenda moved closer to Rever, not caring what the men around them thought of her touching him. Hot tears filled her eyes when she walked right into his chest and wrapped her arms around his thick body to cling to him. He could die and she didn’t want him to. His arms encircled her waist tightly.

“Allow us moments alone,” Rever said softly.

“I will challenge Volder if you fall,” Vhon growled.

Hyvin Berrr snarled. “Enough. Rever will win the challenge. You are not mature enough to take on a bound.”

Father and son were quietly arguing as they left. Rever inhaled a deep breath and then his hold on her loosened.

“Look at me, my bound.”

She lifted her head, blinking back tears. “I don’t want you to fight. I just want to go home with you. Why do you have to fight to the death? It’s so damn stupid. I don’t want to be with that man so why can’t he just leave us alone?”

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Rever’s features softened. “It is about pride and warriors have too much of it at times. You belonged to his brother so he wants to keep you in the name of honor.

Human females are also sexually stimulating to most Zorn males. It would be a great accomplishment for him to have one.”

“But you love me. Volder has to know that you’ll fight harder because of it.”

“He knows that I do love you but he is very proud. Some males won’t see reason.”

He reached up to cup her face. “I will win, Brenda. I have much to fight for because I have you.”

She nodded. “I know you’re a big badass. I get that. It doesn’t mean I won’t worry.”

His black eyebrows arched. “Bad ass?” He stared down at her. “What is wrong with my backside?”

She couldn’t help but smile. “It means you’re one tough warrior. It’s an Earth saying and it’s a compliment. There’s nothing wrong with your backside. You have the best ass I’ve ever seen.”

A small smile curved his lips as he gave a nod. “I am tough.”

“You are.” She curled into his chest, loving the feel of his big body wrapped around her while he held her tightly.

“Don’t worry, Brenda. I will take you home soon.”

“I know you will.” She feverishly hoped he would, unable to stand the thought of losing Rever.

“We will return to the house together.”

That plan sounded heavenly to Brenda. Tina was gone now so Rever would come home to her every night after work and she could hold him whenever she wanted to, her body pressed tight to his larger frame every night, all night and she knew sleeping with Rever was heaven. He loved to cuddle with her head cushioned on his arm and her backside pressed to his front, spooning his body around hers, holding her tightly in his embrace.

“We must go,” he said softly. “It is time.”

She forced herself to release Rever when he gave her a nod, holding out his hand to her so she placed hers in his, walking together toward the doors where the guards waited outside. He kept hold of her until he had to let her go when they freed him from his chains and collar. Panic rose up inside her but then Rever met her eyes again.

“I will win.”

“I know you will.” She desperately hoped so, knowing she would go insane if she had to watch him die.

Brenda was stunned by the hundreds of Zorn males and females who stood silently in the street outside the building. A lot of them bowed their heads for long seconds. She turned to glance up at Rever. He looked proud and fierce as his gaze scanned the crowd. These were his people who had come to support him and their respect for him was obvious. Brenda didn’t need anyone to tell her that was why they were all there.

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Rever met Brenda’s eyes. “You must stay back with the guards. This won’t take long.”

She watched helplessly as Rever strode away around the side of the building. She looked at the guards. “We’re watching, right?”

One of them nodded. “In minutes they will let us in.”

“In what?”

One of the guards educated her. “Both warriors will fight to the death in the arena behind that building. It was constructed for fighting out disputes when the need arose.”

Her heart pounded and time seemed to crawl. One of the guards finally nodded.

“Let us escort her to watch who the winner is.”