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Despite the panic flaring in his chest, Elias felt a rush of pride. He would love nothing more than to be claimed by Hayley. He would accept the claim willingly and spend the rest of his life being totally devoted to this incredible human.

The guards stopped by the door, their gazes hard as they saw the damage to the lock outside.

“What’s going on in here?” The broad-shouldered guard stepped forward, a laser in his hand.

“Are you sure about this?” Elias whispered to Hayley, giving her one last opportunity to stop this madness.

“Absolutely.” She pulled back her shoulders and glared at the guards. “I’ve come to claim what is mine.”

The guard lowered his weapon a fraction. “You believe this Retar is yours?”

“He is mine. I dispute the claim Princess Isolt has over him. I am here to make my formal claim for Elias.”

The guards exchanged a surprised glance before holstering their weapons. “We will have to report this.”

“Do so and make Princess Isolt aware I will not relinquish my claim.” Hayley glanced at Elias, and he gave her a nod of encouragement.

“The prisoner must remain here,” the guard said. “You cannot stay on the ship with him.”

Hayley squeezed Elias’s hand. “If he is not punished until the formal claim is heard, I will agree to that condition.”

The guard nodded. “As agreed by Retar law, all claims will be fairly heard before any decisions are made. The prisoner will be safe until then.”

Elias leaned down until his mouth was by Hayley’s ear. “That’s true. I will not be killed while this takes place. You can trust them.”

She looked up into his face, and Elias resisted the urge to kiss her. “It’s not them I’m worried about; it’s the princess.”

“Now others are involved, she won’t dare make a move.” Elias wasn’t certain that was true but was not giving Hayley anything else to worry about. “Oh, and Tegor, he was also taken by the princess. He needs to be released.”

“Can I make that request?” Hayley asked.

Elias nodded. “Tegor is a Draxdan, so you can’t claim him, but you can make it a part of the conditions.”

Hayley faced the guards. “I also request that Tegor is released if my claim is a success.”

“We will keep them both secure until the claim has been resolved,” the guard said. “You must come with us. We will arrange for your verbal claim to be passed on to activate the due process.”

Hayley nodded. “Is it always this formal?” she whispered to Elias.

“Always. This isn’t a game.”

She stood on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss against Elias’s cheek. “I know. Stay strong. I’ll be back for you before you know it.” Her smile appeared reassured as she left the room, and the guards resealed the door, leaving Elias alone.

He slumped against the wall, a mixture of hope and terror filling him. What had just happened? He should never have agreed to let Hayley take the challenge. She was strong and magnificent, but could she survive this?

She’d seemed so sure of herself, but Elias knew how sneaky Princess Isolt was.

He had to believe in Hayley. He had to believe she would win this. If she did, he would be hers. He couldn’t help but smile at that thought. This had to work. If her claim was successful, he’d just found his life mate, and she had no idea.

Chapter 21

Hayley felt in a daze as she stood, shifting from foot to foot in front of Vegas and Nell.

After leaving Elias on the Retar ship, she’d stated her formal claim and watched as the guards dispatched it to the Retar dignitaries.

The response had been immediate. They would consider her claim and let her know if they considered it valid. The claim had also been passed to Princess Isolt. Hayley would know before the end of tomorrow what the princess’s decision was.

While she waited for a reply, she’d decided to prepare for the committee and gather all the information she could to ensure it would be successful. She would not let Elias down. She would win him.