Seduction's Call by dakota trace

did, looking for a way out. Turning towards Odin, Jupiter tipped his head in deferral. “I would like to request a boon, Odin.”
    “Ask.”
    “I’d love to be watch as her TrueMate avenges her honor.”
    A thin smile graced Odin’s lips. “Of course, Jupiter. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a good old fashioned bout between a godling and a demon.” He turned to Flannery. “Just don’t kill him too quickly.”
    Blood lust boiled in his veins. “I won’t. I intend to draw it out.”
    * * * * *
    Minutes later, Braelyn sat between Odin and her estranged father as the two men circled each other in the center of the arena. Sitting in the elevated royal box, she had a clear view of both men bouncing on the balls of their feet. It was if they were trying to determine each other’s weaknesses. Behind her, with his hand upon her shoulder in support, was Kennet . She jumped as Flannery and Ramses engaged each other with a flurry of speed that made her head spin. She’d never seen men move that fast before.
    The silver flash of the hammer colliding with the broadsword held by Ramses made a discordant clanging sound. From where she sat, she could hear the murmur of their voices, but was unable to tell what was being said as they came together and then parted.
    As they continued to move around each other, she bit her lip, wishing it was already over so she could go home. She’d heard Flannery’s words of claiming, but she wasn’t sure if he meant them or not, but anywhere was better than here. Even if her TrueMate decided against their mating.
    Watching the fluid movements of their muscles reminded her of how he’s surged in and out her during her bonding. She couldn’t help but be envious of the ease in the way he handled himself on the battlefield.
    This was no Banshee to open his mouth and wail in hopes of decimating the enemy. No, her TrueMate was going to tear his enemy apart limb by limb. She had the strangest urge to scream and yell her encouragement but didn’t utter a sound. Flannery deserved his pound of flesh and with her screams she’d kill Ramses, depriving him of his revenge.
    She jumped when she saw Flannery take a shallow cut on his bicep from a parry he was too slow in blocking. “Dear Goddess, why is he toying with him?” Her whisper drew chuckles out of all three males.
    “He’s allowing Ramses to think he might actually have a chance.” Kennet rubbed her shoulder.
    “Then he needs to knock it off before I really do go to Bilé and ask him to dissolve the mating between us. I don’t think my heart can take much more of this.”
    As if he could hear her, Flannery looked up into the stands. “Mine!” His cry carried to the royal box as he pivoted and, in one graceful move, slammed his war hammer into Ramses’s neck. The loud crack of the blow caused her eyes to widen as Ramses hit the dirt-packed floor, his head tilted at an unnatural angle.
    Crouching, he hefted the sword Ramses dropped. It took only one clean stroke and the demon’s head departed from his body. Stripping the bloody shirt from the corpse, he wrapped the head in it.
    “What is he doing?” She turned frightened eyes towards Kennet . She’d never seen Flannery this vicious before.
    “Your god-father told him to bring Ramses’s head back.”
    Her heart sank. “So he came after me because Bilé commanded it?”  
    “No. I came after you because you’re mine.” Her eyes widened as Flannery jumped straight up and landed on his feet on the edge of the royal box. She’d never imagined he’d be able leap in a vertical jump that high. “You ran from me, little one, and that’s not acceptable.”
    He crowded close to her after tossing the bloody shirt-wrapped head to his brother. Kennet’s muffled exclamation barely registered as Flannery lifted her until her face was level with his. His finger traced over her necklace. “This declares that you’re mine. You’ve had your one free pass; you run again and I will tie