So, with her promise that she would try to keep her temper in check, and with the same promise from Vaxa, they continued where they’d left off that previous night in the bath.
From the beginning, Kate told Vaxa what had happened in the marketplace.She told him as much as she could possibly remember, even recalling a detail that she hadn’t mentioned before: the male wore a golden band around his wrist, but just one.Not two, like Bidan.
That detail had seemed to strike a chord with Vaxa.“It means he is either still in military training…or he never completed it.I will have Rixavox send over all matching files and I will look through them with you.”
She’d nodded, thankful that his reaction wasn’t like what it was the previous night.Although, Privanax would’ve come barging in with a fierce scolding if he’d roared to the ceiling in fury again.Perhaps Privanax was threatening enough.
In return, she stayed true to her word and kept a good grasp on her temper as he told her about the uprisings.She’d heard only a little from Bruxilia, but unrest had been brewing since she stepped foot on the planet apparently.Vaxa told her about factions of Luxirians in several of the outposts that had spoken out against the mixing of blood, resorting to destruction and even violence in some cases.
The knowledge chilled her even as she tried to keep up a strong front for Vaxa’s sake.
That wasn’t even the worst part.
“I have been challenged,luxiva,” he finally said, his voice heavy.“I did not want to tell you yet because I did not want to worry you, or upset you.Forgive me for this.”
“I didn’t tell you about the marketplace for the same reason, Vaxa.So I understand,” she said, her brow furrowing.“Now, tell me what being challenged means.Is is very bad?”
Vaxa exhaled a sharp breath.“On our planet, every Luxirian has the right to challenge the Prime Leader.And since we worship strength, I have been challenged to the Trials.”
“The Trials,” she repeated, feeling dread skitter up her sides, churning her belly.
“When the lunar cycle is complete, when the moon is fullest in the sky, I must meet my challengers.”
“And what happens then?” she asked, almost too frightened to hear his answer.
“We fight until one falls,” he told her, the truth shining in his gaze.“Until the victor has taken the other’s life.”
“But—but you said challengers.As in plural,” she said, slightly panicked.Vaxa placed his hand on her belly, as if reminding her that she needed to keep calm, especially in her state.
“I have five challengers.”
“Five,” she whispered, a shuddering breath escaping her.
As if sensing that she was on the verge of completely losing her shit, he sat up, taking her hand in his.“Luxiva,” he started, his voice low, even, “You trust me, do you not?”
“I do,” she said automatically.“But you’re telling me that you have to fight five men.And that if you lose…youdie.”
“You have seen me fight, Kat,” he said.Yes, she had.He’d been quick and fierce and calculated.“I have been raised as a warrior my entire life.I wasbornto be a warrior.Trust in my abilities,luxiva.For I have trained for many rotations and I am strong.And I have much more at risk than my challengers and that will be motivation enough.I promise you that I will live to see the span our child is birthed into this world.You must trust this, Kat.”
“Vaxa,” she whispered, tears making her eyes shimmer.
“I need to hear you say it,luxiva.”
She looked at this male, who had once seemed so strange to her with his odd, bright eyes and skin that shifted with the light.She was scared shitless at what he was telling her.The moon would be full in less than two weeks time.He’d come home from the training pits last night completely bloodied and beaten.Of course, she was worried.
But she also saw the determination in his gaze.He hadn’t said it explicitly, but she knew that if he fell in these Trials, if he lost, something might happen to her.These challengers just might decide to kill her as well, kill their child, because wasn’t that why they were challenging Vaxa in the first place?Because of her and the child she now carried and everything that baby represented?
That was how she knew Vaxa would win.It wouldn’t stop her from worrying about it or replaying the worst possible situation in her mind.But she knew with every part of her soul that Vaxa wouldneverlet anything happen to her or their child, not if he could help it.
He would win, despite the odds stacked against him.
Kate pressed a fierce kiss to his lips and he responded with equal fervor.
“I believe you,” she whispered against his lips.“You are going to kick some major Luxirian ass.”
EIGHT
When Keriva emerged from the hovercraft that had just landed outside on the terrace, Kate immediately went out to greet her, her bare feet padding on the sandstone-like floors of their house.
