ZURI POVAs the song ends Cull gives me a longing look while offering me his arm. "Allow me to escort you back," he says while watching my face and I nod. The past two minutes have been perfect and I don't want them to end, but Cull looks as if parting from me is physically hurting him. He walks me back to where Fiadh is and stops a few feet away."I hope you know I meant every word I have spoken to you. I plan on fighting for the right to ask for your hand. I pray I do well enough that you see I will be a good mate," he whispers before reluctantly leaving me standing there. I turn back toward Fiadh with a hot face and wide eyes. That was wonderful. It was everything Baalee described. The males truly seem to worship their chosen partners. "Better partners this time," Krystal asks, and I look up at her with a smirk on my face. She giggles at me and Xiu, who looks like a tomato. "I think I like the Shikazs males," I say in a flirty tone and we all giggle. Even Xiu chuckles lowly
CULL POV"If the females would stand and move toward that wall please," the announcer finally says and I watch as Zuri looks at her friends. The Earth females cautiously get to their feet and I get another chance to look over her amazing frame. The style of Zuri's dress is different from her fellow Harvestees. It is more modest and hides most of her smooth brown skin, but its form-fitting design does show me her curves. Her breast size isn't huge but rather nicely portioned with her small waist, and her rear end is big. I haven't seen very many females with the same sized bottom. Most females I have seen seem dainty and evenly portioned. If they have a smaller chest they have a smaller bottom. If they have a larger chest they have a larger bottom. With Zuri, it seems the heavens crafted her with a smaller chest and a larger bottom. Something I didn't realize I would find so appealing. I take a deep breath as Zuri's eyes sweep the male side of the room. I secretly hope she will
CAPT. CULL POV I take a deep breath. There is no sense in panicking. This night is meant to be fun and enjoyable. There are an even number of females to males at the tournament. I will leave here with a gorgeous female whom I can build a life with. I turn my sights toward a group of females I didn't think I would approach but ever since seeing Zuri I have come to realize maybe I would be attracted to one of them. The only thing I have reservations about is their usual desire to have large families. The three remaining Vaals are all pretty but I set my sights on the one who has simliar features to Zuri's."Good evening would you honor me with a dance," I ask trying to sound clear and respectful.If Zuri is lost to me than this female might be my mate. She smiles and a small twinkle comes to life within her eyes as she accepts my arm. "It would be a pleasure to dance with you Capt. Cull. My name is Ri," she says sweetly and my mind instantly warms up to the idea of mating her.
ZURI POV I shyly glance toward Cull as we follow the other couples out of the ballroom. We were rather close to the exit when the song ended, so we were among the first to leave. I don't see any of my friends leaving yet, but that's okay. I feel safe with Cull. Safe, but slightly weird... He seems so happy and proud to be escorting me back to my room, but I somehow feel undeserving of his happiness. He has promised quite a few things tonight and he doesn't even know me. I haven't promised him a single thing and it makes me feel a little dirty... As if I am using him. I know if he asks for my hand I am going to say yes. He is the only male I liked tonight and I feel like we could end up falling in love quickly. So should I tell him I would choose him if another male asks for my hand? Or do the females keep quiet about things like that? Baalee said that even if I chose a champion I might not end up with him. Cull would have to beat the other guy to earn my hand. Should I put that k
I nervously smooth my dress and look at my reflection again. This dress is more revealing than my dress from yesterday, and it makes me a little self-conscious. In my homeland, I never wore anything that showed this much skin. We, as a people, tend to be conservative in our choices of fashion. "Are you okay," Baalee asks as she eyes my troubled expression. I turn away from the mirror and meet her bright-colored eyes. I know she and the other two females worked hard to make me look like a princess again, but this just isn't me. "It's very revealing. The slit is high, and the deep v-neck makes me nervous," I answer honestly, and Baalee nods. "I'm sorry. The mesh is covering your chest so none of your skin is out... It looks lovely, but I do understand. I am sorry I can't change the pattern," Baalee says and I nod. The royal blue fabric draped around my body is beautiful and extravagant, but that doesn't make me comfortable. She is right about the deep v-neck being attached
ZURI POV"What do you think," Baalee asks while examining my face in the mirror The worry in her facial features is clear. My dislike for yesterday's dress hurt her and today she is extremely hopeful I will approve of my outfit."It is better than yesterday. I wish it covered more of my chest and shoulders, but it is very nice. I especially like the color," I say with a large smile and her face seems to crack open.All the worry leaves her blue face and her pointy fangs come into full view as she beams at me."Excellent. I want you to feel confident and beautiful as you watch the champions compete," Baalee says as she begins to straighten my tulle skirt.I nod and watch her in the mirror. My mind drifts off as I stare and the thought that kept me up last night returns.I have been upset ever since the announcements yesterday. I missed who Cull will be fighting today and it is making me nervous. What if he got paired against a massive Bronkark? What if he looses and he doesn't get to
ZURI POVAs we enter the loud arena the Kea leading us relaxes. It doesn't seem like our presence has been missed. I glance down at the field and I spot two champions from Cok poised and ready to fight. "Zuri, trade me," Krystal whispers suddenly as we approach our seats. I nod and give her a small smile. Zor didn't make yesterday comfortable for Krystal and I immediately realize she is trying to avoid another awkward moment with the hellish Makskin. As we take our seats, I refocus on the fighters, and as I study them, I realize one of them is a Cok that danced with Xiu. I didn't catch his name but I remember his face. "Do they look bigger today," Krystal whispers as she leans toward Fiadh, and I look the fighters over again to realize she is right. Their muscles seem to have expanded. The air around them is tense with the anticipation of violence and it makes me feel a little uneasy. The crowd suddenly goes silent for a second before a low growl begins to build throughout the s
CULL POV Moore's eyes flick toward the Gold status Commander again and I feel a twinge of pity for him. It was purely bad luck for him to be paired against the Hassin this round. Not only is Burk a Commander, but his battle sense is well-known among all of us. Captain Nole of Bronkark and Lieutenant Modok of Gaimo are also formidable soldiers from his battalion. Fighting any of them would be difficult. "He seems calm," Moore grumbles in a low voice and I look at Burk. His shoulders are completely relaxed and his facial features are smooth. "I have great respect for him and his comrades... I know he is lethal, but he could at least look a little worried," Moore says as he folds his arms across his chest. I nod. "As far as I know he never shows much emotion," I say to ease Moore. The Gaimo clicks his tongue once and finally peels his eyes off of Burk. "I probably only have a 20% chance of winning this match. He has an advantage in reach and speed. He might be a Hassin, but I h