Seren scowled. “You have to fight him?”

  Xias shrugged, apparently unconcerned.

  “He’s huge,” she said. “And likely more powerful than you.”

  “It’s skill that counts,” Xias said.

  The man was so cocky. “I can’t take you back to Magnus broken or dead.”

  “Worried about me?”

  She sucked in a breath. “No.”

  “Come on, you can help me warm up for the fight.”

  “Do I get to hit you?”

  He winked. “If you’re quick enough.”

  * * *

  Stepping down onto the grass, Xias stripped off the shirt he’d worn for the party. He drew his sword off his back, swinging it through the air. They found a quiet, shadowed spot on the lawn, away from the party. Zonan must spend a small fortune to keep the gardens so green.

  Xias turned and his heart kicked his ribs.

  Seren strode toward him, the skirt of her dress flaring behind her. The slits parted, showing off her legs. She reached inside the slits and pulled out her fighting forks.

  And just like that, Xias’ cock was hard.

  She was so drakking gorgeous.

  “Ready?” She moved into a fighting stance.

  He lifted his sword. “Ready.”

  She moved blindingly fast, even without her teleportation ability. She was a formidable fighter. They whirled and danced across the grass. His sword hit her forks, metal ringing on metal.

  She spun away and Xias followed.

  She ducked, then lunged, the tip of her fork raking across his abdomen.

  He grunted and looked down. A pink mark welled on his dark skin.

  She rose, the corner of her mouth lifting.

  They lunged at each other again. Xias managed to knock one fork out of her hand.

  She spun, her dress flaring, and their bodies slammed together.

  “You got lucky,” she said.

  “Skill, not luck.”

  Her eyes narrowed and she whirled away.

  The next attack was hard and fast. He blocked a huge hit, and they moved farther away from the party crowd and deeper into the shadows. Even with only one fork, she was deadly.

  “I think you’re warmed up.” She lowered her arm, her chest rising and falling fast.

  Xias sucked in some air. Drak, his sister would have loved Seren.

  He lowered his sword. “I’m feeling very warm right now.”

  Seren’s gaze locked with his.

  “You’re very beautiful, Seren. Especially when you fight.”

  Her lips parted.

  He watched her face. “No one’s ever told you that before?”

  She tucked her fork away, scooping down to pick up the one he’d knocked onto the grass. “Beauty was not important on my planet. Intelligence, strength, skill, and discipline, those were prized.”

  Dan Nonia sounded like somewhere Xias would have hated. “You’re all those things.” He moved closer. “But you’re beautiful as well.”

  Their bodies brushed and she sucked in a breath, her breasts skimming his chest.

  He felt the way her nipples pebbled and he swallowed a groan.

  She moved closer and he knew that she could hardly miss his hard cock jabbing her belly.

  “You’re aroused,” she said.

  Drak, that cool tone got to him. But he heard something beneath it. “Yes, very much. You’re attracted to me too.”

  She arched a dark brow. “Attraction isn’t something I pay much attention to.”

  “Has a man kissed you before, Seren?” He cupped her jaw and her eyelids fluttered. “I know you kissed me earlier, but I don’t think a man’s kissed you.”

  “No.”

  “Do you want me to kiss you? Properly?”

  “I’m not sure.” Her lips were a whisper away from his.

  “You have to decide.”

  She didn’t say anything, instead she just closed the gap.

  That was answer enough for him.

  Her lips moved on his and he opened his mouth. She mimicked the move, and then they were devouring each other.

  She gripped him, their tongues tangling. A hungry noise escaped her and one of her hands slid into his short hair.

  Drak. So good.

  Then there was the sound of a clearing throat.

  “Xias, if you and your bodyguard are finished, it’s time for the fight.”

  He tore his mouth from hers. He kept his hands on her hips to keep them both steady, then looked over his shoulder. Zonan watched them with an amused smile.

  “I’m ready.” Xias forced himself to step away from Seren.

  He had a fight to win.

  An innocent woman was out there in the desert, and Magnus was counting on Xias to win in order to save her. He’d failed his sister, but he wouldn’t fail his imperator or Bellamy Walsh.

  Chapter Five

  Seren watched Xias climb into the open-air fight ring.

  It was sizable, but nowhere near as large as an arena. This would be close-quarters combat.

  Her lips were still tingling from their kiss. Other parts of her were tingling as well. It was like he’d torn away years of training and discipline from her.

  She took a deep breath, her brain forcing her to relive that hot kiss. She grabbed a drink from a passing server and drained it in one gulp.

  The crowd started cheering, all amped up and ready to watch the fight.

  She hated that Xias had to do this. Dancing to Zonan’s twisted beat.

  Then she saw the huge warrior climb into the ring—Phalgor. Her stomach tightened. Drak, the alien was really big.

  Zonan climbed through the ropes and spun into the center of the ring, his arms held high. “Please, finish placing your bets.”

  All around, Seren saw credits, coins, and hunks of glittering metal trading hands.

  She lowered one hand, fingers stroking her fighting fork through the folds of her dress. She wanted this to be over. She wanted the map so she and Xias could get out of there, and get back to the House of Rone.

  She looked at him in the ring. He was stretching, a smile on his face. But she knew him a little better now—he wasn’t taking any pleasure in this.

  A drum sounded from somewhere—the beat heavy and striking. The crowd hushed.

  “Let the fight begin,” Zonan yelled, leaping over the ropes and out of the ring.

  There were no weapons. This worried Seren a little, as Xias usually fought with a sword.

  Phalgor strode forward and Xias watched him come. An electric energy filled the air.

  Then Xias moved.

  Seren couldn’t look away.

  She’d seen him fight before, but somehow this was rawer, more primal.

  He was quicker than Phalgor. He whirled, landing sharp jabs against his opponent’s side.

  Phalgor roared and swung his huge fists. Xias ducked, then hammered several punches home.

  Her breath hitched. She watched Xias’ gleaming muscles flex and bunch as he fought. Shockingly, the spot between her legs pulsed, growing damp.

  One of her hands curled into a fist. Xias landed a blow, sending Phalgor to one knee.

  Then Xias looked through the ropes and caught Seren’s gaze. He winked.

  So cocky.

  Phalgor pushed up and charged. Xias dodged, but on the next charge, Phalgor caught Xias and lifted him off his feet. They crashed to the floor of the fight ring.

  The crowd booed, hissed, and yelled.

  “Get up, Xias,” she whispered.

  He jerked free and rolled. Then he was up again. He rained blows down on his opponent and Phalgor shuddered under the brutal hits.

  Seren felt like her skin was on fire. She wanted this finished, but a part of her couldn’t look away. Emotion swelled inside her, and she tried to push it away, but it was too strong.

  In the middle of another wicked combination of hits, Xias caught her gaze again. It seared through her—molten hot.

  Her breasts felt heavy, her belly was full of sharp flutters. Right now, she was not the disciplined cyborg she always tried to be. She looked away, staring blindly at the crowd. For the second time in her life, since the destruction of her planet, she really, really wanted something for herself.

  The first had been to become a House of Rone elite cyborg.

  And now, she wanted to know how it felt to have Xias’ powerful body moving inside her.

  She caught a glimpse of something in the crowd. It was the teenage boy she’d spied earlier. He was watching her.

  He definitely had facial markings—stark black that spread out from the corner of his eyes and some patterns on his cheeks. She frowned and the crowd shifted, blocking her view.

  Who was he and why was he watching her?

  The spectators gasped and she spun back to the fight.

  Phalgor had Xias pinned to the ropes. The big warrior was hammering Xias with his massive fists. Concern shot through her.

  “Move, Xias,” she whispered.

  Xias grunted and caught her looking. Then the damn man winked.

  “Move, you cocky gladiator,” she bit out.

  Like he’d heard her whisper, Xias shoved Phalgor off and erupted into a flurry of brutal hits and kicks.

  His powerful, muscled body moved like a well-programed machine. Each blow was smooth, powerful, and on target.

  The crowd went wild.

  Another hit to Phalgor’s head and he went down, crashing to the ground.

  The shouts from the crowd were deafening.

  Seren stood in the center of the mass of people, breathing heavily. She felt like excess energy had been pumped into her.

  She needed to do something to alleviate this feeling inside her.

  For the first time in her life, she felt electrically alive.

  * * *

  Xias thrust his hand into the air.

  Blood pumped thickly through his veins. It always felt good to win.

  He’d lost the most important battle of his life when he’d failed to save Jinna. His bright, young sister has fallen prey to the taint dealers in Kor Magna’s dark back alleys. They’d made her impossible promises, then gotten her hooked on the illicit drug.

  Xias hadn’t been able to save her and she’d died of an overdose. He never wanted to lose again.

  Zonan was back in the ring, droning on to the crowd and grinning like a crazy man.

  Xias searched for Seren among the spectators. He spotted her and their gazes locked.

  Drak. It was like a jolt to his already vibrating body. Desire hit him—hot, thick, and undeniable. He saw the echo of it in her purple eyes.

  “Congratulations to our champion, Xias.” Zonan grabbed his hand and lifted it into the air.

  “I want my prize, Zonan,” Xias said.

  “Of course. In the morning, it’s all yours.”

  Xias growled. “Now.”

  Zonan smiled. “I keep it in my secure vault inside. I don’t have it with me. I promise you, in the morning, after you’ve rested, I’ll give it to you.”

  Xias swallowed another growl. “You play me, you play Magnus and the House of Rone, then we’ll have problems.”

  “The morning, I swear.”

  Disgruntled, Xias turned back, looking for Seren.

  She was gone.

  Edgy need filled him and he leaped over the ropes. He was instantly mobbed by fans, and he nodded, accepting the thanks and praise. But he didn’t stop to chat.

  Right now, he had another mission.

  He strode away and into the house. Each step vibrated through him, his body heavy, his nostrils flared.

  His long strides carried him down the corridor, and without knocking, he pushed open the door to her room. It slammed into the wall beside him.

  The lights were on low. She stood by the window, a night breeze making her dress flow around her like water.

  Drakking gorgeous. Desire was a heavy thud inside him. His cock pressed painfully to the front of his trousers.

  Seren turned, her eyes ablaze.

  Xias was still covered in sweat and some blood from a few scrapes. But he didn’t care.

  He slammed the door closed behind him and crossed the room. “Be sure, Seren.”

  She licked her lips, but didn’t say anything. Nor did she look away.

  “I won’t stop,” he growled. “I’ll take everything I want.”

  She shivered, but still didn’t move. “The map?”

  “Zonan said in the morning.”

  Her mouth tightened.

  “I know. If he keeps stringing us along—” Xias smiled “—then we’ll have to convince him to hand it over.”

  “I liked watching you fight.”

  He reached up and unclipped his harness, pulling it off his chest. She watched every move, her breathing fast.

  Drak. He couldn’t wait any longer.

  He closed the distance between them and lifted her off her feet, their mouths crashing together.

  She moaned and wrapped her legs around his waist. He slid his hands beneath her and cupped her ass.

  They kissed wildly, all tongues and teeth, moans and groans. He backed her against the wall.

  Drak. Drak. Need pulsed in his gut. She made a husky, hungry sound.

  “I’m covered in sweat,” he said.

  “I don’t care.” She bit down on his lip.

  He growled. Then he set her down and spun her around.

  “Hands against the wall,” he ordered.

  She hesitated, but finally obeyed. He crouched behind her, sliding his hands up her legs and under the silk of her dress.

  She trembled, but otherwise didn’t move.

  Xias gripped the dress in one fist and pushed upward. He drank in her gorgeous, smooth skin.

  By the sands. His cock hurt and it was hard to keep his body still. His fingers brushed the leather ties wrapped around her strong thighs, holding her fighting forks in place.

  And then he saw the smooth cream of the simple panties that covered her perfect ass.

  “You drive me wild, Seren. Right to the edge of my control.”

  Her legs trembled. “Do something.”

  He stroked up her thigh, undid the leather, and removed her fighting fork. Then he toyed with the leather on her other thigh before undoing it as well. He heard her breathing quicken.

  Then he reached up and palmed her ass.

  “You want to know what I have planned?” he asked.

  She pushed back into his hand. He reached around her, gripping the neckline of her dress. He pushed the fabric off her shoulder, and she shifted, the silk slithering down her body to her feet.

  Drak. His chest locked. The black markings ran across her shoulder blades and down her spine. So drakking beautiful.

  His hands clenched on her. “I’m going to eat you now.”

  “What?” She tried to turn.

  He held her in place. “Between your legs, where you’re wet and needy.” He stroked a hand over her flat belly and down to finger the silk between her thighs.

  She jerked and cried out.

  “I’m so hungry for you. I’m going to lick you, tongue you, suck you.”

  She gasped. “Do it, drak you.”

  Xias dropped lower, his eyes on her ass. With one pull, he ripped her panties off and then cupped those toned cheeks. Then he gripped her hips, tilting her, and lowered his head between her legs.

  “Oh…” Her voice was strangled.

  He lapped at her. So wet, all for him.

  She pushed back against his mouth. “More.”

  He licked harder and growled against her sensitive flesh.

  Xias took his time, reading her body and the sounds she made. He found exactly what drove his tough cyborg wild.

  “Xias…” Her voice was high and breathy.

  He spun her away from the wall and dragged her down onto the rug on the floor.

  She was spread out before him, her face flushed and her purple gaze wild.

  He leaned over and kissed her, and knew that she’d taste herself on his lips.

  Then he pushed her back, running his hand between her gorgeous breasts, and lower down to her legs. He pushed those thighs apart and lowered his head again. He licked her, his tongue stabbing inside her.

  She screamed, her back arching as she came.

  Xias had won so many fights in his life, that he’d lost count of them. But winning this one was the best of all.

  Chapter Six

  Seren lay on the floor, unable to move.

  Clearly the partner she’d selected to try sexual relations with before had not been very skilled.

  Right now, it felt like her nerves were on fire, her heart rate was elevated, and pleasure coiled in her belly.

  She opened her eyes, saw Xias above her, like a dark predator.

  An extremely satisfied-looking predator.

  “You liked that?” he asked.

  “I think that was obvious.”

  “We’re not finished yet.” He palmed the heavy bulge straining the front of his trousers.

  Seren licked her lips. “Let me.”

  She reached up and unfastened his leathers. His very large cock sprang free.

  She blinked. “That can’t possibly fit inside a woman.”

  A choked laugh broke out of him. “It does, I promise.”

  She reached for him again, but he caught her wrist. “Not yet.” He rose to his feet. “Wait here.”

  “Where are you going?”

  He strode toward the bathroom. “I’m washing the fight off me before I touch you again.” His molten gaze drifted over her. “Don’t move.”

  She lay back, feeling wanton and indulgent lying naked on the floor. Yet another thing she’d never, ever done. And yet, she didn’t move. Couldn’t move.

  He didn’t take long. When he came back, he was naked, his dark skin damp, and his impressive cock was hard.

  Dropping back to his knees beside her, he smiled. “Now, where were we?”

  She reached for the part of him that she was curious about and stroked. It was so dark, so thick. “I’d heard you were well endowed.”

  He gave a low laugh, until she stroked him again. The laugh turned to a groan. “Drak, that feels good.”