Father and son were quietly arguing as they left. Rever inhaled a deep breath and then his hold on her loosened.

“Look at me, my bound.”

She lifted her head, blinking back tears. “I don’t want you to fight. I just want to go home with you. Why do you have to fight to the death? It’s so damn stupid. I don’t want to be with that man so why can’t he just leave us alone?”

Rever’s features softened. “It is about pride and warriors have too much of it at times. You belonged to his brother so he wants to keep you in the name of honor.

Human females are also sexually stimulating to most Zorn males. It would be a great accomplishment for him to have one.”

“But you love me. Volder has to know that you’ll fight harder because of it.”

“He knows that I do love you but he is very proud. Some males won’t see reason.” He reached up to cup her face. “I will win, Brenda. I have much to fight for because I have you.”

She nodded. “I know you’re a big badass. I get that. It doesn’t mean I won’t worry.” His black eyebrows arched. “Bad ass?” He stared down at her. “What is wrong with my backside?”

She couldn’t help but smile. “It means you’re one tough warrior. It’s an Earth saying and it’s a compliment. There’s nothing wrong with your backside. You have the best ass I’ve ever seen.”

A small smile curved his lips as he gave a nod. “I am tough.”

“You are.” She curled into his chest, loving the feel of his big body wrapped around her while he held her tightly.

“Don’t worry, Brenda. I will take you home soon.”

“I know you will.” She feverishly hoped he would, unable to stand the thought of losing Rever.

“We will return to the house together.”

That plan sounded heavenly to Brenda. Tina was gone now so Rever would come home to her every night after work and she could hold him whenever she wanted to, her body pressed tight to his larger frame every night, all night and she knew sleeping with Rever was heaven. He loved to cuddle with her head cushioned on his arm and her backside pressed to his front, spooning his body around hers, holding her tightly in his embrace.

“We must go,” he said softly. “It is time.”

She forced herself to release Rever when he gave her a nod, holding out his hand to her so she placed hers in his, walking together toward the doors where the guards waited outside. He kept hold of her until he had to let her go when they freed him from his chains and collar. Panic rose up inside her but then Rever met her eyes again.

“I will win.”

“I know you will.” She desperately hoped so, knowing she would go insane if she had to watch him die.

Brenda was stunned by the hundreds of Zorn males and females who stood silently in the street outside the building. A lot of them bowed their heads for long seconds. She turned to glance up at Rever. He looked proud and fierce as his gaze scanned the crowd. These were his people who had come to support him and their respect for him was obvious. Brenda didn’t need anyone to tell her that was why they were all there.

Rever met Brenda’s eyes. “You must stay back with the guards. This won’t take long.”

She watched helplessly as Rever strode away around the side of the building. She looked at the guards. “We’re watching, right?”

One of them nodded. “In minutes they will let us in.”

“In what?”

One of the guards educated her. “Both warriors will fight to the death in the arena behind that building. It was constructed for fighting out disputes when the need arose.” Her heart pounded and time seemed to crawl. One of the guards finally nodded.

“Let us escort her to watch who the winner is.”

Two men were going to fight to the death over Brenda and she was struggling to deal with it. The reality that Rever could really die was sinking in. Her heart squeezed painfully in her chest and she fought the urge to scream in frustration. Why couldn’t Volder let go of his stupid pride? What kind of idiot wants a woman who doesn’t want him anyway? Her fear was quickly turning into anger at the big jerk.

The arena was an outdoor circle with a very tall, transparent wall around it, making it a large cage with no roof. It sat at a lower level than where people stood so that everyone could peer down at Volder and Rever in the circle area they stood in to fight each other.

Both men only wore pants. Volder’s uniform and his boots had been taken from him while Rever had been given pants to put over his shorts. Brenda was led to the front so she could see the match better. She couldn’t miss that the door exiting the arena was locked only feet away from where they placed her, trapping both men in the fighting area together. She also saw Rever’s family standing close to her. Coto gave her a grim nod.

Brenda fixed her attention on Rever. He turned his head, scanning the crowd and finally found her when their gazes locked and held. His beautiful blue eyes narrowed at her and he gave her a nod before he turned away so she could stare at his back. Brenda wanted to scream out in frustration again, knowing this shouldn’t be happening.

“Move,” a woman yelled. “Get your big self out of the way. A pregnant woman is coming through.”

Brenda turned her head and was astonished when she saw a long-haired blonde human walking toward her and beside her was a dark-haired human woman. The blonde was really pregnant, her rounded stomach showing she was at least six months along, and very noticeable as both women headed straight for Brenda. Large, mean-looking Zorn guards strode behind them, moving other Zorn away from the determined looking women.

The blonde walked right up to Brenda, giving her a wide smile. “I’m Ariel and I’m Ral’s bound. He’s Rever’s brother.” She waved a hand at the brunette. “This is Casey and she belongs to Argernon, Rever’s other brother. We’re family.” Ariel’s tense looking eyes didn’t reflect her smile. “How are you holding up? Your name is Brenda, right?”

“You’re from Earth.” Brenda was amazed by seeing two humans.

“Good guess,” Casey said softly. “You poor thing, you’re in shock. My Argernon filled me in on the details so I know you’ve had a rough time but we’re here now. They wouldn’t let us in the chambers for court because of some crap about women not being allowed inside during a judgment unless they were a witness or involved in the crime committed.” She rolled her eyes. “They are old school here.” Ariel nodded. “For a technologically advanced civilization they can be downright mid-evil about some shit. We’re here now and Rever is going to win so don’t worry.