I couldn’t go and sit with Frederick and Devina so I chose a seat where I could see them.
Devina looked bored and in a way, it fitted her disguise well. She was wearing the glasses again that we had retrieved from the lost and found area, and she kept drinking from her bottle. We had both emptied our bladders before we left the meadow, but with the rate she was drinking she would have to go again soon. Would Frederick know how to handle that?
As I watched her, she turned her head and found my eyes. My heart rate picked up. Across an audience of hundreds of people, she had felt me reaching out to her.So that’s what it means to have bonded with someone.
It reinforced my decision that I’d never fight for Tamara.
Devina was my mate and if I couldn’t have her, I didn’t want anyone else. Claiming Tamara would be wrong when so many men would worship her despite her youth. To me, the girl would always pale compared to the woman I’d fallen in love with.
Locking eyes across the sea of people, I swallowed hard. Tonight, when it was time to take her home, I’d have to talk to her about our future together, or rather – our future apart.
CHAPTER 23
Wilma’s Wedding
Devina
On the stage in the largest of the arenas, five large warriors stood side by side facing Wilma.
Two of them had black eyes and one had a swollen eyebrow. Another had a finger wrapped, but they all looked like they would go another round to protect her.
On large screens above us, close-up images of Wilma, the champions, and the man standing between them showed.
“That’s our king,” Frederick whispered to me. “He’s an asshole, but we can’t say that.”
I studied the man with the opulent clothing. “What’s his name?”
“King Jeremiah. He kills for his own amusement and would rather sit on a golden throne than feed his people.”
The man in question held the audience captive when he asked the biggest question of the night. “Wilma Green, which of these fine warriors will you choose as your husband?”
Wilma’s eyes darted between the five champions, who all had hopeful expressions on their faces.
“I choose…” She paused and tapped her lips.
“She has doubts,” I muttered.
“Nahh, she just likes the suspense and drama.”
My eyes were fixed on Wilma, who had the poor men holding their breath.
“Emmerson. I choose Emmerson.”
With a loud howl of victory, the large man raised two fists in the air and fell to his knees with his head leaning back.
Frederick chuckled. “I remember that moment like it was yesterday.”
“When you won your wife?”
“I was sure Starr would choose Tyton, but for some miracle she picked me.”
“Do you know – why is Tyton keeping his distance from me?” I had wanted to ask that question since we got back from the meadow, but I assumed Frederick didn’t know what had happened between Tyton and me, so I’d kept quiet.
“It was my suggestion.” Frederick lowered his voice. “Tyton is smitten with you.”
“What does smitten mean?”
“He’s in love. But I talked to him. There’s no future for you two and we can’t allow him to give up his chance of having a family to pursue a dream that is doomed from the beginning. Tyton needs to be in next year’s tournament and fight for Tamara.”
