FIADH POV A small smile tugs at my lips as I watch the crowd of new pairs gets set. Everyone appears to be having a good time. There is no tension and no yelling. Most of the women are smiling, and none of the males seem to be in bad moods. I could really get used to this. "Good Evening, Fiadh of Earth. I was wondering if you would care to dance with me," a gentle male voice asks, and I turn to see a male from Glortinon. His striking appearance freezes the yes in my throat, so I just nod before taking his warm hand. When he positions us amongst the other couples, he moves his hands to my waist, and I blush. He is the most beautiful man I have ever seen. I can't believe I didn't spot him during dinner earlier. With his luminous yellow skin and white hair, he definitely stands out. "Thank you for agreeing to dance with me. My name is Terrax. Captain Terrax, that is. I heard you decline the offer from that champion from Frole last round. It surprised me. I don't think a
TERRAX POV "You dance beautifully," I say, and the stunning orange Kea in my arms smiles. "Thank you, Captain. I have taken dance lessons in preparation for the Harvest," she says in a soft voice, and I nod. I expected as much. Every one of my partners has been graceful and poised, all except the human. Fiadh...she has a natural rhythm but was as untrained as they come. "So, Captain, what are you looking for in a mate," she asks, drawing my attention back to her red eyes. "Someone with a kind heart and happy personality. I like the outdoors, so I want someone who is willing to be out of the house most of the time," I say, and she stares at me with a forced smile on her face. She nods to show she heard me, but I can tell from the look in her eyes she doesn't think that sounds appealing."What made you choose me for the final dance," she asks, poking to see how serious I am about this choice. I look away from her, and my eyes somehow land directly on the angel in white. Sh
FIADH POVI lean against my door as my heart thumps wildly in my chest.I can't believe I just accepted a man wanting me. He is so beautiful, and he wants me. He is sweet, and I feel like he is someone I could actually fall in love with. At no time did he make me feel scared or insignificant."Wow," I breathe as I look at the hand he kissed.The memory of how soft his lips felt seems to be imprinted on my knuckle, and I can't help but yearn for more. Before I can question myself, I bring my hand toward my face. I kiss the exact spot he did, and giddiness instantly feels my stomach. I smile and cradle my hand to my chest as if it is a unique treasure. Tonight has been more special than I ever thought it could be. Something new has been unlocked within me, and I never want it imprisoned again.I walk to my bathroom and begin removing my beautiful white dress. I wash my face and brush out my hair with a smile the entire time. Terrax has given me something to be excited for, and I don't s
I twirl the dress's skirt a little and sigh. The powder blue color is beautiful, but the style of this dress just isn't me. Not like the white one was. I loved that one. This one has a flowy skirt, but the top is weird. It fits well, and it does make my chest look appealing, but it isn't something I would have chosen. "You don't like it," Jali states from behind me, and I shrug. "It isn't my favorite. But the first two dresses did boost my expectations," I reply with a smile, and she stomps her foot. "I want you to feel beautiful. Each dress is meant to make you shine. I feel terrible," Jali says dramatically, and I spin around to grab her hand. "Jali. It is a beautiful dress. It fits me perfectly, and my body looks good in it. It just isn't my style. I still feel pretty. I have felt prettier this week than I have in my entire life. There is no reason to get upset," I say as I stare into her large eyes. She grins, and we hug each other as if on instinct. Jali has bec
RATED R VIOLENCE The crowd's aggressive chants echo inside my head as we approach our seats. They seem to be in an excited trance. The fact that we are coming in late means nothing to them. They are ready for violence and possible death. "Zuri, trade me," Krystal whispers, and Zuri nods. She switches with Krystal, which places Zuri on the end next to the mean Maksin and Krystal next to me. As we sit down, I spot two Coks already positioned to fight in the middle of the field, and I realize we were pretty much moments from missing the start. I look over the two fighters, and my stomach drops. I bite my lip as fear and anxiety rip through me. They look ready to kill. Nothing about their stances says friendly competition. This will be bloody, and I am not prepared for blood. I am not ready for violence. "Do they look bigger today," Krystal whispers as she leans toward me and I nod without taking my bottom lip from between my teeth. They look massive! Like giants bred to d
FIADH POV Terrax begins to square up against his rival, and the crowd begins their build-up. Anxiety flip-flops my stomach once more, making me feel sick and weak. I begin to twist my hands into the fabric of my skirt, and Krystal glances at me."Are you okay," she whispers, and I swallow the lump in my throat so I can answer her."I like him. The Glortinon, I mean...I am scared the Frole will hurt him," I admit weakly, and her eyes begin to sparkle happily.Krystal grabs my hand, and my skirt falls back into place."Have faith in your champion, Fiadh. He seems strong and confident, and even if he doesn't win...I am sure your feelings for him won't change, right? So that means no matter what, you know who you want. The Kea technology can heal just about anything. He will be fine. They are soldiers," Krystal says softly, and I bite my lip again before I nod.The crowd's growl stops, and I turn my head just in time to see Terrax become a blurred sunbeam. The Frole moves just as fast as
FIADH POV "Why do the champions move to the bottom if they lose to one of the beasts? Shouldn't the champions who lost to other opponents stay on the bottom," I ask as I watch Jali pin back one of my curls?She smiles, and my eyes curiously analyze her fangs for the millionth time. I have begun to envy the two pointy white pearls. I wish I had fangs like them."The beasts the champions fight are massive creatures, and they should not be taken lightly, but the males have been killing these types of animals since coming of age. They are familiar enemies, and most champions consider the beast round to be easy. They use it as a round to showboat. Since this is a well-known thing, if a champion loses, they are shamed by going to the bottom," Jali says, and my eyebrows furrow."Wouldn't they only know how to fight creatures from their home planet," I ask, and Jali chuckles before meeting my gaze in the mirror?"You are forgetting the transport system. Many males hunt on different planets al
FIADH POV Suddenly the hideous beast drops down to its stomach. Its four arms begin to move like legs, and Jia gasps as I cover my mouth to keep from screaming.The way it is crawl-running toward Terrax is horrifying. It looks like a mutated zombie crocodile. If humans on Earth could picture this monster, they would have him star in every scary movie for the next ten years. If he were running like that toward me, I would run as fast as I could in the opposite direction, but not Terrax. Terrax isn't even flinching. He is standing firm and calm while watching the approaching danger."Oh gosh," I whisper as the creature springs back up to his back legs.He swings two of his massive arms at Terrax at once, and Terrax rolls in between his legs. Before the creature can turn around, Terrax stabs it. He drags his sharp blade down the Latroot's back, and the creature roars out in pain. He swings his lower right arm behind him, and Terrax is forced to jump back. But in doing so, he loses his w