then he could lose the
right to be your mate.”
“What is a previously chosen male?” Alea jumped when Maliuth and Drace
suddenly started swiping at each other with their blades and spinning to avoid
being hit. She had to turn away and looked at Sartya. “I don’t understand.”
Sartya looked at her with sympathy, “A previously chosen male is one that
was given a chance at a mate but was unsuccessful in getting her through the
shadows. It is a very heavy burden for a male to carry. I could almost feel
sorry for Drace if he was not trying to take you from Maliuth.”
“If Drace wins, then I am to be a mate to him? I have no say in the
outcome?” Alea was stunned that she didn’t get a choice in the matter.
“Drace will not win.” Sartya didn’t even sound sorry, “Maliuth is the
First Prime of Abondiel.” As to her having a choice Sartya conveniently didn’t
answer that part.
As if Alea knew what that was. It sounded impressive and when she could
bear to look at the fight she saw that Drace was taking far more damage than
Maliuth. She wasn’t familiar enough with the ways of this world and she really
didn’t want to interfere. That didn’t mean she was going to watch and cheer
Maliuth on in his attempt to kill someone. When there was an especially loud
groan, she couldn’t help but look. Seeing Maliuth on the ground, she gasped
loudly. “Mal—” She went to step forward but Sartya stopped her. Pressing her
fist into her mouth to keep from crying out she watched as Drace jumped
forward. Maliuth used his legs and Drace’s momentum to hurl him across the
circle. Drace went slamming into the ground and slid a good ten feet. Maliuth
was stalking toward Drace and Alea couldn’t help remembering being in his arms
and the physical attraction she felt for him. She didn’t wish death on anyone,
but she refused to think of being a mate to anyone but Maliuth. He was the one
for her. She knew it deep in her soul. She had come through the shadow for him.
Both men were getting fatigued and Alea wondered at the stamina that kept
them going.
“It will be over soon. Drace is making too many mistakes.” Sartya placed
her arm around her shoulder.
Suddenly a roar shook the temple and another voice yelled for all to
cease. Not sure who the newcomer was and why everyone stilled at his command
Alea looked to the male in the doorway. She saw Ori and Jerr with a much taller
robed figure entering the room. The newcomer strode purposefully in. His gaze
taking in the males fighting in the center and then his eyes landed on her.
Where the others had warm brown eyes, this male had black empty ones. Even
though he was wearing the brown robes, he had his hood down and Alea could see
some type of adornment around his neck that the other oracles didn’t have.
“Maliuth.” The male walked furiously into the circle, “Drace. You will
cease this fight immediately.” Since Drace was weakened by blood loss, his
blade fell to the ground and he stumbled. “Orihin see to Drace.”
Ori went to the male as he stumbled and was trying to help him stay on
his feet. He wasn’t able to keep Drace upright and the large male fell onto the
ground. “Elder.” The poor Oracle moved to stand up. “There is nothing I can do
for him.” So…that is who the taller
Oracle with Ori was. The leader of their order and the one who chose males for
mates.
“What about the newcomer?” The Elder looked at her and she felt as if she
was transparent. His eyes were looking into her and seeing everything. “Alea is
it? Come forward…here.” He pointed at the circle where Drace was dying.
“I do not think that is a good idea.” Maliuth went to stand before her
but was stopped by The Elder.
“I chose you for her.” His eyes bore into Maliuth, “I can un-choose just
as quickly. There is something I need to see, and if proven...” He let his
sentence hang unfinished.
Alea looked around at the panicked faces and wondered what The