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
Zuri povAs a glowing Champion from Glortinon and a Frole enters the field a small gasp escapes Fiadh's mouth. Krystal and I both look in her direction to find her looking nervous. She has her skirt clenched in her tiny hands and I wish again that I was sitting next to her."Are you okay," Krystal whispers, and Fiadh swallows before peeling her eyes off the battlefield."I like him. The Glortinon, I mean...I am scared the Frole will hurt him," she answers quietly, and I look back out at the champions.The Glortinon looks nice. His hair is blonde and he has a good four inches on the dangerous looking Frole."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 to ease Fiadh and I can't help but nod along with her words.Jia nods too fro
ZURI POV I smooth my dress and smile as we pass the thousands of people to our front-row seats. Baalee and I both like this dress on me. I feel especially pretty. I can only hope Cull likes it when he sees it. As we sit down in our familiar seats I sigh. The two-day-long fighting between champions is finally over. Now comes the fights between the winning champions and the beasts. I feel less worried about these fights because Baalee said they should be easier for the champions to win. "We are down to the top twenty-seven champions. Our three-way champion winner Captain Bolis of Vaal has chosen to fight a Bunte. Will the other 26 champions line up, please," the announcer says, and the winners walk out onto the field. The crowd goes crazy and many people begin to wave colored banners that match the home planet of their favorite champions. The champions keep their faces neutral, but I can tell they are proud to have reached this point. "You will place your index finger on the scre