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He shook his head. “We know each other, but she has things wrong. We are not close. It is not her duty to protect me.”

“Elias! What are you doing?” The pain in Hayley’s voice tore at his heart, but he still didn’t look at her.

“I don’t want you to claim me.”

Dathos cleared her throat and rapped her knuckles on the desk. “Your wants are of no interest. The females make the choice. They both choose you.”

Elias swallowed against the tightness in his throat. “I am not interested in the human.” The pain he felt was worse than any Retar bite, but he had to get Hayley to stop this and renounce her claim on him.

“Silence!” Dathos ordered. “Another word from you, and you will be gagged.” She gestured to Hayley. “You say you are friends. Princess Isolt’s claim over Elias is of a more intimate nature. They have a strong bond because of that.”

Elias gritted his teeth. Hayley had to understand she needed to stop.

He saw Hayley pull her shoulders back, tears in her eyes as she glared at him. “We might not be as intimate as he was with the princess, not yet anyway. We are close and have been intimate to a degree.”

“Explain that further. You are more than friends?”

“We are. I consider myself fortunate to have Elias in my life. He makes me a better person. He makes me confident and believe in myself. He always encourages me to think more broadly and ask questions. He’s funny and thoughtful, and he’s an amazing kisser.”

“Are you intending to have a full relationship?”

Elias held his breath as he waited for Hayley to speak. He wanted that more than anything, but it couldn’t happen. He adored her. He wanted her in his life forever, but he needed her to stay safe.

Hayley stared straight at him, and his heart clenched. “I do. I know we’ve not said it to each other yet, but I think I love him. I intend to make Elias my life partner if that’s what he wants, so he will be with me on every step of our journey. I know why he’s telling you we have no bond. He wants me to be safe. If he denies me, I will break. I will never feel safe again. I need him in my life. Every part of him. Forever.”

Damn, he couldn’t deny her after that. He longed to race over and scoop Hayley into his arms and tell her he loved her. Tell her everything was going to be amazing between them. She wasn’t backing down and had seen through his attempt to keep her from harm.

“I plan for Elias and me to have a long and happy life together, one that doesn’t involve being eaten by the other.”

Elias smiled and nodded, and Hayley returned the smile. Boy oh boy, was he neck-deep in love with this incredible woman. In front of a room full of strangers, she’d admitted she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. Despite the aching wound in his side and his hands being shackled behind his back, he felt nothing but joy.

Dathos nodded. “Thank you, Hayley. Please allow us a moment to discuss your claims.”

Elias kept his gaze fixed on the committee members as the two Retars and Vegas talked to each other. There was a lot of nodding and muttered comments, none of which he could hear.

This had to work. Hayley had to win him. His gaze shifted as a door at the back of the room opened, and an older woman with a cybernetic arm entered. She stayed in the shadows, her expression fierce as she glared at Hayley. Elias thought he recognized her and was certain she was involved with My Single Alien. Maybe she’d come to lend Hayley her support. Hayley hadn’t noticed the woman; her attention was fixed to the committee members.

Dathos sat back in her seat and gave a final nod. “It has been decided both of your claims are valid and comprehensive. From your words alone, we cannot decide if either of you has a better claim. It will be decided in the formal manner of combat.”

Elias’s stomach lurched as he saw a wave of fear pass over Hayley’s face. This was real. She’d just signed up to a brutal fight, and it was all because of him.

Dathos continued. “The rules are simple. Whoever dies first or whoever concedes defeat first will lose the battle. There are no weapons allowed other than the use of your bodies. We will oversee the fight in this chamber. To confirm, it is either death or concession. There can be no other way for this fight to end.”

Hayley simply nodded and flexed her fingers.

“You may both have a moment for a few private words with Elias.” Dathos gestured to Princess Isolt. “Princess, you go first.”

Princess Isolt smiled sweetly as she strode to the corner Elias stood in. He resisted the urge to back away, his side throbbing. She wouldn’t have the nerve to attack him again, even though the look in her eyes suggested otherwise.

Her smile faded as she faced him. “You will be mine.”

“Don’t bet on it.”

“Your pathetic human cannot save you. Now I have your sweet taste lingering in my mouth, I’m planning quite a banquet with you. I will have you screaming my name and begging for mercy. You’ll regret ever humiliating me.” She reached over to stroke his cheek, but Elias pulled his head back.

“I’d rather kill myself than let that happen.”

She smirked then turned and walked away.