“Do you believe we can trust this guard?” Adtovar’s questioning gaze flickered from me to Willa.
“Yes,” I answered without hesitation. “I saw the pain of a lost mate in his eyes. A mate he lost due to Nansar.”
Adtovar took my recommendation with a nod, a sliver of that same pain flickering through his pale gaze.
“Tomorrow during training, when the guards are distracted by the sparring, I will look for weakness in the arena barricades in order to escape,” I said, a plan formulating in my brain. My skiff was nearby but having noted the number of guards, I suspected only one or maybe two guards guarded my ship, if any—which was easily dealt with. The issue was getting Willa to the skiff without detection.
“Stay away from the escarpment,” Adtovar snorted. “The tunnels lead to death, not freedom. Trust me, I know.”
“Should we….” Willa cleared her throat and straightened slightly. “Should we tell the other gladiators about the Zarpazian? If this guy kills with a touch, they could all be at risk.”
Adtovar leaned over, one massive hand covering the two Willa held clenched on the tabletop. “Your heart is in a good place, but our acquaintance is too new. We don’t know how much we can trust the others yet. Plus, there is still the hope that this is only a rumor.”
“A rumor we must behave as if true.” I insisted. To be unprepared for all occurrences could prove deadly. “To be safe, you should let no one close enough to touch you except me or Adtovar.”
Willa sputtered, giving a choked laugh. “Don’t worry.” She flickered her gaze toward me, the pink in her cheeks deepening, just like they did after our kiss. “What about what the guard said about the mating shit?”
“What did he say?” Adtovar’s eyes narrowed curiously.
“That if Nansar finds out, he might use it against me… or Charick.” Her voice grew low and worried.
“That could prove problematic,” Adtovar gave, tapping his chin with the point of a finger.
I steeled myself against growling, against reacting in any way to the insinuation that there was anything of issue about my being mated to Willa… except her hesitancy, of course.
My mate didn’t seem at all ruffled by his statement. Deep thought played over her beautiful face for a few moments before she issued a ‘pffft’along with a dismissive wave. “If anybody asks, we can just say we’re fuck buddies.”
Adtovar and I shared a glance of horrified curiosity.
“Fuck buddies?” The older gladiator made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a gag. “What in the moons of Gilese is that?”
Willa’s dark blue eyes danced between her trainer and me, ending when she gave an exasperated sigh. “Seriously? Fuck buddies are two people who get together for the sole purpose of having sex. No mating, no relationship… just sex.”
“Ahhh,” Adtovar grinned. “Like visiting one of the pleasurers on the Hartouk Lenaii.”
“No, not like that,” Willa spat, irritated by the comparison. “Not at all. There is no cost for services, just two people who like to get together to fuck.”
The air in the room seemed to increase at least ten degrees, and suddenly, the neck of my tunic felt much too tight… as did the crotch of my trousers. Adtovar seemed amused by the idea, but not me. There wasn’t room for another single emotion other than want. I wanted to be Willa’s mate more than anything, but thisfuck buddyidea….
“The more I learn about Earth customs, the more I think it is a very advanced planet.” Adtovar issued a sound that lay directly between a snort and a laugh. He rose to his feet, hands almost touching the ceiling as his long arms stretched upward.
“I am going to sleep,” he announced, kicking his stool toward the wall. “It’s been several rotations since I’ve enjoyed the lumpiness of my cot.”
“You’re not going to camp outside my door?” Willa didn’t seem upset, only curious.
Adtovar jerked his head in my direction. “That’s your mate’s job now.” He clapped me on the shoulder. Whether in encouragement or commiseration, I couldn’t tell. “Have a nice night, Champion.”
“Good night Adtovar.” I stood, following him to the entrance. The door was nothing more than several planks held together with a couple of rough timbers. The twig acting as a deadbolt wouldn’t keep a poivit out.
“You’re not going to sleep outside the door? Like Adtovar did?” Willa asked as I shut the door and engaged the bolt. She regarded me curiously from her chair, fingertips tapping out a rhythm on the tabletop.
“A mate would sleep inside the room with you. Never far away,” I told her, watching the dark blue eyes narrow.
“I don’t believe in all this mate shit, remember?” She challenged, although the vehemence in her voice when mentioning ‘mate shit’was not as strong as before.
I crossed my arms over my chest, enjoying the way her eyes widened as my biceps flexed.
“Would a fuck buddy sleep outside?”
