Chapter Eight
Winter kissed Nero back, sinking her hands into his hair. His tongue swept into her mouth and she moaned.
Hungry for more, heat pooling low in her belly, she let her lips travel over his strong jaw, sliding down his neck. His big hands dug into her hips, one sliding over her belly. Desire was riding her hard and she sank her teeth into his neck, feeling the pulse under his skin.
She loved his rough hands on her. “I love when you touch me.”
Nero growled, his hands clenching.
He wasn’t being careful, wasn’t treating her like she was broken.
“This is crazy,” she said huskily. “You and me. I’m not even sure we like each other.”
“I like you.” Then, his mouth was back on hers, hard and demanding. Just how she imagined a barbarian gladiator would kiss. She hadn’t realized how much she’d missed being close to someone. It’d been so, so long. She moved against him, feeling the strength of his firm thighs beneath her, and another hard bulge that made her belly contract.
He rose, carrying her easily, and Winter wrapped her legs around his waist. He moved farther along the balcony until they were swallowed by the shadows.
“I’ve decided we should have sex,” she said in a rush.
“What?” he growled.
“Sex. You and me. Get this craziness out of our systems.”
“Just sex?”
“Yes.” She wanted his hands on her, his mouth on her, his cock inside her. She wanted an orgasm she didn’t have to give herself. “I want to use you for sex.”
He made a strangled sound. She felt stone beneath her butt and realized he’d rested her on the stone railing.
Winter looked over the edge, excitement spiking. “Don’t let me fall.”
“Never.” His mouth took hers again.
Then his mouth traveled down her neck, across her collarbone. With one hand, he nudged down the neckline of her dress and freed one breast.
His mouth closed over her nipple, sucking hard. Winter’s head dropped back, desire storming through her. She felt his hand sliding up under the skirt of her dress. This dress was short too but with a fuller skirt. His fingers brushed over her panties and she jerked. Her breasts felt heavy and full, her belly hot.
“Do you want me to touch you here, Winter?”
“Yes.” More than anything.
“With my fingers or my mouth?”
Her breath hitched. “Both.”
In the darkness, she saw the flash of his white teeth as he smiled. One finger slipped under her panties. She canted her hips forward and he slid one thick finger inside her.
“Nero!”
“You are so tight.” He pulled his finger out, teasing her folds. “And so very wet. Is that for me?”
She trembled and he thrust his finger back inside. She clamped her hands on the railing, trying to hold onto something to anchor herself. Of course, Nero kept one hand on her hips, holding her safely in place.
“More,” she choked out. “Nero, please.”
With a hungry sound, he knelt down. He nudged her thighs wider apart with his head. The sight of him between her legs made her belly clench even tighter. Then he leaned forward and she felt his warm breath on her.
Oh, God. He gripped her panties and tore them off with one flick of his wrist. Then his mouth was on her.
She cried out, biting down on her lip to muffle it. His hot tongue lapped at her, delved inside. She shifted and both his hands cupped her buttocks, pulling her to his mouth. He made the sound of a hungry man feasting.
“So soft. So sweet.” His tongue found her clit, lapping at it.
That shoved Winter over the edge. She came, hard and fast, trying not to scream his name.
She was panting, her eyes closed, when she felt him stand. He scooped her up and the next thing she knew, he was setting her back on the couch and smoothing her dress down.
Winter opened her eyes. To see a smug-looking barbarian watching her. He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her lips, and she tasted herself on him. When he pulled back, he held something up.
She blushed. The tattered remains of her panties. When she reached for them, he snatched them away.
“Did you know barbarian warriors are known to keep trophies of all their victories?” he said.
Her eyes narrowed. “You keep trophies?”
“No.” He tucked her panties into his pocket. “But I’m thinking of starting.”
A laugh burst out of her. She was feeling far too good to argue with the man.
“There you are.” Harper appeared, Raiden an enormous silhouette behind her.
Great. Winter quickly smoothed her hair, hoping she looked normal. Not like a woman who’d let a barbarian gladiator give her an earth-shattering orgasm. When she saw Harper’s gaze narrow, Winter was pretty sure luck wasn’t on her side.
“Sorry to break up the party,” Raiden said. “Zhim said he got a ping from his comp. His enhancements of the video found something.”
Winter scrambled to her feet. Her body was still tingling from what she and Nero had done, but right now, she needed to think of Dayna and Mia. They were locked away somewhere, hurting, and who knew what was happening to them. It made Winter feel terrible that she was here, safe, going to parties and making out with a handsome man. That just wasn’t right.
Nero pressed a hand to her back and urged her inside. They passed through the party and headed down to the lower levels.
When they moved into the maintenance area, Winter saw that Zhim was already there, working feverishly in front of several screens.
“Zhim?” Galen said.
The information merchant held up a hand. “Shh.”
Galen’s face darkened, and Winter guessed that the imperator wasn’t used to people giving him orders.
“Zhim.” Galen’s voice had lowered to a growl.
“Just one more second. Yes!” Zhim spun in his chair, grinning at them. “I was just finishing enhancing the video, and I’ve identified who is skulking in the shadows.”
Winter pushed forward, trying to get a clear view of the screen. She heaved out a frustrated breath. The shadows were too dark for her to make out much more than the desert rock formations, and the faint outline of something…someone.
Behind her, the room went silent.
“Drak,” Galen bit out.
Dread solidified in Winter’s stomach. She looked up at Nero. “What is it?”
“There are three people in the image.” His voice was tense. “They blend into the desert landscape.”
“And?”
“They’re members of a desert tribe,” Nero said. “They’re called desert wraiths.”
Harper leaned forward, her shoulder brushing Winter’s. “They look tall and wiry, with a dark pattern on their skin. Like the pattern of stone.”
“Their skin changes color, depending on the time of day and the terrain,” Galen said, running a hand over his hair. “It’s why they’re called wraiths. You could stand right beside them, and not know that they’re there.”
Winter swallowed. The doctor in her was fascinated by these people, and how they had adapted to their environment. But mostly, she was concerned as to why a bunch of tough gladiators were worried. “Are they dangerous?”
Nero nodded. “Very. They’re very territorial.”
Raiden crossed his arms over his chest. “Desert wraiths hunt in a pack and like to skin their victims.”
What? Gut churning, Winter dropped into a chair. Dayna and Mia were out there somewhere, in the territory of these desert wraiths. Please let them still be alive.
“At least this narrows down your location,” Zhim said. “The desert wraiths have a defined area out in the Sea of Desolation.”
The Sea of Desolation? Winter traded a look with Harper. Just great. She looked at Galen. “When do we go?”
A large hand fell on her shoulder. “The desert is dangerous.”
“I know.” She glanced up at Nero. “I already took a trip to the desert, remember?”
She’d been abducted, kept in a cage, attacked by desert beasts. It had not been fun. But none of that mattered when Dayna and Mia’s lives were at stake.
She pushed to her feet. “You need Blue. If there is a trail to follow, he and Nero will be able to follow it. And I need to go with them, in case Blue needs help.”
Nero’s fingers tightened on her shoulder.
“Don’t push back on this, barbarian.” She stared into his eyes. Please.
His fingers squeezed and he nodded.
Something tight and hot inside her, released. “Scary desert people be damned.” She looked at Galen. “I am going to help find my friends.”
Galen heaved out a breath. “I’ll plan the mission. We’ll need a good guide and gear.”
“No guide will take us into desert wraith territory,” Nero said.
The imperator’s face hardened. “I’ll find someone. Now, get some rest, and be ready to leave in the morning. Nero and Raiden? Meet me in my office to help with our plan.”
Winter headed out of the room, her belly churning.
“Winter.” Nero grabbed her arm.
“You can save the ‘it’s too dangerous’ and the ‘you shouldn’t go’ speech. I’m going.”
He stared at her for a moment. “That wasn’t what I was going to say. I wanted to tell you that I’ll keep you safe.”
Winter softened. “Nero—”
“The desert is dangerous, and whatever happens, I will ensure you stay safe and find your friends.” He touched her face, just a gentle glide of knuckles. “Get some sleep. You’ll need it for the trek.”
Then he was moving away with that powerful stride he had.
Confusing, noble barbarian. “Nero?”
He paused and looked back.
“Thank you.”
***
The early light of dawn was washing through the window as Winter tightened her belt, slipping the knife Nero had given her onto it.
She hadn’t slept well. She’d been plagued by sexy dreams of Nero mixed with nightmares of the Thraxian labs and the terrible things that could be happening to Dayna and Mia.
She dropped down onto the bed.
She was heading back into the desert. She’d been dragged there against her will and almost died there.
Taking a deep breath, she stood. She wouldn’t be alone this time. She wouldn’t be helpless, lost, and afraid.
She pulled the knife off her belt, studying the gleam of the blade. This time she was fighting for what she wanted. She slipped the blade back in the sheath.
And it appeared that one thing she wanted was Nero Krahn.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she fought back a laugh. If anyone had told her a week ago that she’d be lusting after the big brute, and that she’d let him lick her to the best orgasm she’d ever had, she would have laughed her head off.
The night before, she’d stopped herself a dozen times from sneaking out of her bed and into his.
Only the knowledge that she needed to be well-rested for this mission had stopped her.
A knock at her door. She opened it and saw Rory, Harper, Madeline and Regan. Rory’s robot dog, Hero, was sniffing around her feet. Lights blinking along his side.
“We came to say good luck,” Harper said.
Regan grabbed Winter’s hand. “Bring them home.”
“That’s the plan,” Winter said.
“Damn, I wish I was going with you,” Harper said. “But Galen pulled the ‘I need you to stay and hold the fort’ card.”
“Here.” Rory held her hand out. “This is for you.”
It was a pistol. “Rory, I’ve never shot a gun in my life.”
“It’s a laser pulse pistol and I’ve rigged it with autotargeting. All you have to do is point in the general vicinity of what you’re shooting at.”
Winter smiled, tucking the weapon into her backpack. “Thank you.”
“You sure you want to go out into the desert?” Madeline asked.
“No. But for Dayna and Mia, I will. Besides, I’ll be surrounded by some badass, overprotective gladiators.”
“And one particular gladiator that drives you crazy,” Rory said. “I hope Nero doesn’t give you a hard time.”
“Oh. Well. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”
Rory’s gaze sharpened. “Really?”
Winter looked up. Regan was grinning and Madeline had a small smile on her face. Harper was staring at her.
“He’s been really helpful with the search for Dayna and Mia.”
“Uh-huh,” Rory said.
“I may have misjudged him a little.”
“So he’s no longer rude, abrupt and brooding?” Rory asked.
Winter felt the need to defend him. “Well, he can be all those things, but he’s also protective, and at times, thoughtful.”
“Is that why you looked all disheveled at the party last night?” Harper asked. “With kiss-swollen lips, mussed hair, and flushed cheeks.”
Busted. Dammit, she’d known Harper had worked it out. “Um…”
“Uh-huh. You slept with him, didn’t you?” Rory was grinning now. At her feet, Hero gave an excited, electronic bark.
“What? No!” Winter said. God, she was blushing.
“She’ll just keep at you until you confess,” Regan said.
“I…we kissed.”
“And?” Rory prompted.
“Um, maybe fooled around a little.”
Rory smiled. “Was it good?”
Winter blew out a shuddering breath. “So good. That man’s mouth…”
Madeline was smiling, too. “We get the picture. These gladiators are good at taking what they want, but they make sure to leave a woman well-satisfied.”
They all sighed.
“I’ve decided to use Nero for sex,” Winter told them.
Rory’s eyebrows shot upward. “Did you tell him that?”
“Yes. He’s a man. He didn’t complain.”
Regan giggled. “I can’t wait to see how this pans out.”
“Look, I have to go,” Winter said. “I’ll see you when we get back. With Dayna and Mia.”
Her friends hugged her. Harper went last, giving her a tight squeeze. “Be careful out there.”
“I’m going to be surrounded by the House of Galen. I couldn’t be safer.” Winter started down the hall. “See you soon.”
***
With his fighting leathers in place and his sword strapped to his back, Nero stepped out into the morning sunlight.
Outside the arena, his group was already waiting to head to the stables. There, they’d get their tarnid beasts and head into the desert.
All of his friends were there, ready to go. Raiden, Thorin, Kace, Lore, Saff and Blaine. He spied Winter dressed in leather trousers that slicked over her legs and hips. By the blade. She wore a loose, white shirt that hinted at what lay beneath it. He’d dreamed of her. He could still taste her on his lips and hear her husky cries. Barbarians did not dream, but last night, instead of sleeping soundly, he’d dreamed of her laid out before him. A prize that was his for the taking.
Drak. He knew better than anyone that letting someone in, under your skin, wasn’t a good idea. And Winter was burrowing deeper than anyone had been before.
She was murmuring quietly to a tense Blue. Then, she turned her head and spotted Nero. She lifted her chin and smiled.
Damn her and her strength. He wished she would stay here, safe and protected, and let him find the women. But if there was one thing he’d learned about Winter Ashworth and her friends from Earth, it was that arguing with her was a losing proposition.
“Let’s get to Varus’ stables,” Galen said with a wave.
Galen led them to the western edge of Kor Magna and soon they passed under a large stone archway into the stables.
Instantly, Nero smelled beasts. A wide variety of them. He sorted through the scents, the hunter in him keen and interested. Big, solid Varus appeared—a grizzled former gladiator.
“Galen! Welcome back. I have the beasts and gear you requested.”
Suddenly, a small figure stomped up to them. “So, you think you can just dump me for another guide?”
The girl was wearing loose-fitting clothes suited for the desert. Her dark hair was pulled back in two braids and a well-worn green scarf was wound around her neck. She stood in front of Galen, her feet shoulder-width apart and her hands on her hips, squaring off with the imperator.
Galen sighed. “You’re a very good guide, Duna. But we’re going somewhere you don’t want to go.”
“I grew up in the desert. I know every part of it better than—”
“We’re going into desert wraith territory.”
Shock skittered over the girl’s face. “What?”
“You heard me,” Galen said.
She tossed a braid back over her shoulder. “Did you all get too much sun?”
Varus stepped up beside the girl, resting his big, scarred hands on her shoulders. “No way I’d let them take you into desert wraith territory, girl.” The big man’s gaze met Galen’s. “I can find you someone willing to take you to the Sea of Desolation. But it’ll cost you.”
“I’ve already contracted somebody. He assures me he’s dealt with the wraiths before.” Galen looked toward the stable hands bringing out the tarnid beasts.
The large creatures had powerful, muscled bodies and six legs. Their scaly skin ranged from night black to dark green. They were steady animals who needed little water, and were good in the desert.
“No,” Blue said.
“Blue,” Winter said. “These animals are—”
The man crossed his arms over his muscled chest, the swirls of his tattoos deepening in color. “No. I walk.”
The tarnid closest to Blue reared up, then slammed its hooves down on the cobblestoned ground. It looked in Blue’s direction, its eyes wide and its nostrils flaring.
Apparently, the dislike was mutual.
“He can walk,” Galen said, as the imperator moved over to talk with Varus.
Nero stepped up to Winter. “I didn’t sleep well.”
She tipped her pretty face up at him, and blew out a breath. “I didn’t, either.”
“I kept thinking about how you tasted. That small nub between your legs. The way you cried out when you found your—”
She reached up, pressing her hand to his mouth. “Shh!”
“I dreamed of you, Winter.”
Something flashed in her eyes. “We’re completely wrong for each other.”
He fought back a scowl. For some reason, he hated hearing those words, even though he knew that they were true. “Agreed.”
“But I still want to use you for sex.”
He sucked in a sharp breath.
“And maybe we could work on reluctant friends.”
“Friends?” Apart from Saff, Nero had never been friends with a woman. Hell, Lore joked that Nero was a pretty hopeless friend on the best of days. “Okay, friend, you’ll ride with me today.”
She arched a brow. “Is that you asking me in a friendly way to ride with you?”
That tongue. “Please ride with me, Winter.”
She shot him a blinding smile. “It would be my pleasure, Nero.”
He lifted Winter up onto their tarnid, and then swung up behind her. He took a second to get settled, setting his gear into the saddlebags on the beast’s sides.
Galen rode his tarnid out ahead of them. “Everybody ready?”
With murmurs of assent, and a wave from Varus and Duna, their group headed off.
They wound through the streets of Kor Magna, tarnid hooves clicking on the road. Several children raced out to follow them, keeping up with them for a few blocks before they waved goodbye. Soon the paved road gave way to desert sand. Nero stared into the barren terrain ahead of them.
“God, I just felt the temperature rise a few degrees,” Winter said.
Blue ran on foot beside them. Nero wasn’t sure how long the guy could keep it up, but for the moment, he moved in an easy, loose gait that said he could keep going for a long time.
“We are meeting our guide at the Sahar Crossroads,” Galen said. “Then we’ll travel as far as the Tent City Oasis to spend the night. It will be tomorrow before we reach desert wraith territory.”
The next hour of the journey was actually quite enjoyable, despite the growing heat. Nero handed Winter a loose scarf and showed her how to wrap it over her head to protect herself from the harsh sunlight. She looked around eagerly, asking him to describe the scenery in detail.
Just over a week ago, she’d been dragged into this desert unwillingly, caged like an animal. Now, she reentered, filled with determination and curiosity.
A spine of steel, indeed. She continued to amaze and bemuse Nero.
“We’re approaching the crossroads,” Galen said.
Nero scanned ahead. Heat shimmered off the hot sand, and he could just make out a pile of rocks ahead. A marker.
The dual suns were high overhead, heat beating down on them. Every now and then, Winter fidgeted, and he could see that she had perspiration on her brow.
“Make sure you take regular sips of water,” he warned her, handing her the water bladder.
“Yes, Mom.” She dutifully took a drink.
He shook his head. Always a sarcastic comment from that mouth of hers. His gaze fell to her lips. So plump and perfectly shaped.
Nero jerked his gaze off her lips and glued them to the landscape ahead. The last thing he needed on a tarnid was a hard cock.
Then he saw something. Another dark shape, and it wasn’t a trail marker. Nero gave a sharp whistle and Galen turned to look. The imperator followed his gaze and nodded. He’d seen the shape as well. All around, the gladiators tensed.
It wasn’t much longer before the dark shape resolved itself into the silhouette of a tall man. He was walking toward them.
As he got closer, Nero recognized the swagger. It was Caravan Master Corsair.
Corsair was well-known for running one of the best desert caravans on Carthago. His muscular frame was clothed in standard desert clothes, the same color as the sand around them. A dark leather weapons belt was slung around his lean hips and a harness crossed his chest, holding various knives that looked well-made and well-used. Unruly brown hair, streaked with gold by the sun, curled around a rugged face. He smiled, teeth white against his tanned skin, and humor dancing in amber-gold eyes.
“Welcome to the Barren Sands, House of Galen.” Corsair gave a charming bow.
“He’s our guide?” Raiden asked.
“He’s the best in the desert,” Galen said. “You can save the swagger, Corsair. It’s wasted on us.”
“But you lured me away from my caravan with so much coin, Galen, so I feel compelled to give you your money’s worth.” The desert rogue shrugged. “Besides, I know that you’re a man who understands the value of a show.”
The hunter in Nero was watchful. There was something about Corsair that reminded Nero of the giant leonis hunting beasts on Symeria. The animals appeared lazy, lolling in the sun, but when you turned your back, they pounced with deadly efficiently.
“So you want to head into desert wraith territory?” Corsair pulled out one of his knives from the strap running diagonally across his chest. Then he plucked a piece of fruit from his pocket—a round red, dara fruit. He started cutting it open. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.” Galen gave a nod. “We have reason to believe the women who were abducted from the House of Galen are in their territory or at least moved through there.”
Corsair raised a brow. “And who has balls big enough to enter desert wraith territory?”
“The women were taken by a man known as Catalyst.”
“Never heard of him.” Corsair popped some fruit in his mouth. “The wraiths don’t let people just wander through their territory.”
“We have to get my friends back,” Winter called out.
The desert guide’s golden gaze settled on Winter. “Well, hello there.”
Nero tightened his hold on Winter and watched the man note it. Corsair came closer and offered up a piece of fruit to Winter.
“We won’t abandon the women,” Galen said. “They are House of Galen.”
“I’ll help you find your friends,” Corsair said.
When Winter took the fruit with a smile, Nero shot a glare at the man.
Corsair’s smile widened, and he turned back to Galen. “You’ve paid me up front, and it’s a generous sum. I’ll get you where you need to go.” He grimaced. “Besides, I hate anyone who takes slaves, and even more so, anyone who hurts women.”
Galen tilted his head. “Are you planning on walking, Corsair?”
The desert guide snorted. “Hardly.” He pressed his fingers to his mouth and let out a sharp whistle.
A screech echoed off the rocks around them, and suddenly, a two-legged beast sprinted in their direction, moving with the speed of the wind.
It was a large, sure-footed creature, as tall as a man. It had a powerful body, with long back legs, a set of short front arms and a long neck, and was covered in beige scales. It was wearing a saddle. It stopped beside Corsair, bobbing its head. The man ran his hand down its long neck, then with one lithe move, he swung into the saddle.
“Come on then, House of Galen. Let’s ride.”
Once again, they fell into the monotony of traveling through the desert, following along behind Corsair. As the minutes ticked by, Nero found he almost liked the quiet and tranquility. Such a nice contrast to the incessant sounds of the city and the arena.
Winter was staring ahead, a worried look on her face.
“Winter? There is no need for concern. Corsair, for all his flair, is very good in the desert. His caravan is known as the best.”
She nodded, her milky eyes turning his way. “I know. But now that we’re here, I guess I’m remembering my last trip.” She went silent for a moment.
Where she’d been blind, afraid, and caged.
“Where are they?” Winter murmured. “What if we don’t find them?”
Nero saw her staring off at the large dunes in the distance. “We won’t give up on them.”
She nodded. “What if…?”
He cupped her jaw. “We’ll find them.”
Her chest hitched. “But you can’t guarantee they’ll be alive when we do.”