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“Are you okay?” Neev asks me, slipping her hand in mine and squeezing.

“I’m fine.” I keep her hand in mine. “You have to stay close, preferably to me but, if not, Hyva or Altis.”

“What about Vynia?”

“Altis is her chaperone.”

Neev’s gaze swings toward Vynia, who just rolls her eyes. “I know. Archaic rules.”

“Do not speak to another male unless one of the three of us is with you. In fact, try to avoid eye contact with anyone to begin with.”

The doors slide open, and the ramp extends.

“Do you understand?” I know I’m being over the top, but it is really important that she not bring attention to herself.

“Yes.” She drops my hand. “I’ll stay glued to your sides and only interact when you introduce me to someone.”

My muscles relax slightly. Altis and Vynia are the first to exit the transport. Followed by Neev who is sandwiched between Hyva and myself. We come upon the first checkpoint and wait for the guard to check his tablet for our name. Once we’re given clearance, we flow into the line leading to the pit.

Hushed voices carry down the red-lit corridor. I can smell all the emotions swirling in the air. Fear, excitement, but most of all bloodlust. Zeahirian’s love watching a good, vicious fight to the death, and that’s what is on the menu today.

The stench of blood, sweat, and piss assault my nose as we enter into the arena known as the pit. A large sand floor sits in the center of the room with rows of seating on all sides. Each successive row rises, so no one has an obstructed view of the horror we’re about to witness.

“Lord Aste,” a deep voice from the row behind me calls.

Fuck.

I turn to see Lord Salx standing alongside his daughter. This is the worst-case scenario. Had I known they would be seated behind us, I would have given Neev a heads up.

“Lord Salx.” I incline my head. “Lady Salx.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, it’s all but official that you’ll be wed by this time next rotation. Call her Bex.”

“It’s not what it sounds like,”I implore into Neev’s mind.

She doesn’t respond, just stands still as a statue staring forward while I glance at her out of the corner of my eye.

“You didn’t tell her?”Hyva questions. “I can’t believe you.”

“I was never planning on marrying Bex Salx. It didn’t even occur to me to mention it.”

Hyva slips his hand around Neev’s back and leans down to whisper in her ear. Before I know it, he’s traded places with her. She’s now between him and Vynia. Entirely too far away for my liking.

“I can’t wait for my visit to your estate on the coast. When is your next leave?” Bex asks. She does a double take when Neev drops her hood and pulls all her beautiful dark hair free. “Oh my, who is this?”

“The newest member of my crew. She’s a linguist and gifted translator.”

Waves of icy anger ripple off Neev. The corners of her eyes have tightened, and her lips press to a straight line. Her fury does nothing to dull her beauty, in fact, she’s more beautiful than ever while she stands there frozen in a jealous rage.

“Oh.” Bex deflates a little. “I thought perhaps she was an engagement gift for me. I love collecting exotic servants.”

Hyva hides a laugh by pretending to cough.

“There are no servants in House Aste,” I say sternly.

She has the good sense to pale at the anger in my voice. Luckily, before any of us have to endure any more of her idiocy, the Sovereign’s spokesman walks out into the pit and the arena falls silent.

He introduces the twins who will be dueling. As he reminds them of the rules, I hear the wail of who I assume to be their mother. This happens more often than not. The two males look even younger than the last who fought.