Chapter One
The Arena, Saurellia Proper
Year 5513, Saurellian Calendar
Admiral Saul Darius took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
His palm came away streaked with blood and he laughed. Damn, he loved fighting in the arena—it was the next best thing to real combat.
His opponent lay unconscious on the sands, the sixth he’d defeated today. Ten thousand of Saurellia’s most distinguished citizens surrounded him, on their feet and screaming. Saul didn’t give a damn about his audience, he didn’t come to the arena for their tribute. But the women… They were a different story. Saul raised his arms triumphantly and turned his half-naked, sweating body toward the maidens’ section.
Hundreds of young women in flowing gowns threw themselves into a frenzy and he smiled with satisfaction. Every one of them was a potential lifemate, although he’d long since given up on finding a woman for himself. After thirty-eight years it no longer seemed an option—they were off limits to him.
Except for today.
The winner chose which maiden would crown him, reason enough for many men to risk their lives in the arena. Darius came to sate his blood lust, although later he’d plow some lucky woman until she screamed. Not one of these girls, though. Never one of these. They weren’t for the likes of him. Some men were fated to find lifemates but Darius knew his fate lay with war and death. Except today—for a short time—he could get close enough to one to pretend things might be different…
He scanned the stands, trying to decide which woman to pick. They fluttered at him like delicate birds, their traditional pastel gowns designed for just this moment. His selected queen would look like a goddess stepping down from the sky, crowning Saul in a moment of glory that called to every Saurellian’s deepest sense of tradition and 4
Gladiator’s Prize
heritage. Saul’s mouth twisted wryly. He’d take it more seriously if he didn’t know for a fact that the entire thing was little more than propaganda, designed to keep an embattled Federation united in their war against the Empire.
Still, their long, dark hair and rich brown eyes called to him. Each woman appeared lovelier than the next and he felt the beginnings of an erection swell. He wore only a loincloth, knowing all too well that his arousal would be visible to anyone looking, but Saul didn’t care. He’d enjoy the moment, use his fame for all it was worth, and with any luck he’d be able to return to what really mattered before too much longer.
Winning the war that had already claimed so many of his friends.
And if he won that war? Well, some of those beautiful girls might live to find their lifemates and another generation of little Saurellians would be born.
Despite the Emperor’s best efforts.
K’rilla sat obstinately still as the other women ran wild around her, trying not to let her mouth pinch in that unpleasant way that she knew made her look her age. She hated displays like this, although she understood the importance of them. She felt like a fool, perched here among the maidens of Saurellia’s finest families. Unmated at thirty-five, she was an anomaly at best, a freak in the minds of most.
Never mind the little fact that she was one of the Federation’s leading weapons system engineers… No babies, so here she sat with the teenagers. Saurellia didn’t quite know what to do with women who didn’t follow the traditional pattern.
Attending had been a mistake, she hated sticking out. Family duty , she reminded herself. Kimme was scared to come by herself, she needs you. Oh she hated moments like this, when it was all too clear she didn’t fit in.
And she never would.
Because while everyone else could relax and enjoy the spectacle of the arena, all she could think about was the coming invasion. She knew what everyone else could only 5
Joanna Wylde
speculate upon. Soon their warships would leave Saurellian space, launching the
The Arena, Saurellia Proper
Year 5513, Saurellian Calendar
Admiral Saul Darius took a deep breath and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
His palm came away streaked with blood and he laughed. Damn, he loved fighting in the arena—it was the next best thing to real combat.
His opponent lay unconscious on the sands, the sixth he’d defeated today. Ten thousand of Saurellia’s most distinguished citizens surrounded him, on their feet and screaming. Saul didn’t give a damn about his audience, he didn’t come to the arena for their tribute. But the women… They were a different story. Saul raised his arms triumphantly and turned his half-naked, sweating body toward the maidens’ section.
Hundreds of young women in flowing gowns threw themselves into a frenzy and he smiled with satisfaction. Every one of them was a potential lifemate, although he’d long since given up on finding a woman for himself. After thirty-eight years it no longer seemed an option—they were off limits to him.
Except for today.
The winner chose which maiden would crown him, reason enough for many men to risk their lives in the arena. Darius came to sate his blood lust, although later he’d plow some lucky woman until she screamed. Not one of these girls, though. Never one of these. They weren’t for the likes of him. Some men were fated to find lifemates but Darius knew his fate lay with war and death. Except today—for a short time—he could get close enough to one to pretend things might be different…
He scanned the stands, trying to decide which woman to pick. They fluttered at him like delicate birds, their traditional pastel gowns designed for just this moment. His selected queen would look like a goddess stepping down from the sky, crowning Saul in a moment of glory that called to every Saurellian’s deepest sense of tradition and 4
Gladiator’s Prize
heritage. Saul’s mouth twisted wryly. He’d take it more seriously if he didn’t know for a fact that the entire thing was little more than propaganda, designed to keep an embattled Federation united in their war against the Empire.
Still, their long, dark hair and rich brown eyes called to him. Each woman appeared lovelier than the next and he felt the beginnings of an erection swell. He wore only a loincloth, knowing all too well that his arousal would be visible to anyone looking, but Saul didn’t care. He’d enjoy the moment, use his fame for all it was worth, and with any luck he’d be able to return to what really mattered before too much longer.
Winning the war that had already claimed so many of his friends.
And if he won that war? Well, some of those beautiful girls might live to find their lifemates and another generation of little Saurellians would be born.
Despite the Emperor’s best efforts.
K’rilla sat obstinately still as the other women ran wild around her, trying not to let her mouth pinch in that unpleasant way that she knew made her look her age. She hated displays like this, although she understood the importance of them. She felt like a fool, perched here among the maidens of Saurellia’s finest families. Unmated at thirty-five, she was an anomaly at best, a freak in the minds of most.
Never mind the little fact that she was one of the Federation’s leading weapons system engineers… No babies, so here she sat with the teenagers. Saurellia didn’t quite know what to do with women who didn’t follow the traditional pattern.
Attending had been a mistake, she hated sticking out. Family duty , she reminded herself. Kimme was scared to come by herself, she needs you. Oh she hated moments like this, when it was all too clear she didn’t fit in.
And she never would.
Because while everyone else could relax and enjoy the spectacle of the arena, all she could think about was the coming invasion. She knew what everyone else could only 5
Joanna Wylde
speculate upon. Soon their warships would leave Saurellian space, launching the
Similar Books
