Tempting Rever (21 page)

Two men were going to fight to the death over Brenda and she was struggling to deal with it. The reality that Rever could really die was sinking in. Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest and she fought the urge to scream in frustration.
Why couldn’t
Volder let go of his stupid pride? What kind of idiot wants a woman who doesn’t want him
anyway?
Her fear was quickly turning into anger at the big jerk.

The arena was an outdoor circle with a very tall, transparent wall around it, making it a large cage with no roof. It sat at a lower level than where people stood so that everyone could peer down at Volder and Rever in the circle area they stood in to fight each other.

Both men only wore pants. Volder’s uniform and his boots had been taken from him while Rever had been given pants to put over his shorts. Brenda was led to the front so she could see the match better. She couldn’t miss that the door exiting the arena was locked only feet away from where they placed her, trapping both men in the fighting area together. She also saw Rever’s family standing close to her. Coto gave her a grim nod.

Brenda fixed her attention on Rever. He turned his head, scanning the crowd and finally found her when their gazes locked and held. His beautiful blue eyes narrowed at her and he gave her a nod before he turned away so she could stare at his back. Brenda wanted to scream out in frustration again, knowing this shouldn’t be happening.

“Move,” a woman yelled. “Get your big self out of the way. A pregnant woman is coming through.”

Brenda turned her head and was astonished when she saw a long-haired blonde human walking toward her and beside her was a dark-haired human woman. The blonde was really pregnant, her rounded stomach showing she was at least six months along, and very noticeable as both women headed straight for Brenda. Large, mean-looking Zorn guards strode behind them, moving other Zorn away from the determined looking women.

The blonde walked right up to Brenda, giving her a wide smile. “I’m Ariel and I’m Ral’s bound. He’s Rever’s brother.” She waved a hand at the brunette. “This is Casey and she belongs to Argernon, Rever’s other brother. We’re family.” Ariel’s tense 108

Tempting Rever

looking eyes didn’t reflect her smile. “How are you holding up? Your name is Brenda, right?”

“You’re from Earth.” Brenda was amazed by seeing two humans.

“Good guess,” Casey said softly. “You poor thing, you’re in shock. My Argernon filled me in on the details so I know you’ve had a rough time but we’re here now. They wouldn’t let us in the chambers for court because of some crap about women not being allowed inside during a judgment unless they were a witness or involved in the crime committed.” She rolled her eyes. “They are old school here.”

Ariel nodded. “For a technologically advanced civilization they can be downright mid-evil about some shit. We’re here now and Rever is going to win so don’t worry.

Our guys are the best fighters.”

Casey nodded. “They are stronger and faster than normal Zorn guys. That’s why their father leads this planet as the ultimate ass kicker. Rever is going to take this Volder asshole down hard and fast.”

Brenda fought tears. “Rever could die.”

Ariel moved closer to put her arm around Brenda. “It’s all right. We’re here and you’re not alone. Rever is not going to lose. Trust me when I tell you that the brothers are really mean fighters. I’ve seen Ral fight a lot, unfortunately. One guy is not going to be a problem for your Rever. I’d only be worried if like six or more were attacking him at once. One is a breeze compared.”

Casey took up the space on Brenda’s other side, gripping her loose hand hanging at her side, giving it a squeeze and holding on to it. “That’s right. Our guys are major ass kickers. They grew up fighting each other for fun and you know how brothers are.

You’ve got nothing to sweat.”

Brenda felt a lot better now that she wasn’t alone. She gratefully glanced at both women. “So we’re family?”

“We’re your sisters-in-law.” Casey gave her a squeeze. “Hang in there. You’ll laugh about this later. After you see him kick this guy’s ass you’ll feel silly about being so worried.”

“That’s right,” Ariel said with a nod. “Our guys are winners.”

A blare sounded, making Brenda jump but she wasn’t alone. Casey and Ariel also startled.

“What was that?”

“I don’t know,” Casey admitted. “This is our first arena challenge that we’ve been to.”

Ariel turned her head to look at the wall of guards behind them. “Jah? What is that alarm?”

The guard met Ariel’s eyes. “It was the warning bell, Ariel. The fight will begin as soon as the challengers have finished proclaiming.”

Casey frowned. “Did you catch that?” She was eyeing Ariel.

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Ariel shrugged. “What in the hell is proclaiming?”

A horn sounded. Jah jerked his head in the direction of the arena. “Watch.”

Casey moved in closer to Brenda. “It’s going to be okay,” she whispered.

Zalk climbed on something high so he was easily seen. “Now is the time for proclaiming. Speak now or it ends with the last breath.”

Brenda saw Coto pushing his way forward in the direction of the older judge. She also saw Rever’s younger brother Vhon move. He gripped the cage wall where a pole stood and climbed high, turning his head with a wide grin on his face.

“Zalk, if Rever falls I proclaim a challenge to Volder in his place for bounding rights.”

Hyvin Berrr looked shocked and furious as he glared up at his son. Zalk wasn’t fairing much better, looking stunned. Coto froze for a few seconds but then turned his head, glaring up at Vhon. Vhon’s grin spread wider. Brenda turned her head to look at Rever in the cage arena to see him frowning.

“Oh damn,” Ariel sighed. “That little shit.”

“Why did he do that?” Casey leaned over a little closer, almost bumping into Brenda. “What is going on? Coto was supposed to issue the second challenge thing.”

Ariel shook her head. “Vhon is…” She closed her eyes and then snapped them open. “He’s Vhon. He’s kind of immature and well, he thinks with his lower region rather than with the brains in his head. It would be like handing your widow over to a super horny teenager.” Her eyes slid to Brenda. “Rever will win so don’t worry about it.”

Casey chuckled. “Man, I wouldn’t want to be you if Vhon did get his hands on you.

If Argernon was any hornier I would need a wheelchair. You’d never survive the equivalent of Zorn’s version of puberty.”

Brenda stared at the brunette in shock.

“It was a joke,” Casey assured her. “Rever’s going to win.”

Zalk nodded. “Proclaiming accepted and acknowledged.” He turned to the arena.

“Challenge begins now.”

A roar instantly tore from the arena, which startled Brenda. She turned her attention back to the caged area just as Volder leapt at Rever. He moved just a heartbeat before Volder would have landed on him. Rever struck out with a strong arm, slamming it against Volder’s chest. The other man staggered back, snarling. Rever snarled back as they circled each other.

“I can’t watch,” Brenda whispered but her eyes remained open.

“He’ll win.” Ariel hugged her side harder.

“He will,” Casey echoed.

Brenda started to pray as the two men sprang at each other while fists were exchanged. Even from thirty some feet away she could hear the sound as knuckle met 110

Tempting Rever

skin. She saw blood. The fist fight turned into kickboxing at times, both men lashing out at each other with powerful blows of their knees and feet when they weren’t using fists.

Rever stumbled when Volder got in a lucky shot with his leg to the back of Rever’s knee. Brenda moaned in terror for Rever when he went down but he rolled, getting up.

Volder tried to attack him from the back. Rever looked as though he expected it, bending at his knees, he leapt up in the air, and flipped acrobat-style over the surprised Volder.

“Shit,” Casey gasped. “He’s in shape.”

Volder spun around to face Rever when he landed behind him but it was too late.

Rever threw a punch hitting Volder square in the jaw and sent him flying backward to land hard on the ground where he stayed, obviously stunned. He sat up after long seconds, shaking his head, blood running down his jaw, throat and bared chest, still looking dazed.

“Kill him,” a male from the crowd roared.

More shout-outs followed that horrified Brenda as the Zorn people made vocally clear that they wanted to watch a man die. Rever didn’t move though, waiting for Volder to get on his feet. Brenda saw Rever’s lips move but the crowd was too loud to hear what he said. Volder looked pissed, shaking his head no in response, and stumbled to stand up. He advanced on Rever, who moved to meet him. Rever spun, his foot flying out, and nailed Volder hard in the front of his thigh.

Brenda almost screamed when she saw the gruesome sight of Volder’s snapped leg.

The bone came through the skin and Volder looked down in shock before he fell over.

Blood shot upward from the horrific injury that his bone was showing from. The crowd went wild cheering.

Rever stood there for a few seconds looking furious while Volder lay there unmoving. One of Volder’s shaking hands finally reached for the gushing wound to try to slow the bleeding but it was obvious from even afar that Volder was in bad shape and dying quickly as he bled out. Hot tears filled Brenda’s horrified eyes as she watched Rever closing in to finish him off.

Dropping to his knes next to the fallen warrior, Rever’s lips moved as he spoke to Volder. Rever suddenly bent over him, both hands grabbing hold of the bleeding leg and Rever roared out, his eyes going to Zalk. The crowd went silent. It was clear that Rever was gripping Volder’s leg tightly to slow the bleeding, trying to save his opponent. Rever roared again.

Zalk nodded. “Send medical now that Volder has conceded. Argis Rever has won and is sparing Volder’s life.”

Brenda swayed on her feet in relief that Rever was alive. “Thank God.”

“It’s over,” Ariel assured her. “He won and showed mercy to his opponent. Here comes medical now.”

Brenda saw men and women in white as they rushed forward, the gate to the arena flung open to make it possible for the group of Zorn medical officers to work on Volder.

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Rever stood up and backed away but Brenda saw regret on his face. Blood soaked his hands, dripping from his fingers, and it was smeared on his body from the fight. He raised his head and their gazes locked.

Brenda moved, forcing both women to release her. No one tried to stop her as she approached the arena. The guard at the door moved aside for her as she walked for Rever, who stood there unmoving, watching her approach. She walked in front of him, staring up into his beautiful eyes when she stopped inches from his body.

“You won.”

“I told you I would.”

She didn’t hesitate to throw herself at him to wrap her arms around his neck. He didn’t hold her back but he did lower his jaw to kiss the top of her head. She noticed that Rever kept both arms outstretched away from her and realized he was trying to not get her bloody.

“We will go home now.”

She grinned. “We will go home together.”

Rever smiled back. “I will bathe first. Then I am going to bound you to me again and again.”

“I love a good plan.”

He chuckled. “We will leave here now.”

Outside the gate Rever’s family waited. Rever paused when they reached the small group to look at each one of them. “You have my gratitude for forgiving the shame I caused.”

Hyvin Berrr frowned at his son. “I raised you better.”

Rever let his head lower, took a deep breath, and then his chin rose. He locked gazes with his father. “I love her.”

The Zorn leader’s look softened. “That is not what I meant. I raised you to know that I could never feel shame for what you do. You are a good warrior, a strong one who I am always proud of. Never feel gratitude for what you have earned from me.

You caused no dishonor.”

A grin split Rever’s face. “Thank you, Father.”

Vhon grinned. “I saved the day. I want a human woman now. Did I prove myself ready for bounding?”

Hyvin Berrr eyed his youngest son with a shake of his head. “No. I will however change your duties by giving you more responsibility. There is a ship to Earth that departs next moon cycle. I will let you go on a mission to reward you if you promise to not claim a human. You must prove worthy to bound first. It will be one of many missions to see how you do.”

Vhon grinned. “Coolness! I’m so ready to get laid by some human chick. Bring on the jobs so I can earn one.”

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Ral frowned, his eyes narrowing slightly as his blue eyes slid to the short pregnant blonde tucked against his side. “Ariel?”

Ariel grinned up at him. “Sorry. He keeps asking me about human slang. He’s such a sweetheart, how can I resist?”

The big warrior grinned at his bound. “I know all about not being able to resist someone. You are a bad influence.”

Laughing, Ariel ran her hand over his stomach. “You never complain about my influences when I’m showing you how humans have sex in different ways.”

He softly growled at her. “Let’s go home. I am in need of a new lesson.”

Licking her lips, Ariel smiled at him. “Let’s go.”

Argernon chuckled, winking at his bound. “Home sounds like a good idea. I think I need a nap, Casey.”

Casey laughed. “You only need a nap when that’s the code word for let’s get naked and busy. Let’s go.” She winked back at him.

“I’ll escort you home,” Coto offered Rever. “It is the least I can do.”

Brenda watched Rever’s family say goodbye. The crowd was dispersing and medical carried an unconscious Volder away with his men following behind them. She wasn’t his biggest fan but he was Valho’s brother so she hoped that he would be all right. If it weren’t for Valho, she never would have left Earth or met Rever.