Zaxe’s chest gleamed with sweat. The scars on his torso were visible for all, as were the bruises. This was no pampered aristocrat, but a fighter. Samar’s mouth was hanging open, his eyes wide.
“And if your son is as much a coward as the father, I’ll meet a man of your choosing.” Zaxe flung the challenge out there, giving them no way to back down without losing face. Fear gripped her belly. He didn’t know her opponents like she did. They were like Vusarian cave snakes, deadly and silent, waiting to attack from behind. If cornered, they would do whatever it took to win.
“To the desert. We will do this now and leave your body staked out in the sand for the scavengers when we are done. You want to be the ruler of the Northern Territory, you will fight all comers.” Lomar reached into his cloak and pulled out a heavy pouch. “A reward for whoever beats this imposter and a seat on my council.”
A roar went up as Jamaeh’s heart sank. With money and power at stake, there would be many takers. He’d be fighting for hours, maybe days.
With Lomar in the lead, the crowd began to flow outward from the market. The guards herded them along. She hurried to Zaxe’s side. “What will you do?”
His eyes were dark as night and unfathomable. “I’ll fight. Do not fear for me. This is my destiny.”
Of course it was. All men wanted power and money. She’d thought him different. Disappointed, she looked away, but he caught her chin and turned her head back around.
“You are my destiny.” He lowered his head and kissed her in full view of all. The heat from his mouth warmed her, temporarily driving back the fear until reality kicked in. Hands on his chest, she pushed away.
“Stop that.”
“Why?” Now he was frowning. Being shot with a blaster didn’t warrant a grimace, but this did?
“People will see. If you are to be ruler, you can’t be with me. I’m of mixed birth and have no standing here.”
“When I win, you will be beside me. All who oppose it will feel my wrath.”
Her heart leaped with happiness even as the lump in her stomach grew. “That’s what I’m afraid of. You will never have peace.”
“Do you trust me?” They were moving again, pushed along with the crowd. There was no privacy to be had and those nearby were straining to hear so they could pass along the gossip.
“You know I do.” How could she not after all they’d been through?
“I will have justice for my parents. After that, we will decide what we wish to do.”
What did he mean by that? It was too late to ask as they hit the edge of the city. The docking station was off to the right, but the edge of the desert was before them, the hot sands glinting like diamonds in the sunlight.
The people gathered in a loose circle with Lomar and one contingency of soldiers beside him and the other behind Zaxe. Esau took her hand and pulled her to the front. No one stopped them.
A huge male about seven feet tall stepped into the makeshift ring. He held his arms above his head and roared. The crowd cheered. Her knees began to shake. “Have faith. Have faith,” she muttered under her breath. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
****
Zaxe sized up at his first opponent. His uncle hadn’t surprised him at all. Any man who’d have his own family killed for gain was a coward. His goal was to have someone else kill Zaxe for him, taking care of the problem.
“I want my own weapon.” When he spoke, the crowd quieted.
“I will provide the weapons,” Lomar told him.
He shook his head. “I don’t trust you to provide me with one that won’t malfunction at an inopportune time.” It was a gamble, but if it paid off, it would give him some backup. And if he died, at least his family would get justice for him. He ignored his uncle and turned to the captain of the guards. “I will give you the code to my ship. My zaxe is mounted on the wall in my quarters.”
“You trust me on your ship?” The captain frowned.
“Captain, if you touch anything or try to get into my computer system it will shut down and lock down, and I’ll be the only one who can get you out of there short of blowing the damn thing