Ronan bowed deeply and took three steps back, coming to stand at Cynara’s shoulder.
“What have you done?” she demanded.
“You have impressed Va Samit with your boldness,” he said. “You will not be given to Darja without challenge.”
“Will they let me fight?”
“No. Even shaauri have the concept of what humans call ‘fair play.'”
“You can’t do this, Ronan.”
“Your confidence inspires me, Aho’Va.” The twinkle of amusement in his eyes died almost instantly. “It could have been much worse if Lenko had made the decision, but he sent Samit to deal with us.”
She grabbed the front of Ronan’s shipsuit, heedless of their audience. “How could it be worse? They’ll send their strongest against you. No matter how good you are, your chances…” She pulled his head down to hers. “I won’t let you die for me.”
“But you must.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, so tenderly. “I have declared you my lifemate, and under shaauri law this gives me uncontested right to fight in your place for any cause, and preserve your life with my own no matter what the offense. To do otherwise would dishonor me forever.”
Lifemate. Mother Sea. “Do you think I care about honor—yours, mine, or anyone else’s?”
“It is all I have, pathless as I am.”
Ronan saw the fury in her eyes, desperation so strong that it filled his whole mind and threatened to undermine the preparations he had made for the coming fight. She would give her life for him. She would throw away her command, loyalty to her people, her bright future for his sake.
His greatest desire was to reach out to her, share the way they had done in joining, know once more the deepest essence of her soul. But he was afraid. He felt nothing when he regarded the Darjai and knew what they would send to meet him. He did not fear death. This woman, with her fierce courage, terrified him. The thought of losing her terrified him.
He must survive, and win.
He took her face between his hands and kissed her lips. “Forgive me,” he said. Then he released her and sought his kin who watched on the sidelines, shaauri who had been his companions in childhood.
Though they followed different Paths, his old friends defied convention and stood together now: Annukki, returned from Walkabout as ki’laik’in; Mairva, now a Kalevi warrior; Riko, who had come back va’laik’in and helped administer the settlement. There were others as well, those who had accepted him as a boy, and Hanno stood behind them, her ears pressed low with anxiety.
Va Riko made the sign of affectionate greeting. “We are pleased to see you returned safely from be’rokh-kaari’la,” he said, “and that you have found a lifemate. But the circumstances are indeed unfortunate.”
Ronan bit back a laugh. “Indeed,” he said, bowing. “I am grateful for your presence.”
“We would have come to see you at an earlier time,” Ve Mairva said, “but you were confined, and then Arv’Darja came.” She glanced at each of her companions in turn. “Your appearance has not changed since be’rokh-kaari’la. What Path have you followed?”
Ronan didn’t have the courage to admit the truth. “It sometimes requires… many Walkabouts for humans to find the correct Path.”
“This is regrettable. You are strong, but not ve’laik’in. It is foolishness to fight the Arv’Darja champion. I will do so in your place.”
“You know that will not be permitted. But I do request your assistance in one small matter.”
“It is yours.”
“My lifemate would put herself at risk and intrude upon the challenge. I would have you hold her, with respect, until the battle is finished.”
Mairva’s whiskers rippled. “She, too, has courage, your lifemate.” She blinked solemnly. “I will keep her safe until the battle is finished.”
“If you lose the fight,” Va Riko said, “your mate will be forfeit to Darja. Is there a thing you would have me do to prevent this?”
“I, too, offer assistance,” Ri Annukki interposed. Hanno whispered agreement.
Their proposal was extraordinary. Shaauri did not interfere with lawful challenge given and accepted. Shaauri did not band together across Paths… unless they held in common childhood affection for one who had no Path and thus remained an adolescent who must be protected.