STORY EXCERPT

Thracian crumpled to his knees at the sight of his mate. Ilizabita lay in a pool of blood at his feet, her throat slit. He let out an anguished howl. Black smoke filled the sky above him as fires raged through his beloved city. He lifted Ilizabita’s broken body into his arms and cradled her against his chest. Black sorrow filled his heart as the pain of loss closed in around him. He hugged her lifeless body to his chest. Everyone is dead.

“I’m sorry, I failed you, Iza my love,” he murmured against her cheek. Thracian, Prince of Hyperia, stared in disbelief at the destruction of his homeland. His beloved Ilizabita was murdered and his people decimated at the hands of the Sabaketes. They were the Death-Dealers of other worlds. Fires had scorched the earth beneath his feet. His world was now a wasteland.

“Our women and children have been slaughtered. There’s nothing left!” Crixus roared as he beat his chest in pain. He crumpled to his knees next to his brother and hung his head. “We’ve failed our people, Thracian.”

“We shall have our revenge, Crixus, if it’s the last breath I take,” Thracian vowed. “Let’s bury our dead. Then we will hunt every single last one of them down until they are all dead.”

He looked over at his other brother, Maximus, who nodded grimly in agreement. Thracian’s two brothers and his battalion, the Brotherhood of the Realm, were all that were left of the family he held dear. Hyperia and the life these men once knew was no more. He leaned forward to brush a gentle kiss on Ilizabita’s lips when her eyes popped open. “Thracian…” A guttural voice beckoned.

“Iza!” He sat up in a cold sweat. It was always the same night after night. He dreamt of her death. The reoccurring nightmare put him in a foul mood. His bedding was soaked and sweat covered his body. He climbed out of bed and walked into the bathroom to shower. It was time to go hunting. He’d come to Earth with a handful of men to kill the Sabaketes Scouts who had jumped into this realm. Earth was a beautiful planet. It reminded him of his home before it was ruined. They were here to rid Earth of the scourge that had destroyed his people and to find a genetically compatible race of females that his men could breed with. Hyperia was still recovering from the attack. Most of the female population was killed and the males significantly outnumbered them. He was told humans might be a genetic match.

His people expected him to eventually take another mate from the females that remained. He had no plans to ever let anyone in again. His heart was dead. Ilizabita died many moons ago, but the pain was still there, lingering like a festering wound that refused to heal. None of the women who were left stirred his interest. Some were good warriors and he respected their bravery. Yet, he felt nothing more for these women. If he had to pick a female to be his queen, he would fulfill his duty to produce an heir and nothing more.

He stared at the angry male glaring back at him in the mirror. His mouth was set in a grim line and his silver eyes still retained a haunted look to them. Revenge was his only companion. It was what kept him going each day. He turned and stepped into the shower, letting the warm water wash over his body. He placed both hands on the shower walls. The hot jets felt good. It was time to hunt those bastards and move on. He was ready.

“Thracian…Oop…sorry!” Thracian looked up to see Clarius grinning at him. She was staring at him with lust in her deep blue eyes. She had long red hair that hung to her waist and fair skin. It was no secret that she was attracted him, but he wasn’t interested.

“What do you want, Clarius?” Thracian’s tone was bored. He continued to wash, unaffected by her presence.

“I’m sorry to have to interrupt your shower.”

“Can’t whatever it is you’ve come to tell me wait until I’m done?”

“No, it can’t wait, sorry. Your brother Crixus was injured this morning. A Scout ambushed him. He’s asking for you…says it’s important.”

“How bad is he hurt?” Thracian shut off the water and grabbed a towel to dry off.

“He’s pretty cut up. Marcus and he got separated. He found Crixus lying on the road unconscious.”

“Where is he now?” Thracian asked impatiently.

“He’s upstairs, Masavo is tending to his wounds.”

“I’ll be right there. Let me get dressed.” Thracian wrapped a towel around his waist and stepped out of the shower.

“See you upstairs.” Clarius smirked at him as she turned away.

Thracian threw on his clothes and went upstairs to find his brother. He entered the room and found Crixus being stitched by Masavo.

“How is he?” Thracian asked.

“He’ll be fine, his wounds are deep but they will heal,” Masavo commented.

“Thracian,” Crixus groaned.

“Yes.” He walked over to him.

“I need you to do something for me, my brother.”

“What is it?”

“There was a woman on the road. She helped me. The Scout took her,” Crixus gritted out in pain.

“That’s too bad.”

“She saved my life, Thracian. The Scout would have killed me if it weren’t for her.”

“You didn’t kill the Scout?”

“No, I passed out.”

“Well, you were lucky then.”

“You don’t understand. I want you to go after the female.”

“Why? He’s probably killed her by now.”

“She saved my life and must not die at the hands of that beast.”

“I’m not going after a human.”

“Did you not hear me? She tried to save my life. I will not let her suffer that fate.”

“I do not have time to go after some human, Crixus,” Thracian snarled.

“I would go if I were able to. You need to do this for me.”

“All right, it shall be done. Had it been anyone else who asked this favor of me, I would have said no. Where will I find her?” Thracian sighed heavily.

ADULT EXCERPT

“What are you going to do with me?”

“Keep you here with me.” He placed both hands on the bed and crawled toward her. His eyes swept over her approvingly.

“Why? What do you want?” she breathed, already taking a guess as he inched his way toward her.

“I should not want anything from you, Mina.”

“Please stop,” she whispered faintly.

“Your scent is intoxicating to me. It’s strange, but I find myself inexplicably drawn to you somehow.”

“You’re drawn, to me?” Mina panicked. She felt her heart race and her pulse thumped loudly in her ears. Oh shit! Now what? The mysterious male crept forward, never taking his eyes off her.

“Yes. I desire you,” he replied in a husky tone.

He slowly pulled the material from her hands and she froze. He drew her down flat on the bed, hovering above her. She looked at him in shock, but for some odd reason she could not fathom, she did not try to resist him. There was something purely raw and masculine about him. He looked at her like no man ever had before. Why was she dropping her guard with him?

“Please don’t hurt me?” Her voice shook.

“Shh, do not fear me,” he murmured as he gazed over her parted lips.

“I’m trying not to, but you are freaking me out a little.”

“You are very beautiful, Mina,” he said softly. “You make me want things I have not desired in a very long time.” His mouth was tense, sensuous.

She pushed against his chest when it made contact with her flesh. Through his shirt she could feel the hard planes of his broad chest. Her nipples pearled, aching suddenly to be touched by him. The muscles rippled beneath his skin as they brushed against her swollen buds.

“Stop,” she whispered even though part of her didn’t want him to stop. “Don’t hurt me,” she whimpered, but still she did not push him away. He arched an eyebrow, lowering his mouth to hers.

“What I intend to do will not hurt,” his lips twitched in amusement.

Why am I not trying to fight him off? She was naked and this tantalizing male was hovering above her ready to devour her. She sucked in a breath when he spread her thighs and settled between them. A hot ache grew as explosive currents traveled through her body. She opened her mouth to protest as gentle lips brushed over hers. His breath was so sweet, it intoxicated her. He groaned softly as her lips parted and he captured her mouth with his. He deepened the kiss, stroking her tongue with his. She tugged his hair, tipping his head, their mouths meshing together greedily. He suddenly broke away from the kiss, his breath coming out harsh.

“Why am I doing this?” he whispered to her, pressing his lips into a tight line.

“I don’t know, but don’t stop.” Mina slid her hand around his neck and pulled his lips toward her again. The kiss intensified as his hands slid down her throat and he squeezed her breasts. A low rumble vibrated in his chest as he caressed her sensitive nipples. He leaned forward and captured one in his mouth. He sucked and licked. She threw her head back and arched toward him. His tongue set her body on fire with every caressing sweep. Her whole body shook when his hand trailed down her stomach and squeezed her inner thigh. She felt his heavy arousal pressed against her belly through his pants. It caused an immense, unyielding desire to come over her. She wanted, no, needed him. It was crazy what she was allowing to happen here. His mouth descended on her again, devouring her lips passionately. She ran her fingers through his hair, drawing him closer. His lips were relentless, leaving her panting and aching for more.

“Mina,” he whispered hoarsely against her throat as he ran his nose along her jawline. She felt a shock of pleasure. “I want you. Please tell me yes.”

“I…I can’t think.” She gave a shuddering gasp as his mouth covered her breast again and he sucked the rosy tip roughly. The sensation shot straight to her clit and she found herself rolling her hips against his erection. He growled against her damp flesh and she heard another moan escape her lips.

“Say yes.” He groaned in a deep, husky voice.

“Yes,” she breathed. She couldn’t believe she was telling him yes, but she could not fight her intense attraction to him. The hunger to feel him inside her was overwhelming.

He stood up and dropped his pants. She could see the outline of his cock through his black boxers. He was a big male all over. His large cock sprang free when he pulled them down his sexy thighs. He grabbed his shirt and pulled it over his head. She couldn’t help but admire the sight of him. His hard, flat stomach was lined with muscles, and a dark trail of hair descended from his chest to the impressive shaft between his legs. He leaned on the bed and crawled toward her like a predator stalking his prey.

Oh my, I can’t believe I’m doing this. Mina was too aroused to put up a fight though, as it seemed her body and mind were already on automatic pilot.

“Open your legs for me, Mina. I want to see all of you,” he ordered in a deep voice.

“Why?” She suddenly felt self-conscious and tried to sit up.

“I’m curious,” he murmured huskily.

“Okay.” She hesitated, biting her lower lip. Thracian slid down the bed, grabbed her inner thighs and pushed them apart. She laid back and closed her eyes. The room was bright, and it felt weird having him stare at her girlie parts so intimately. A low rumble vibrated in his chest, and she felt his hot breath inches above her.