Chapter 1

The scent was like a magician’s spell weaving through the air and caressing his nose. Strange, since he was pretty sure the practice arena was empty except for him. General Kharon paused from packing his weapons up and lifted his head to draw in a deep breath. The aroma teased him; undeniably there but so faint it was almost a dream. As it worked its magic into his brain, an ancient hunger roared to life within him. It filled his abdomen with heat and his dick with blood. It was a familiar woman’s scent and he was suddenly driven to find its source.

Kharon got up off the bench and turned toward the empty bleachers. It was early evening and no one was in the practice arena for a change. He’d arrived from his kingdom a few hours earlier and took advantage of the empty space to practice with the trident, a more challenging weapon than most. As he scanned the seating area, he became certain no one else was here so the source of the scent must be a forgotten item. The wooden steps creaked as he ascended them, his heavy footfalls echoing in the cavernous room.

Then he spotted it.

Lying innocently on a bench seat was a small gray tunic. He reached out and picked it up, holding it high to study it. It was much too small for a man and a little narrow at the waist. Kharon balled the tunic in his fist and moved it up to his face. The scent of Gypsy Theron washed over him in a heady rush. For a second he was transfixed by the sweet perfume of her flesh and sweat. His heart sped up, rushing hot blood into his veins and making every muscle in his body hard with intense arousal. His reaction was an invading army taking his thoughts hostage and thrusting him into a whirlwind of erotic fantasies and images. Gypsy fueled his blood with fire and all he could think of was finding and fucking her. Where is she right now? Is she naked in her room at the dormitory washing the day’s sweat from her luscious young body? Without warning his erection became painful and his balls ached.

One of the doors above banged open and Kharon turned to see who’d come in. One look froze his breath in his chest. It is her. She must be coming to retrieve what was left behind.

She jolted to a stop at the top of the steps, obviously startled by his presence, and stared down at him with those lovely golden eyes. Her face and throat were framed by long, wild locks of chocolate-colored hair and her features whispered hints of her father’s identity. She was slightly taller than most AEssyrian women standing a few inches shy of six feet with lean muscle covering every bit of her athletic frame. Gypsy was a bewitching sight and even at this young age, a formidable combatant. Kharon’s heart pounded in his chest like a war drum. He held the tunic out for her to come and get it. He hoped she wouldn’t notice how much he was sweating.

“I take it you’re here for this?” he said. In the silence of the arena, his voice rumbled off the walls like distant thunder.

Gypsy came down the steps slowly, taking one at a time. She almost seemed afraid of him. Was he that much of a sight in his sexual excitement? He watched her, riveted, completely unable to look away.

“What are you doing here? I thought you went back to your own kingdom,” she asked, still taking her time to come down the steps.

Kharon had had enough of her stalling. She must be acting this way because of the rape she experienced last year in this very arena. He wanted to be annoyed but he wasn’t. Her caution of being alone with him here was understandable. “I’m teaching a class in the morning,” he said, still holding the tunic out. He shook it. “Come and get this now!” he growled.

Responding to his tone, Gypsy trotted down the steps and grabbed the tunic from him. She slipped it on over her t-shirt, glancing at the trident he’d laid on the bench. Having her this close was pure torture. What he wouldn’t give to ravage her right here but he forced himself to take a breath and calm his mind.

“Next time you’re out of uniform,” he said, “you’ll be disciplined. Do I make myself clear?”

He looked into her eyes and saw a small fire burning there. Her pupils dilated and her nostrils flared. He suspected his primal yearning was arousing her too. He sometimes had that effect on women. Her lips parted to speak and her tongue came out to lick them. “Yes, Excellency,” she said.

He leaned against the railing and folded his arms so he wouldn’t touch her. Every cell within him wanted to make a pass. Gods, what he wouldn’t give to wreck that beautiful little pussy. He’d keep her in his bed for weeks. “Is there anything else you wanted?” he asked with enough inflection to let her know there was an invitation there if she wanted to explore this further.

Gypsy blinked at him as if she’d just found herself sleepwalking. “No, sir,” she said, slowly backing away from him. It took every ounce of self-control not to pursue her. She turned away toward the steps. “I guess I’ll see you around,” she tossed over her shoulder as she took the steps two at a time.

“Yes,” Kharon said as he watched her go. “I’ll be seeing you around.”