That was only natural. They had no reason to believe I was truly Trill's lover. All I had done was speak her name and claim her as mine—without presenting even a shred of proof. In their eyes, I was just another outsider, and my words alone carried no weight.
"How can I prove it?" I asked, my voice steady.
The lion-headed warrior studied me, his golden eyes sharp and unyielding, like a predator assessing its prey. The surrounding beastfolk remained still, their collective gaze fixed on me with an intensity that made the air feel heavier.
"Princess Trill is strong," he finally said, his deep, rumbling voice carrying authority. "As one of our kin, she follows the old ways—choosing her mate through combat. The one who defeats her in a duel earns the right to stand by her side. If you truly are her lover, then you must have bested her in battle. And if you defeated our Princess, it means you are even stronger than her." His muscles tensed. "I intend to confirm that myself."
