* * *
Kim
“This isn’t so bad,” I scamper to catch up with Juno, who’s gliding so fast, the hem of her gown is slithering over the ground like quicksilver. She’s pissed at me. Not that I care. “I don't see what the big deal is.”
“His Majesty wishes for you to remain in the harem.” She sweeps ahead of me, nose in the air.
I jog to keep up with her pace. “He also wants me to be comfortable here. The palace is my new home, right?” I don’t know if Aurus cares whether I’m comfortable, but my guess is the Betas should keep me happy.
She gives a ladylike sniff. “You should obey his Majesty in all things.”
“Yeah, not gonna happen.” We pass through a doorway and enter a bright hall. On one side, a long open window is open to the air. Shouts and clanging metal drift up from a courtyard below.
“Here we are.” Juno stops abruptly. At the end of the hall are two huge Alpha warriors in full gold armor. I lean past her to study them. “I advise you not to run,” she says, as if reading my thoughts.
The scrape and ringing of metal draws me back to the view.
“Those are the training grounds?” I point. We’re high above the soldiers in a hidden gallery, behind a gauzy curtain. It’s a little stuffy, but it doesn’t seem as hot up here as it looks down there, with the sun beating against the sand. I approach the railing and the heat hits my face like a blast from an oven door.
“Not too close,” Juno says, wringing her hands.
“I’m not going to go over. I’m not stupid,” I mutter, but I step back. “What’s with the curtain?”
“At times, we are allowed to watch his Majesty train, but no warrior may look upon us.”
“What about those guys?” I wave at the guards. Maybe she’ll send them away.
“Those are our guards. They’re not allowed to touch us,” she says stiffly.
They’re both wearing helmets, but somehow I know both sets of Alpha eyes are fixed on me.
Maybe I can slip past them somehow…
A roaring battle cry ululates up from the training sands. I step closer to the railing. It’s not like it’s an open platform. And I’m not going to dive off. I scoot closer—and when I see the tableau below, I’m so glad I did.
A row of three golden, blazing suns gleam in a pale mauve sky, turning the sandy grounds pink. Or is the sand always pink?
At the far end of the grounds writhes a mass of shining, muscled bodies. Alphas—Alphas everywhere. Big, hulking warriors, half-clothed and sleek with sweat. Spinning, weaving, attacking. Weapons of all kinds are scattered around. In the middle of the grounds is a huge platform with a giant bronze gong suspended in a golden frame.
A scent rises from the sand—not unpleasant. Salty. Spicy. Delicious man meat baking golden in the suns.
And in the middle of the sparring is the biggest, baddest, most golden boy of them all.
Everything in me focuses onhim.
There’s another roar, and a flash of weaponry. A lither warrior lunges towards the grand one. Metal glints.
I suck in a breath.Look out!
The huge warrior waits until the last moment and dodges, gliding past the blade like he sensed it coming. He whips around and slashes at his opponent, driving the slighter warrior back. His thrusts are so fast, everyone else looks like they’re moving in slow motion.
I’m licking my lips, leaning over the railing. My breasts are suddenly swollen, aching. Heat pulses between my thighs. If I called out to the Alpha, would he hear me? Or is the stupid curtain too much in the way?
The warrior turns. It’s Aurus.
Damnit.I lean back. Yes, he’s sexy as hell. But he’s such an asshat.
I’m not hot for him. I refuse to be.
