was bleeding out on the hot sand.
The line had grown shorter, but there were still three men there.
“All of you at once,” Lomar roared.
So much for a fair fight. He saluted his uncle as the men raced toward him with battle cries falling from their lips. His brain gauged the distance, the odds, and all possible moves better than any computer program. He dipped and struck, sidestepped and struck again before jumping over a low shot. Blood speckled his face and chest by the time he raised his hands in the air in victory.
Would Jamaeh accept him now that she knew that he was capable of being so cold-blooded? He lowered his arms and walked toward the awning. “Is there no one else?” He glanced at Samar and gave a tilt of his chin. “Your son, perhaps?”
“I’m not afraid of you,” the younger man shot back. Easy to be brave when you didn’t have to back it up.
“I have a challenger,” a new voice interjected.
Zaxe inwardly swore and wheeled around. “Reman.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t hear you were back?”
“You know this man?” Lomar demanded.
“We had business together. He cost me a good man.” Reman was surrounded by guards.
“Your man’s reckless actions got him killed.” Zaxe swiped at the sweat dripping into his eyes and squinted against the sun. He was thirsty and hungry and tired. All his life he’d had to fight for everything. Would it never end?
Reman searched the crowd, stopping when his eyes landed on Jamaeh. Zaxe’s fingers tightened around his weapon, not liking the expression of satisfaction on the man’s face. “I see your pretty friend made it back alive.”
“She’s smart, not reckless,” he shot back. Standing tall and proud on the edge of the circle, she stood out among the other women, not only because she was dressed like the men, but because of her unique beauty. She didn’t see herself that way, but he did. Her green eyes burned with some emotion he couldn’t place. Was she angry? Scared?
“That’s debatable since she owes me a debt,” Reman reminded them.
“Your problem is gone.” The reminder that Helldrick was dead.
“But I am still out money.”
“You have your life. Be thankful.” Zaxe’s patience was legendary, but he had limits. “If you want more, take your shot in the ring.”
Reman threw back his head and laughed. “I think not.”
Zaxe glared at the crowd. “You allow yourselves to be ruled by cowards.” The rumbling of discontent grew louder. The guards were forced to draw their weapons to keep the people at bay. He pinned Reman with a look that had him taking a step back. “In case you haven’t heard everything, my name is Navar Zaxurus. I am rightful ruler of this territory.”
He caught the slight sound behind him before he heard Jamaeh’s yell of “Look out.” Dropping, he rolled and swung, burying his axe in the chest of one of the man who’d snuck up behind him. Jumping to his feet, he went on the offensive for the first time. No more did he wait for them to come to him. The zaxe was an extension of his hand, the battle a deadly dance—one he was master of. The sands were soon stained crimson. And he didn’t stop at the men who’d challenged. Reman and his men were in the ring. They were fair game.
Reman tried to run as his men went down one after another, desperately trying to protect him and themselves, but the captain of the guards halted his retreat. “You entered the ring, you fight.”
“Preposterous.” When Reman looked to Lomar and got no help, Zaxe smiled. The rats were turning on one another. Reman pulled a blaster from beneath his cloak and fired. Zaxe dove to the side, throwing his axe as he fell. The blast went wide, churning up the sand inches from where he landed. The blade spun once through the air before burying deep in Reman’s chest. An expression of disbelief crossed his face before he went to his knees.
Zaxe strode to him and yanked the blade out, watching dispassionately as the body toppled over. “You should never have threatened her.” He found Jamaeh in the crowd. Her hand was over her mouth, eyes wide with horror. Esau had his arm around her.
The cold inside him grew until it encompassed his entire body. A yearning for his twin filled him. She understood and accepted him. Both his sisters did. He would not be troubled over the deaths of the men here today. They’d