by Penny Rose
Cade was an incredible man. An accomplished warrior, his skills were unmatched, and he made the movements of war look more like an art. She felt something when she touched him, and she couldn’t help but wonder what she might feel with something deeper. If a single touch could set her on fire, would something more melt her core? How powerful could it be between them? She couldn’t stop thinking about him no matter how hard she had tried. That was all that was running through her head when Maizon asked her opinion on the fighters.
“Well?”
He broke through her thoughts, startling her. “I think you did well with your purchase. They seem to be a talented bunch. Akima is a powerful warrior. Arc has a way of moving his arms that the others do not. Tresk is a fearsome sight to behold. They all look promising.”
“Yes, they do. Cade, he’s slated to be the very best of them all, I think.”
Her breath caught and she wasn’t sure if she should respond. She had deliberately left out mention of Cade. She desperately did not want him to know her thoughts about Cade. Sometimes, it felt like Maizon was reading her mind. Why was he asking her these questions anyway? It wasn’t as if he really cared about her opinion of the fighters. What did her opinion even matter?
“Eldredth!”
She looked down to the pit and saw Zax calling to her. He stood over Lovir, the black-skinned man with the horns. He appeared to be injured. It couldn’t have happened at a better time. Someone must be looking out for her.
“I apologize, Maizon. I must go.”
“Yes, of course. Take care of my men.”
She hurried away from him, grateful for the distraction. Lovir lay on the ground clutching his foot. She rushed to him. It was obvious right away that he had sprained his ankle. She kneeled beside him and placed her hands on his ankle. Her healing energy poured through her hands and his ankle began to heal. Sometimes, it happened easier than other times. The oils helped things heal faster, but it could be done without them. The grimace faded from Lovir’s face as his ligaments healed.
“Thank you,” his deep voice rumbled.
A shadow appeared over her shoulder as she finished with Lovir’s ankle. She looked up and locked eyes with Cade. She made eye contact with him and this time, she didn’t look away. She liked him. She could feel that same connection between them even without touching him.
She felt her healing energy increase as her connection grew with Cade. Her feelings for him were acting as a more powerful healing agent in the man’s leg. In a moment, it was over. Lovir stood up, which surprised her. She broke eye contact with Cade and watched Lovir as he trotted back onto the field to fight.
She turned back to Cade, who was smiling down at her. Her entire body tingled in his presence, from her toes to her center. She wanted to touch him, to let the sparks become a storm. A deep blush rose in her cheeks and she swallowed hard. She turned away from him as she tried to get the scattered thoughts out of her head.
“It was nice seeing you again, Eldredth.”
He walked away from her and her breath returned.
Chapter Five
Cade stood on the sidelines of the fighting pit watching some of his fellow gladiators taking turns sparring. It had been a long day, and he was looking forward to getting a bite to eat.
A drone hovered over the fighters. It was there to record the fights so that the gladiators could watch the footage and learn from their mistakes.
Today, they were working on different fighting styles. Everyone had been paired off so that they were not equally matched. Cade had a feeling he would be paired up against another fast one. Speed was one of the few areas where he had a weakness.
In addition to working against their strengths, the fighters were also not being healed until the end of the day unless it was a major wound. Maizon wanted them to be able to fight through pain, because in the arena, there was no healing until the match was over. Maizon and Zax were working them harder every day.
Cade knew he was a strong fighter, but he was constantly being put to the test and it was exhausting. He was pretty sure that Maizon enjoyed watching the fights for more than just sport. The more difficult the matchup, the more excited he seemed to be. Which meant that eventually, one of the fighters would be hurt.
Cade was up next, and he was paired with the insectoid named Tresk. Tresk’s body was covered in shell, giving him a natural armor. He was smaller than Cade but moved quickly. Cade hated fighting guys like that. It was exhausting. His idea of a good fight was two warriors battling with strength and technique. Still, he knew that there was more than one way to win a battle and not everyone was blessed with his strength. He respected fast fighters; they just annoyed him What did it matter if he could cleave them in two if he could never hit them in the first place?
He paced about, getting in the mindset to fight. Cade had watched Tresk fight several times. The giant insect-man had some interesting skills and definitely a few advantages over Cade. For one, he had wings that allowed him to hover off the ground. The large, thin wings carried him around, making his movements unpredictable. The whirring noise as they flapped was a distraction as well.
Cade watched Tresk hover at the edge of the arena. It was bound to be a difficult fight, but Cade was looking forward to it. The only way to become the ultimate fighter was to eliminate all weaknesses. He would rather take his lumps in the pit than the arena.
Arc walked up to Cade. “That little bugger creeps me out.”
Cade smiled at Arc’s word choice. “He’s definitely not an easy fighter to go against. I don’t know what Maizon expects from me. I’m fighting against a man with wings.”
Arc grimaced. “It completely freaks me out. Bugs belong in the trees, not on the battlefield. I’m glad that I don’t have to fight against him. Look at those things.”
Cade chuckled. “It’s very disconcerting. Wait until you see him flying right at you.”
Arc shook his head. “His forearms must be deadly as well.”
Cade nodded. Sharp ridges ran down the outside of Tresk’s forearms. He’d seen them in action against the dummies—they cut like razors. He would have to be extremely careful to avoid being hit by one of those.
Cade took a deep breath. “I know I can beat him as long as I avoid his forearms and just dodge him when he gets close.”
“Well, you better get in there.” Arc slapped him on the back with a tentacle.
Cade stepped into the center of the fighting pit, across from Tresk. The bug-man clicked his pincered mouth together in acknowledgment. Cade nodded in return. He was determined to dodge the forearms and keep Tresk at a distance until an opportunity presented itself. Beating Tresk would go a long way toward impressing Maizon.
The drone let out a loud beep and the fight began. Cade took his fighting stance and waited the insect out to see what he was going to do first. His weapon for today was a sword. It was a great weapon for fighting a quicker opponent because it could be maneuvered fast and was also capable of stabbing or slashing.
Tresk lunged at him with his forearms raised. He held two daggers in a downward position, perfect for quick stabs. Cade sidestepped the attack, spun, and slashed him in the back. The wooden sword clacked against the insectoid’s hard shell.
A few of the other gladiators clapped at the move. Tresk unleashed a noise that sounded like rocks rattling in a metal cup. Even though he could speak the common tongue, he often communicated in his native language, especially in battle.
Tresk jumped into the air and his wings unfurled, leaving him hovering several feet off the ground. He dove toward Cade with his blades and forearms aimed at Cade’s head. Cade had to drop to the floor in order to avoid the attack. Sweat beaded down his temple. The wooden daggers might not kill him, but the barbs along Tresk’s forearms were definitely deadly.
Tresk swooped down over Cade three more times, and each time, he barely escaped losing his head. He needed to do something, and he needed to do it fast. The next time that Tresk dove towa
rd him, Cade fell to his back. Just as Tresk passed him by, he reached up and grabbed the giant insect by the foot. The sudden change in motion sent Tresk to the ground.
Tresk scrambled to his feet in a cloud of dust. Cade charged him, blade lifted over his head, ready to end the fight.
Cade wasn’t prepared for what happened next.
Tresk’s wings casing opened even further, unveiling a second set of silky, sheet-like wings that reminded Cade of a butterfly. They were bigger and longer than the smaller wings that Tresk used to hover. They unraveled and wrapped around Cade, pulling him against Tresk’s barbed exoskeleton. The tiny ridges that covered the entirety of his body dug into Cade’s flesh, sending jolts of pain through him.
Cade had not anticipated Tresk being able to use his wings in that manner. He struggled against them, and the silky nature of them rubbed against his face. It was an unpleasant feeling, almost as if the wings were wet, but that was nothing compared to the flesh ripping from his chest. He glanced at the sidelines and saw Arc watching with a look of horror as he visibly shuddered.
Cade struggled against the wings and eventually dipped underneath them to get out. He backed away quickly before he could get captured again. He didn’t ever want to be wrapped up liked that again. He felt like Tresk had been trying to cocoon him, and it was terrible.
Cade glanced up at Maizon. The man was practically giddy with excitement. Was this the first time he had witnessed Tresk’s new ability as well?
Cade would need to draw the fight out a little more so that Maizon could see his skills. Tresk had revealed his greatest attack, but now that Cade knew what to expect, he wouldn’t get caught again. He was tired enough to stop, but he needed to showcase more of his talents. There was a big difference between entering the opening battles of the arena and being a featured player. Cade wanted the best shot at survival.
When Tresk lunged for him again, Cade ducked and slashed at the insect’s knees. This threw Tresk off balance and he tumbled to the ground. Cade dove on top of him with the idea of winning by submission move.
As he rolled in the sand, a flash of blue caught his eye. He glanced over to the sidelines and saw Eldredth walking past Arc. His heart raced immediately. He wanted to see her. He wanted to feel her hands on him and have her heal him in the best way possible. He loosened his grasp on the insect until Tresk escaped. It was then that the insect swung his forearms and sliced right into Cade’s chest. He shouted, surprised by how much that slash hurt.
The drone blared. The fight was over.
Cade rolled away from the insect. Tresk stood up and waved his hands as if in victory. He might have been happy, but Maizon was furious as he stomped down from the balcony. His voice thundered as he approached Cade.
“What the hell was that, Cade?” His yellow eyes narrowed in anger.
Cade shrugged sheepishly. “Sorry, sir, I lost my grip.”
“Bullshit. You had him, all you had to do was squeeze and he would have been forced to tap out. I should have you whipped for this. You did that on purpose, and I want to know why.”
Cade hadn’t realized that it had been that obvious that he had thrown the fight. He wasn’t trying to get on Maizon’s bad side. He had just wanted to get close to Eldredth.
“I’m sorry, Maizon, I don’t know what happened.” Cade hung his head.
“You are the one of the best fighters here. I expect the best from you, and I don’t want to see that kind of behavior again. You fight tired, hungry, sore, I don’t care, I want to see your best at all times.”
Blood streamed down Cade’s chest. “Sir, I need care.”
Maizon looked down at Cade’s ravaged chest as blood trickled down and puddled in the sand. He sighed angrily. It was obvious that he wished he could spend some more time chastising Cade, but he also wanted his men to be at their best. He sent Cade away with a flick of his wrist.
Maizon searched for a healer. “Eldredth, come here. Cade needs you.” Maizon turned back to Cade. “Don’t let it happen again.”
Cade nodded and took a seat on one of the benches.
Maizon turned to Arc and stated, “You are up against Hiss.”
Hiss? Cade didn’t remember anyone by that name. Judging by Arc’s reaction, he didn’t either.
Cade glanced over his shoulder to see Hiss, who was more snake than man, approach Arc. The legless man slithered across the arena, his blue and yellow scales shimmering in the sun.
Arc shuddered in disgust. Cade couldn’t help but smile that a man with tentacles for arms seemed creeped out by so many of the opponents they had to fight.
Arc yelled, “Are you kidding me?”
Cade laughed. He really couldn’t blame him. Before the slave auction, he had had no idea most of these races even existed. They seemed more like monsters from stories the elders told children than actual, living beings. Yet, here they were, training together in hopes of glory in the arena.
He returned his attention to Eldredth, determined not to give away his excitement to anyone who might be watching. It would be easier said than done.
She gave him a caring smile. “Come over to the tent so that you can lay down.”
He followed her to a tent at the edge of the arena. Several cots lay underneath. This was the area where fighters were healed if they had more serious wounds, such as his chest.
Cade liked the fact that it gave them some privacy from prying eyes, like Maizon. They went inside, and Cade laid down on the cot. Pain shot through his chest with the movement, but it wasn’t enough to wipe the smile from his face as Eldredth approached.
She blushed, turning her blue skin even darker around her cheeks, and she looked even more beautiful. Her blue skin was truly remarkable, and it was his favorite part of her.
She looked at his wound. “Those are deep lacerations.”
“Yes, that insect is savage. He seems to forget that we are just training right now.” Cade grunted.
“How do you deal with being injured on a daily basis? Going into the arena and knowing you’ll be hurt?”
“It’s not like we really have a choice. But it’s not so bad with you around.”
She gasped, before smiling, and he continued.
“I mean, the healers make it easy for us to be injured. Thankfully, none of the injuries have been mortal wounds. No one has tried to kill me yet. Or succeeded, I should say.”
“That’s a good thing. I wouldn’t want you to die.” She averted her eyes as soon as she said the words.
Cade looked up at her and was surprised to find her blue eyes growing misty. Did she really care about him that much? Was it possible to have that kind of feeling already? He wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch her. He was afraid that someone might walk into the tent at any moment. It was too risky when Maizon was only a few feet away. After what had happened to Marismith, he didn’t want to do anything that would get her punished.
A shout from the outside of the tent broke through his thoughts. “His tongue touched me! He licked me!”
Cade and Eldredth both laughed at Arc’s outburst. He was a constant source of amusement in these trying times. Despite their new conditions, Cade was glad that he had met these men.
Eldredth smiled down at him as she rubbed oils against his skin. “You are close to these men?”
“I am now.”
She ran her hands over his chest, and Cade looked down at his wounds. His chest grew warm as her healing energy invaded his body. A miniature thunderstorm tingled beneath his skin. The lacerations grew together, almost as if they were being sewn shut with invisible thread. It was amazing to watch, and he always liked to be able to view her incredible work.
“You truly are remarkable, Eldredth.”
She looked up at him and smiled sadly. “I wish I would have met you at another time.”
“Why? What’s wrong with now?” As much as he liked the sentiment, now was the only time they would have ever met. Had the mercenaries not taken him, he would never h
ave left Kondor.
“I’m trapped.” She closed her eyes, fighting back tears. “As much as I am drawn to you, I cannot be with you.”
“Why?”
She sighed. The wound on Cade’s chest was nearly healed.
He wanted to know why she felt that way, and they didn’t have a lot of time. Maizon could enter the tent at any moment to check up on him. He was sure that Maizon wanted him back on the field soon. There never seemed to be enough breaks in the day for the fighters. Cade could easily take a ten-hour nap just to refresh.
“I am trapped. I can’t leave, and I can’t be with a slave.”
“Trapped? Are you a slave too?”
“No.” She looked away.
He furrowed his brow. She wasn’t making any sense. “Then why can’t you just leave? Go work for someone else.”
“I can’t. I’m not a slave but I’m no better off. Healers aren’t allowed to leave their stations unless they are transferred. We go wherever the federation sends us; we don’t have a choice.”
“Why can’t you leave? What happens if you refuse to go somewhere?”
“It’s considered a punishable offense, and the punishments are quite severe. I’m sure you’ve heard about what happened to Marismith. She was sent away for training to remind her of her responsibilities.”
Cade had heard stories of what happened to Marismith and he didn’t want that to be what happened to Eldredth. He couldn’t imagine how horrible it was to be a healer. They might as well be slaves; their lives didn’t seem to be that different. The thought that she could be harmed in that way brought a burning rage right to the surface. He would never allow anyone to hurt her.
“I’m sorry to hear that, Eldredth. I didn’t know. I just assumed you worked here and that you could leave at any time.”
She stood up from the edge of the cot. “I haven’t seen my family in years. I don’t know if I will ever see them again.”
He sat up and took her face in his hands. He was completely smitten by her. “Eldredth, come with me. I’m going to find a way off this hellish planet, and I could take you with me.”
