Ryne met Connor’s hard look with an uncompromising one of his own. “She no choose you,” he said flatly. Straightening to his full height, expanding his chest with a deep breath, he arched his wings at the bastard. “I challenge for her.”
Belle gaped at him in pure horror, her mind filling at once with visions of bloody slaughter. “Don’t,” she gasped faintly. “Please don’t.”
If that wasn’t horrifying enough, Connor chose that moment to transform from ice cold logic to white hot fury. “Done!” he growled.
Chapter Six
Connor would’ve liked to have been able to convince himself that accepting the challenge was ultimately about their rightto the piece of land they’d claimed and the need to establish fighting prowess and a willingness to defend their claim.
He knew that that was part of it, but, just as certainly, that wasn’t all of it. It wasn’t even the biggest part of it.
In fact he’d already accepted the challenge before it occurred to him that it could have a very large impact on their situation--positive or negative.
That occurred to him forcefully as he stripped his shirt off and ordered everyone back.
He almost thought he would have preferred blades to hand to hand.
Which just went to show he’d lost his fucking mind--because that was a lose-lose situation if there ever was one.
The fight was a piss poor political move if it came to that.
But then again, he was no politician, he thought grimly, and he wanted to kick the fucking asshole’s ass.
* * * *
Ryne was furious enough he had little of his wits with him when he paced off the ground they had chosen for their contest, searching for an opening, studying the ground beneath his feet for any trip hazards.
As furious as his opponent clearly was, he still had his wits about him as far as Ryne could see. To his surprise, he didn’t instantly launch an attack. He searchedhimfor weaknesses.
He had few.
The bastard’s were obvious.
He did not have the reach that Ryne had or the height and he was broader.
Perhaps slower?
Not by much, Ryne saw the first time he swung his fist and connected with his jaw before he could do more than whip his head aside to roll with the punch.
It was as well he did.
He thought the bastard might have taken him to the ground if he’d landed that blow solidly.
He did not justappearto be solidly built. He was.
All in all, though, they were very closely matched.
It fucking pissed him off.
And obviously Connor, as well.
They waltzed until both of them were having trouble staying on their feet and swinging punches.
Finally, Connor stopped to rest.
Ryne decided that was as good a time as any to catch his breath.
“Enough!” Roque growled striding into the circle and taking up a stance between the two fighters.“You fools have proven nothing except that you are fools.De woman will decide.You no can decide for her--neider of you.”
