Faltz grinned down at her, and Beni felt a flood of heat rush southward through her. “He is in his first season and of age to take a mate. Sometimes a female in her first season will take a male of her age as a mate, though it is rare.”
She shook her head and snorted. “Yeah, well, I don’t think so. That is one thing I can never be accused of. I don’t corrupt the young.”
He shook his head in amusement and rested his hand against her back. “Do not be concerned. It is very unlikely that the queen will yield to Calth’s suggestions, especially not when a challenger already awaits.” He let out a loud sigh. “Come. We might as well get this over with so that I can face Eloio. I would much rather spend as much of the evening as possible with you.”
“That is enough of an incentive for me. And you will be feeding me, right?” she teased.
“I may be able to be talked into it,” he said.
Giggling, Beni allowed herself to be pulled through the crowd to the platform. The male, Calth, turned and gave them a disgruntled look. Judging by his expression, Beni had a good idea that things weren’t going in his favor. His face was pinched with displeasure as his eyes landed on her, and hardened further when his gaze shifted to Faltz.
Beni smiled sweetly in return. From years socializing with the most cutthroat members of society, she learned that the best way to deal with an enemy was to face them with an impenetrable mask of affability. Few knew what to do with such a response, whereas to let on to one’s true feelings provided fuel for the most maliciousness gossip.
Her smile, however, turned genuine as Faltz introduced her to the queen. Queen Mahini’s speculative expression shifted to amusement as she acknowledged Beni with a small nod.
“So, this is the human causing all the trouble? First Calth petitions me, and then I hear that there is a challenge for courting rights. What do you think of all this?” the queen asked in a soft voice.
Beni hadn’t expected to be asked what her opinion was since the guys were in the whole “mine, mine” squawking mode. Even in the Citadel, though women were a majority of the council members, deference was always given to the decisions made by the few males who dwelled there, as long as the men abided by the rule of the council. She hadn’t considered that it would be any different with the clan and their queen. Yet here she was, being asked her opinion.
They didn’t need to ask her twice.
“Honestly, I think it’s silly,” Beni said. “I have never once demonstrated that I was not perfectly happy with Faltz. It’s highly presumptuous that anyone would believe that I would fare better with them than a male I chose myself.”
She was certain that the queen’s smile widened before Calth the arrogant interrupted, drawing an exasperated frown from Mahini. Despite the soft sigh that escaped her, the queen raised her brows politely as she heard the male out.
“Queen Mahini, I must protest. The human latched onto the first male she came across in a desperate bid for her welfare, not due to any sort of suitability that would make a successful, lifelong mating. It would be best for the human Beni, and the clan, if she were with a male closer to her age. Faltz is no more suitable than I would be,” he scoffed.
Beni crossed her arms over her chest. Did he really just suggest that she didn’t know what was best for her? And then comparing himself to the irresistible, sexy Faltz. That was so wrong.
“I regret to be the one to break it to you, but I enthusiastically fuck Faltz at every opportunity. I wouldn’t touch you, much less that one,” she hooked a thumb toward Isnah. “So this entire conversation is moot.”
Calth’s nostrils flared with anger. Mahini raised a hand, halting any protest before it fell from the male’s tongue.
“I happen to agree with Beni,” she interjected smoothly. Although her tone was gentle, Beni didn’t miss the thread of iron in it. “A challenge between males is designed to give other males the chance of courting, and is proved by their own strength. I am not of the mind to force a courting period based on your insistence alone, especially not when I have heard from other females what a strong pairing Beni and Faltz make. I wish Eloio luck in his challenge, but I doubt that Faltz will give her up to him—and I certainly shall not demand that he extend that courtesy toward Isnah, who is not of age to formally challenge.”
The lines of Calth’s face set into an unforgiving frown, but he bowed anyway, his long horns dipping toward their queen. He barely gave Isnah the opportunity to pay his respects to Mahini before ushering the younger male away. The queen watched them leave, the tiniest frown pulling at the corners of her mouth that Beni only noticed because she stood in front of the podium. She didn’t watch them long before she turned her attention back to Beni and Faltz. The look that Mahini bent upon them was one full of warmth.
Dropping her head in an abbreviated bow, the clan queen smiled. “Best of luck to you both,” she said softly.
Beni recognized the quiet dismissal and bobbed her head as Faltz escorted her away to make room for other members of the clan waiting for their audience with the queen. Beni grinned up at the male towering over her.
“Well, that wasn’t so bad.”
One corner of his mouth ticked up response. “We won this battle easily, thanks to your determination and Miram’s scheming. I do not think that Calth believed the queen would be so easily swayed. He wagered foolishly on her fondness for him.”
Beni glanced around curiously, attempting to get another look at Calth—wherever he rushed off to. “Really? She favors him?”
Faltz chuckled. “Before she mated, Calth enjoyed considerable attention from the queen. She was impressed with him and often listened to his council, as well as welcoming his company in more intimate ways.”
“Really? And his mate didn’t mind?”
His smile fell, and he shook his head. “The female he mated with was a human. After a time, when Isnah was still young, she ran away to return to her people. From what I recall, their mating wasn’t a happy one.”
Beni pinched her lips together thoughtfully as they made their way through the crowd. “If she was so impressed with him, why didn’t she mate him instead?”
The male at her side shrugged. “I do not know why. I only know that when Ahzem visited from a neighboring clan, he became enchanted with our queen, and aggressively wooed her despite Calth’s threats.” He smirked as if entertained by a memory. “Calth threatened to weigh him down in the river with six of the heaviest stones he could find. In response, Ahzem weighed himself down with the twice the number and called for her through the camp, declaring his love that not even the heaviest of stones could subdue.”
“That’s terribly romantic,” Beni sighed appreciatively.
Faltz shook his head. “You are not impressed by males fighting for the honor of courting you, but you find that public display to be admirable?”
“It obviously worked for your queen, too,” Beni said with a snort of laughter.
“The queen is different. Males cannot challenge over the right to court her. They have to find other ways to incur her favor and gain her attention. It is easier for females not weighted with such responsibility. They can be impressed and show favor to the male who impresses her with the show of the strength that will provide for their family. But not you.”
“What can I say? It’s easy to show the strength of your muscles. A male who can show the strength of his heart and devotion without worrying about the outward appearance is worthy of admiration,” she said, as her attention fixed on a familiar male wading through the throng heading toward them. She recognized Faltz’s friend, though his name didn’t come immediately to mind.
“Bakin,” Faltz greeted. “I am pleased that I have found you.”
Ah, yes. Bakin.
Faltz pushed her toward the other male without explanation, and Beni found herself instinctively digging her heels into the ground as she gaped in bewilderment at her temporary mate.
“Bakin is going to watch you while I meet Eloio in
challenge,” Faltz explained.
“You are all mine,” Bakin agreed readily, earning him a sour look from his friend.
Beni raised an eyebrow at the pair. This could be interesting.
Chapter 19
Faltz did not enjoy leaving Beni with Bakin. He had held off as long as possible, lingering with them while the queen saw to the few remaining clan members waiting for an audience. Even then, as he noted the males beginning to clear the challenge area, he was reluctant to leave her side. It was only Bakin’s knowing smirk as he waved him away that finally persuaded Faltz to head in that direction—though not before giving his friend a hard look and a sharp warning to see that Beni remained within his sights at all time.
Although he trusted his friend, the idea of leaving her with another male at all made his scales itch. He had to fight the instinct to keep glancing back at her as he pushed his way to the clearing in front of the podium. Several males worked together to drag four massive stones to mark the perimeter of the challenge area, while others directed the crowd out of the way. The queen was speaking to her mate as she watched the progress of those preparing the area. Eventually her eyes wandered over to him, and her lips curved in an encouraging smile.
Flicking his tail restlessly, Faltz turned his attention to the other side of the clearing where Eloio waited. Though smaller than Faltz, Eloio was in the full flush of adulthood, his long horns curving proudly from his brow and body thick with muscle gained over annums as hunter and member of the queen’s guard. He had changed much from the young male whom Faltz had trained. Eloio glanced up and met his eyes, a smile crossing the younger male’s face as he inclined his head respectfully. Faltz returned the gesture, his eyes narrowed in warning that he would not go easy on him. Eloio responded with a wide, expectant grin.
Faltz snorted and rolled his eyes. He did not fidget in place like he could sense Eloio doing from the corner of his eye. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest and waited, his eyes on Beni at Bakin’s side. The male waved as he handed Beni an unmistakable bundle of cooked food wrapped in a large cabbage leaf. Faltz could hear her excited squeal even from where he stood as his brow dropped into a scowl.
Temporary or not, he did not give the male his leave to feed his mate. That was his duty and pleasure.
The crowd hushed, drawing his attention to the podium as Mahini stood, her arms upraised.
“Welcome to the celebration of the Noturna, the full moon feast in honor of our goddess Notura. In accordance with our traditions, as is custom on every fifth day, the clan settles our disputes in the spirit of fairness and equity. On this occasion, the goddess Notura herself shall witness the mating challenge issued by Eloio for the honor of courting the human Beni. May the lady of the moon, and the gods of our clan, look favorably upon them. May the worthy be victorious.”
“May the worthy be victorious!” the crowd called back.
Faltz dipped his head to the queen and her mate before turning and stepping into the marked arena. Eloio grinned as he too stepped inside, rotating his arms in preparation. Faltz dropped his hands loosely at his side. He had warmed up before leaving his dome, and had no need to show off his prowess or strength with displays of his musculature. His attention drifted to the several males and females who cheered in support of Eloio as the male played up to the crowd.
Eloio’s grin widened as he faced him. “Seems I may be the crowd favorite, Faltz. You never showed an interest in mating in all the time I trained under you. Give me the female and relieve yourself of a burden as you spare yourself from humiliation.”
Cocking one brow at the male’s uncharacteristic arrogance, Faltz did not respond. If the male wished to foolishly incite his anger, so be it.
“Don’t listen to him. Kick his ass!” Beni shouted.
Sparing a glance into the crowd, he watched Beni shove more food into her mouth. Her cheeks full of food, she smiled and waved at him. Her words were met by laughter and shouts of agreement from those around her. Beside her, Bakin seemed to be attentively watching, a smile tugging at his lips. Faltz glared at the male before turning his attention back to Eloio. He was not above admitting that his friend’s blatant amusement rankled.
The priest stood at the side of the arena and nodded to each of them. “May the gods bestow their blessings on he who is most worthy,” he said as he dashed blessed water from a bowl with a handful of aromatic sprigs. Rosemary, Faltz believed humans called it. “You come together in contest but remain as brothers. Settle your dispute here and now, and set aside your grievances from this moment forward beneath the witness of the gods.”
“I shall,” Eloio and Faltz responded in quiet chorus.
Ederk smiled at them as he backed away from the marked arena. He raised his voice so the crowd could hear him. “Abini favors strong males, even as Ixa won her favor among all the primordial ones in feats of competition. From their joining spun all of existence. The challenge exists to give our females the opportunity to pick the best among suitors. For one moon cycle, the male who wins will have exclusive courting rights in attempt to win her favor, even as Ixa wooed his queen that she take him as her eternal mate. May the gods witness and bestow their favor on males who fight honorably before the clan. May the worthy be victorious.”
That cheers that broke out among the crowd were deafening, but they did not distract Faltz. His attention narrowed wholly on the male facing him. Eloio cracked his neck with a toss of his mane and slammed his fists together as his grin stretched wider.
A low growl erupted from Faltz as the male directed a kiss toward Beni. He fought off the red cloud that threatened to descend over his vision. He could not let the male distract him or anger him into reacting foolishly.
Circling to the left, the talons of his paws scraping against packed dirt and stone, his eyes narrowed on his competition. As a favor to Bakin, he would not maim Eloio, but the male would be visiting the healer’s abode when all was concluded.
With the brash impatience of youth, Eloio lunged, and Faltz felt an answering smile curve his lips as he met the blow head-on.
Chapter 20
Beni bit into the spicy meat, tears gathering in her eyes from the heat as the two Mintars rammed into each other. Their heads were low in an attempt to strike with their horns as they exchanged blows with fists. The talons on their forepaws struck out, not hard enough to do more than leave shallow cuts, but to grapple as they fought until one managed to break away.
Both males were obviously skilled warriors, at least as far as Beni could tell. She wasn’t exactly versed in such things outside the vague descriptions of battles in books. They certainly looked like they knew what they were doing as they swung alongside each other, looking for the right angle to make their opponent yield. She could imagine how in a true fight they would be dangerous. She envisioned one of the huntsmen on their horses against them, and just how easily a Mintar would be able to bring down even the most robust stallion. It was no wonder the species was avoided for the most part, with tales woven around them to frighten people from going into the Blood Plains.
She didn’t even recall the last time she had seen huntsmen traveling into the plains. Those who came to Dunvar were usually passing through, with the exception of the Master of the Order, who spent lengthy visits from time to time.
Taking another huge bite of meat, she choked a bit on the spices and winced up at Bakin. “Do you have any water or anything? My mouth feels like I’ve been licking a salt rock in the middle of the great desert. What the hell did you put in this, anyway?”
The big male’s attention was riveted on the fight, so he didn’t hear her at first. He made a noise in his throat as he flinched at a particularly brutal clash. By the way his lips moved, Beni was quite certain that he was either berating someone under his breath or attempting to coach them from a distance. Her lips split into a wide grin when he finally glanced down at her. His scales colored purple as he cleared his throat.
“My apologies, Beni—wha
t were you saying?”
Her grin widened further. “Your spicy food is trying to peel my tongue… Do you have water?”
Bakin handed her a waterskin, but she didn’t miss the way he frowned at the meat. “You find the spice unpleasant? I select only the best peppers for the meat rub.”
Beni took a huge swig of water and giggled as she continued to breathe around the spice. “I can believe that. It is good. I think this particular piece just got hit a bit harder than the other one.”
She gasped, not from heat but from surprise as Faltz, his foretalons gripping Eloio’s forelegs and arms looped around the other male’s vertical torso, lifted him up off the ground with a great surge of strength. Eloio bellowed just before he was slammed into the ground.
“Holy shit! Get him, baby!” she shrieked, waving the stick of meat in the air enthusiastically.
She completely ignored Bakin’s amused chuckle as she finished the meat and licked the remnants from her fingers. Beni continued to shout encouragements to Faltz as he straddled Eloio’s flanks and wrapped an arm around the other male’s neck, pulling him into a submission hold.
Beni had once enjoyed the company of a gentleman who enjoyed the efforts of the United Wrestling Guild. The ladies toured various Citadels and major villages showing off feats of strength, and he had dragged her along to more than one. The women were vicious, but it paled in comparison to the brute strength displayed by the Mintars.
Faltz snarled, his talons hooking Eloio’s forelegs as the male attempted to throw him as he tightened his grip around his neck. Claws scraped through the dirt as the challenger attempted to pull himself out from under Faltz. Beni could have told him that wouldn’t work. She didn’t know anything about strategizing her way through a fight—she was better at finding an effective way of getting away from a confrontation—but she knew that Faltz was persistent in a way that few were. It would be far easier pulling a bone from a starving dog than escaping her mate.
Librarian and the Beast: A Mintar Romance Page 12