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His heart clenched, and his pulse quickened as Hayley walked over to him. Her smile had a hint of anxiety to it.

“You don’t need to do this,” Elias said swiftly. “There’s still time. Change your mind about claiming me. You don’t have to fight her.”

Hayley bit her bottom lip. “I’m not going to lie to you; the thought of having a fist fight with Princess Isolt makes me feel sick. This is the only way to set you free from her claim.”

“It’s too risky. She’s vicious and more than a little unhinged.”

“I have a mean streak too.”

Elias couldn’t imagine Hayley being mean to anybody. “Please, change your mind. We’ll figure out something else.”

“Stop acting like you aren’t crazy about me. And stop lying about your feelings. I want you. I will be with you. You cannot stop me from doing this.” Hayley shook her head as he opened his mouth to protest. “I will fight for you and win. I will show you there is another way to love that doesn’t involve fear and pain if you’ll let me.”

She wasn’t making this easy on him. “I’d love nothing more, but I can’t see you hurt.” The wound on Elias’s side throbbed again. He clenched his teeth as dizziness hit him.

Hayley leaned closer and touched his arm. “Is something wrong?”

“It’s nothing.” Another wave of dizziness hit him, and the room spun.

Hayley’s gaze ran over Elias. It stopped as she peered at his stomach. “You’ve been injured.”

He hissed out a slow breath. “By Princess Isolt. She showed me what she’d do after she won her claim on me.”

“She bit you?” Hayley spun on her heel and glared at Princess Isolt. “This isn’t fair. You’ve injured Elias.”

Dathos’s head jerked up. “Is something the matter?”

“Hayley, stop! You can’t change this. She was always going to have her revenge.” Elias did not like the primal glint in Princess Isolt’s eyes as her gaze settled on Hayley.

Fury blazed in Hayley’s eyes as she turned back to him. “I’m not letting that sick bitch anywhere near you.” She leaned closer and pressed a kiss against his lips, her warm, soft mouth melding with his. Her tongue found his, and she deepened their kiss.

Holy stars, this woman knew what to do with that tongue. When she pulled back, Elias stared at her in amazement, feeling both inappropriately horny and confused.

Hayley grinned. “That’s just a taste of what love can be like. What Princess Fang showed you is the opposite to love. It doesn’t have to hurt. It will never hurt with me unless you want me to spank you.”

Elias blinked and ran his tongue over his bottom lip. He could taste Hayley and wanted more. “I love you.”

Hayley’s mouth opened and morphed into a big grin. “Of course, you do. Now, cheer me on while I whip this sick bitch’s ass.”

Chapter 25

She’d never felt such spiky fury before. It made sweat dapple her top lip, and her eyes felt hot with tears. Hayley walked back to her position, seething that Princess Isolt had taken her pound of flesh when everyone’s backs were turned. The injury on Elias’s side looked serious, and blood had drenched his jumpsuit. He must be in agony after being bitten.

She would show the princess it was wrong to harm her guy. Even though she hadn’t won this fight yet, Elias was hers. This was a formality. Hayley clenched her fists and rolled her shoulders, trying to remember everything Solan had told her. Throw your weight behind a punch, don’t curl your thumb inside your hand unless you want to break it, look for an opponent’s weakness, they all have them, and show no mercy.

Hayley shook her head as she waited for the fight to begin. They were handy hints, but they didn’t automatically make her a fighter. She would still win this. She could not let Elias go with Princess Isolt. If she lost, it would mean he lost his life, and her heart would shatter.

“Claimants, you must face your final battle to decide ownership of this Retar. Step into the center of the room and stand facing each other. When I give the word, you may engage in combat,” Dathos said.

Combat! Hayley felt her knees shake as she walked into the center of the room and faced Princess Isolt. The princess appeared remarkably calm, her gaze directed over Hayley’s head as if she was unimportant and not worth looking at.

Princess Isolt wore a pale pink silk jumpsuit that fitted her curves. Hayley was in her usual work jumpsuit. It hadn’t been designed for combat but would do the job well enough. Her gaze traveled over Princess Isolt. She must have a weakness. Maybe this was all bluff, and after a couple of punches, she’d give up. What was it Solan said, Princess Isolt wouldn’t want her pretty face messed up?

“Claimants, you may begin,” Dathos said.

Hayley blew out a breath and clenched her fists. Who would make the first move?

Princess Isolt circled her but kept a healthy distance between them. “You might as well give up now while you still can.”