Free Alien Prince's Bride: Scifi Alien Romantic Triangle Romance Novel by Vi Voxley

beneath.
    “That was fun,” Areon said once they landed. “Let’s do that again.”
    “Let’s not,” Reim said, glaring. “When did you figure it out?”
    “Grom’s chain for sure, but I guessed before. You?”
    “Cheeky bastard. Of course you guessed . I’m embarrassed to say it took me until the calayas climbed on the ledge. The fact that the Overlord didn’t jump out of his skin was proof enough for me.”
    They walked away, checking to see whether they were overheard. That would have been a sad way to get caught. Areon was quite sure he could get another day of fun out of the tournament before he had to start taking things seriously.
    “So what do you think of our competition?” he asked.
    Reim humphed. “Forial’s exactly the kind of guy you don’t want behind you in any battle,” he said.
    “Ah, yes,” Areon agreed, “he gave me a nice hug before. Nearly twisted my head off.”
    “And he’s still breathing?”
    “Don’t be such a spoil-sport. I want to see the look on his face when I take the victory he so clearly thinks is his.”
    “Speaking of that. The Overlord had to have told him, right?”
    “Mhmh,” Areon said, looking behind the next corner. Blessedly empty. No doubt everyone was back on the arena, trying to piece together what was going on. He didn’t envy the Overlord for having to deal with all that. “He could have been more subtle with it, in my opinion. Rookies.”
    “Don’t remind me,” Reim said, grinning. “Sarto is just too much. I don’t know how his heart still hasn’t given out. I don’t know why he fears you’ll kill him if he squanders your name too much. But we had an interesting run-in with lady Violet.”
    That stopped Areon in his tracks. The fake smile disappeared.
    “Talk,” he said and his deep voice echoed through the empty halls.
    Reim went from talking to reporting with his usual ease. “She sought us out. Sarto ogled at her so hard I thought he’d burn a hole in her chest.”
    “What did she say?” Areon asked.
    “The lady asked me not to tell you,” Reim said, grinning.
    “Yes, and now you’ve passed that wish on to me. Now tell me before I cut your bloody throat.”
    “She wanted to make sure you were here.”
    Areon thought his face simply wouldn’t bend into the kind of smile that rose from his chest. “Did she now?” he purred.
    “You’re going to be incredibly mean to her, aren’t you?” Reim asked, sighing.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Areon said, but the predatory grin wouldn’t leave his face.
    Damn it. He’d have to get his facial muscles under control before anyone saw him.
    “You’re not going to tell her?” Reim specified, although he clearly already knew the answer.
    “Oh, I’ll tell her, eventually ,” Areon said. “Don’t you worry about her well-being.”
    “Before or after you attempt to win her?”
    “We’ll see,” Areon said carelessly. “And what do you mean, attempt ?”
    Now it was Reim’s turn to become serious. He stopped and looked around a few more times to make sure they had absolute privacy. “While you were busy fooling around, I went to see some duels. Grom’s good.”
    “Of course he’s good,” Areon growled, annoyed. “He wouldn’t be a champion if he wasn’t.”
    “I mean he’s very good,” Reim said, clearly not in the mood to joke with him. His concern really was heartwarming.
    “Now you’re just repeating what I said.”
    “ My Prince ,” Reim snapped, bringing such a growl forth from Areon that he had to take a step back, but that didn’t mean he would back down. “I mean he’s better than you. If the Overlord has duels in store, it’s bad. And if he catches even a whiff of who you are, he’ll do everything in his power to have you paired with him. Imagine it, killing you and taking the victory.”
    “I’ll deal with him when we get to it. Now enough of that,” Areon said, his tone dark.
    “I don’t…”
    “I said enough,” he