A Fate Renewed

Chapter 75-The Tournament 1

(Amira)

"Let's go then shall we?" Marcus spoke loudly, excitement filling him.

Nati stood next to me, her cheeks still red as she spoke softly.

"Did Kamaris tell you about the tradition?" She whispered before biting her lip nervously.

"A little bit about why you guys do this." I explained as Marcus opened the door, leading us outside.

"Well, it's s tradition to kiss the man or woman who you would like to win on the cheek. To show you are interested in becoming their mate." She shared quietly, her cheeks growing red as she brushed her hair behind her ear.

I couldn't help but admire her natural beauty as my gaze wandered down examining her carefully. Today she wore a blush pink floral dress that hugged her body perfectly, showing off her womanly curves as she walked with such grace.

"So you and Alden then?" I asked playfully, unable to hide my smile.

She nodded shyly, her hands flying up to her face as she tried to hide her embarrassment.

"I have been wanting to do that for the last fifty years." She whispered to me and I couldn't help but reach out and grab her hand.

"I'm sure your bravely alone will be enough to impress him." I said softly, causing her to smile even wider.

We began walking through the village as people milled around us. I took a deep breath as the cool air filled my lungs. The trees swayed in the wind and the ground was wet as I realized it must have rained last night. I missed the rain..I wished I could've seen it.

I missed being outside, hearing the birds chirp, and feeling the fresh air blow across my face. This village..it was magnificent. Seeing how everyone was so friendly and happy made my heart swell. I even received a few smiles and greetings from all different men and swelling.

The word must have gotten out that I was the dark lord's mirror soul as I heard some whispering about it as we walked by. Surprisingly what they said were all things I didn't expect.

"She looks fit to be the lord's match, a beauty such as her." One older man said to his friend.

The words caused my cheeks to burn as I felt Kavi's small hand slip into mine as we walked through the village.

Marcus greeted practically everyone as a beer was thrust into his hands quickly. Suddenly he handed it to me and another to Nati.

"It is tradition to drink the year's first harvested ale on this day." He explained, his eyes sparkling as he took a quick drink.

"I've never tried ale before." I said quickly, watching as Nati even took a sip. She smiled encouragingly as I slowly lifted it to my lips. It was cool and refreshing, the taste bitter but not too bad.

I actually liked it more than I thought I would.

I looked down and noticed Kavi was drinking something bright yellow.

"What are you drinking?" I asked while holding her hand gently.

"Apple cider." She said happily as we continued to walk through the much larger village than I realized.

Suddenly a huge clearing appeared before us. There were benches all around an arena where men and women lined up outside.

I spotted Kamaris through the crowd, making my heart race as our eyes met instantly. He seemed to fill with relief as I smiled at him brightly and I swear I felt his cool shadows slipping through my fingers.

I noticed his eyes were swirling black as I realized he must be preparing for the tournament. I wondered for a moment how many people would challenge him. Then I saw Namoka, she waved towards us as she met my eyes, winking as she stretched her arms out. Marcus leaned into me, his eyes sparkling as he spoke.

"Our style of fighting is hand-on-hand combat. We opt out of weapons because this is all about strength and endurance." He explained excitedly as he walked us over to the benches by the front of the ring.

I was guessing this would be like a boxing match, minus the suitable mate thing, that was new. But I can respect their traditions and actually feel excited to see how it's done.

We sat on the bench and suddenly Kaden came running over. He wore brown leather gear and his long strip of hair was braided behind him. Under his eyes were three lines of black paint. He looked like a warrior and quite handsome as most of the women around us seemed to watch his every move.

Kaden's gaze met mine quickly, his eyes seeming determined as he reached over and quickly kissed me on the cheek, causing me to freeze.

Confusion filled me as all those around us seemed to grow quiet.

Marcus laughed deeply, his hands flying up as he boomed out.

"You my boy seem to have a death wish." He said as Kaden swiftly turned on his heels and ran back to the ring.

I blinked in confusion..what just happened? Everyone was looking at me and whispering, as Marcus spoke to me.

"Kaden has just claimed you as a prize, but only if he can beat the lord of Darkness." He said laughing once more as I felt it..the stare burning into me.

I didn't know if it was our mirror soul connection or if it was just his immense power filling the air but I knew he had seen the whole thing.. I raised my eyes and saw Kamaris staring at me...yep, he saw it.

His body was tense and anger burned through him..but instead of frowning like I thought he woukd be..he was smirking.

I didn't know what would have been scarier.

"Please don't kill my son." Marcus hollered over to Kamaris, causing most of the crowd to laugh.

Kaden stared at Kamaris intently, not backing down as he passed him outside of the ring. I saw Alden smiling wildly as excitement seemed to fill him.

Maybe it was all fun and games..because Kaden can't seriously think he can best Kamaris can he? Besides..he is my mirror soul..

"Is it always like this?" I asked Nati as I took another drink of my cool beer and looked around the crowd.

I realized a lot of men were staring towards us, their eyes catching mine and then looking away quickly.

I looked back toward where Kamaris was as Nati spoke.

"Oh it gets crazy, but married couples are usually off-limits unless one of the partners initiates. It has happened a few times." She said excitedly.

Suddenly I heard music playing somewhere beyond the ring, it sounded like a fiddle as the fast-paced sound began to fill the air and people started to cheer.

Kavi kicked her feet to the music excitedly as Marcus picked her up and sat her on his lap.

"It's starting!" He yelled to her and she cheered.

I saw Kamaris leaning against the wooden post that surrounded the ring with Alden right next to him. I couldn't take my eyes off of him as that wicked smirk stayed on his face.

He was watching the first two men enter the ring as he whispered something to Alden, making him laugh.

My heart began to beat rapidly, the music strumming through me as I watched Kamaris instead of the men who were now in the ring.

He looked breathtaking, his long body leaning against the fence casually as I noticed every woman giggling and pointing toward him and Alden.

Even Nati couldn't take her eyes off of Alden as she sipped her beer slowly. I took another long sip, the bitter taste finally growing on me as Marcus leaned into me.

"These are first-year competitors. They fight against each other to ease into the competition." He spoke above the loud music.

I nodded my head, eyeing the two men as they walked in.

They looked like teenagers, as they quickly shook hands and let out a swift battle cry, causing the crowd to go wild. One of the boys had blonde hair while the other brown.

They stood back, getting into a fighting stance as a loud bell rang out above the music. Then they quickly charged at one another, their bodies crashing together as they began wresting and hitting each other.

The blonde kid seemed to have the advantage as he grabbed the other from behind. Suddenly Marcus leaned in, whispering excitedly.

"Watch this." He said as his eyes sparkled.

Just then the brown-haired boy leaned forward, flipping the other over his back and causing him to land roughly on the dirt.

The brown hair kid slid on top of the other one, wrapping his arm around his throat and squeezing hard.

It was over that quick..the blond kid tapped the other boy's arm, signaling he was done and the crowd went wild.

Marcus stood up, his arms raised over his head as Kavi almost fell to the floor. I swiftly grabbed her and pulled her next to me, laughing.

I looked across and saw Kamaris chuckling, his eyes glancing towards mine as he smiled.

He was absolutely glowing..

I slowly licked the beer from my lips. His body tensed as he smiled even broader.

Just then Namoka slid up next to him, whispering something into his ear as he nodded and looked towards the other side of the ring.

"That was pretty quick." I yelled through the music to Nati, making her laugh.

"Yeah some competitors have been training since they were young kids, so those matches usually end quicker. " She explained.

I could feel the beer taking effect as I took another long sip, happiness filling me from all of the excitement. A few more fights went on as Nati grabbed my hand.

"Let's go get more beer." She said happily before pulling.

Marcus glanced over and looked across towards Kamaris, his hand pointing at the beer and then to me and Nati. Kamaris looked towards me, nodding his head slightly as he held a single finger up, showing the number one.

Which I knew meant this would be my last one.

I laughed, nodding my head as Nati looped her arm through mine and began dragging me through the cheering crowd.

Just then everyone around us went wild as another match had ended.

I glanced back once more, seeing Kamaris's eyes glued to me as we walked towards a stall near the side of the open arena.

Men and women alike laughed and talked excitedly as we walked through, their eyes glancing towards us as we got in line.

"How do you stand everyone always staring at you?" She asked quietly before leaning into me. I could tell she was feeling the beer just as much as I was.

"I thought they were staring at you." I teased, causing us both to laugh as I looked at Nati, realizing she and I were a lot alike.

Nati seemed pretty reserved at first but now she was opening up so much more. I studied her as two men walked by, smiling at her broadly as she looked away nervously.

"I don't even know where to begin when it comes to men." She confessed before glancing back towards Alden.

It was funny, it seemed like she wanted me to give her advice but in reality, I was just as clueless as she was.

"To be honest, Kamaris is the first man I've ever been with..romantically." I admitted, not sure why I was telling her this but I wanted her to know I wasn't used to all of this attention like she might think.

She blinked her eyes, looking at me as she smiled.

"This is embarrassing, but I haven't had a relationship either. I mean..I am saving myself for someone..for that special someone." She stumbled out her words, the alcohol not making it easier to understand.

But I had a feeling she was waiting for a certain someone who we both knew.

"You don't have to be embarrassed, I was the same way. I always dreamed about a man who would come and sweep me off of my feet." I said with a laugh and she grinned widely.

"It seems your dream came true." She said, glancing behind me as I felt someone's arms wrap around my waist.

I lifted my head up, seeing Kamaris standing above me as I smiled happily. His head reached down as he pressed his mouth against mine, kissing me tenderly.

"I just wanted to see you before the next match." He whispered against me. I noticed everyone staring as they witnessed the lord of Darkness being gentle and affectionate, maybe for the first time ever.

I turned around, my arms wrapping around his waist as I looked up at him lovingly.

"Are you having fun?" I asked, the buzz from the beer I drank making me feel all fuzzy and warm.

He nodded his head, smiling as he bent down once more, kissing me deeper this time.

"I will stay with you until you get your beer." He added with a smirk, as he turned me around once more.

"What did you think of Kaden's bold move?" Nati asked, lifting an eyebrow as she smirked at us.

Kamaris wrapped his arms around me, his possessiveness coming out as I could feel Arubos clinging to me as well.

"He has some f*****g balls on him, that's for sure." He said as he bent down, kissing my neck once more.

"I think we were all shocked, considering he hasn't even talked to Amira for more than two seconds." She said laughing as we moved up in the line.

"I have a hunch why he might be interested." He said looking down at me wryly. The foot caress coming back to my head as I frowned.

"It was an accident!" I groaned out before bumping my butt into him.

"Well, apparently your foot is just as memorable as your mouth." He whispered into my ear, causing me to gasp as my cheeks began to burn.

"Next." An older man with a red beard and ponytail yelled out as Nati stepped forward.

"Three please." She said quickly as the man nodded his head happily.

Everyone who passed us was shocked to see Kamaris so relaxed as he held onto me. His hands held me tightly as Nati grabbed the beers, handing one to me as she held the other two.

Kamaris let go of my waist and took my hand, leading us back towards the stands as he held me tightly.

Just then Alden waved us down, signaling Kamaris was coming up soon as I looked in the ring. Namoka was inside now with another red-headed woman who was even more muscular than her.

"I have to go back baby. I love you." He whispered into my ear and gave me another deep kiss.

Why was I getting excited to see him fight now? Maybe he will even take off his shirt like the rest of the men..now that I would like to see..