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

said, with his true voice. Reim stopped immediately, but his good mood was already ruined.
    “One more thing,” Reim said.
    “It better not be about him,” he growled.
    “It is, but it’s not the same.”
    “Get it out then.”
    “He’s got his eye set on Violet.”
    Areon took a deep breath. There were no demons making his luck, but this was just typical. He usually didn’t mean to get into any trouble or mess – it just found him. Things around him went naturally from bad to worse, so he couldn’t say he was surprised.
    “Are you sure?” he asked.
    “I watched him when Violet climbed over the ledge. At first I thought he was just interested like we all were, but when she jumped, he definitely liked her spirit. I figured he would go for Pearl, but now I’m pretty sure it’s her, yes.”
    Areon nodded. “Alright,” he said. If Grom wanted Violet, he’d better be prepared to die for her.
    They walked on in silence for a while until Areon gathered his thoughts. Most of them were about Violet, of course, like always.
    “And you?” he asked finally. His voice was cheerful again and he noticed the change in Reim’s posture at once. The stiff attention was gone, replaced with a casual stride.
    “What about me?” Reim asked.
    “Who have you got your sights on?”
    Reim laughed. “I’m amazed at your interest. I really thought your head was big enough to only hold one name in it at a time.”
    “Don’t be rude. I’m asking for real.”
    Reim considered it for a moment. “Marelle,” he said at last.
    “Huh,” said Areon. “Wouldn’t have guessed.”
     
    ***
     
    It was a dark night, even darker now with the lights of the arena dimmed. The fun was over for the day. The Overlord had sent everyone to sleep or to gather wherever they pleased until the next day. Areon couldn’t deny it had been a very eventful start to the tournament – definitely worth his time.
    The calayas were housed in a great complex right next to the arena, already being remodeled for the coming trial. Areon considered staying to spy on it. Of course it was forbidden for the champions to see the arena being prepared for them, but they wouldn’t see him if he didn’t want them to. They never did. Eventually he decided against it. His heart thumped for something else – for someone else.
    The complex was vast. He should have found out where Violet’s room was beforehand, but there was nothing to be done now.
    Sneaking through the place wasn’t very hard, though. The tournament had been so full of emotion that most were either sleeping or talking excitedly. It wasn’t difficult to hide his footsteps in that comforting murmur and keep on going higher. The rooms of the calayas were definitely up there.
    Before he found Violet, Areon found someone else.
    “So?” he heard the Overlord ask through an open door, hiding behind the corner. It seemed they were completely sure of not being overheard. It made sense – there was an entire floor of guards between them and the lower floors. The only time they’d nearly caught Areon was when he’d been careless enough to laugh a bit at how easy it was.
    “I’m not sure,” he heard Forial answer.
    There was some pacing in the room. Then the Overlord continued. “Is it possible he dropped?”
    “The Prince? I don’t think so. If he did, then on purpose.”
    That’s very kind of you to say.
    “Almost no one remained up when Violet jumped. Grom. Reim. A few others, by luck. Maige’s favorite. And that clumsy guard was dangling there. You know Violet asked me not to let him compete? I almost gave in to her request. The boy’s going to get himself killed. If not today, then soon.”
    Areon grinned. Violet had asked them to exclude him? It was good the Overlord was as stubborn as he was. They would have all been bereft of such fun without it – he the most, of course. But it was good to know she cared. Even better to know she thought he was so clumsy she’d actually pleaded for