Chapter 55
55
Kaede
K aede seethed in silence, standing tall behind Selena, every muscle taut and primed as if ready to spring. It required all of his willpower not to teleport behind the despicable Aldawi prince and slice his throat, thereby eliminating the source of the majority of his current problems.
It would show the universe to not question him or his abilities—and that the current leaders wouldn’t stand for any of the late sovereign’s beliefs.
At very least, he would get remove a male from the universe who he knew would be a problem. He hadn’t missed how the worthless male ignored him—and purposely disrespected Selena by disregarding her and only addressing his brother.
The only thing keeping him from acting was imagining what he’d do to the insignificant prince the next time he saw him. He waited for the day their paths would cross again—once the week was over, of course—in order to teach him a lesson he would never forget.
Perhaps the dimstar would soon perish… accidentally…
No one would miss him.
Kaede barely paid attention to Zyxel coiled before the platform, his smooth crimson form gleaming in the sunlight as he prepared to watch Ryzen and Izyana enter the arena’s center.
Instead, Kaede’s attention burned hotter, drilling holes into Izyana’s back. The arrogant dimstar flexed his claws—arms out and ready—while pacing in his position, as if the entire galaxy revolved around him.
Kaede’s teeth ground together at the thought of anyone like him daring to claim his star’s time—especially as some vendetta against Z. His psydagger flicked open then closed, an impatient rhythm that barely contained his irritation.
Selena’s refusal to let him fight two rounds stung.
Why?
He was fully capable—more than capable—and knew he could tear through these so-called challengers as easily as drawing breath. He’d been forced to fight against worse odds—same with his sisters—whenever the Yarrkins wanted to test their limits on the arena floor.
Yet she had denied him that chance.
Worse still, Ryzen’s sudden declaration of matehood—a lie that everyone close to Selena knew was nothing but a twisted advantage—left Kaede feeling the urge to kill.
He was not her mate. That kiss they’d shared was a mistake, one she regretted deeply. Shame had colored her face when she’d spoken of it, and yet here Ryzen was, using this moment for his benefit, staking a claim that Kaede knew wasn’t his to make.
Disgust simmered in Kaede’s throat.
The blade snapped closed again, and Kaede’s fangs ached with the need to sink into something— someone .
Selena wasn’t some fragile creature in need of saving—pregnant or not. She was a fierce female with a king soul— that kindness often got her into trouble. Thankfully, she was beginning to realize her own self-worth… He couldn’t wait to witness her true potential.
It would be glorious…
His star just needed the right push to release her wrath upon someone who’d wronged others.
And he was fully capable of both defending her and helping her realize the greatness within herself.
Kaede snarled, repulsed at the unworthy males circling her like predators closing in on prey. She wasn’t weak —he could see now that allowing her into the Mating Games had been a grave mistake.
The damage was done. Her fear that her mates would leave the arena in the same sire condition as her Favored, joining their ranks in recovery, had coursed through her thoughts ever since she’d first stepped foot into the arena.
Her worry had morphed into concerns about his talents—in which he hadn’t had the opportunity to prove himself to her. Not on a battlefield, nor an arena, until today.
Ryzen, Zyxel, even Izyana—none of them truly understood who Selena was or what she needed. He did. His clanbrothers often did as well—at least his Circuli ones. They only saw what they wanted to take. As if she was a prize to be won—land to be conquered.
And Kaede had had enough.
He flicked the psydagger open again, his mind replaying Masmi’s suggestion to have Selena take the honor of being the first female to offer herself at the Mating Games. At the time, it seemed like a strategic move, a way to cement her status as the Beacon and bring pride to their family.
It was supposed to be a playful mock battle between him and the Circuli princes…
Now, with Izyana’s unannounced arrival, Ryzen’s grandstanding, and Zyxel’s determination to be alone with her, Kaede regretted agreeing to it. If he’d known it would turn into this , he would’ve shut the whole thing down before it began.
His frustration was boiling over, but Kaede knew better than to let it consume him completely. His aggression, his overprotectiveness—they were survival mechanisms honed over years of bloodshed and battles. But they didn’t serve him well when it came to dealing with his star, Selena. He’d already lashed out at her once today, and the memory of her hurt expression twisted his gut in ways that no battle wound ever could.
Kaede took a deep breath, trying to rein himself in. He stared at Izyana’s back, imagining all the ways he could wipe that smug grin off his face.
Maybe a well-placed psydagger between the ribs. Or a swipe of his psydagger across the throat—quick, clean. No one would even see it coming.
“Kaede.” REI’s calm voice intruded on his murderous thoughts, pulling him back to reality. “ If you’re done plotting Izyana’s death, I’d like to remind you that your extreme aggression is… concerning.”
“I’m not plotting anything,” Kaede snapped mentally, though his grip tightened on his psydagger. “ I’m preparing. I’m about to enter a battle for Selena’s honor. Someone has to put these males in their place.”
“Your overprotectiveness is clouding your judgment,” REI replied. “ This level of extreme emotion leads to mistakes. Overconfidence, missteps—things you cannot afford.”
“ I’m fine,” he growled in his mind. “ I can’t afford to fail her once again.”
“Then I’ll leave you to it,” REI said. “ I’ll focus on the surveillance with the others.”
Kaede’s tongue flicked out to wet his fangs as Izyana flexed his claws, the curved tips gleaming in the sunlight. Kaede’s grip tightened on his psydagger as the tension in the arena thickened, the crowd hushed in anticipation.
The fight hadn’t even started, but the undercurrent of violence sang to him, a familiar melody that made his blood hum. Whatever happened in the next few minutes, by the Stars, Kaede would make ishing sure Izyana knew he wasn’t welcome in Selena’s life—or near her family.
Masmi’s voice sliced through the charged air of the arena, sharp and commanding. “The first battle for the Beacon’s hand will be fought between my brother, Prince Izyana”—she snarled his title, her tone dripped with venom—“and Selena’s newest mate, Ryzen!”
The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement filling the space like a living, breathing force—vibrating the whole arena. Izyana stepped forward with all the arrogance of someone who thought they had already won. His violet eyes held a gleam of confidence, tempting Kaede to cheer for Ryzen for no other reason than to wipe it off his face.
Across from him, Ryzen stood with a calm, deliberate grace. His emerald runes flaring faintly as he held his position. He was every inch the composed warrior, his long blond hair swaying slightly in the warm coastal breeze, its emerald streaks catching the sunlight.
Masmi raised her paw, and the crowd fell silent, her gaze hard on the two combatants. “Remember the rules—no weapons, no tech. Only what is biologically natural. No tricks.”
Ryzen dipped his head, acknowledging her words. Without a word, he reached to his forearms, emerald runes flaring as twin spirit daggers emerged from his skin. He held them low and loose, his stance deceptively relaxed, yet his entire form radiated a predatory stillness.
His calm and controlled stance was something Kaede respected.
The crowd murmured, their curiosity palpable. They hadn’t ever seen someone like his species within their galaxy.
Why only two daggers? Kaede raised a brow. Bold move. Either he’s confident or a dimstar. Maybe both.
Ryzen had displayed far more during his sparring sessions. He’d seen the male wield them with his mind rather than his hands. Why is he holding back?
Izyana barked out a laugh, puffing up his chest. “Prepare yourself, outsider. I’ll show you what true Aldawi power looks like.” He flexed his claws, the curved tips gleaming menacingly. “When I’m done with you, you’ll have a few more marks in that tattooed hide of yours.”
Ryzen’s expression didn’t flicker as he stared at him, almost bored. “You’d have to catch me first. And from what I see, you’ll be struggling.”
Kaede’s lips twitched into a smirk. Cocky fool. From what he’d observed of Ryzen, the pretty boy could likely take Izyana apart blindfolded. This is going to be entertaining.
The match began with a sharp crack of sound—a signal Kaede barely registered before Izyana lunged, claws slashing toward Ryzen’s chest. His movements were aggressive, a calculated rush meant to overwhelm. Ryzen didn’t move immediately, allowing Izyana to close the gap.
Ryzen waited, his body perfectly still until the last possible moment. Then he twisted, the motion fluid, and sidestepped Izyana’s attack with practiced ease. As the prince stumbled slightly, Ryzen’s spirit dagger flicked out, slicing a shallow cut along Izyana’s bicep. Blood welled instantly, dark against his gray fur.
The crowd gasped, and Kaede chuckled low in his throat. First blood.
Izyana snarled, more from frustration than pain, pivoting and swinging his claws in rapid succession—left, right, a feint, followed by a vicious uppercut aimed at Ryzen’s throat.
Ryzen deflected each attack with a practiced ease, leaning back just enough for the claws to miss, his daggers arcing with precise lethality. He spun away from Izyana’s next charge, ducked low and slashed at the prince.
A second cut appeared on Izyana’s forearm. Another swipe, another dodge, and this time, Ryzen drove the hilt of one dagger into Izyana’s ribs, forcing him back with a pained grunt.
“You’re slow,” Ryzen said evenly, his voice carrying over the arena. “The Beacon’s cubs are a greater challenge than you.”
“Shut your mouth!” Izyana spat, launching himself again. His claws came faster this time, a whirlwind of strikes, but Ryzen was faster. He danced out of range, his movements as precise as they were infuriating to watch.
Kaede leaned against the railing, his gaze fixed on the sparring duo. He idly flipped his psydagger in his hand, thoroughly entertained. He’s making an example out of Izyana. Good. The pompous dimstar deserves it.
Ryzen’s strategy became clear: bleed Izyana out, frustrate him, and wait for an opening. It was almost clinical.
Izyana—now desperate—overcommitted on a swipe at Ryzen’s shoulder. The blond male sidestepped effortlessly, hooked his foot behind Izyana’s ankle, and sent him sprawling.
Ryzen pivoted sharply, slashing downward with both daggers in a move too fast for most to follow. A deep gash opened across Izyana’s thigh, and he stumbled to one knee, growling in pain.
The crowd roared, some cheering for Ryzen, others calling for Izyana to get up. Kaede shook his head, his amusement growing. He never had a chance. Ryzen is playing with him now.
Izyana struggled to his feet, his claws shaking slightly. His chest heaved with effort, and his strikes grew sloppier. Ryzen ducked under a wild swing and drove the pommel of one dagger into Izyana’s gut, knocking the wind from his lungs. The prince doubled over, and Ryzen grabbed him by the scruff of his neck, forcing him upright.
“You talk too much,” Ryzen said, his voice low and deadly. “If you’d spent more time practicing than trying to undermine your family, you might have been somewhat of a challenge for me.”
In one fluid motion, he swept Izyana’s legs out from under him, sending him crashing to the ground. Before the prince could recover, Ryzen was on him, one knee pressing into his chest, both spirit daggers poised at his throat. The glowing emerald runes along the blade pulsed faintly—matching those mapped on his skin—their glow mirrored in Ryzen’s calm, focused expression.
The arena went silent—shocked by what they’ve just witnessed. Izyana froze, his chest heaving as he stared up at the blades that could easily take his life.
Masmi’s voice broke the tension. “Winner: Ryzen!”
The crowd erupted, the sound deafening as Ryzen stood, his daggers vanishing back into his runes. He offered Izyana no hand, no words, just a calm, dismissive turn as he leapt off the center platform.
Kaede watched him walk toward them with measured steps, his amusement giving way to grudging respect. Well played.