Stardancer Page 9

  I don’t have time for this. Damn it, this might be my only chance to free them, I have to go now!

  Squaring her jaw, she plunged into the corridor, the floor icy under her bare feet.

  Okay, okay, the way to the crew’s cell is to the right.

  The floor was sloping downward. She’d been this way twice already and it looked familiar. It wasn’t that much farther before she needed to turn . . .

  At the sound of heavy footfalls she ducked back, squeezing herself into a doorway, her heart in her throat. The warrior passed by without glancing her way but she held herself still until she no longer heard his footsteps.

  She glanced around the wall. Clear.

  Rescuing them wearing nothing but an Az-kye’s bathrobe? Tedah’s going to have a ball with this one.

  She ran lightly, sure she had come in the right direction.

  There had to be a cache of blasters somewhere on this ship. Kyndan made sure she was as good a shot as he. With a blaster in hand she could take out the guards quickly, with her crew armed they had a damn good chance of getting to one of the warship's shuttles and off this ship.

  Of course the Ty'pran might just blow that shuttle to dust.

  One problem at a time. Find a weapon, get the crew out. We'll work from there.

  There were only two guards outside the room the last time she'd been— A warrior turned the corner just as she reached it. His dark eyes widened in surprise.

  For an instant her mind went blank with panic. She had to take him out fast. Desperate, she threw herself at him. She managed to knock him off his feet and back into the wall, banging his head against the stone.

  She grabbed his head for another whack, hoping to knock him out. His meaty hands clamped around her upper arms and he flung her back. Kinara cried out as she hit the stone floor hard and rolled up, getting her feet beneath her.

  The warrior slammed her back against the wall. The cold stone jarred her spine, costing her one precious second. In that second he had her pinned against the wall, his heavy, sour breath in her face.

  She kicked at him but he jerked aside, pinning her arm behind her. Her shoulder muscles screamed in protest. In another moment he would break her arm.

  Bulkier and taller than Aidar, this warrior was huge. His face was scarred, the marks only making his pug-nosed round face uglier. Sickened, she saw he was missing the top half of his left ear. His hair was the usual Az-kye dark and his eyes glittered as they ran over her.

  The robe was gaping open and he was getting a good deal to look at.

  “Let me go!”

  He grunted and pressed hard against her. Her shoulder gave another protest and Kinara’s eyes teared with pain.

  “Why are you not with the other slaves, Tellaran?”

  “Fracking hell! Let go!”

  He pulled her arms above her, holding both with one hand. This made the robe gape open completely and anything he didn’t see before, he was seeing now.

  Oh, man, this is not good.

  “You are well made, Tellaran,” he said thickly. He looked farther down and gave a short laugh. “And you are red!”

  Kinara felt the blood drain from her face. “Listen, you really don’t want to do this. I kind of snuck out and the guy who’s already picked me has a temper.”

  The warrior chuckled, pressing her against the wall. “There is no warrior I fear.”

  “No!” Kinara cried just before his lips mashed into hers.

  She felt him trying to pry her lips apart with his thick tongue. His hand grabbed her breast painfully and she tried to twist away.

  Suddenly the warrior’s weight was gone and she was free.

  Off-balanced by the unexpected release, Kinara barely kept upright. She caught herself against the wall and instantly pulled the robe closed.

  Aidar threw the warrior against the opposite wall. The impact of all that bulk hit so hard she felt the vibration through the floor.

  The warrior shook his head blearily, blinking up at Aidar.

  “This woman is mine!” Aidar roared.

  The warrior looked from Aidar to Kinara and back again. The warrior’s jaw hardened. “I will fight for her.”

  Another warrior came at a run. He and Aidar were of a height, but this warrior was dark-haired and slighter. He spared Kinara a glance then turned his attention to the other Az-kye.

  The warrior on the floor got to his feet. “I will take challenge tomorrow.”

  “No,” Aidar snarled. “Now.”

  The warrior smirked at Kinara and gave a nod. “Now.”

  Aidar faced her as the warrior strode away. His gaze was stormy. “Are you hurt?”

  Kinara shook her head. “You got here before it got really bad.”

  “I bid you stay in our quarters.” His dark eyes smoldered. “You disobeyed me.”

  She shakily pushed her hair out of her face. “I wanted to take a walk.”

  His nostrils flared.

  “What’s going on?” she asked quickly. “What challenge is that guy talking about?”

  Aidar’s face went hard and he turned away.

  Kinara ran after him, the other warrior following. “Damn it, Aidar! Tell me what’s going on!”

  He stopped, his dark eyes narrow and dangerous. “You will never lie to me again. What do you here?”

  “I was just . . . ” She suddenly found it hard to meet his gaze. “I was going to get my crew out,” she mumbled.

  “And now you will see a man die for you,” Aidar growled. “Dael, see to this woman until challenge is decided.”

  He strode away and Kinara looked at the warrior beside her.

  “What’s he talking about?” She’d never heard of anything called ‘challenges’. “What does he mean, I’ll see a man die?”

  Dael gave her a surprised glance. “Aidar and Malm will meet in the Circle.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “They will fight for you.”

  “Wait, what?” Kinara’s breath stopped. “You mean— They’re not going to kill each other, over me?”

  Dael shook his head. “Only one of them need die.”

  She suddenly remembered the feel of him, his body warm in her arms. Kinara started down the corridor Aidar had taken. “I have to talk to him.”

  Dael stepped in front of her. “You may not.”

  Kinara tried to step around him but Dael moved to block her way.

  “Listen,” she snapped. “This is ridiculous! That guy can’t fight for me. I’m taken. I’m already married to Aidar.”

  “You are his bound mate?” Dael’s eyes were wide. “You speak the truth?”

  “Yeah, I speak the truth. So move out of my way, warrior. Believe me, I don’t have any interest in that guy,” Kinara said, shuddering. “I need to tell Aidar there’s no reason for him to fight. Come on, starblast it, move!”

  “You may not speak to him until after challenge is decided.”

  “What I’m going to do,” Kinara gritted out as she tried to push past, “is stop any challenge from taking place at all.”

  Dael shook his head again. “Challenge is accepted. You cannot stop it. Aidar cannot fail to protect his bound mate. It is better he dies.”

  Kinara froze. “'Better he dies'? Wait — you don’t think he’ll lose?”

  Dael hesitated. “Malm is a powerful warrior.”

  “Oh gods, I have to stop this!”

  He caught her arm gently. “It was unstoppable the moment Malm touched you. Now you must honor Aidar. It is your duty as his bound mate.”

  Her arm pressed against the knot in her middle. “But he could die!”

  “Then be honored he dies for you.”

  Dael borrowed a dress for her from somewhere and it did not fit well. She barely remembered struggling into it.

  She could almost still feel the heat of Aidar’s skin under her fingers, his gold hair against her cheek. What if he— I can't let this happen!

  The other warrior, Malm, was tall
er, heavier and stronger than Aidar. She had bruises already from where his mammoth hands had gripped her and likely he hadn't even been trying.

  Dael led her onto a balcony about six feet above the arena. The circular area below consisted of a plain, dark floor and black stones marked the boundary. The edge of the circle was dim, only the center was lit and around the space were raised benches for spectators. Some of the tiers had already been filled with other warriors and a very few women. Even in the gloom she could see the Az-kye gathered there casting curious looks her way.

  There was no bench here and the balcony was made of wide-spaced, narrow wooden slats. She would have an unobstructed view of the whole fight.

  Tedah’s words twisted their way around her thoughts.

  Do you really know what it takes for a man to die?

  She stepped back from the rail.

  Dael moved to block her escape. “You must remain here.”

  “I can’t,” she whispered. “I can’t watch this. What if he—”

  He took her arm and firmly guided her back to the rail. “They fight for you. It is proper they see for what they fight. You must watch.”

  Kinara gripped the rail as Malm came into the Circle. He was wearing only a black loincloth and he was solid, barrel-chested muscle. The scars that marred his torso and arms were silent testimony to how many of these fights he'd survived. He stopped below the balcony, looking her over.

  She shrank back and he took up a place in the Circle opposite her.

  Why couldn’t he keep his disgusting hands to himself?

  There was a movement below her and she looked down into Aidar’s dark eyes. Also dressed only in a black loincloth, his golden hair, so unusual in an Az-kye, gleamed under the soft lights. Her heart stuttered as she looked down at him.

  His face was impassive but there was hurt, anger and bitter disappointment in his gaze. Kinara felt her control slipping. Some part of her recognized she no longer cared that she shouldn’t feel this way for an Az-kye.

  He turned away.

  “Aidar!” she cried, falling to her knees.

  Startled, he turned back. There was a murmur through the crowd but she ignored the muttering. She stretched her arm between the rails as far as she was able, straining her body against the slats to reach her hand out to him.

  Aidar blinked then swiftly took her hand in a tight grip.

  His palm was damp and hot tears suddenly blinded her.

  “Don’t do this,” she begged. The idea of that brute touching her like Aidar had was stomach churning but if it saved him . . . “Please don’t do this! Let him have me. Just keep your promise about my crew and I’ll—”

  His face hardened. He tried to pull his hand away.

  “No, wait!” she cried. She tightened her fingers, holding him fast and her tears overflowed. “I can’t — I can’t let you get hurt.”

  He searched her face. “This is why you weep?”

  “Please, get out of there before anything happens to you, okay?”

  He let go.

  "Aidar!" She tried to catch his hand again, reaching as far as she could.

  He didn’t even glance back. Aidar hefted his sword, gripping the hilt with both hands.

  Dael’s hand was on her arm, urging her to stand.

  There was a pause as the two within the Circle eyed each other.

  Malm charged.

  Bellowing, Malm brought his sword down in an arc that could have cut a man in half. Kinara drew her breath in as Aidar leapt back and to the side. Aidar’s sword came up as Malm turned for a thrust and Aidar blocked.

  Malm fiercely hammered at Aidar and Aidar was barely able to keep up a defense under the onslaught. Aidar fell back as Malm came at a rush, sword swinging. Aidar knocked the sword away only to be forced across the Circle by a new attack.

  Malm’s sword sang through the air and they were nearly beneath her now. Aidar’s breath was coming hard as he dodged out of the way, driven back to the other side of the Circle.

  Aidar’s blade cut Malm’s arm deeply. The dark warrior howled in rage, renewing his attack. Kinara bit her lip bloody when Malm’s sword sliced Aidar’s thigh. Aidar managed to deflect the blow that followed, only barely able to limp out of the way of the next swing.

  Aidar fell back and then back again. His leg obviously pained him. Malm swung to the right, left and right again, leaving Aidar no quarter.

  Aidar cried out as Malm’s blade sliced across his ribs. Kinara tried to shake off Dael's hold, ready to go to him even if she had to climb down but the warrior held her fast.

  Aidar was tiring. He was bleeding freely now, clearly in pain. Malm pressed his advantage and each time Aidar moved a little slower. Malm raised his sword to make the killing blow.

  “No!” Kinara screamed as the blade came down—

  And was blocked.

  Aidar pushed hard against Malm, throwing him back.

  Malm backed away as Aidar pursued him relentlessly, his teeth bared. It was Malm who was on the defensive now and Aidar’s blade found its mark more than once. Malm raised his sword pressing forward for one more attack and Aidar deflected the dark warrior’s weapon.

  Aidar swung, the light flashing off his blade.

  Malm’s huge form swayed for an instant. Then he fell, the sword dropping from his lifeless fingers.

  Aidar looked down for a moment at the body at his feet.

  He straightened, looking at her from under drawn blond brows, his chest heaving. His body, still trembling from the fight, shone with blood and sweat.

  They stared at each other across the distance of the Circle as the small crowd cheered their approval.

  He raised his sword in victory.

  He had killed a man, viciously and savagely, and he had killed him for her.

  Her knees buckled.

  Kinara gasped to wakefulness, the last seconds at the Circle rushing back. Her stomach lurched. She pushed past Aidar and ran for the bathing chamber of their quarters.

  When her stomach was empty she cleaned her mouth and sank down shakily on the cold stone floor.

  Aidar followed her into the bathing chamber. Dressed in warrior black again, he held a cup out to her.

  She turned her face from the smell of the wine. “I don’t want it.”

  He forced the goblet into her hand. “I would have you drink.”

  After a moment she downed some, the strong brew burning her throat.

  She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. She shook her head, placing the cup on the floor. “I didn’t know. I’ve never — Gods, you killed him!”

  “It was a good fight.”

  “A good fight? You killed a man! You looked into his eyes . . . and killed him!”

  “Yes.”

  “Don’t you care? Don’t you feel anything?”

  “I am pleased I won.”

  She stood unsteadily. “That’s all? No remorse? You’re not even sorry?”

  His lips curved slightly. “No, I am not sorry.”

  Tears stung her eyes. “You’re horrible,” she whispered.

  He raised his eyebrows. “You are not pleased I won?”

  “Pleased? Pleased?! That man is dead because of you!”

  “No, he is dead because of you.”

  Kinara stopped short, staring. “You’re blaming me?”

  “It is my duty to protect you. Thus did I order you to stay here. You did not. The Tellarans remain where they were and the warrior who touched what is mine is dead.”

  “What is yours? That’s all you care about? That he touched something of yours?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’m still just a thing to you, aren’t I? You don’t care what I feel or what I want.”

  “Did you want Malm to win?”

  Kinara pushed her hair back. “No, gods, of course not! But I have rights–”

  “You have the rights my mate is entitled to,” he said coldly.

  She followed him as he strode stiffly into the living ar
ea. “Like what? To watch you brutally murder a man?”

  “I did no murder," he said sharply. "He accepted challenge. I won.”

  “You won me, you mean!”

  “Yes!” His dark eyes flashed. “I have won you!”

  “What about the next time? How many men will you kill to keep me?”

  “All of them!” he snarled.

  She stopped short at the ferocity in his face.

  He met her gaze. His dark eyes still smoldered but he softened his voice. “Come here, Cy’atta.”

  She remained where she was.

  “Come here,” he repeated.

  “I’m not coming anywhere near you!”

  She crossed her arms over her body and turned away. He’d done it for her. If it weren’t for him, she’d be Malm’s now. Damn it, of course she wasn’t sorry he’d won. He could be dead now. Malm was a beast and if Aidar had come any later that warrior would have – And it hurt to know that he’d had to fight because of her. Still, to look into a another man's eyes and then . . .

  She shuddered. They’re a bloodthirsty bunch of savages and I wish I'd never had the boneheaded idea to cross into their— Aidar groaned.

  Startled, she looked back. He had pulled open his shirt. Her eyes widened when she saw the blood soaked bandage around his ribs.

  “Oh, stars,” she cried, already crossing to him.

  “My wounds . . . pain me.”

  She eased his shirt off and gently pressed against the bandage. Blood seeped through her fingers and she suddenly wondered if he’d carried her back here after she fainted. She’d bet a High Lady’s jewels he had. “I have to get a healer!”

  His face was unnaturally pale and shone with a thin layer of moisture. “No.”

  “What do you mean, no? I have to get someone to take care of this!”

  He caught her hand. “You are to take care of this.”

  “Me?” she said blankly. “I don’t know anything about healing.”

  He gave a wry smile. “That is unfortunate.”

  Kinara wet her lips. “Let me take a look.”

  She led him to the couch and carefully started to unwrap the bandage. If this wound was bleeding then the one on his thigh— “What about your leg?”