Chapter 138: The Maw Feast (7)
The instant Aiyana came near, Atia’s nostrils flared. His beast stirred beneath his skin, rumbling low like thunder, making Nova gasp and look up at him. His eyes shone back deadly, his expression hard as his gaze raked over Aiyana’s body.
Aiyana...! Nova internally groaned. It wasn’t her place to interfere, nor was it to judge because heck, she’d been stupid enough to be with Chad for at least a year too long.
But how could she just watch this between her friends who are clearly head over heels for each other?!
"You’re back," Aiyana greeted quietly. Her eyes were a little too bright, and it made Nova cringe more.
"We weren’t gone that long," Atia growled, his voice more beast than man.
Nova’s body chilled at the sound. She slowly looked between them like some tennis match as Aiyana caught onto Atia’s distaste, and the tension grew.
Yoa stood beside her, his thumb rhythmically stroking her knuckles in a soothing gesture, even while his body was tense, his expression stoic.
Aiyana’s eyes sharpened on Atia but his were drawn to the crowd, sweeping over it with feral intensity until it locked onto Sahco in the distance. Fury sharpened his features, his golden-green eyes burning like a predator about to strike.
Atia moved before Aiyana could respond defensively. He disappeared into the chaos of bodies, leaving nothing behind but the simmer of rage and the echo of his beast’s growl.
Aiyana blinked, taken aback. If ever there was an issue between them they talked it out, and sometimes fought it out. Atia never... walked away from her.
She opened her mouth as if to call him back, but the noise of the drums swallowed her words, as the crowds folded in on her Tahraka.
"Where is he going?" Aiyana muttered, more to herself.
Nova was at a loss for words, hoping Atia wouldn’t be stupid to get blindly intoxicated or get into a fight with the Apatka. They were there as guests, but they were still outnumbered. No matter how skilled they were, they couldn’t fight an entire tribe, and a tribe that were known for being ridiculously strong.
’Will you search for him?’ Nova connected her mind with Yoa’s. It was easier now that they were side by side.
Yoa kept his gaze ahead. ’No.’
Nova frowned. ’He could get into trouble.’
’He’s already found it.’
Nova’s head swivelled up, staring at her mate in horror, but Yoa’s calm exterior wasn’t only his mask for once. He did not fear for his friend.
’Yoa...’ She trailed off, her panicked eyes searching his.
"Foolish man," Aiyana huffed and started marching forward in the direction Atia went in. It was a little too late but she’d been bouncing on her feet, almost itching to run after Atia as soon as he disappeared in the crowds. But her pride had kept her back... until now.
As soon as she took three steps, however, a heavy hand clamped down onto her shoulder. She instantly struck out, never once being handled like so. The Apatka warrior smirked, catching her hand before she crushed his windpipe.
"Careful. That could have hurt."
Aiyana tugged her hand back and straightened her shoulders, tilting her chin up, meeting his gaze unflinching, her voice deadly. "That was the whole point."
The warrior chuckled. "I’m to escort you to the front row."
"Why?"
He shrugged, though his casual attitude didn’t match the flash of annoyance in his gaze. "I’m just following orders." He cocked his head to the side, gesturing to Nova and Yoa. "Your friends can come too."
"Didn’t fancy putting your hands on their shoulders, huh?" She replied dryly, fully aware that neither of them would ever be touched. She shouldn’t really. She was Tamuari’s daughter.
The warrior didn’t answer as he led them through the rowdy crowds. No one spared them glance now, everyone was consumed by the fights or lost in their own indulgence.
They were brought to the front row, another place of honour before the ring.
Oh. Nova’s gaze flicked to Aiyana’s when they saw who was in the ring. Sahco.
The torchlight licked across his painted body, his muscles gleamd, his smile cocky and cruel as he faced his opponent. Usually, Aiyana would be loving that look, but since he finally made a move, every part of her had gone cold.
His looks and the strength he wielded just wasn’t doing it for her now. That crazy gleam in his eye that made some strange fluttering erupt in her stomach had sizzled out. Right now, all she could think about was Atia and the beast that had surfaced beneath that usually care-free skin.
Had he really been so enraged by Sahco? She knew he never liked the guy...
The sound of bones cracking against a rock snapped Aiyana’s attention out of her daze. Beside her Nova reflexively winced while Yoa’s attention wasn’t even on the fight. Was he searching for Atia?
Sahco tossed the warrior aside, his body flimsy and dropped into the river. The crowd exploded in an uproar as he raised his fists, grinning sharply, his eyes flicking to Aiyana. It was a show put on for her, proving his strength and position in the tribe. She didn’t need it though, she already knew.
The women nearby melted the instant he looked their way, feeding the smug curl of his mouth. Whatever faint attraction left for him snuffed out instantly. His ego soaked up their admiration, thriving too easily on their fawning.
Sure, he had no mate, he was free to search for one. But if he was serious about winning her over, courting her, it only proved how wrong he was for her. Ugh, she felt...
"Nova what’s that word you kept using to describe your ex... or how you feel about him now?" Aiyana muttered quietly so only she could hear, unaware that Yoa could still hear her but his expression was stoic like usual, his gaze sweeping the crowds slowly for Atia.
"Icky?" Nova suggested, watching Aiyana in amusement. "Why?"
Aiyana’s gaze flicked back to Sahco. "Oh I don’t know... Maybe he’s a little... icky."
Nova followed her gaze and burst into laughter, feeling lighter at the sight of Aiyana openly disliking Sahco. "You think?!" She chuckled.
Aiyana shook her head slightly and folded her arms across her chest. "I do not know what happened," she murmured.
Nova stared at her friend who was watching Sahco’s next fight, but her eyes were no longer too bright like earlier. "What do you mean?" Nova leaned closer so they could speak more freely.
The crowd jumped up in an uproar as Sahco pummelled his fists into his opponent who was already on his back, body arched at an odd angle over a rock. Blood splattered across his face, chest and fists, his eyes menacing, grin utterly wicked.
He tore into another warrior, fists slamming, knees driving, until his opponent lay crumpled in the river’s shallows. Blood slicked the stones, carried off by the water. The crowd roared his name, stomping and chanting as he lifted his arms in victory.
One by one, more challengers came, and one by one, Sahco destroyed them. His chest heaved with exertion, but he only grew stronger, revelling in the violence. His dark eyes flicked toward Aiyana between blows, flashing triumph at her, as if to say this is who I am, this is the man you should want.
But the empty ache inside her only deepened. Watching him tear his opponents apart stirred awe, yes, but it didn’t ignite her blood the way she thought it would. Not the way sparring with Atia sometimes did, when every exchange left her pulse hammering.
"We kissed," Aiyana muttered after leaving Nova’s question unanswered for a while. This drew Yoa’s attention back to her for a fleeting moment.
"Well it was obvious you and him hooked up," Nova answered, prying a little more to see what else she might say.
"It was hot... really hot..."
Nova had to refrain from rolling her eyes. "Then?" She pushed a little more, her voice gentle.
"It wasn’t..." Aiyana’s gaze suddenly swept to the side. "Atia..." She muttered without realising what she said. "There was no spark..."
A grin split across Nova’s lips at her little confession, though Aiyana was distracted by something, her eyes lighting up again. Nova followed her gaze and had to bite her bottom lip from smiling so much. Atia was across from them.
"What... is he doing?" Nova muttered, worry forming in her chest as she realised where Atia was standing.
Atia bristled with restless energy, his intention to brawl clear as he stepped up to the ring. His golden-green eyes were locked on Sahco, unflinching, burning with rage he hadn’t bothered to temper. The defeated warrior was carried away, the one before floating downstream, face down.
Atia didn’t see that. He didn’t care for the blood or the crowds. He rolled his shoulders and clicked his neck.
"We have a new challenger!" Yara called out from the side and the crowd erupted, sensing the promise of carnage between their Champion and an Oncari warrior.