The next few days followed the same pattern: wake up early, eat, train, eat, and sleep, with Adtovar and Charick not letting anyone within a hundred feet of me. Every night, Charick bedded down on his pallet by the door, and we talked of reminiscences and dreams until sleep claimed us.
Every day, while Adtovar and I trained in the arena, Charick snuck around, trying to discover a way out of the pit. So far, no luck. A heavily guarded entrance was the only way in or out. I thought perhaps, if we couldn’t find a way through the escarpment that made up the better portion of the arena’s barricade, we might go over it. Charick poo-poohed the idea immediately. Not only was the rock face slick with few handholds, but there was no way to attempt a climb during the day without being noticed and traversing it at night would prove much too dangerous.
One thing Charick learned through his scouting was that exactly thirty-four Aljani guards patrolled the pit. Thirty-four guards standing between us and freedom. While my two favorite warriors held a rather apathetic opinion of Aljani fighting skills, they deemed the disparity in numbers too great a risk. Charick and Adtovar sat at my table late into the night strategizing, running the statistics of a full-on assault against the guards. Even with the other gladiators fighting at our side, the risk of casualties was just too great.
Malakal, while always lingering nearby, had gleaned no further information, either on the Zarpazian or Nansar’s plan. Adtovar suggested asking him for help with our escape. But without knowing just how much we could trust the guard, the idea was quickly abandoned. Charick would not sanction any action that might put me in danger. My protection always came first, and despite a few sparse moments of feeling smothered by the attention, I rather liked it.
While I didn’t think I’d ever believe all this fated mate shit, I had to admit, Charick was growing on me.
I couldn’t blame it all on that kiss, either. Although it had been a hell of a kiss. I still tingled in all sorts of places when I remembered the feel of his lips against mine, the way it felt held tightly against all those rippling muscles.
Honestly, I wasn’t opposed to another kiss, but of course, my gorgeous, muscled alien proved the master of restraint. He’d touched me a few times since that night, but mostly to issue comfort or direction when I was about to walk into a wall because his nearness had me so discombobulated.
I’d considered the idea that perhaps he didn’t enjoy the kiss as much as I did. Yet every time I caught him gazing at me, I knew that assumption to be untrue. I could feel the touch of those golden eyes roam over my skin. Adoration, appreciation, and lust encapsulated in a single glance. And, of course, my body erupted into flames in response.
Seriously, what the hell was wrong with me?
Granted, I hadn’t had sex since Mark died, and this twenty-something body was making me crazy with overactive hormones. I found it nearly impossible to keep my eyes off Charick. And I didn’t even want to think about what I’d like my hands to be doing.
My stomach rumbled, bringing my attention to another part of my body, and I pulled myself off the cot, grimacing at thesoreness when weight hit my left leg. Despite the pain, I couldn’t help but smile, wondering how Charick would respond to this injury. He wouldn’t be happy. He never was. Any little cut or bruise I suffered, he tended immediately, often getting Zahavi’s opinion to make sure I suffered no lingering damage.
Sweet.
I’d been training hard, using the physical exertion to curb my worry over the Zarpazian and my raging libido… although nothing seemed to lessen the lava in my blood when Charick was around.
Reaching under the mattress, I palmed the small knife Adtovar managed to obtain and hid it in my boot. Charick usually escorted me to the dining hall, but he hadn’t returned, and my gnawing stomach precluded waiting any longer.
“Lady Willa!” A chorus of greetings met my limping entrance into the dining hall, and I raised my hand in response. While I wouldn’t consider us besties, the gladiators and I were on good terms now, making my time in the dining hall a more enjoyable event. My eyes darted around the room, a huff of aggravation escaping my lips when I didn’t find Charick. I knew he was likely still scouting, taking advantage of the time when most of the guards were distracted by the evening meal. Adtovar was here, sitting at the end of the gladiator’s table.
I moved through the serving line, getting my portion of mystery meat and protein porridge dumped onto a metal plate. God, I missed my friend Pearl’s cooking.
“You’re limping,” Adtovar issued me a side eye as I approached the table.
“And whose fault is that?” I shot back.
“Yours for letting yourself get distracted.” Adtovar waggled his brows, daring me to refute his claim. I couldn’t. We’d been sparring when I’d noticed Charick headed toward the escarpment. As always, mesmerized by his muscular frame, itgave Adtovar the perfect opportunity to sweep my feet out from under me.
“You better be glad Charick wasn’t around when it happened. He’d kick your butt,” I grumbled. Probably not since I wasn’t really hurt, only sore, but I threatened anyway.
“He could try,” Adtovar snorted. “Are we beginning to enjoy having a Vaktaire mate?”
“Don’t be a smartass,” I snapped, yet in the next breath, asked, “Where is he anyway? It’s not like Charick to miss a meal.”
“I have not seen him since earlier.” Adtovar’s broad shoulders rolled in a shrug.
“I hope he’s okay,” I murmured, eyes flickering toward the gathering of guards near the serving line. As always, their fare looked more like actual meat and veggies and didn’t hold the scent of rancid turnips.
“I’m sure he’s fine.” Adtovar’s pale eyes glinted, and his lips ticked into a grin. “And I’m also sure that whatever he’s doing, he’s doing it to protect you.”
“You like him, don’t you?” I asked, taking a bite of the protein porridge. Once you got past the smell, it wasn’t that bad, tasting faintly of bacon.
“Vaktaire are honorable warriors, and Charick is one of their best,” Adtovar grunted, shoveling a slice of mystery meat between his teeth.
I slid my portion of meat onto his plate, preferring to stick with the porridge. There was a decided lack of rodents around for me to hazard a bite.
“I bet you believe all this mating shit, too, don’t you? I accused
“If it is true, would it be the worst thing?” he asked. His piercing gaze flickered from me for a second to take note of Cristox rushing into the dining hall.
