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“If there’s anything I can do, let me know,” Sally said.

“You can come up here and beat the princess up for me.”

“If I could walk more than ten steps, I’d happily jump on board a spaceship and do just that.” Sally broke off and coughed. This time, it wasn’t faked. “Sorry, my lungs get tired easily.”

“The nurse will cut us off anyway if we keep talking,” Hayley said. “You rest and get ready for your treatment tomorrow.”

“You also need to chill before your big fight,” Sally said. “Go in hard and fast and catch this over-privileged princess off-guard before she lands the first blow.”

Hayley chewed on her bottom lip. “No problem. The next thing you know, I’ll be introducing you to my new alien boyfriend.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” Sally said. “You can set me up with one of his equally hot friends when I’m back on my feet. I’ve got a lot of making up to do when it comes to getting a full service and upgrade on my air conditioning.”

Hayley grinned. “I’m sure we can find you someone lovely.” She signed off and sat back in her seat.

Her comm link announced a new message. The color drained from Hayley’s cheeks as she read the communication. It was a summons from Princess Isolt. The official meeting to decide who had a claim over Elias was in one hour.

Oh, crap. Princess Isolt was not wasting any time.

Hayley had never felt less ready for anything in her life.

Chapter 22

Elias had been alone for what felt like days, but it couldn’t have been more than twenty-four hours. Every time he thought about Hayley and her declaration to claim him, his heart pounded. He would show her how much he cared for her. He would love her so hard, she wouldn’t know what hit her.

He felt the old familiar shudder as he thought about getting naked with Hayley. Not this time. He’d fight his fears and beat them. He wouldn’t let a bad experience with an unstable Retar ruin things for him. Elias had had a taste of what real love and intimacy could be like, and he would fight for it. Hayley was worth it, and he’d do anything to make her happy.

The door locks clicked open. Two guards stepped inside. They were closely followed by Princess Isolt.

“Are you here to change your mind?” Elias ignored the shudder of revulsion as he studied Princess Isolt’s face.

Fury simmered in her eyes, her lips pinched together, and bright spots of color flared on her cheeks. “How dare you speak to me in that way. You have no respect for royalty or our values.”

“I could say the same to you,” Elias said. “I don’t believe in the way you treat your mates. Yet, you still try to force this on me.”

“It was a privilege I chose to be with you.” Princess Isolt paced in front of him slowly. “You show disdain for your rulers by behaving in this manner and accepting this feeble human’s claim on you.”

He smiled. That was why Princess Isolt was spitting mad. Someone had stood up to her, and she hated that. “Your ways are outdated, and your people do not support them. It’s simply that the majority of them don’t say it to your face.”

“You have the audacity to let a human attempt to claim you.” Princess Isolt scowled at him. “If it is not disrespectful enough that you disregard our ways, you allow this human to ensnare you.”

“Hayley is welcome to ensnare me any time she desires. She is everything you are not. Hayley is kind, intelligent, and thoughtful. She would never hurt another individual. She takes no pleasure in this challenge but is determined you’re not getting what you want. She is determined I will live.”

“You hide behind her like a frightened child, instead of standing up and accepting what I offer you?”

Elias raised his chin. “You offer me death. I do not accept my own death. I might have if you’d found me before I came to know Hayley. She has shown me what being loyal and true is all about. She has shown me that intimacy does not need to be feared. I desire her intimacy. Yours leaves me cold.”

Princess Isolt bared her teeth. “Then she is an idiot, and you are naïve. Love is not strength. Love makes you weak. Love blinds you to the truth of your responsibilities. You must forego this nonsense and accept me as the one true claimant.”

“That would mean I accept that you’re going to eat me after you’ve fucked me. That is not acceptable.”

Princess Isolt turned and closed the gap between them. She glared up at him. He could smell her heady jasmine perfume and saw the maniacal glint in her eyes.

“You will be mine. I will fight this human and destroy her. You should advise her to remove her claim on you if she values her life.”

“She has her own mind. I do not tell her what to do.” A shiver of unease ran down Elias’s spine. This was the one thing he worried about. Hayley might be injured. Size wise, they were equally matched, but Princess Isolt was ruthless and came with a sharp set of teeth. Hayley’s life was at risk because she’d entered this challenge.

“You are a disgrace,” Princess Isolt spat, so close her breath brushed his cheek.