Pleasure Satellite

Pleasure Satellite Danielle Monsch

Nevan’s life is nothing but duty and honor. The eldest son of a prestigious House, he has a life mapped out ahead of him, including mating a woman for whom he feels nothing but brotherly affection. But then one night he discovers a woman who makes his blood boil and his body hard. Seena has known nothing but blood and pain in her life. A fighter for the BloodRing, she is nothing more than spectacle, her life and death meaningless except as entertainment for the masses. Then one night a male comes to her in secret with a bargain the likes of which she has never been confronted with. The ultimate fight, which will lead her either to freedom…or to his bed. Nevan will allow nothing to stop him from possessing the human. On the Pleasure Satellite anything is permissible, and to the strongest goes everything.

Ellora’s Cave Publishing

www.ellorascave.com

Pleasure Satellite ISBN 9781419934308 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Pleasure Satellite Copyright © 2011 Danielle Monsch Edited by Grace Bradley Cover art by Syneca Electronic book publication May 2011 The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of Ellora’s Cave Publishing. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502. Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

PLEASURE SATELLITE Danielle Monsch

Dedication To Romance Divas—you all give such great advice and support. I wouldn’t be near as smart without ya! And, as always, to Mr. Jim Garner.

Danielle Monsch

Chapter One Below, the loser of the BloodRing fight fell to the ground, blood seeping from myriad wounds on his body. Above, in one of the boxes reserved for the powerful and wealthy, the lone female of the group latched onto Nevan, grabbing his arm with both hands and hiding her face in his shoulder. He grimaced, looking down at the pale hair, resisting the urge to pat her head the same way he would a child. This was exactly why he hadn’t wanted her to come to the fights. As the announcer cried, “The winner—the Trolian!” and the crowds roared in approval, her fingers tightened, and he heard the muted sobs she couldn’t quite contain. Poor Farana. She was so delicate, he was surprised she had stayed amongst the group of men. He wished she had the same sense as his mother, leaving the fights to those who would truly enjoy them—or at least not be scarred by them. However, Farana was determined to prove herself strong and sophisticated, to prove her worthiness to be his mate. Nevan did not have the heart to tell her there was nothing she could do to convince him of that. There were three others in their group. In addition to Farana’s father, Xenil, Nevan’s own father, Tehar and his younger brother, Jaron were watching the games. They were as loud and as boisterous as any surrounding the BloodRing, talking of monies won and lost and wondering how much blood would be spilled in the next round. They were the reason he was here, dealing with a crying female and watching fights he had no interest in.

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Nothing on the Pleasure Satellite interested him, but family obligation forced his hand. It was considered a rite of passage to go, only available to those who were past Initiation and now considered adults in their society, and Jaron had begged their father to be allowed to attend one when he came of age. How it evolved from Jaron’s adventure to a multi-family trip he still could not quite grasp, but there they all were. His father and mother, with their desire to have him married and the family’s bloodline protected, made sure that all of Xenil’s clan was here, including the lovely Farana. Farana. She was indeed a highly desirable choice for a mate. The problem was he could summon no interest in her. Not just her though. None of the females amongst his kind held any interest for him. Timid, quiet, subservient. Throughout the galaxy, females of his species were prized for these very qualities amongst other races, but to him, all it meant was a slow death from boredom. She was so tiny, this woman clinging to him, so innocent. Did she have any interest in sex? When they were mated, what would she do if he put her hand on his cock? Would she pull away, scandalized? What if he pulled down her undergarments and parted her legs? Would she demand all the lights be turned off? What if he tried to enter her, all heat and hardness and thrust? Would she faint? Would she claim that to be too barbaric? Or would she close her eyes, preparing herself to do what she must and waiting for it to be over? The last thought was what truly brought the growl to his throat. He had heard this story over and over from his friends, as they went to the Pleasure Satellites for the more fleshly services over the barbaric ones. How their mates could not stand their touch, how they only endured it for the sake of offspring. The males of his race were warriors of the finest order, never having lost a battle in any of the intergalactic wars. That the females were their complete opposite showed in depth the sense of humor of the gods. 7

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His eyes scanned the crowds, taking in the other spectators. Many races, most of which were enemies outside of this place, congregated together to watch the fights. The Pleasure Satellites were true neutral territory, with all races permitted and no warfare tolerated. One infraction meant permanent and immediate banishment, and considering everything offered on the Satellites was illegal everywhere else, that threat alone was enough to keep even the most warlike in even temperament. Still, it never was wise to trust that peace implicitly. He had brought his most trusted servant, Ramus, to watch over his brother when he himself could not be there. Currently Ramus was standing by the door, making sure no undesirable would enter. As his eyes wandered the crowd he noticed those who moved amongst them, talking to the spectators, encouraging the bets and the bloodlust. The grimace on his face deepened. Peddlers. He considered them the lowest of forms, making profit on blood and death. How such beings could be allowed to exist he did not understand. The other activities on the Pleasure Satellites he had no interest in, but had no disagreement with. The fights, though, these he truly hated. War and blood should never be entertainment. He noticed one of the peddlers making his way to the stairs that led to their box. He spoke a few words to the guards, who then allowed him to pass. This peddler must have some of the finest fighters to be allowed to come to their exclusive area. Moments later a knock sounded at their door. Tehar, who did not notice the peddler as Nevan had, called out, “Who knocks?” “I am the peddler known as Samos, my Lord,” said an oily voice from the other side. Even if Nevan did not know what his profession was, the voice alone would have made him hate the man. His father gave assent, and Nevan gave the barest movement to Ramus to indicate his assent as well. Nevan had never challenged his father to officially take the position of Head of their House, but there was not one being amongst their people who doubted who the true leader was, and Ramus would do nothing against Nevan’s orders. 8

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Ramus ushered in the peddler, who gave a deep bow as he arrived at their seats. “My Lords, Lady, are you enjoying the fights?” “They’re amazing!” said Jaron, all eager excitement. “How do you find these fighters?” “Are many of these fighters yours?” asked Xenil. The peddler gave a small wave of his hand. “One merely has to know where to look, my Lord, and fully half the fighters are mine. In fact, nearly my entire contingent of fighters is currently on the Satellite.” Nevan knew the places where fighters were found and that knowledge contributed to his dislike of these games. While some volunteered in hopes of monetary gain such as could never be gotten any other way or were prisoners who fought in return for a shorter sentence, the open secret was many were kidnapped, forced to fight because of threats to themselves or their families. “Why so many here?” Xenil asked. “A simple celebration. On the Pleasure Satellites they enjoy using any excuse for festivity.” “Whatever the reason, the fights have been of the finest quality,” Tehar complimented. Samos smiled. “I am quite gratified you are enjoying the show so far, but you still have much to look forward to. The best fight is yet to come, featuring a fighter who has never lost a match.” “Really?” asked Jaron. “Who is it?” “My Lord, forgive me for not answering, but part of the enjoyment of this fight will be the surprise in seeing the fighters,” replied Samos, bowing as he spoke. “I suspect you still wish us to bet on your fighter though, do you not?” Nevan finally spoke.

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Samos glanced at Nevan, taking him in. Though Nevan’s words and tone were mild, the peddler seemed well aware Nevan had no use for him, though he did nothing to call out Nevan. The only thing that mattered to the peddler was Nevan’s rank and worth, and as both of those were extremely high, Nevan could use the peddler as a footstool without the Rilion making a protest. “Of course, my Lord, but only because I do not wish you to lose the bet.” “Are the fights always this bloody?” asked Farana in the high-pitched voice all females of his race seemed to possess. “Madam, perhaps this is not the type of entertainment you should be witnessing. Are there other women you could join elsewhere?” It was the first thing Samos did since in their presence that Nevan agreed with, though he knew Samos’ reasons to be selfish. Samos feared losing money from bets if the men felt the need to leave to protect the small woman. Farana, however, kept up her pretense. “I thank you for your words, but I am fine.” The lights began dimming, a signal the next fight was about to start. Samos bared his teeth, a semblance of a grin that did nothing to hide his bloodlust. “My Lords, you are in for a fine fight!” The other males sat forward, near reverberating with excitement in their seats. Farana also looked forward, though she held herself so still Nevan feared she might shatter. Having nowhere else to look, Nevan’s gaze went toward the ring as well. As with every other fighter’s entrance, a thin mist of smoke covered the ground floor before the opposing cage doors opened with loud clanks and groans as the oldbut-effective gates rose to let in the fighters. And when the smoke cleared, a collective gasp came from the crowd. “Human!” “It’s a human!” “I’ve never seen one before!”

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Nevan was as shocked as any other being here, though long habit kept his face blank. While humans weren’t an extinct species, it was rare to see them outside one of their few existing strongholds. How the peddler came across one, he had no idea. Xenil spoke. “Is that truly a human?” “A female human?” added Jaron. Samos seemed very pleased with the shock the human’s entrance seemed to engender. “Yes, it is truly a female human. Rare and deadly, she is. She would not represent me in the BloodRing otherwise.” The human’s eyes traveled the crowd, and Nevan understood at once she was searching for Samos. She seemed to have knowledge of who the peddler would gravitate toward, her eyes starting with the highest boxes, the ones that held the spectators of wealth and power. After sighting the peddler, she studied the box’s other inhabitants. Farana gave a jump when the human’s gaze came upon her and quickly looked away. The human’s eyes met his. Tevarian females seldom looked their males in the eyes. The few females of other species he had met had been intimidated by his size and by his species’ ferociousness, and therefore were skittish around him. The human locked gazes with him, not looking away until whatever question she was searching for was answered—not intimidated, not hurried. Nevan’s throat felt thick as their gazes held, his breath impossible to get into his lungs. “Nevan?” The voice of Farana broke through the hold of the human’s eyes and Nevan turned his head to look at the female at his side, shocked to find he was standing partway up, not remembering moving at all. He cleared his throat. “I wished to get a better look at the human,” he said, sitting down.

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When he turned back to the ring, the human was no longer looking at the box. She instead was concentrating on her opponent, a Vasilun, creatures with six arms and understanding barely above bestial. Still, what they lacked in cunning they made up for in ferociousness, and rage welled inside Nevan at the knowledge the peddler was forcing a human to fight against this creature. Calls about final bets were now being heard and the crowd waved and screamed to get their bets in. Tehar laughed as he handed his money for the bet. “Samos, you are a most interesting showman, but I am not so dazzled as to bet on a human, especially against a Vasilun.” “My Lord, it is your money to lose,” said Samos, not at all ruffled at the very obvious disbelief on the faces before him. He turned to Nevan. “And you, my Lord, who shall you bet on?” Without taking his eyes from the BloodRing, Nevan answered, “Fifty thousand on the human.” The silence from his companions was shocked and absolute. While the amount was incredibly large, Nevan could lose it without blinking. No, the shock came from the fact Nevan had placed a wager, something he had never done. “A wise bet, my Lord,” said the peddler, his eyes slightly widened in hearing the sum. “You will be most gratified in the end.” There was no more time for words. The announcer declared betting over, and with that, the fight began. Both the human and the Vasilun were given spears to fight with. The Vasilun wasted no time, charging the human, who sidestepped the oncoming spear as well as the two hands that followed the first attack. The little human is fast.

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The human was surprising him. Yes, he had bet a large amount on her, but that was almost to defend her against those who were practically laughing at her while she was in the ring. He honestly did not think further than that, if she could win or not. However, seeing her in action, he thought he might be getting the last laugh. Beyond fast, the human was agile, both in body and mind. She made the split-second decisions of which way to go to avoid the spear jab that should have pierced her shoulder, and was able to read her opponent well enough that she knew exactly how the Vasilun was going to reach around a pillar on the ground, making it possible for the human to break two of its arms and lessen its advantage considerably. She also seemed aware of her own limitations, Nevan noticed. She refused to let herself be cornered, giving away an easy strike in favor of keeping herself free. Also, there was no prolonging this fight for show. The Vasilun had the edge in stamina, and the human’s actions told him she already knew her best hope of winning was to finish things quickly. To that end, barely a minute into the fight, the human used the spear to sweep the Vasilun off its feet. In the seconds the Vasilun took to right itself, she ran straight for it, using a large rock to launch herself into the air. It almost seemed as if she would fly past the Vasilun, but at the last moment she grabbed the creature’s head between her calves. While she was still in the air she used the spear in her hands to push back against a rock, changing her trajectory and causing her to flip backward with the Vasilun’s neck still trapped between her calves. The reversal made the Vasilun land first on the ground and at such an angle that Nevan could see bones breaking and hear the scream of the creature. She landed on top of it, able to right herself in barely a moment, no damage to herself whatsoever. Spear still in her hand, she pressed it to the Vasilun’s exposed neck. The crowd roared, wanting to see more blood. It should have ended in a killing stroke. Instead, the human backed away, her victory obvious even with the other creature still breathing.

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Nevan could see Samos’ eyes narrow in anger. She was supposed to kill her opponents, not leave them. Samos made more money that way. He had a feeling the little human did not do much of what Samos wished, and approval filled his chest with the thought. While there was the low-level grumble in the crowd about how quickly the fight ended, most of the conversation around them expressed the shock and amazement that the human managed to win. “Amazing, did you see that stroke?” “And how she changed direction mid-leap!” The chatter brought Samos back to himself, and he was suddenly all insincere charm again. “My Lords, I am honored you enjoyed my fighter.” “She was…” “A human! I can’t believe a human!” “When can we meet her?” asked Nevan, and everyone once again looked at him in shocked silence, little that Nevan cared. At that moment the only thing he cared about was seeing the human up close. Samos cleared his throat. “My Great Lord, I am afraid she is very dangerous, and I would not want to expose your party,” he said, gesturing to Farana. Farana obviously agreed with his words by the horrified look on her face. “Surely you can arrange it so that we would be safe.” Nevan would not back down. Everything in him was screaming to be close to the human, to make sure she truly was whole… To see if she would look him in the eyes again. If Nevan had been of any lesser rank, Samos would have turned him down. But Nevan was of a very high rank and insulting him was unwise, so the peddler summoned a servant to make the arrangements.

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Minutes later they were being led to the peddler’s chambers. All of them made the journey, including Farana, who was still clutching tightly to Nevan. The human stood in the middle of the room. A metal collar around her throat had thick chains attached, chains that led to her manacled arms. Thick metal cuffs around her ankles kept her stationary on the raised platform the peddler had brought in to properly display her. Her gaze immediately locked onto Nevan’s, and once again he felt his breath hold in his chest. Samos seemed more at ease now that they were all here and the human was well restrained. “Please, my Lords and Lady, do not get too close. Even chained, she is dangerous.” The human didn’t react to his words, didn’t move, merely kept looking straight at Nevan. She had the clearest blue eyes he had ever seen, a color that did not exist for a Tevarian. “Is she hard of hearing?” asked Jaron. “No, my Lord, she simply does not talk. She hasn’t for many years. From what I know of humans they are an inferior race, so I believe her intellect has eroded to a point where she has very little understanding.” “Does she have a name?” asked Nevan, needing to know. “Seena.” He wanted to say it aloud, wanted to see if she would react at the mention of her name from him, but he would not reveal himself, not that way, not in front of the peddler. Farana was holding onto him, as she had been all day. “Such a brute thing, no grace, no understanding. It would be kinder to put her down.”

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“Yes, well, my Lady has a kind heart to feel for her,” Samos said, and although his tone suggested complete agreement, Nevan knew he would rather put Farana down than lose his prize fighter. Xenil and Tehar circled the platform, examining the human in detail, pointing and commenting on various differences, wondering aloud on how such a delicate-looking creature could be a successful fighter. All the while, Seena looked at no one but Nevan. Nevan returned the look. In truth, he wanted to look nowhere else. With Farana hanging onto his arm and the voices of his family surrounding them, he wanted to take in every detail of her—the oval shape of her face, the wide blue eyes, the long, curly hair, a dark brown color that reminded him of the rich soil of his lands. He also noticed the scars, the first one on the side of her face, thin and so old it was visible only from a closer inspection, going from ear to chin. More scars as his gaze wandered down to her exposed arms. Nevan wondered how many were hidden by the clothes she wore. “Nevan, we promised your mother we would meet her for dinner,” said Farana, her tone indicating she wanted to be anywhere but here. Nevan wanted to shake her from his arm, wanted to banish them all and release Seena, to see what she would do. Let her fight him, because when he conquered her… He breathed deeply to steady himself, then realized it was a mistake as he took in her scent. Even that, even that, drove him, tightened him. Yes, they should leave, before he played his hand in front of the peddler. “Of course, Farana. It would not do to keep Mother waiting.” Turning to Samos, he asked, “When is her next fight?” “Not until tomorrow, my Lord.” Nevan nodded, turning and escorting Farana out, the other males following suit while chatting amongst themselves. She was safe until tomorrow. That meant he had time.

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Chapter Two They were sitting after dinner, the men still talking about the fights watched earlier in the day. Farana gave a small shudder. “I do not understand how you can find it so tempting to watch others battle, especially when the fighters are female,” she said, stressing this last word as if this was what truly bothered her, and not the blood or the brutality. “Most females can’t fight, but remember the human! I’ve never seen any other being fight like that, except maybe Nevan,” exclaimed Jaron, his eyes starting to light up as he got a chance to relive his favorite memory once again. “That was the most amazing fight—” “Jaron, please, no more talk of beings beating each other,” Nevan’s mother, Ze, interrupted. “You have talked of nothing else for most of the night.” Jaron grumbled, but stopped talking of it nonetheless. “It is his first time watching. The boy will of course be excited,” said Xenil. “Let him express himself.” As any well-bred Tevarian female would do, his mother acquiesced and the men were once again talking about the fights. Nevan wanted his mother to stop the talk. He wanted Farana to say she hated the fights and wanted to hear nothing of them again. The little human, he was sure, would not let such a thing go without commenting on it. Nevan wanted to hear her voice. He knew she could speak. He just needed to find the right words to make her trust him. As if his wanting was enough to bring his wishes about, Ramus appeared at the doorway and gave a slight nod, the prearranged signal all was in readiness. Yes, Nevan had plans, and they all revolved around the human.

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Nevan stood, the eyes of all his companions following him. “I believe I will retire, if you will excuse me.” “This is early for you. Are you tired of the company?” asked his father, his eyes narrowing in disapproval. Nevan could well read the undercurrents in that statement. His family was upset he had not yet declared his Intention toward Farana, making their future mating official. Since everyone except for himself and Jaron were leaving at first wake tomorrow, they had expected some proclamation to be made this night. “Not at all. I find that as I get older, some days I simply need more rest. I am here for vacation, after all. When I arrive home, you will find me well rested and ready to move forward.” There. In the same manner, he had made it obvious to his father what his plans were. Not tonight, but when he arrived home, he would declare himself to Farana. Between now and then, for the time he would spend on the Pleasure Satellite, he wanted to be free. His father took a moment, then nodded assent. “That sounds reasonable. You should enjoy yourself, it has been a long time since you have had the opportunity.” Nevan relaxed. His father would not make a scene or try to force an Intention, which meant he was free to move forward with his plans. “Nevan, perhaps you will be so kind as to escort me to my room first as I am also ready to retire,” said Farana, a hopeful light in her eyes as she rose. Nevan stifled a sigh. He could not refuse her, not with his parents here to gainsay him and the expectations of both their families hanging over his head. “Of course, Farana.” He held out his arm and she took it, shyly glancing down, a small smile on her face. As they walked the section of the Satellite that housed their apartments, Farana said, “I can ask Father if I may stay, Nevan, should you desire it.”

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No, he absolutely did not desire that. Just the thought gave him a jolt of panic, but he kept his voice even as he answered her. “The Pleasure Satellites are not a place a young woman should stay without her family.” “Well you… I mean, our families are so close, we are almost like family ourselves.” “It would not be appropriate. I am here to supervise Jaron, and while our families are close, we are not related.” “True, but there are other circumstances where it would be appropriate outside of being of the same House.” So she wanted the Intention before she left. He had not expected Farana to be so forward, but he could see her father’s hand in this discussion. Farana herself would not step over the line of propriety. “Really, Farana, such as?” He called her bluff, and just as he expected she quickly gave up, not able to go any further. “Never mind. Of course you are correct, Nevan. Though I will miss your company, you and Jaron should share adventures together. I will see you when you return.” Nevan saw her to her door. Once Farana was safely in her apartments, Nevan went to the underground. Nevan went to Seena. The human stared at him—hard eyes, predator eyes—as he came into view. Not a muscle twitched as she took in his entrance from the corner she was sitting in, she simply waited him out. He came over to the cage that housed her, standing directly in front. “Seena,” he said, as he had been wanting since he first heard her name, saying it while looking into her eyes. A flicker, maybe, but that was all she would give him. So strong, this little human. Such will. “My name is Nevan.” Still nothing from her.

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He smiled. She might have meant to intimidate him with that unblinking stare, to cause him to retreat, but she had no idea her actions were causing the exact opposite effect. “The silent treatment will not work on me, little human. Others might think you are nothing but a fighting machine, but no one unintelligent can fight like you. You may as well speak to me, because I am not leaving until you do.” Her gaze darted to the wall, to where one of the sensors monitoring her would be, and Nevan laughed. “They are taken care of. Samos has no idea I am here. As far as he is concerned you are resting as always after a fight.” A small muscle twitched in her face, a very telling sign from someone like her, someone who gave nothing away. She was debating his words, debating what to do about this unusual situation she found herself in. She stood then, so much a warrior in the fluid lines of her body, the graceful and deadly ease that accompanied that small movement. “If you are looking for a whore, I advise you to look elsewhere.” He nearly closed his eyes and shuddered at the sound of her voice. Some part of him knew exactly how she would sound, the rough timbre so different from the high pitches he was used to yet somehow the most erotically feminine sound he had ever come across. “Why is that?” “Since I will kill you if you touch me, Samos would then be forced to have me destroyed because your death could not be covered up. I make too much money at the games for him to lose me. Therefore, Samos will not want to sell me to you.” “And why, little human, do you think you can kill me?” he asked, ignoring the latter part of her statement. Her eyes answered him, though her voice did not. She saw him as spoiled and lazy, fed too many lies over the years by servants and those who wished to bask in his power, his money. Her boldness inflamed him. His hands trembled with the desire to bring her lush body close, to touch her in all ways, so much that he closed them tight so it would not 20

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become obvious to her. He had to remain in control. He had only one chance to convince her to accept his proposition. He could not fail. The little human would be his, and once she was… Once she was, nothing would stop him then.

He was Tevarian. Seena knew this immediately, though she had never seen one this close before. Their race was legendary, the tales of their battle strength epic. She was grateful she had never fought one in the ring, though a Tevarian fighter would be an impossibility. No true Tevarian could ever be kept caged. Tevarians, well, to her mind, she always thought of them like that old story she heard when she was a child, the story of the girl in the red cape and the wolf. Whenever she heard the story, in her mind the wolf was always in human form, but not human. Something more. Bigger, more powerful, quicker, stronger, animal skin and animal desires stretched thin over a humanoid shell. This being in front of her certainly fit that description. His eyes held all her attention as he spoke, just as they had from the first moment she had seen him from the ring. They were a black-green, and yet it was as if a light was directly behind each one, illuminating them in a way no human eyes could ever match. Seena had noticed him. She always looked toward the top tiers to see Samos, and the slimy little shit never disappointed her, always ingratiating himself with the most powerful to be found. This time, though, she felt something beyond her usual hatred of Samos as she stared at the box, her heart pounding faster as she noticed the Tevarian half rise from his seat. “If you truly believe you can kill me, then I have a proposition for you that you would be foolish to turn down,” the Tevarian said, his voice breaking into her musings.

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Seena hoped her body didn’t betray the surprise she felt at those words, the jerk that brought her so very aware. He could be an agent of Samos. It wouldn’t be the first time. Samos was always playing his little mind games on her. He could be, but it didn’t feel like that. If anything, Seena felt nothing but contempt coming from the Tevarian, as if the Rilion disgusted him as much as he disgusted her. Of course, if he truly felt that way, why was he at the games? “A proposition?” “A proposition,” he repeated, and then nothing, simply watching her, waiting for her to decide. She looked around, more out of habit than any true fear. She had already made her choice when she spoke her first words to him after all, revealing she could indeed speak. Seena did not quite understand why, just there was something about him that made her want to trust, to connect. So stupid a feeling, but there it was. She moved toward him, wanting to look as closely at him as the cage would allow. “What is this proposition?” “I buy you for the duration of these games, giving Samos enough that you will not have to fight while here.” Of course he would. She was no fool, had seen the way his eyes took over her while she was on display in Samos’ chambers. If they were meeting, both free, she would very openly return that interest, but—as this cage forcibly reminded her—she was not, and since she was not a whore she lied. “That hardly tempts me.” His lips lifted at the corners, and she was hard-pressed not to swallow. “I did not say I was finished. Once you are brought to me…we fight.” Now that truly confused her. He was looking over her because he wanted a warrior to test his skills on? Perhaps she did not understand his motivations as she thought. “Fight?”

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“Yes, fight. A sword in your hand and a sword in mine,” he answered, his voice that low rumble that should not sound so sexual when he was talking about bloodsport. A proposition, he said. Something for something. “And what would we be fighting for?” “You, little human, would be fighting for your freedom.” One thing for the Tevarian, he did not play with small stakes. Bloodsport or not, her interest was suddenly very high in this conversation, though she kept her voice even and her words measured. “Freedom? That is truly a great prize. What would you be fighting for to rival it?” “I’ll be fighting for the right to fuck you.” His eyes were on her, holding fast as if they were a physical force. She could not look away, could barely breathe, as desire swept through her, making her knees weak, making her feel as if she would fall. “I am not…” “No, you are not a whore.” So slowly, he put his hand through the cage bars. She could have stepped back at any time, but she did not, and his hand landed on her, his fingers around her neck, the thumb pressing against the pulse point at the base of her throat. Warm hands, strong and calloused, promising everything if she would just give in. “Let me speak plainly, little human. After the celebration, I will be returning to my lands. At that time, I will announce that I will take a woman as a mate, a woman who I feel nothing for, not love, not lust, nothing. Bedding her will be nothing except duty, but out of honor, once I mate her I will never betray her.” His hand traveled slowly up, skimming her throat until his thumb caressed her bottom lip. “Your eyes met mine before your fight, and I became hard. During the fight I felt pride in your strength, and after you had won…” His eyes narrowed as they focused on her mouth and his thumb pulled her lower lip down, surrounding itself with the moisture of her mouth. “Afterward, if I could have gotten you away from that bastard, you would have been mine.”

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Seena stepped back. She had to get away from his touch, the physical touch of his hand as well as the caress of his voice. She had to regain some footing to continue this conversation without giving him everything before even the chance of gaining anything. “How does this concern your proposition?” He dropped his arm and brought it back to his side but did not step back. “I want you, but I want you as a willing participant, not in my bed because of force. Maybe I am blinded by my attraction to you, but when I look at you I see character and I see honor. I believe if we make a bargain you will stick to it, as I would.” “Then tell me this bargain in detail, before I answer.” He nodded, as if he expected nothing less. “I will buy you from Samos for the duration of the celebration and we will fight. If you win, I will have a shuttle ready to take you to the nearest station and will give you more than enough money to make it back to your world. I will tell Samos that you escaped me, and as I wish to avoid embarrassment, I will buy you from him, and the story shall be that you earned enough that you bought your own freedom.” Seena shook her head. “You don’t know how much I make for him…” “It does not matter, Seena. I can buy you a hundred times over without even thinking of it. Believe me, between my money and my power, Samos will not deny me.” Seena believed him—she could not doubt the truth to his words, not while he was standing before her, his power so palpable she felt it along her nerve endings. “If I lose…?” Seena almost thought he was going to tear through the cage at her words, which had come out low, breathy, though she did not mean them to. His entire focus was on her mouth, his entire body rigid as if keeping himself in check. “If you lose, for the duration of the celebration, you belong to me. You will act as if you are there of your own will, as if you want to be there. Nothing will be forbidden between us. That is what I require.”

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She trusted him. There was no reason to, she only knew of him since this day, but something told her to trust him, that same voice that guided her during the fights, that had kept her alive all this time. Which meant if she agreed, there would either be freedom… Or an interlude in his bed. And while she wanted the freedom, craved it, would fight hard for that freedom, being in his bed would not be a hardship at all. It was either that or spend the celebration in fight after fight, seeing and feeling and hearing nothing but the crowds, and blood, and Samos’ punishments when she displeased him. When put like that… “I agree to your bargain.” Nevan studied her face for several long moments, almost as if he expected her to take back her words after they left her mouth. When she did not, he nodded. He turned to leave, then, pausing, turned back to her. “Do not mistake me, little human. I am not noble. This is not a ruse to free you. The only thing I want is you underneath me, willing and wild. Do you understand?” At that, Seena smiled.

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Chapter Three Samos was scampering around, pouring him a drink and giving ridiculous compliments, but Nevan heard none of it. His mind kept coming back to the sight of the smile on Seena’s face. He was only tolerating Samos now because the slimy Rilion was the key to Seena. “So, my Lord,” said Samos, and Nevan realized the toady was finally coming to the point of this visit. “What may I do for you?” “I wish to purchase your fighter, Seena, for the duration of the games.” Samos went stock-still, nervous sweat starting to form along his bald scalp. “That is not possible, my Lord. Seena is not for purchase. However, any of my other fighters would be well worth your time.” So, the woman was right about Samos’ reaction. “Why not the human?” “She is…untamed, my Lord. She does not submit. It makes her a sublime fighter, but for the pursuits in the bedchamber…” Samos waved his hand, an invitation for Nevan to see how unsuitable Seena would be as a companion. Fool, thought Nevan. Truly a fool if he could not see what Seena would be in the bedchamber. Those thoughts were consuming him. Then again, he was grateful the peddler was blind in this regard toward Seena. He wanted Seena only for himself, and was glad to know there were not others who had this conversation with Samos before him. Nevan stared at the peddler, so long and so concentrated Samos began to shake slightly. “Name your price, and I will take full responsibility, but I want the human.” There was no diplomacy, no negotiation in his voice. It was a voice that demanded full submission or the consequences would be terrible.

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Samos knew it as well, though Nevan could tell he was desperately trying to find some way around it. In the end, Samos named a price that was probably five times what he would have asked for any other of his fighters, and promised to bring the female after breakfast.

***** Seena swallowed hard, looking around the very well-appointed rooms. She knew Nevan was powerful because of what he had accomplished already, but these rooms made it very clear. He was powerful, he was important, and her life was nothing next to his. These rooms and those subsequent feelings didn’t scare her. In fact, they left her with the opposite feeling. If she won, she had no doubt she would be free. She had no doubt he would be able to do all he said. Free. Freedom. Her palms started to sweat at the thought, and she rubbed them on the fabric on her legs to try to control herself. One step at a time. First, she had to win this fight. The manservant, Ramus, brought in her breakfast. He was brusque in manner, but not unkind, simply preferring brevity and complete dedication to his master’s wishes. She had no problem with him. “I have been instructed to tell you the following. Lord Nevan will be gone until this afternoon. You are to eat and rest as you choose until that time. When he returns, your fight will commence, and then afterward the winner’s terms will go into effect.” Seena wondered at the male’s dedication. Samos’ servants could all be bought relatively quickly, threats against them notwithstanding. It said much about Nevan that he inspired loyalty like this. “Thank you.” Ramus nodded, then left her.

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She did exactly as told. She ate well and she rested, wanting to be at her best for this fight. Still, she could feel the nervous anticipation building, something that had not happened to her for so very long. Then it was time. Ramus brought her to a large sparring hall, weapons out and at the ready. Nevan was already there, leaning against a wall, watching her as she came in. Ramus gave a small bow and left them alone. The nerves were making it near impossible to speak. Trying to inject some calm into her chaotic thoughts, she went to examine the swords. They were beautiful weapons, wonderfully balanced but not sharpened. They could still do damage if used correctly, but it would take a lot of work to kill someone. Nevan’s voice broke through her thoughts. “This is not a killing match. They will do nicely to determine the winner.” She nodded. “Yes, very nice.” She swallowed, looking at him, not letting her gaze falter from his. “What is the winning condition?” “The first one on the end of a killing stroke loses.” Yes, that seemed right. She worked both swords, felt them in her hands, and chose her weapon. “This is mine.” He nodded, not gainsaying her decision, and removed his shirt before coming over to take the sword she had not chosen. His body completely fulfilled her expectations of him. Thick and wonderfully muscled, a warrior’s grace and deadly precision evident in his movement. A thin layer of hair coated his chest, as black as the hair on his head, narrowing to a thin line that trailed down his stomach and disappeared beneath his trousers. “Are you ready to fulfill your part of the bargain when you lose, Seena?”

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“I would never make a bargain I did not intend to honor, but I will not lose.” She motioned to the shirt carelessly discarded in the corner. “Do you often fight without any armor?” He smiled at her, his eyes moving to the pulse point in her throat. “I will not deny myself any advantage I might wield. It was not part of the bargain.” “Do not expect me to follow your lead, Tevarian.” “It would not be an advantage for you, little human. Letting me look at your body will only remind me why I will win this match.” “Oh really?” she asked, her arm warming up, moving the sword in strong arcs around her. “Do you truly believe you can win against a BloodRing fighter? Tevarian or not, I fight for my life every day. For freedom, I will fight twice as hard.” “Keep speaking, little human. Your voice alone makes my dick ache. Hearing you now makes me long for the moment I will make you scream.” Seena stopped talking to him then, stopped engaging him. She could not risk it any further. His words did something to her, caused a pressure that fighting never put in her. Her focus needed to be on winning, on freedom. She would beat him. She moved to the middle of the hall and stood at the ready. “When you charge, that is when we begin.” He smiled. And then he leapt. His movement shocked her, how quickly he seemed to go from across the hall to almost in front of her. She could no longer afford to think. She needed to shut off her rational mind and simply react to him. Their swords met. He was strong, but not so strong that she had never met his match in the ring. Usually when they were strong they were also slow, but unfortunately for her she realized this was not true with him.

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When he blocked her sword her leg shot out to hit his knee, but he read the movements and blocked that attack as well. This was when she knew she was in trouble. He was strong, agile, fast and possessed that rarest quality, the one that made him dangerous. He had a sixth sense in reading his opponents. She shook the hesitation away from her, banished the negative thoughts. He was a worthy foe, but she ruled the BloodRing and she would not lose, not the most important battle of her life. Sword met sword. He was able to maneuver around her, grab her from behind, but she brought her leg straight up and back, did a split while standing to hit his face with her shin. The pain and surprise caused him to loosen enough that she got away, but her sword stroke was parried. They were near equals, each looking for the opening that would give them the splitsecond advantage that would win this battle. Then he found it. He grabbed her arm as she tried to disarm him, blocking her sword. She tried to use this to her advantage to sweep his legs, but he had caught on and instead used her imbalance against her, causing her to fall. Before she could lift her head, his sword was at her throat, an eerie re-creation of her own battle the day before. His eyes locked onto hers, the lighted green blazing as he stared down. “Is this a killing stroke, Seena?” he demanded. Frantically, she tried to think of some way to deny it, some way to let this fight, her hope of freedom, continue. “Is it?” His voice was louder, strained, something barely held back behind it. A conqueror stood above her, his chest rising in sharp pulses, sweat wrapped around every muscle. She swallowed, taking in his form, his strength, this male who had bested the ruler of the BloodRing. She was now his.

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Tilting her head back, offering her submission as his due, she whispered, “Yes.” With the swing of his arm Nevan threw the sword so hard it clattered against the far wall. In a quick move he lay over her, his hands wrapping themselves in her hair as his lips covered hers, his tongue opening her to his invasion. There was nothing gentle in his possession. His nails scraped against her scalp, the occasional pull of her hair a pain that was tempered by the pleasure of the feel of his tongue in her mouth. The heat of his body soaked into her, igniting in her an answering blaze. Every pull on her tongue caused a pulsing lower in her body, a riot of sensation skidding along her nerves. She brought arms and legs around him, her nails scratching down his back. He growled, possessed, desperate. He reared up, his hands leaving her hair to rest on her top, ripping apart the material in a violent motion and baring her breasts to his eyes. His mouth latched onto a nipple, his rough tongue licking the rosy peak, sucking it into his mouth until it was a hard nub, sucking even harder when a groan erupted from her mouth. “Nevan, someone will come,” Seena said, even as her hips bucked upward underneath him. “I’ll kill them if they do,” he said, the dark tone of his voice leaving no doubt to the truth of his words. Her vocalizations were driving him. With his mouth on her breasts, his hands started to move on her torso, over her ribs, down her stomach, his touch hard enough not to tickle, gentle enough not to hurt. Whenever his calloused fingers caused her to gasp, teeth and tongue and lips moved to explore the area, provoking more pleasurable sounds to fall from her lips. He had no patience, his hands already on her legs, pulling the rough material from her lower body, dragging it across her sensitized skin. She had no time to think, no time to suggest or reciprocate. All Seena could do was burrow her hands into the silky strands of his hair as he spread her legs and pressed his mouth hard against her. 31

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He seemed determined to make her come in as short a time as possible. That wicked tongue fluttered against her clit, gentle, then harder, soft lips and an occasional scrape of fang making it impossible for her to brace herself against the sensations. Two long, agile fingers pushed into her and her body, so wet, so needy, clamped around him. His arm across her abdomen was a steel band, holding her body still for his use. She lay there helpless, unable to do anything but feel that pulsating tension in her body spin tighter as he mastered her, his tongue lapping at her, his fingers stroking inside her, until the tension broke and the pleasure raced through her body. She lay there, stunned, panting. It was a foreign sensation, this heat racing through her. The trembling of her limbs was unheard of for the BloodRing warrior who faced death daily. Before her thoughts could right themselves, she felt the stroke of something hot and solid against her entrance, coating itself in the wetness her body had released with her climax. She opened her eyes and saw Nevan on his knees in front of her, one hand stroking her thigh. He had freed his cock from his trousers, and she saw how hard he was, how ready to fill her, to fuck her. “Nevan…” A flash of fang appeared as he smiled, but he didn’t push inside her. Instead, he straightened his body, kneeling in front of her, pulling her pussy into the v of his legs, wrapping her legs over his hips, placing his hands underneath her ass so he could maneuver her however he wanted. Above her like this, he was a warrior god, hot and hard, demanding complete submission. When he spoke, his voice was a guttural claim. “The very first moment I saw you, I imagined you like this.” “Take me.” For one moment his body froze, his gaze locked with hers, but only a moment. He tilted his head back and howled, the rough sound abrasive over her sensitized skin,

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creating goose bumps on her flesh. His hands tightening on her skin hard enough to leave marks, he pushed inside her. She gasped at the invasion, her walls gripping tight as his cock stretched her. Looking at his face, she saw his teeth clench together. There was no hesitancy, no softness to his claiming. He demanded she follow wherever he led, rapid movements that caused his large cock to rub against that pleasure spot inside her. Her body seemed to forget it had just come not minutes ago. Every stroke of his cock had her responding at a hurried pace, her body racing to experience that pleasure again. She tightened her legs around his hips, urging him to go even faster, a wish he granted. He rode her hard, sweat from his exertions gleaming on his chest. She twisted her hips, trying to take him deeper, and he answered with a growl, clamping down hard with his hands, forcing her body to still. He had complete mastery of her, a mastery she welcomed as the tiny tremors low in her belly started, signaling her impending climax. She came then, pulsating around his cock. As though he had been waiting for her, his back arched and he came, his movements jerky with his orgasm. A low roar and the fact he collapsed over her told her he was finished. They lay together, breathing hard. Seena wrapped her arms and legs around him, savoring the feel of sleek skin and hard muscle at her disposal. “So you were eager?” she asked, a teasing note in her voice. She bit his shoulder, tasting the salty tang of his sweat-soaked skin, just as she had been wanting to since their fight. He still wore his trousers, the fabric cool against the heated skin of her calves. He huffed, breathing too hard to give a full laugh. “Did I remind you of a boy who just finished Initiation?”

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“I wouldn’t go quite that far,” she replied, her face warming as she remembered the obvious skill, not something a boy would have for his first time. He leaned up on his forearms above her. “If I had my way, I would have done that as soon as your eyes met mine.” “In front of the crowd?” At her question he laughed, and she joined him. “No,” he said, after the laughter stopped. “No. I am not one who shares.” She nodded and Nevan realized what she was thinking. “This is only you and I, Seena. No one else is invited.” “No, no one else.” She gave him a smile then. “After all, I only promised not to kill you if you won.” He pulled out and quickly pushed back inside her, causing her to gasp. Though she didn’t realize it before, she now noticed he had never lost his size. “Nevan…” “I am showing my gratitude for not killing me,” he answered, his hips giving small rocking motions against her. His mouth traveled down to start playing with one nipple again. “Nevan…” Seena was not sure what she was going to say, but whatever it may have been was lost in the sensations that quickly followed the renewed movements of his body. The rocking motion was killing her, giving her enough to recharge her interest, but not enough to start going down the path of another orgasm. Nevan was aware of this. She felt his smile, even though he would not stop sucking on her breast. She unwrapped her legs from his hips and instead brought her knees up and spread her legs apart, causing him to go deeper, bringing her some relief, but not near enough. “Please, I need more, Nevan, please.” The plea fell from her lips. Her hands fisted in his dark hair, trying to move him, trying to do anything that would cause him to give her relief.

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He lifted his head but kept up with those same not-quite-deep-enough movements. “I would have thought you would have learned patience by now, little human.” “No, no patience,” she answered, trying to move, but once again she was held down by his far superior strength. “Perhaps I wish to wait a while, conserve my strength.” How could he have gone from such a frantic lover to this? She needed anything to get him to move faster. “I thought about you, after you came to me.” Her words jolted him. He paused momentarily, and when he started again, his movements were slightly deeper. “What were you thinking?” “I fantasized about you. You made me wet, something no one has been able to do for a very long time. I wanted to keep thinking about you.” His voice was harsh in her ear. “Tell me.” “I thought about you coming back to the cage. You told me you needed to make sure the deal would be worth the money you were spending. You told me it was up to me to convince you.” He pinched her nipple with those rough fingers, causing her back to arch. “How did you convince me?” “I fell to my knees before you and opened my mouth. You seemed to know what I wanted, because you pulled out your cock and pressed yourself through the bars. You were so big, it took me a few moments to get used to your size, to figure out how much I could fit into my mouth before it became too much.” His eyes focused on her mouth, their glow intensifying. “Did you like having me in your mouth?” A long stroke had her toes curling in pleasure. “Oh yes,” she said. “I could suck you all day.” His hands gripped her hips hard, his strokes coming faster. “Did I like it?” he asked, his voice rough.

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“Your breathing. I knew from your breathing, your groans, that I was doing something right. You said you liked what I was showing you, but you needed something more.” Nevan’s breathing was audible now, the movement of his hips hard and determined, the teasing done. “Finish your story. What did you do then?” “Ah, I-I pulled off my pants and leaned over, letting you see how wet I was. I then positioned myself in the cage so that I could get your cock into my pussy, and I pushed back, letting you fill me. You said…you said it was tight, just as you like it.” “So fucking tight,” he grated, the muscles in that delicious body flexing with his every thrust. “Perfect. I could fuck you forever.” “I said you couldn’t come in me, because the deal hadn’t been finalized yet, but if you were very good and made sure I came first, I’d let you come on my breasts…” That broke him, and he reared up again, pulling her legs as far apart as they could go, moving in her with all his strength. After all the teasing leading up to this, it was only moments before she came again, and this time when his release came, he pulled out, positioning his cock above her and coming in long strands all over her chest. Seena, near boneless after all her orgasms, languidly brought her hand up and played with the come on her chest, spreading it over her nipple. Nevan laughed, a choked sound from above her. “Have mercy on me and let me recover before you do that.” “Mercy wasn’t part of our deal.”

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Chapter Four Nevan took in the sight of Seena sitting across from him on the floor in his apartment beside his bed, relaxed and enjoying herself, wearing only one of his shirts and sampling several foods from their impromptu picnic. He was leaning back on his elbows, taking her all in. After he had come over her breasts—how he loved her story—he had taken her to the baths to get cleaned up. There he showed her exactly how long his race could hold their breaths underwater, which led to two more orgasms for her. Hearing her stomach rumble afterward, he decided to feed her before burying himself inside her again. The edge should have been blunted, but his hunger felt sharper, now that he knew exactly how she tasted on his tongue. He wanted it again, immediately. If she opened her legs to him, he would be inside her before an invitation left her lips. Some of this could be explained by her being here. All he could think, the whole long morning that led to their fight, was of that small, persistent what if? What if she truly bested him in this fight? No being had won against him since he was young, but his little human, she was not one to be thought of lightly. She was a superb warrior, with a mind that saw tactics about ten steps ahead and adjusted accordingly. She would be fearsome as a general. She gave him a truly good fight, something he had not experienced in a long time. While she was still not quite in his league, he still had to be present within the fight, could not let his mind wander, or she would have taken the advantage and bested him. Of course, some moments had been difficult. Those moments when it struck him how beautiful she was, how powerful, how good she would feel.

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The rise of her chest as she evened her breath out to prepare for her attack. The line of her throat as she sent him a cold stare. The way the muscles bunched in her legs as she crouched, preparing to pounce. Or now, the occasional small moan that left her throat when she tasted something she particularly liked. The woman seemed to be created for the sole purpose of making him think of sex. “Are you enjoying the food?” Seena smiled while still chewing, rolling her eyes to show her slight embarrassment. “I don’t often eat this well. Food I eat is meant to keep me strong, not to appeal to my taste buds.” “How long have you been a fighter?” “Most of my life. I don’t remember much before Samos. Only a few glimpses here and there.” His voice was gentle. “Did he kidnap you?” Nevan studied Seena, but her face was placid. She had obviously made peace with her past long ago. “I truly don’t know. I don’t remember enough to know either way, but the few memories I have about my past, I think I was always alone. Samos found me at the right time and got a good deal.” “But a human fighter…” She laughed, knowing what he was thinking though he did not want to voice aloud those thoughts. “It is ridiculous, isn’t it? Humans are not known for being among the strongest of races.” “Then why did he train you as such?” “I’ve never asked. I was always tall, always strong—for a human at least. I also was not very attractive when I was younger.” “That I don’t believe,” Nevan said, once again looking over her body. His words made her smile. “Thank you. I only know what I was told, and I was always told about how I was lacking. I think in the early days Samos did not know

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what to do with me, but I was rare enough a commodity that he was not going to discard me until he had exhausted all possibilities. I think teaching me to fight was just something to do. I think it shocked him to see how well I did.” She picked up another piece of food, biting into it, causing some juice to run down her face. She brought up her hand to stop it from dripping off her chin, but Nevan used his mouth instead, his tongue taking in the taste of both the fruit and the woman. That urge to bring her down and fill her returned, but outside a small nip to her chin, he let her be, resuming his place on the floor. “So what happened after Samos finally realized he had an attractive human female amongst his fighters?” “Perhaps you are the only one who finds me attractive.” Nevan’s eyes travelled the length of her body. “All I know, little human, is I cannot imagine any male seeing you and not wanting inside your body.” “All I know, Tevarian, is that while there has been some interest in me over the years, no one has ever been as blunt about it as you.” “Even better. I don’t let anyone near what is mine.” “Since when am I yours?” “As long as you are in my bed, Seena, you are mine.” Her gaze skittered away at that, but he was very satisfied when she did not gainsay his words. He continued, “Not that I am not pleased about it, but how did you keep from becoming a whore for Samos?” “I refused. I was in the fights. Samos already had my blood. I was not going to let him control my body as well. Not that he has ever stopped trying to change my mind, but as long as I make him a tidy profit in the fights and the occasional show where everyone can gawk at the human, he does not press it.” Nevan debated his next question. He did not wish to seem cruel, but he was genuinely interested in her and wanted to know more. Trusting she would let him

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know if he upset her, he asked, “So if you had won your freedom, where would you have gone?” She shrugged, his question obviously not upsetting her in the slightest. “There are only a few places that are human strongholds. I always hoped that if I made it there, someone might know something about me. I’d like to know because I am a curious person, and I like knowing things. But…if no one did, if I never found out about my past, it would be fine as well.” Nevan believed her, her face and her voice were too open for him not to. However, if it were him, not knowing would drive him crazy. Amongst his people, bloodlines were everything. He shied away from that thinking, because going down that road brought him around to Farana and what awaited him after this interlude. He did not want to think of that, not while Seena was in front of him, not while he had won their bargain and her delectable body was his to do with as he wished. “You are not a virgin,” he said, and her gaze shot to his, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. That sight made him want to spread her out before him, a feast like this picnic, and see exactly how many areas on her body he could make that exact shade. Seena dropped her eyes, her hands picking at the food before her. “I was sent to the Great Center to be trained.” He may have been hard before, but her words caused his cock to jump, making him feel like he could break through the fabric of his pants. The Great Center was where the most sensual of arts was taught—the beings that went there were highly sought after. The fact his little human had learned from them… “How?” The word came out a croak, and Nevan decided not to speak anymore. There was not enough blood above his waist to make doing things like crafting sentences possible anyway.

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Her cheeks were still pink, but Seena seemed to catch on to how that bit of news affected him. Her eyes came back to his, such a beautiful blue, and a small, knowing smile graced her mouth. She sat up, adjusting her legs, bending them in front of her, so that while his shirt still covered her it only did so barely, and the very occasional movement caused the shirt to flutter enough to give a quick glimpse of the shadow between her thighs. “I had just finished my Initiation rites,” she began. “I had already shown myself to be a fighter but Samos knew he had a goldmine, one of the few humans around. He informed me he had made a special request, used a lot of favors to get me placed.” Seena brought a cup to her lips, tilted her head and slowly swallowed the liquid. A drop clung to her lips when she drew the cup away, and she brought her tongue out to subdue the errant drop. Nevan had a decision. He could let her finish her story, or he could bring that mouth down and have her fasten it around his cock. It quite suddenly seemed like the cruelest, most difficult decision he had ever been forced to make. Seena continued on, “As I said, I knew I would never let him use me like that, but I had heard about the Great Center and I wanted that. For this short time in my life, I wanted to forget about fighting and be able to experience nothing but pleasure.” “So you didn’t argue.” She nodded. “So I didn’t argue. I arrived, and was greeted by the most beautiful creature. Every being that enters the Great Center has a guide. Mine was Harine. She was beautiful, white hair and the softest skin I have ever known, a Colvid. Have you ever heard the stories about what they can do with their tongues? I assure you it’s all true.” Nevan’s hands clawed themselves in the ground as he desperately tried to force himself to stay still, to not get up and use his tongue on her until she forgot all about the Colvid.

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“Shall I tell you of my first time, Nevan? Would you like to hear the story of how I lost my virginity?” He nodded, jerky motions of his head. She licked her lips and let her hand start to wander down the front of her shirt, teasing motions that never quite showed him what he wanted. “It was a male Colvid,” she started, and her smile widened at his involuntary indrawn breath. “So you have heard the stories? Well I can tell you, yes, they are true as well. They really do have two penises, the top one being slightly larger, slightly longer, than the bottom.” “You see, they discovered something about me.” Seena stretched out so that now she was on her stomach, lying perpendicular to him. Her hand reached behind her, landing on her ass, where she started to make slow circles. She stayed in profile, leaving him unable to see anything in detail. “I am very sensitive…here. A lover playing with their tongue, their fingers, well, the sensation is different, but it feels as good to me as someone eating me out.” “Don’t move,” he snarled, and Seena immediately stopped. With her beautiful blue eyes on him he stood, dropping his pants, enjoying the way her lush mouth opened and breathing roughened as she stared at his cock. He felt her gaze following him as he walked to a nearby drawer, removing a vial. He watched her swallow as realization struck. He walked to her then kneeled behind her. “Continue your story,” he ordered, lifting the shirt that only half covered her ass, baring her to him completely. Leaving the oil for a moment, he started to knead the pale globes, his fingers digging in, massaging her. A purr reached his ears, her hips canting up, encouraging his attentions. He leaned down and nipped her, a hint of teeth that made her gasp. “Your story,” he repeated, giving another nip, then using his tongue to soothe the area, the plump flesh warm and giving under his tongue. 42

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By the gods, how he loved her stories.

As much as she enjoyed his teeth, Seena had a feeling her Tevarian was impatient to hear her story. “The Colvid, he used his tongue on me to great effect. He spread me wide, Nevan. He spread me and used his tongue to work me. He used it in my pussy first, getting me wet, making me come. Then he flipped me over and put me on my knees. He wanted at my ass…” She gasped as Nevan did the same, putting her on her knees in front of him and using his thumbs to expose that little pucker. “What did he do then, Seena?” “He was slow, he took his time. He licked me until my toes curled and I was begging him to continue.” Nevan used his tongue in a long, flat swipe, making her pussy feel suddenly drenched. He didn’t stop there. Just as he did with her clit not long ago, he kept varying the pressure, the angle, all designed to drive her very noisily insane. When it seemed he would happily do that to her the rest of the night, she decided to spur him on. “He then used his fingers on me. He said he was going to get me ready, that I would be so ready I would take all of his dick and beg for more.” And when Seena felt the oil dribble down between her ass cheeks to that little pucker, she almost wept with relief. He made sure she was well lubed, sliding into her with only one finger at first, waiting until she was making a sound that was something between a cry and a growl before adding the next one. She tried to spread her legs wider, tried to push back to make him go farther, but he took his time, readying her with single-minded determination, his fingers hitting every nerve ending she seemed to possess. More oil, more stretching, and finally he came up on his knees, rubbing his cock in that valley, not going where she wanted him. “What then, Seena?”

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She tried to bring her mind back to the story, knowing he somehow had the strength to deny her if she didn’t continue. “When he decided I was ready, he flipped me over so I was on my back again, lying before him on a bed. He grabbed my ankles and put them on his shoulders. He…he lined up. One cock in my pussy, one cock in my ass…ooohhhh.” Slowly, Nevan pushed himself inside her ass, stopping at various points when he felt resistance, pushing again once that resistance disappeared. “Like this, Seena? Did he do it like this?” “Yes, just like that,” she agreed, her mouth open and panting, barely able to form words. Several slow thrusts, getting her used to him, reacquainting her body with the pleasure it felt from this act. “Seena, what did he do then?” “It hurt when he first entered, but it was a good pain, nothing like what happened in the ring. When he pulled out his cock it was covered with a light sheen of blood. HHe said I would never forget who drew this blood.” Nevan pulled her hips higher and used his hand to push her chest lower to the ground, making it easier for him to go deeper. She felt his sweat as it fell from his chest onto her back, marking her as surely as his cock was. “He was slow at first, but he seemed to know exactly when the pain ended, exactly when I wanted it harder. I didn’t have to even ask, his cocks just seemed to start sinking deeper in me.” Just as Nevan was doing to her now. “Seena, bring your fingers to your clit. Stroke yourself.” Yes, she wanted to do that. Her hand practically jumped at his words, circling hard as Nevan continued to pound into her from the back.

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“I didn’t touch myself that time. He took over. My clit was so swollen it was sticking out, and he used his thumb to circle me. I remember my legs tensing and I was worried I might hurt him, but I couldn’t make them relax.” Nevan was pushing himself hard into her, and she loved it, wanted him to continue like that. “He told me that I better be a good girl and come before he did, or next time he would stick both his dicks in my ass.” That finished Nevan off, and he was pounding her, making her nearly howl at the sensations. Within a half-dozen strokes he was coming inside her, and pushing aside her hand, used his hand to bring her to her own climax. He fell on top of her, not even having the strength to pull out, his breaths rough in her ear. Seena didn’t mind, she liked the feeling of him inside her, liked the feeling of the come leaking out between their bodies. They were both covered in sweat, the shirt she still wore sticking to her body. She felt his tongue come out to swipe the length of her neck. “Your stories are dangerous.” “Do you think so?” she teased. “Oh yes. They make me want to do things to you.” “I believe you just were doing things to me.” She heard his smile. “Oh yes, and I already want to do more, and you being sore is not keeping me away like it should. She rotated her hips, listening as he sucked in a breath as her movement increased his already not-so-subtle interest. “Maybe I like sore.” “Seena, take care. Right now, I can take you from sore to not being able to sit.” She bit her lip. “I guess you don’t mean that in a good way.” A bark of laughter. “No, that time, not in a good way.” Seena would have none of it. Yes, he had a point, but there were always other avenues that could be explored. She grabbed his hand that was currently resting by her head and brought it to her mouth, sucking one finger inside. His breathing told her she 45

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had made a good decision. “Nevan,” she said, deliberately lowering her voice, “maybe you can’t use my ass for a while. My mouth and my pussy, though, are perfectly fine. He pulled out of her, fast enough to make her eyes squint in a small bit of shocked pain. He didn’t seem to notice. Nearly running, he cleaned himself off in quick but thorough movements, then came back and grabbed her, tearing off her shirt before picking her up from the ground and throwing her down on the bed. As he grabbed her ankles, she realized what he was doing, and his strained smile confirmed it. “I might not have two dicks, but I promise you I’ll make you come harder than he ever did.” “You’re bigger than him,” she said, trying to grab him and force him inside. “You fill me, he never did.” Nevan didn’t respond, but using leverage, he forced her legs farther apart, making it impossible for her to maneuver much. Once she was effectively trapped, only then did he push inside her. He didn’t let her ankles rest on his shoulders, keeping them in his hands instead, using them to move her in whatever direction he chose. She had come so hard and so often she couldn’t believe she was still capable of it, but already she felt the first stirrings of sensation. His dick seemed to hit every nerve ending she had, but it was looking at his face—fierce, beautiful, snarling as he rode her—that was what really put her over the edge, and suddenly her inner walls clamped hard on him, making him throw his head back and fuck her harder, fuck her until she was screaming and he came inside her again, marking her so completely that nothing, not even that first time, could ever match it.

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Chapter Five Jaron requested his presence. There was nothing in Nevan that wanted to leave Seena for even a moment that he had with her. However, since he was there nominally as a guardian/life guide for his brother after his Initiation, he could see no way in gracefully bowing out. That didn’t mean he wasn’t late to their arranged meeting, having been unable to leave without taking Seena once again, her wicked voice in his ear urging him to go faster. They were in the gaming hall, his brother enjoying the chance to spend some money and talk to the pretty females, both those employed by the Pleasure Satellite and those who were fellow guests. Jaron smiled as he won at cards. “Tell me, Nevan. Is it better if I lose money tonight or I win? Which will cause me to stay on the right path and not fall to temptation?” Nevan shook his head, a fond smile on his lips. His brother was having a good time, but he also was pragmatic and very intelligent. Nevan had no fear that Jaron would ever become like some of those beings around them, those that were slaves to games and the other services the Pleasure Satellites provided. “Considering how much I’ve lent you, it’s better for me if you win. I would like to be repaid.” Jaron laughed, and was dealt another hand. They gambled more, drank more, and in general had a good night. However, Nevan noticed Jaron became jumpier as the night wore on. He had a good idea what was going on in his younger brother’s mind, and when a natural lull came between events he escorted Jaron to the relative privacy of one of the outer decks.

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“So what is on your mind, little brother?” A quick nervous laugh escaped Jaron. “Am I that transparent?” “No, I simply know you.” Nevan looked out toward the large window that had a stunning view of a nearby planet. He wished Seena were here, knowing she would love this. He had not thought to bring her out. After considering it for a moment, though, he decided against it. There would be too much interest in her, too many beings vying for attention. He wanted her only for himself for as long as he could have her. Jaron tilted his head back and drained his cup, then began speaking quickly as if he had to get out the words before losing his nerve. “I want to be with a female tonight.” Nevan did not look at his brother, knowing Jaron would be more embarrassed if they had this conversation face-to-face. He kept his gaze on the stars. “Do you have one picked out?” “I have an appointment,” Jaron stated. Nevan could almost hear the blush coming over his brother’s face. “I don’t know what to do.” “That’s why they are here, they will teach you.” “Please, Nevan, give me some pointers. I don’t want to feel like I know so little they are laughing at me.” Nevan nodded, understanding that feeling. He was once exactly in this position. “This is what I would do. I would be honest, letting her know this is my first. I would ask her to show me how to please her. And I would make sure she came first, even if it took me all night to figure out how to do that. There is nothing more powerful than making a woman come. Watching her face flush, hearing her cry as her body takes over her mind—it is the most beautiful sight in existence. Males who do not concern themselves with such things and look only toward their own pleasure are nothing but fools.” “Really?”

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“Yes,” Nevan answered, thinking of Seena, the beautiful blush that often suffused that pale skin. “You will never feel stronger or more male than in the moments when the woman you are with comes. You will never feel more powerless than when she is making you come, but in those moments, you gladly hand over your power to her.” “You’re with a woman now, aren’t you?” Nevan looked at his brother then. By the shock that registered on Jaron’s face, Nevan knew he hadn’t meant to speak. Still, Nevan answered, “I am.” “I don’t understand. Why would you be with another when you are to be mated with Farana?” Nevan sighed. “It’s complicated, Jaron.” “How? You either wish to be with Farana, or you don’t!” “Jaron, I have our House and Father to consider. It is not a simple decision.” Jaron scowled. “You never mentioned Farana’s name in that list. Do you truly not care how this would affect her?” “Of course I care about Farana. I took care of her the same way I took care of our sisters as we grew up. I have no wish for her to be hurt.” “I don’t know much of females, Nevan, but I cannot imagine one would be happy having her future mate compare her to a sister.” This conversation was going horribly wrong, and Nevan had no idea how to stop it. “Jaron…” Jaron stood, anger in his posture. “Thank you for your words tonight, Nevan. You have given me wise advice, and I will follow it.” Nevan watched his younger brother stalk off. He felt as if he were missing something, but he was not quite sure what. Or perhaps not. Perhaps Jaron’s words brought home some of his own concerns about Farana, about his life.

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Damn Jaron. He did not wish to dwell on this now. His freedom was so limited. He did not want to waste a moment thinking about the time it would be over. He only had the now. He wanted to spend it with Seena.

***** Seena was in his bed, reading something the title of which he could not make out. She looked up as she heard him enter, but the smile that had started abruptly died. “What has happened?” “A disagreement with my brother.” “About?” He did not wish to speak of it, yet somehow the words came out anyway. “About you.” “Oh?” He started taking off his clothing. “Not you, specifically. The fact that I am with one female when I am to make Intention with another in only a few days.” “How did he find out? I was not aware that you told him.” “I did not.” He brought his hand to his head, rubbing his temple. “I have cancelled many plans I had scheduled for this week, things involving Jaron and meetings with various Heads of Houses. This is not something I do. I believe Jaron made a very good guess, and I answered him honestly when he confronted me.” Putting the book to the side, she drew her knees up and wrapped her arms around them. “Does your brother know how you feel about your upcoming mating?” “No, I never told him.” A small laugh. “I do not think he would understand.” “Then tell me. Perhaps I would.” He crawled onto the bed, and she adjusted herself so they ended up with Nevan leaning against her, his back to her front, while her arms came around him. “The

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females of my species are perfect companions. They are demure and quiet, never raising their voice or asserting their will, always acquiescing to their mates.” There was a pause as Seena considered his words. “The female who was hanging on your arm, is she your intended?” “Yes, her name is Farana.” “All I thought when I saw her is that she is so young.” “She is younger than me, but well past Initiation.” Seena shook her head. “I don’t mean age. There is just something about her, it makes you want to protect her as if she’s a child.” In only a moment, Seena had been able to sum up the vague, ill-defined feeling that always plagued Nevan as he escorted Farana. “Exactly.” “And being around a child does not inspire feelings of lust.” “No, it does not.” “And beyond that, the females of your world bore you, don’t they?” “Why would you say that, little human?” Nevan asked, trailing his finger up and down one of the arms holding him. She snorted. “Nevan, of all the beings here you could have chosen to spend time with you in your bed, you chose me. This informs me slightly of what your likes and dislikes would be.” His fingers now trailed down the long length of her leg. “You are by far the sexiest of any being here.” “You wanted to fuck me after a BloodRing match.” “If you could see yourself when you fight, you would truly understand.” “Exactly. I know what I am, no masks to hide behind. I am not demure, and I do nothing but assert my dominance and my will. If you had any interest in the females of your race, you would not look twice at me.” “My loss,” said Nevan in a low voice, bringing her leg up so he could nip her calf. 51

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She smiled, wrapping her leg around him. “I assume the female you will be mated to is the same as the rest?” He sighed. “Perhaps even worse. Most males of my race, this is how they desire their females to behave. I never enjoyed it, not even when I was young, before my sexual interest started.” She brought her mouth to his ear, speaking in the low voice that never failed to make the blood rush to his cock. “When did your sexual interest in me start?” His eyes closed in pleasure. “When you looked me in the eyes, and did not look away.” “Only that?” “You might be surprised, little human, how truly rare that is. It takes a long while for females to feel comfortable enough around my kind to look at us. Some never do. You…you did it from the first.” She bit his ear lightly, causing him to growl. “For a member of such a powerful race, you are surprisingly easy in your desires.” “What of you? You seem to take to my ‘desires’ easily enough.” “As you stated, if you had seen how you look when you fight…” She moved her foot lower, so it was rubbing against his cock. He turned in her arms, pouncing on her then. “So are you glad I won our fight?” Seena reared up and nipped his chin. “Do not mistake me, Nevan. I fought you with the intention of winning. I wanted to win. I want my freedom.” Her tongue came out now, tasting his neck. “But I also knew that if I lost, I wanted you inside me. Not because of our bargain, but because you are the first being in a long time that made me want.” “By the gods, little human, if you truly knew what you did to me…” “Put yourself in my mouth then. Show me…” He rose above her, primal, bearing down on her, pressing his cock into her mouth. 52

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He was slow, giving her time to adjust. Once she started sucking, he started moving, a rhythm she could easily follow. Her tongue encircled him. Her mouth sucked hard and she used her teeth, the barest skimming of the surface, the tiniest hint of pain to make the pleasure more exquisite. His hand clasped around her cheeks and throat. He wanted to feel himself in her, feel her vibrations both on his cock and under his hand. She hummed slightly, and the sensation caused his head to fall back. He could tell he was getting close to release. He tried to pull back, but Seena stopped him, her mouth not letting go. “Seena,” he whispered, but she continued that humming, continued with her tongue and he was pushing into her faster, letting her take more of him. “Yes, yes, yes,” he repeated, gasps and groans coming louder and faster, until forcing his eyes to stay open, he looked back down, watching as she drank him completely, not letting a drop be wasted. Looking up, she caught his gaze. Licking her lips, she smiled.

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Chapter Six It was strange being part of his world for this short moment in time. She was not familiar with politics outside those of the ring. Still, it didn’t take long for her to realize Nevan was even more important than she had originally thought. Even here on the Pleasure Satellite where he should have been left alone, he was meeting with many other races, being asked to comment on this change or that. Right now he was discussing trade routes and embargoes. It was obvious from watching the others interact with him that he was high on the list of decision makers, and the others were hoping to get him to see their point of view because they desperately needed his help. She also noticed the only female amongst them did not look at him directly. She had no trouble discussing with the others, but with Nevan she grew silent, letting others speak for her. Seena had thought he was exaggerating the other night. She had proof positive now he had not been. It must be lonely to be so singled out. No wonder he had reacted so strongly by the mere act of her looking at him. Her attention came back to the group as Nevan rose. The meeting seemed to finally be over. After he had them ushered out by Ramus his head fell back, and she heard his sigh. Her cue to come out. “That sounded incredibly boring.” He looked over at her, the first smile since the meeting started coming to his lips. “You have no idea.”

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“Do you deal with such things often?” “Too often, I’m afraid.” “But I thought you were not Head of your House, that your father was.” He rolled his shoulders back, trying to loosen the knots in them. Taking pity on him, Seena came over and started massaging him. He sighed in appreciation. “My father is, at least in name.” “So the reality is different then?” He made a noise, which she took as assent. Nevan leaned forward, asking without words for her to continue her ministrations in other areas. She did as he asked, pushing her hands down the length of his back, though she made a mental note to make sure he repaid her for this later. “Why have you not taken over as Head then?” “I do not wish to do that to my father.” “I think you just do not want the responsibility that would come with it.” He jerked his head, trying to look at her over his shoulder. “Why would you say that?” “Between what you told me last night and seeing the way you were treated this morning. If you are the official Head of your House, I expect such displays would easily worsen.” He pulled in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “I expect that does have a part in it as well. I wish to serve my people, but I hate the form it takes sometimes. Still, as long as my father is able, I do not want him faced with being challenged out of his place.” “Would you win a fight against him?” “If I wanted to? Yes, I would.” “Do you think you will ever want to?”

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“I truly cannot think of any reason I would ever challenge my father. I have never been interested in showing how powerful I am. I would rather my father keep his charge, I just want my House protected.” “It’s also not easy for a son to admit his father is not infallible anymore.” With that, he turned, reaching out so he could bring her to sit in his lap. “No more from you. I do not want to discuss such things while your hands are on me.” “I have always thought that is the best time to discuss such things.” He brought his hand up to cup her face, softly holding her while his thumb moved across her cheekbone. “I will do my duty as I have always done. If it becomes necessary, I will issue a challenge, but I do not think it will ever come to that.” She nodded, bringing her hand to cover his. “The female you will take as a mate…what is she like, beyond the things you told me last night?” He looked away from her eyes, thinking on how to answer. “I have always thought of her more as a sibling than as a potential mate. She tries to be brave, I give her credit for that, but she is truly incapable of it. She has no interest in serious matters. Her gifts lie with her unselfish nature and her ability to celebrate the good in everything.” “But as important as those gifts are, they are not what you need in the female who will stand by your side,” Seena finished, brushing his hair back from his forehead. He gazed back at her then, and his eyes seemed to glow brighter while looking at her. “She also does not interest me sexually. I tried to imagine it once, when I realized my parents wanted her as my mate. I could not even get to the part where I kiss her.” “Because she is young or because you see her in a role similar to a sister?” His fingers started to trace her mouth, his eyes focusing on that. “I see her face tight and pinched from whatever I would try. I cannot see her enjoying what I wish to do. I see her enduring, and I would rather my bed be empty than to have a female in it who would rather be elsewhere.” “Good thing for you that there is nowhere else I wish to be.”

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“Good thing,” he agreed, and his mouth came down on hers. He nibbled her lips, teased her with strokes of his tongue, made her attack him to deepen the kiss as she wanted. “So impatient…” “I’m impatient because I enjoy everything you wish to do.” “How would you know, little human, as I have not yet done to you a fraction of what I have imagined?” “Only a fraction? How long would it take us to get through everything then?” “Years.” Seena’s head lolled back as his lips went to their favorite spot on her throat. “I cannot think of how having you between my thighs for years would be a bad thing.” “With my mouth, my fingers or my cock?” She groaned. “Any of them.” “I think I might be spoiling you. You are getting too greedy.” “Says he who has thought of years’ worth of tortures for me.” “And how long would it take you to do everything you wish to me?” “I am nowhere near as obsessed as you.” She leaned in, giving him a hard kiss. “It would only be months. I would never take you completely away from your responsibilities.” “I wish you would.” Seena smiled, and Nevan must have seen something naughty in her smile if the hardening of his cock under her ass was any indication. “The next time you have to endure a meeting like that, as you sit at your desk, I’ll be under it, hidden from everyone’s sight. As you are forced to listen to boring reports and trade negotiations, I will have your cock in my mouth, sucking and fondling you, and all the while you will not be able to make a sound.” That ended it for him. He lifted her to place her on the desk, his hands tearing at the clothing she was wearing. 57

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“I did not realize trade brought such a strong reaction from you.” She laughed as his hand pinched her bottom, a small punishment for her teasing. “You need to have more respect for a male of my position.” Her hand grabbed his shirt, pulling it above his head. “You said yourself you are not Head of your House.” “No, but I am eldest son and next in line.” “Second place never impressed me.” He bent down and nipped the inside of her thigh, causing a squeal and a jump. “Remember you yielded to me, little human. I remember, because minutes later I was inside you for the first time.” “We will revisit that match, Tevarian. Do not count on the ending remaining the same.” “But until then,” he said, spreading the lips of her pussy, bringing his face ever closer, “until then, this is mine.”

***** They were snuggled together in front of the fireplace, having moved out of the office and back into the bedroom when they had finished. After using his tongue in such amazing ways that had Seena alternately praising his performance and cursing his leisurely exploration, Nevan had bent her over that desk, their activities causing papers to scatter everywhere. It was a quiet moment, outside of the blinding lust that seemed to always simmer between them since the first time they locked gazes. His hand lazily roamed her back, content to simply feel her skin. He kept his voice soft, not wanting to break the mood. “Why are you not bitter?” “What would be the point? My life is my life. I refuse to hate it.” “It can’t be that easy.”

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“It wasn’t always,” she agreed. “I have felt as much hate as anyone else ever has. I wanted Samos to die… Well, I still want Samos to die, but I wanted everyone around him destroyed also. Then I realized they were the exact same as me. How could I hate them for something I could not control?” “What do you want from your life?” “I do not indulge in fantasies. The more relevant question is what do you want from your life?” His voice sharpened. “I don’t understand.” “Yes you do.” Seena lifted herself up, resting her arm on his chest and looking down into his eyes. “You have everything open to you, and yet you are here, hiding from your future.” His hand came up to play in her hair. “Do you believe me a coward?” “No. I believe you are decent and honorable, and have the entire weight of your House on your shoulders.” “But?” She shrugged. “I am an orphan. I have no expectations placed upon me by family or my people, so I cannot understand your mind in regard to this. You have nothing but expectations placed upon you. Maybe this is the correct way to handle it, this interlude before you resume your life. Only you can answer that. I just want you to know for yourself.” Before he could respond, a small cough brought their attention to the doorway. It was Ramus. Nevan spoke. “Yes?” “Master, my apologies, but your brother wishes your immediate presence in his chambers.” Nevan breathed deeply, their last meeting flashing through his mind. “I will be right there.”

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When Ramus left, Nevan leaned up and gave Seena a deep kiss, causing her to forget they had just been interrupted and that his brother was waiting. They separated slowly, and Seena gave him a smile. “That was nice.” “Thank you,” he said in full seriousness, causing the smile to leave her face, though her eyes were still soft on him. “Your words, I take them seriously. I respect you too much to do otherwise.” “I just wish to help you.” “You have,” he said, bringing her hair to his lips. “You have.”

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Chapter Seven Jaron was pacing when Nevan came to him. “You summoned me, Jaron?” “I found out about the human,” Jaron said without preamble, continuing his pacing. “While I never tried to hide her.” “This is not a laughing matter, Nevan. This is not you using one of the whores for a few days’ release while here. You bought a Ring fighter, the human whom everyone has been speaking of, and you have barely left your apartments since then. You are keeping few appointments, negotiations are being rescheduled. This is not like you.” “I am looking out for our House’s interests. Anything important is being completed. Everything else can wait until after I leave here.” Jaron exploded. “How can you subject Farana to the gossip this will invite?” “This is the Pleasure Satellite. There will be no gossip.” “Of course there will! You have never done anything like this before. Anyone who knows us will speak of nothing except this.” Nevan breathed deep, preventing himself from reaching out and shaking his brother. “I have made no Intention toward Farana. This will not touch her.” Jaron collapsed in the chair, his legs sprawling in front of him. “What has happened, Nevan? You, amongst all of us. Fucking another woman when you know full well everyone expects you to mate Farana. You always told me how weak those other males were, not being true to their mates.” Nevan rubbed the back of his neck. “You are right, in everything you have said. You are right, Jaron.” He went to sit down across from his brother. “I care for Farana, but I don’t love her as one should a mate.”

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“Have you changed your mind about mating her then?” Something in the way Jaron’s voice cracked toward the end had Nevan’s ear twitching, but he wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. “No,” he said. He thought of Seena, those beautiful blue eyes, how they went from solid ice while she was in the middle of battle to blazing as she came around his cock. Know for yourself… “No,” Nevan repeated. “I know what is expected from me as the next Head of our House.” “Then what will you do about the human?” “I will not change my plans, Jaron. I am not so weak as to fear words coming from others. I am not mated and my actions will not affect anyone, so I will not give up what I want while I am free.” “And what you want is the human?” Nevan did not answer, so Jaron continued. “Is it because she’s a fighter? Because she is so different from anyone we know? What can possibly interest you in someone like that?” “Seena is a BloodRing fighter, but she is not a beast. She is a true warrior and someone whom I would be honored to serve with in battle. I will not hear a negative word about her from you.” Jaron was incredulous, thunderstruck over his brother’s words. “This from my brother who just stated he didn’t care what anyone said? So you don’t care if it affects our family, or Farana, but if someone speaks ill of the human, that changes everything?” “I will not speak to you anymore over this, Jaron. This is my business.” “Fine!” his brother said, leaving the chair. “I will say no more. Do as you need to do. You are right, it is not my place. But remember, Nevan, we are leaving very soon, and you will have to face our father. I doubt he will be as understanding as I if this comes to his attention.”

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Nevan let him go, knowing right now nothing he said would make Jaron understand. Not to mention he had no idea of what words to speak to his brother. There were two truths in his life. He did not want to mate Farana. For his House, he needed to mate with Farana. He stood, moving toward the sure-to-be-empty upper decks. He wanted to go straight back to Seena and their bed, but he felt as if he needed to clear his head before he returned. His little human had a disturbing ability to read his thoughts, and he did not want to worry her. How would Seena handle this? From her words earlier about fantasies, it would be easy to believe she would counsel taking the path expected of him. But Seena herself did not take the expected path, even in her relatively narrow world. He recalled her words on how Samos could not force her to become a whore. And the scars. He had never asked about any of them and she did not offer any explanation, but he knew. He was a warrior, trained in every weapon his father could put in his hand, and he knew scars. Some of those scars he could attribute to various swords, spears and weapons. Some could only be the work of a whip. What was expected in Seena’s world was fighting whatever Samos sent her way and then fucking whomever Samos told her to. Seena refused. Within her world, she made her stand and did not sway from it, no matter the price to be paid, even when that price included her blood. He knew it from the beginning, though he had not been able to put voice to it at that time. It was the reason he had proposed their bargain to her. He knew instinctively that would be the only way to convince her. A bargain, and counting on her honor to

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uphold the terms of it when she lost, just as he would have done had their places been reversed. How many others could he say he believed the same of? His mind went over name after name, and when all was finished, he believed barely a handful held themselves to the same standard as a BloodRing fighter. He wryly congratulated himself in his excellent taste. His beautiful, brave Seena. She would never again be made to fight in the BloodRing, would never again have to sacrifice her blood. He would see to that. Samos would get however much money he desired, or if he refused the money, he would die. Whatever it took to free her. Whatever it would take, he would do. He thought of telling her, telling her she needn’t worry about the Rilion ever again, but he wouldn’t. He was selfish and weak when it came to her. He didn’t want her mind on the future, thinking of the places she would explore or the other humans she would meet. Perhaps even a human male she would take as a mate. His lip curled to bare his teeth at that thought, the low growl instinctive. No, he would keep her mind on the now, on him. Soon enough she would be gone, and he would be dealing with his future, with a mate he did not want but needed to take. Nevan took a deep breath. There was nothing that would be resolved here tonight. His thoughts merely circled themselves, and once again, while he was here, Seena was warm, hopefully naked, and waiting for him. As he told Jaron, for whatever time he had left, he wanted to be nowhere but with her. Expecting to see her in the bedchamber, he was surprised to find she had not moved from in front of the fireplace, dozing in front of the flames. They gave her skin a beautiful glow and brought out the subtle red shades in her dark brown hair. Still naked, he thought in satisfaction. Good. No time wasted in getting her back out of clothes. 64

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He took off his own clothes, then lifted the cover and slid in beside her. Considering her fighting skills, he was surprised when his entrance into her cozy little world did not cause her to wake. Well, it had been his mission lately to give her as little rest as possible. Wondering exactly what would wake her up, Nevan started gently. A small nip on her shoulder, the flat of his tongue against her spine. Happy sounds, but still asleep. Slightly more aggressive, he brought his hands to cup her ass, using his nails to leave light marks on the skin. Her sound was more of a moan now, but still asleep. Well, she couldn’t expect him to keep his hands to himself when this amazing body was spread out for him to enjoy. His gaze came back to her ass. So perfect, and such a happy symmetry that he loved playing with it as much as she liked it to be played with. A lazy grin came over his face as he decided what to do next. She would try to kill him, but he could keep her held down until he satisfied her so completely she would forget she wanted him dead. Yes, that worked.

A sharp smack woke Seena from her sleep. She tried to jump up, but the body above her was holding her fast. “What?” she asked, confused, and then another sound slap brought her to total wakefulness. Nevan was above her. “Well, little human, I expected more of a response from you. I must say I’m disappointed.” Another slap. She tried to rear up, but he was well prepared for any moves she would do, and had her every exit blocked. “You play with death, Tevarian!” “It would not be the first time.” Another slap, and she squealed. Nevan laughed at the sound. “What was that, little human? Is this how you express your pleasure?”

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“Nevan.” Her voice held warning, but he didn’t heed it. Three more smacks in quick succession, and Seena was sure she felt the flesh redden. “Nevan, I will pay you back for this.” “Really? Then will you also pay me back for this?” Seena braced herself for another smack, but this time his hand brushed over her more intimate areas, causing sparks to start along her nerve endings. “Nevan…” “Yes, Seena?” he asked, and this time his hand did not merely brush over, but his finger dipped inside her quickly before releasing her. Then there was another smack. This time following the smack, there was a moan. “I’m confused, Seena. Because of your protestations, at first I thought you did not enjoy this, but now I am unsure.” Her head whipped back when he gave another smack, then rubbed his hand over her warmed skin. He wrapped her hair around his other hand, using pressure to pull her head back. Leaning close to put his mouth to her ear, he said, “This is what I’m going to do, Seena. After I finish paddling this beautiful ass, I am going to fuck it, watching my cock disappear between those red cheeks. And after I’ve finished fucking you I am going to pull out and come all over your ass. And during all this, the only word you are allowed to say to me is please, because if you say one other word, I will not let you come. Do you understand me?” And Seena said, “Please…”

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Chapter Eight “Why did you smile?” Nevan’s question threw her, coming out of nowhere. They were back to cuddling each other in front of the fireplace, simply relaxing in silence for several minutes until his odd question. Her eyebrows knitted together. “When?” “That night in the cage. I told you…” He looked into the fire then, a slightly shamed expression on his face. “I told you I had no interest in freeing you, I only wished to fuck you. And instead of verbally destroying me, you smiled.” “Ah,” she replied, remembering the exchange, that entire night forever etched in her memory. “I smiled because that was the moment I knew I could trust you. That everything you had said was true. I smiled because I truly believed I would soon be free.” Her words held no censure of him, and his face relaxed. “If you had been fighting anyone else, little human, you would have been. Your skills awe me.” Seena ducked her head in acknowledgement of his compliment. “I wish they could be put to better use. It is less than satisfactory that I can only use them to hurt beings that I have no disagreement with.” “While I would never wish to see you in war, there is no doubt in my mind you would be a fearsome and terrible foe.” “Well remember that, and never get on my bad side.” He nuzzled her under her neck. “What can I do for you, to remain on your good side?” “Especially after that surprise attack earlier.” “Exactly,” he said, and his tone held not one ounce of regret.

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She smiled, biting lightly on her lower lip as she enjoyed the sensation his lips were causing. “I think submission would be a wise first step.” Nevan stopped, pulling slightly back. “Submission?” “Oh yes,” said Seena, moving to stand above him. “I think to remain my ally, you should prove where your loyalty lies, and obey me without question.” “And what would you order me to do, woman?” “Rise and follow me, Nevan. See where I lead you.” He rose, and her gaze followed the way his muscles bunched with his movements, the slight sheen of sweat from their earlier activities still visible. Walking backward, never taking her eyes from him, Seena went into the bedchamber, gratified that Nevan followed her every step. “On the bed, Nevan. Lie down, and then don’t move.” His eyes burned through her. Nevan was dominant, he let no one have power over him. Seena expected him to disregard her words and grab her, throwing her on the bed under him. Which made her knees almost go out from under her when he did as she said, stretching on the bed and then going still. She swallowed, her mind in overload with thoughts of what she could make him do. “You are to do nothing unless I tell you, Nevan,” she said, proud her voice remained steady. “Do you understand me?” “Yes,” he answered, his words obliging but his eyes warning her he wanted nothing more than to take her. Still, he had agreed, and Seena relaxed, knowing that at least for the moment, he would do everything she said. “You are to stroke yourself, Nevan. Not hard, but just enough to keep yourself on edge. I don’t want you to lose interest.” His hand unerringly found his cock, and her eyes watched as his fist lightly closed around it, up and down, occasionally flicking the head with the pad of his thumb.

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“Very nice,” she murmured approvingly. “Now spread your legs.” He did, and she climbed between them, bringing herself level with his moving hand. She grabbed his balls, massaging them gently in her hand, feeling the weight of this very sensitive area. Her tongue came out, light strokes over the head of his cock while his hand continued to pump. He groaned, his hand reaching out to her. “No,” she said firmly. “I did not say you could touch me.” With a bit-off oath, he brought his hand back, and she resumed the flicking of her tongue, occasionally gently sucking him into her mouth. His hand started to stroke harder, and she lightly tapped it. “I said not hard. Did you forget? Should I force you to stop now?” “Little human…” She smiled, sitting up. “I did not say you could speak. Yes, I believe a little punishment is in order. Stop touching yourself.” With obvious reluctance he stopped. Seena took his arms and stretched them above his head. “Do not move your arms. They stay here until I say otherwise. Do you understand?” His lips curled back in a silent snarl, but he said, “Yes.” She stood, her eyes roaming over his body. “You are truly a fine specimen,” she started, lowering her voice to that rough pitch that caused his cock to jerk without even being touched. “I can’t imagine how any female could look upon you without wanting to mount you.” “Come here then and do it, now.” She shook her finger at him. “Once again, speaking without permission. How am I to punish you?” She brought her finger to her lips, gently tapping so she appeared to be deep in thought. “Of course, I think I know the perfect punishment.”

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She climbed onto the bed again, this time slinging one leg over his body so she was straddling his thighs. She slowly climbed up his body, making sure the wetness between her legs brushed over his cock, and smacked his chest when his hips lifted in an attempt to impale her. “You need to learn to take direction better, Nevan.” “You need to put that pussy over my mouth so I can eat you.” She shook her head. “While that sounds promising, a punishment can’t include something that you want.” “I won’t enjoy feeling you come all over my face, I swear.” “I have a better idea. Remember, Nevan, you can’t touch me.” Seena lay back, so she was lying fully on Nevan, looking up toward the ceiling, positioned so his cock was grazing her cheek. She didn’t touch him though. Instead, she brought her knees up and let them fall to the sides, exposing herself to his gaze. The incredible tenseness of the body underneath her let her know he was looking at her, wondering what she would do next. She didn’t keep him waiting. “Because of our bargain, there has been no need for me to bring myself to climax. Since you can’t touch me right now, I should take this time to play with myself again. In the name of science only, of course. Compare how the orgasms you give me feel against the ones I bring myself to.” Her fingers traveled down to her pussy. His body gave off tiny tremors, and his cock jumped against her cheek. “The first difference is immediate. Your fingers are larger, and even staying still on me, that causes more sensation.” Her fingers circled her clit, and her breath started to come in shorter bursts. “Yes, and here, your fingers are more calloused. I like how the roughness feels against me while you work my clit.” Still using one hand to rub herself, she used the other to insert her fingers into her pussy. “Oh yes, and you are much better at this. Your fingers can go sooo deep.” “Seena, let me touch you.” Seena wondered how she had been able to control him this long. 70

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“No, Nevan. Your punishment is to watch me come, and have no part in causing it.” She started to move her hips in small circles, and her hands moved in perfect complement, each amplifying the sensations caused by the other. All this play had her worked up, so it was not long until her body tightened and bowed under the sensation of her release. As her senses came back online, she realized Nevan might as well have been a stone statue under her. She lifted herself up, looking down on his face. His jaw was clenched, his eyes shut tightly, his hands clawed into one another to ensure he didn’t grab her. He was so close to snapping, she knew it was time to end this. “Punishment over, Nevan. Touch me however you want.” She knew he was fast, but she swore she didn’t even see him move. She simply blinked, and found herself on her hands and knees on the bed, and before she could comment, Nevan pushed inside her. “Nevan…” “No, little human.” His tone was so rough, so deadly calm, it would have terrified her if it hadn’t instead made her even wetter than before. “Here is where you take the consequences of your action.”

***** The cool air brushed all along the bare places on her body, those not covered by the coverlet she had grabbed when she left the bed and went to sit at the window, staring at the multitude of stars around her. Nevan was sleeping still, his head pillowed on his arm. Never had she awakened before him; he always seemed to be staring at her when she opened her eyes, waiting for her.

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This exhaustion was caused by her. She felt… Yes, she felt this feminine thrill, this power, that she had brought this dominant man to his knees, had worked him so fully he was now defenseless and unaware. She breathed deeply, one of the last breaths she would take while feeling content, at peace… While feeling free. Tomorrow Samos would come for her. Yes, he would come for her, and after this little interlude, he would now expect her to be a whore like all the rest of his stable. She was going to die soon. There was no other way. She would never be a whore and her time as a pure fighter was nearing its end. If she didn’t die during a session of Samos “convincing” her to follow his orders, then she would die in a final match, a true death match, where they would keep sending in fighters until it was over. Yet Seena was at peace with this knowledge. She had known it from the start, when she agreed to Nevan’s proposition. At the time, the possibility of freedom was a worthy trade. Now… A small smile came to her mouth. Now the time she had spent with Nevan was well worth it, even more so than freedom would have been. “Why are you not in my bed, woman?” Seena turned at the sleep-roughened growl, her smile still on her lips. “Why would I have stayed? Nothing was happening to keep me interested.” Nevan was leaning up on one arm, his eyes more intense than she had ever seen them as they stared at her. Those eyes swept her body, taking in the sheet covering her. “There was plenty to keep you interested if you looked hard enough, and if that sheet does not come off your body now, expect it to be ripped off.” She stood but kept the sheet on, a tease. “I’m looking hard, but I still don’t see anything of interest.” His lip curled in a quiet snarl, and with that, Seena felt herself grow wet, heat and pressure slowly curling through her lower body.

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She thought of running, but before she could look for a direction Nevan rose, grabbing her arm and pulling her onto the bed, keeping her underneath him. “Oh no, little human. You are going nowhere.” Seena was laughing, tussling with him, trying to hold on to the sheet over her body while Nevan was very determined to remove it. In the struggle, she grasped his hand and looked up into his eyes… As soon as their gazes locked the laughter stopped, and once again, the realization hit her that this was the last night they would be together. Unlike earlier, this time the thought hurt. She didn’t want to leave him. She never wanted to leave him. In that way that was becoming too common, Nevan seemed to know exactly what she was thinking. He swallowed hard, not turning his gaze from hers. Slowly, his eyes never leaving hers, he bent down and took her mouth. Their tongues slowly touched, caressed. Their lips were soft on each other’s. Neither looked away. For the rest of the night, neither looked away.

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Chapter Nine Samos watched as the final chains were put on Seena, his authority over her once again established. “She looks no worse for wear, my Lord. My compliments on your handling of her.” Nevan said nothing. His control was nonexistent, and he knew if he made any move toward the little creature he would end up killing the peddler. As had happened on the first day, Seena did nothing but stare ahead, not giving any reason for the guards that surrounded her to use their stun sticks on her, simply waiting for the process to be over. “Well, my Lord, I believe that is everything. I hope we may have future transactions together that are as… agreeable…as this one was.” Nevan flicked a quick glance at Ramus. Proving once again his value, Ramus took over, stepping up to the Rilion. “My Master will contact you should he have need of you again. You will go now,” he said, motioning to the door. Samos gave a deep bow and motioned for the guards to start going forth. There were four in all, one to walk in front of Seena, one in back, and the other two flanking her. “Good day, my Lord,” Samos said and followed his fighter out. Nevan went to the doorway, watching Seena’s back. She was tall, strong, not letting them dictate to her in any way. He felt such pride, watching her then, proud he had claimed this amazing woman, proud she was so strong. She had forced her claim on him as well. Then suddenly, walking toward him was Farana. “Nevan!” she called from down the hallway, but stopped when she realized who was walking toward her.

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Farana paled and looked away, not looking at Seena. Seena, for the first time, showed movement. She turned her head to look at Farana and for several long seconds studied the woman she knew was fated to become Nevan’s mate. Nevan saw Seena lower her head and close her eyes briefly, then, with her characteristic will, her head straightened and she looked at them no more. Rounding a corner, Seena was lost to him. His chest was suddenly too small. His gaze would not move from that last spot, as if by not moving his eyes she would suddenly return to his sight. Farana slowly made her way toward him. “It is so scary, the way they let the fighters roam these hallways,” she stated as she got closer to him. “Nevan, we have come to escort you and Jaron home.” “We?” he asked, his brain not working, still seeing Seena. “Yes, both our parents. I believe Mother and Father wanted to spend tonight gambling before we leave in the morning.” He turned to her, forcing himself to look into her upturned face, and everything he had been denying since waking up this morning until now came to the fore. Seena was gone. He had no more days to look forward to, no more times she would make him hard with just a smile, no more hearing her laugh and seeing her excitement over something small, something he barely considered. No more Seena. “Farana, if you will excuse me, I must take care of some business. Please inform our parents I will meet them for dinner.” Without waiting for her response, Nevan closed the door in her face.

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He provided for her transportation and money, enough that she could search the human areas to find anyone who perhaps could give her a glimpse of her past. Enough that she could make a comfortable home wherever she desired. It was the least he could do. What he truly wanted, though, was to buy her freedom but not let her away from him. He wanted to build her a home on his lands, where he could visit her when he had free time. He wanted her to belong to him, to live on the periphery of his life, to accept whatever crumbs he could throw her way. The pure selfishness of the thought horrified him. He had always smugly assumed he was such a better being than those other males, the ones who could not stop going to other females beyond their mates. The reality of what he was made him sick. Seena deserved only the finest. She deserved her freedom. She deserved a mate who was hers alone. He glanced around, seeing his future. His father and Xenil were talking, making some grand plans no doubt, while both his mother and Farana’s mother sat to the side in quiet contemplation. Jaron was talking nonsense to Farana, making her smile while she kept her eyes shyly hidden. Quiet and loneliness, nothing to make him smile, no one to challenge him. How quickly he became accustomed to having Seena around him. Farana came over to him then, her high-pitched voice making him want to wince. “Did you have a pleasant vacation as well, Nevan? Jaron was telling me of his many adventures.” Nevan doubted Jaron had told her of every adventure, thinking back on their conversation. “It was quite pleasant, Farana. This is not a place I would visit often, but an occasional foray is relaxing.” “I believe males should be able to relax often, Nevan. Females are not meant to accept all their mate’s needs, so the Pleasure Satellites are a welcome alternative.”

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His brain took several clicks to rewind and replay her words, each time their meaning piercing a little deeper, until the truth hit him fully. Farana knew. Farana knew, and she didn’t care. She in fact was giving him permission to do it again, letting him know she did not want to have to satisfy those needs any more than necessary. Nevan always thought Farana was unaware of such things. Foolish perhaps, given her age, but then again he always did view her more as a younger sibling than a love interest. He had never spent much time wondering what his brothers and sisters knew. Farana was giving him permission. Seena… Seena would rip off his dick if she thought he, as her mate, had used it with anyone but her. If she thought he was thinking of anyone else, she would have him on his back and use him without mercy, until he was begging for forgiveness and swearing that he would never look at another female, just please let him come. That was what he wanted. Not the torture—well, that was fun on occasion—but the feeling of a mate who wanted him and only him, and who he wanted like that as well. He was so used to his family, his friends, they took mates but there was no connection, no joining. If it was a lucky match, they enjoyed being together but felt no need to seek each other out. If they were not lucky, and most of them were not lucky, they tolerated each other and created a family they did not want to raise together. Nevan had never wanted that, but it was so pervasive he did not consider the alternative. He let himself think, what it would be like taking Seena as a mate. Her smile in the mornings, causing in him a contentment he had never known before her.

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The feel of her, tight and wet, and the knowledge he wanted to be between her thighs from morning until night. Her honor, which shone brightly from her, circumstances of her life be damned. Her strength, probably surpassing his own. No matter what life brought them, she would face it head-on, her gaze level, never backing down. Her voice, low, assured, calming him and sustaining him as none other could. There would be fights. She would never back down and substitute his judgment for her own. After the fights, there would be the making-up, and his mouth went dry at the pictures of what she could do to apologize to him, and his heart sped up at thinking what she would make him do to apologize to her. Then there would be children… A little girl with black hair and blue eyes… “Nevan?” Farana’s voice jerked him out of his musings. He stared at her, wordless, until her face heated and she could not quite speak. “Nevan… I-I mean… I was simply t-trying to assure you—” “Farana,” he interrupted her, his voice calm. “I must leave you now. Please have my brother escort you to your rooms.” Without waiting for her reply, he strode to where his father was talking to Xenil. “I need to speak with you.” Tehar looked at his son, a frown coming over his face, no doubt from his son’s rude behavior. Excusing himself, he followed Nevan. They walked quietly, neither saying a word until they reached a quiet study. Nevan closed the door, not wanting this conversation to be interrupted. “What is it, Nevan?” 78

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“I will not be mating with Farana.” Tehar obviously had not expected this. Unlike his son, he had never mastered the art of hiding his emotions, as evidenced by his raised voice. “What do you mean, you will not be mating Farana?” “Exactly as I said. I am informing you as a courtesy, as I know you expected this to happen.” “Expected?” Tehar asked incredulously. “You as good as announced it yourself before we left. What has changed… Wait, the human?” While Nevan was not sure where his father had learned of Seena—Jaron? Farana? An innocent other?—he had always admired his father’s ability to quickly grasp facts and make connections, and was gratified he would not have to explain the situation to his father. Still, this did not make dealing with the look of disgust that was crossing his father’s face any easier. “You have some infatuation with a fighter, and you will cast aside Farana because of it?” “It is not infatuation, Father,” Nevan countered immediately. “So it is the human,” Tehar stated. “What did she do? How did she convince you to do something so stupid?” “Do you truly believe I am so easily led?” Nevan’s voice lowered, warning in the tone. Yes, his father was understandably upset, but he had to quickly contain the fallout, he could not let anything happen that might ultimately endanger Seena. “What should I believe with these idiotic words coming from your mouth?” his father shot back at him. “No, the human will be dealt with, and this will be over.” “She has nothing to do with this.” “I will decide what exactly should be done to correct this.” “Father, do not make me challenge you.” The words, little more than a low rumble, hung between father and son. Tehar’s eyes narrowed. “You would do this, over a BloodRing fighter?”

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“If I must, I will do this for Seena. Please do not make me.” Tehar shook his head. “Oh no, boy,” he said, his voice low and angry but contained. “You do not get to use those words as a weapon to control me. I will not have whispers behind my back that Tehar cannot control his own House. I accept your challenge, and when I beat you, you will take Farana as your mate and I will never hear such stupidity again.” Nevan had known this was a probability as soon as he went to his father but had hoped somehow to avoid it. He had never wanted to see the day his father was not the Head of House. His father did not let him dwell on any feeling of regret long. As soon as the words of challenge left Tehar’s mouth, he moved toward his son, grabbing his knife in one hand and aiming a blow at Nevan’s head with the other. Nevan sidestepped it, grabbing his own blade in the process. He sidestepped many of his father’s attacks, not wanting to cause any damage beyond what was necessary. His father was a great warrior, yes, even at this age, and could defeat most who would come against him. But Nevan was his father’s son, and he had surpassed his father long ago, and when his father had tired himself out, he grabbed his father and started the process of scarring him, marking him so all would know his father was no longer in charge of their House. Nevan paused the barest moment before delivering the last mark, the scar across the left eye that would signal his father’s defeat, his mind supplying images of what indignities his father would suffer when others saw that mark. Then he saw Seena, her blue eyes bright and steady on his, and his father did not matter, only what would happen to her if he did not finish this. The mark was made. Blood dripped from the many wounds on his body, but Tehar refused Nevan’s assistance. As father and son stood, looking at each other, trying to deal with this 80

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change in their relationship, the door opened and his mother entered the room, followed by everyone else in the party. Ze stood looking between her mate and son. Her face expressed calm, as if she had been waiting for this, but there was the slightest unfocused sheen to her eyes and Nevan knew she was wondering how this would play out. Nevan had been Head of their House in everything but name for quite some time, but there was the expectancy he would let his father continue as the Ceremonial Head. This changed things dramatically. Farana gasped, her hands cupping themselves over her mouth. Jaron looked at them with slack-jawed astonishment and Xenil… Xenil looked confidant, quietly joyous. Of course he did, thought Nevan. In his mind, his daughter would now be mated to the Head of a very powerful House, not just the eldest son. Xenil had every reason to celebrate that thought. Nevan spoke. “I am Head of our House. All now goes through me.” Again, a small sliver of regret stabbed him as he saw his father’s face in reaction to those words. Ze stepped forward and took his hand in hers. “Congratulations, my son. May you be as wise a leader as your Sire.” Xenil spoke, his voice a touch more joyous than it should have been considering the somber mood of the other men in the room. “You will be a fine Head, Nevan. Tehar has taught you well.” “My son has always made me proud. I hope as Head of our House, he continues that tradition and does nothing now to disgrace us.” The words cut through Nevan, but there was no going back for him. “I am as I always was.” Tehar barely contained the snort. “We shall see, will we not?”

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Nevan had come this far and though he was loath to do this now, he wanted no more time wasted, no more misunderstandings. “Xenil, Farana, I apologize for the abruptness of this statement but I want no lingering confusion. I know you both expect me to lay claim to Farana as my mate. This is not to be. I value the friendship between our Houses and hope it may always be so, but there will be no mating between Farana and me.” If Farana looked shocked before, she now looked downright faint. Jaron had to help her be seated as her father went from pleased to furious within the space of a moment. “How dare you throw her away now, Nevan?” “I never claimed any Intention toward her, Xenil. This has always been an understanding between you and my father. I never wished to mate Farana. I have always felt toward her the way I feel toward my sisters. I do not wish her hurt, and I am sorry I let it go as long as I have. But I cannot do this, and it ends here.” “An outrage! See how close our Houses are now, Nevan. Farana, come! We are departing.” Not waiting to check on his daughter, Xenil stormed out of the room. With a look of apology toward his brother, Jaron helped the still reeling Farana outside. When all others had left, Ze turned to her oldest son. “Jaron loves Farana,” she stated. The quick turn of her conversation caused Nevan to mentally stumble. “What?” he asked his mother, though the words were ringing perfectly well in his mind. “Jaron loves Farana, he always has. Give Xenil a few days to calm down, then, with more tact than you managed this night, apologize and make inquiries between a mating of Farana and Jaron. While it is not quite the same as a mating with you, Xenil will happily have her mated to the next in line for Head. Then he can use his time plotting how to kill you.” Ze shrugged, as if this was no consequence. “You would have to deal with this no matter who would become your brother’s mate. At least you know Xenil is not skilled in this area.” 82

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“I have never heard you speak like this.” “You were not Head. It was not my place to speak of such matters to you.” Ze went over to her husband, picking up a cloth to pat his face. “Why are you now Head, my son?” Tehar answered that. “He has some sort of infatuation with a human.” “The fighter Farana saw this morning?” At her son’s nod, she continued, “Farana said you seemed very interested in her from the first moment you saw her in the BloodRing.” Speaking as though his father were not there, Nevan answered, “She is everything I have ever wanted.” His mother gave a small laugh. “Which means she is nothing like a Tevarian female.” Nevan’s head spun. He never imagined this woman was hiding behind his mother. This woman might actually like Seena, might be happy to have the human amongst them. Ze continued. “Do not look so shocked, Nevan. When it comes to battle your face may be unreadable, but in social situations you are woefully open. You must work on that now that you are Head.” “Yes,” he agreed, not sure what else to say. His mother considered a moment before her next words. “You want this human as a mate, do you not? Otherwise, you would have wed Farana and kept the human on the side.” “To mate, Nevan? Even I did not think you would go that far,” said his father, bitterness in the words as he grabbed the cloth from his mate and pressed it to his eye. “You will destroy our bloodlines.” “I will not debate my choice with you, Father. I would have wished it not to come to this, but I feel no regret. I will do anything to keep Seena safe.”

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“Nevan, you are strong, but if you take a human to mate, there will be much talk.” “Yes, Mother, and my little human will make fools of them all. Our House will only benefit from her. If I truly did not believe so…” Nevan trailed off, but his father pushed him. “What, Nevan? What will you do if your human proves not to be worthy of the trust you have put in her?” “Then I will break Bloodline.” His mother gasped, and even his father showed surprise at his announcement. That meant disowning everything, his House, his name. Only the greatest of offenses were punished with this. For a Tevarian, his House was everything. That Nevan would do it willingly for another, well… “It will not come to that,” Nevan said, and his voice showed everything he felt for the little human who had conquered him so quickly. “It will not come to that.

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Chapter Ten Seena sat in the cage as she often did, staring at nothing as her thoughts chased themselves around her head. She missed Nevan. That summed up her world now. She thought it might be the only real feeling left to her for the rest of her life. Such a small moment in time their lives intersected. Looking from outside it, it made no sense. Yet to her, it was the greatest single event of her life. She then gave a small snort. Granted, the rest of her life was as a slave fighter. Most beings would pick being in love over that. She did love him though. She loved him not as a moment outside her otherwise terrible life, but she loved him, Nevan, for all that he was. She always would. There was peace for her in knowing that. No matter her life from here on, she would always be grateful for this interlude. The first thing that made her realize something was not quite right was the fact no one came to her that day except to bring her food. At the least, she had expected Samos to start his war into making her accept other men into her bed. Then there was the food itself. Not quite what she had been eating with Nevan, but better than anything she had before. She didn’t dare hope anything. Seena had witnessed too many fighters make themselves believe in dreams, and when those dreams were dashed, there was nothing that could bring them back. Seena would not do that to herself. She would wait. She had time enough to do that.

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***** The shuttle set down on the docking station, the opening doors allowing the sunlight to burst through the small space. Seena slowly walked toward the bright light outside, expecting at any moment to be stopped, to be told this was a test, one more attempt to make her crack. No one stopped her though, and within moments she walked the open space, for the first time in her memory, as a free being. Samos had stormed up to the cage, anger coloring his cheeks as he unlocked the cage. “You are released,” he hissed, as close to resembling the reptile she always privately called him as she had ever seen. “Get out of my sight, human. If I see you again, I just might kill you.” It was only after several moments of reveling in her freedom that she realized someone was behind her. Normally she would be embarrassed, how long it took her senses to realize he was near. If this had happened in the ring she would be dead. However, just this once she was willing to let herself be excused. “I thought you were not noble.” He came forward then, stopping at her side so she would have to turn to see him. “I am not.” Seena did not though—she kept staring straight ahead. “Samos freed me. Did you have anything to do with that?” “I may have given him a lot of money.” “Only money? I’m actually a little disappointed. I thought it would take more than that to convince him.” “Would you feel better if you knew I also threw in a threat to have him banished from all of the Pleasure Satellites, as well as my personal guarantee that if he did not free you, he would be dead within days?” She nodded decisively. “Yes, that does make me feel better. After all, I was his prize fighter.” His laugh warmed her and gave her the courage to continue. In a softer voice, she said, “I thought you were destined to mate with a suitable female Tevarian.” His voice equally soft, he responded, “I was.” 86

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“What happened?” “I compared myself to a BloodRing fighter and found myself wanting in the comparison.” Seena turned then, to see him, now with hope, such a new sensation, filling her chest. “So what are you going to do now, after this newfound knowledge?” “I am still not noble, but I will mate with whom I wish, as long as she will have me.” She licked her lips. “Any female would be a fool to turn you away. Who is it you wish?” A growl came from his throat, and then he was grabbing her, pulling her toward him, his mouth hot and urgent on hers. It seemed this was not enough though, after their separation, for one hand tangled itself in her hair, the other pressing itself down her back, bringing her hard against him. He seemed to want to imprint himself on her, and Seena reveled in that, wanting nothing else. “I wish, little human,” he rumbled when he finally dragged his mouth away from hers, though he still had to have it somewhere on her face, her throat, “for you to be my mate. I wish to fuck you until you cannot walk. I want you to use me for your pleasure, and brand me so that anyone looking knows I belong only to you. I wish you to have our children, and I want you to be the warrior you are to defend our lands if necessary.” Seena took Nevan’s mouth again, silencing him with her tongue as she brought her legs to wrap around his waist. The hard part she was grinding against told her he did not mind this. “Are you sure?” she teased. “I’m going to have you begging on your knees.” His grin spoke of sensual promises. “I’ve already had you on your knees, little human, and you seemed to like it very much, so I look forward to seeing if you have the same result.” She blushed. After the fights, after everything she had done with this male, she blushed, and Nevan tilted his head back and roared with laughter. “You make…” He 87

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looked at her, and the laughter faded, but the light in his eyes became greater. “You make me happy. Be my mate.” “Only if you fight me once a month…shirtless.” Before his mouth covered hers, he said, “Agreed, as long as the same prize awaits me.”

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About the Author Danielle Monsch is a Romantic Geek Girl writing in a fantasy world. Born to the pothole-ridden streets of Pittsburgh, PA, Danielle started writing in a time long ago, when there were not enough vampire stories published and she had to create her own to fill the void. Yes, such a time of darkness did indeed exist. When not writing, Danielle fills her time by reading manga and watching anime, listening to the Rifftrax of her favorite movies, and playing the occasional D&D game. She is also the host of Romantically Speaking, a podcast dedicated to all things connected to the romance genre.

Danielle welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

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