thousand things to say about that, but Gyrion looked at her and frowned, shaking his head. The women stepped aside as the men took the circle and stripped to the waist. She moved through the crowd until she was standing near the woman in question.
While Amylia was outraged, the woman seemed eager to watch the fight. She was into it. This was her culture.
The woman walked off after her mate proved himself, and they chased each other in turn off to wherever they could find privacy.
The next female came forward and didn’t have a pre-chosen mate. The men fought, and the winner walked up to the female and bowed before pulling her in for a kiss.
The woman went from timid to enthusiastic, and her new mate wrapped his arms around her, carrying her off.
Gyrion moved closer and chuckled. “Are you upset that you missed a chance for your own consort battle?”
She smiled. “I like you in one, large, un-bruised piece.”
His eyes darkened as his pupils dilated. “Do you? Good to know.”
“But, if you want to fight for the right to be my consort, meet me in my quarters tonight with a bottle of oil. You can wrestle me for the privilege.” She winked.
“That sounds... fascinating.” He chuckled. He had to turn to the next combatants, and they squared off before attacking each other.
About a minute into the fight, she found out why Gyrion had to be there. One of the men sprouted fangs and was about to use them.
Gyrion was in the centre of the fight in seconds and holding back the feral attacker.
His arms flexed, and he was letting out a low growl that appeared to work on the other male. The man slumped and the fangs disappeared.
The woman was called forward, and she was made to choose. To Amylia’s surprise, she chose the guy with the fangs.
Gyrion straightened. “Today concludes the first of what we hope will be many mate competitions. I would like to thank Queen Amylia for giving of herself to make this possible.”
The crowd applauded, and Amylia nodded to those assembled. Today a mate fight, tomorrow the Imperium. Now, what else was she forgetting?
Chapter Nine
“So, how is this supposed to work?” Gyrion spread a handful of oil across his shoulders and chest.
Amylia had gotten Dorren to put down a mat of sorts so they didn’t wreck the bed, and she was standing at the edge, gleaming and slippery. “Oh, whoever can pin the other for a count of five is the winner. Aside from that, it is anything goes.”
She faced him across the leather mat. He had a few spots that he had missed, so she was going to try and take advantage of them.
She hunkered down and touched one hand to the mat. “Agreed stakes?”
“Agreed. Trousers for you or you will support my claim as consort.”
“Done.”
He lunged forward, and they grappled, slipping off each other and sliding apart. He scowled. “This is going to be harder than I thought.”
She checked out his erection and grinned. “I promise not to pull.”
His eyes widened, and she tackled him, throwing him off balance until he toppled to the mat. He tried to grab her, and she squirmed loose by sliding back across his cock and down his thighs.
“I am beginning to see how this is a sport on your world.” His grin became predatory.
She had his full focus now, and he grabbed and twisted her to the ground, holding her down with the weight of his body. Unfortunately for him, she slipped out on one side.
They slipped, slid, genitals came in contact for moments, seconds and longer as they ground against each other, striving to be on top.
Amylia finally had enough. She pinned him on his back, straddled him and slid him into her. He locked in place and gripped her hips.
She started to slide on him, and before he knew it, she had gotten her five count.
She leaned forward and kissed him. “I win.”
He groaned and held her hips, rocking her over him. “I don’t care, keep moving.”
She moved with him, slipping and sliding over him. She clawed at
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