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“Princess Isolt is not known for her honesty. She has him in her sights and will eat him if she desires it.”

Hayley chewed on her bottom lip. “Which might not be a bad thing.”

Elias had never heard Hayley sound so sharp. “You want this professor dead? I thought you were friends with him.”

Hayley sighed. “We’re definitely not friends. But that’s not important. We must focus on this claim. Tell me how it works. Do I go and challenge her to a fight?”

“No, there are several steps before that. If Princess Isolt refuses to relinquish her claim, that’s when you’ll fight.”

“Do you think she’ll go through with it?”

Elias frowned. “She’s vicious. You have to be prepared for that. She’s not worried about getting blood on her hands.”

Hayley sucked in a breath. “How do I stake my claim on you?”

She was determined to do this. Elias had to admire her for that. “Princess Isolt is traveling with a number of dignitaries. You will need two Retar dignitaries to sit on a committee and hear your claim. You present your challenge to them however you like; through a comm message or to their face, it doesn’t matter. Once you’ve done that, they pass the claim to Princess Isolt. She has up to twenty-four hours to consider your claim. If she refuses to relinquish her claim on me, you both go before the committee and present your claims. If neither of you removes your claim, you fight.”

“To the death or until the other relents.”

Elias caught hold of Hayley’s hands. “Don’t do it. This is madness. I don’t even know what Princess Isolt has planned for me. She might decide to shut me away somewhere or make me pay a fine.” He didn’t believe his own words but needed to give Hayley a reason to stop this.

Hayley shook her head. “She wants you dead. The guards were talking about you being strapped down, so you couldn’t escape. She will eat you.”

Elias hung his head, knowing this was true. Princess Isolt would take her time and enjoy every second. She’d make sure he went to his death screaming because of the embarrassment he’d caused her. He’d endure it if he had to. He couldn’t see Hayley fight on his behalf.

Hayley tilted his chin up. “You’re feeling sorry for yourself. You should be delighted. I will fight for you. I won’t let you down.”

“You’re incredible.” Elias cupped her face in his hands, no longer afraid to touch her or be close to her. He trusted this beautiful woman entirely. She would never hurt him. Hayley was doing everything she could to keep him safe. She was remarkable.

“You need to give me insider tips as to how to beat Princess Isolt. What kind of training will she have?”

Elias let out a long breath. This was really happening. “None, our royals are indolent and lazy. They get other people to fight their battles.”

“She’ll be easy to beat?” Hayley grinned at him. “Maybe I can knock her out with one punch.”

Elias arched an eyebrow. “Do you know how to fight?”

Hayley’s mouth twisted to the side, and indecision filled her gaze. “Not really. I was never much of a fighter. I used to bitch at my sister, but it never came to blows. I might have pulled her hair a few times. I’ll have to be fast and surprise Princess Isolt. If I knock her down a few times, that could be enough. She’ll relent because she doesn’t want to get a bloody nose.”

“It could work but be careful of her teeth; they’re sharp. If she catches you with them, she can rip out a chunk of your flesh.”

Hayley shuddered, and her gaze went to Elias’s scarred arm. “I won’t let her get close to me.”

“You won’t because you don’t need to go through with it. Think about this. I have time.”

Hayley grabbed hold of his hands and eased them from her face. “You don’t have the luxury of time. Princess Isolt wants you out of the way, so she can continue her formal coupling through My Single Alien. If I don’t do anything, you’ll be dead within a day.”

Elias’s jaw tightened as he saw tears in Hayley’s eyes. He didn’t want a life that didn’t include her but couldn’t put her at risk to get out of danger.

She shook her head. “You don’t need to say anything. I see your thoughts written all over your face. I choose to do this. I’m not willing to let you go, and I’m not willing to let Princess Isolt sink those vicious teeth into you because she has some grudge and is too petty to let it go.”

Elias turned his head as he heard footsteps in the corridor. “You have to leave.”

Hayley held onto his hand. “No, if that’s the guards, this is my opportunity to stake my claim on you. They will convey my claim to the Retar dignitaries.”

Elias’s heart thudded as the footsteps grew nearer. It was too late to hide Hayley. He moved to stand in front of her, but she shook her head and stood by his side.

“We’re in this together. Don’t forget you’re mine.”