by Penny Rose
Eventually, the gladiators wore down the monster, stabbing at its long feet until it could no longer support itself. Once the beast collapsed, the remaining men descended on it. She could see how destroyed Cade was over Tresk’s death with each swing he took. After the monster was dead, he checked on Rux’hm and Akima. She wanted him to focus on his own safety, but that wasn’t who Cade was. He was a leader at heart, and that meant looking out for his men.
Two monsters had been killed, but those still standing struggled against those that remained. Arc’s group was facing two against one. Cade fiddled with his chains, trying to find a way to escape and help his friend. Now that Tresk was dead, they were outnumbered, and their likelihood of survival went down significantly.
Eldredth watched in horror as the arena shook violently, and the sand dispersed beneath several grates in the wooden floor. The shackles released around the men’s ankles, clattering against the wood. She couldn’t understand what was happening. Prinzton was now standing beside her, chuckling as a ring of flame erupted around the arena. The others in the balcony gasped at the display.
The men ran to the center, battling the giant monsters as they did.
It took all her willpower to not scream. The men were now being forced to fight the alien monsters within a ring of fire. They couldn’t escape even if they wanted to, and worse yet, the flaming circle was slowly shrinking. It was going to be a bloodbath, and she couldn’t tear her eyes away from Cade. She didn’t care who noticed that she was watching. She felt sickened. Her hope for the future died if Cade was gone.
Her heart pounded, and she felt like she might vomit. There was so much going on in the ring of fire that it was hard to keep up with it. The men tried to separate the monsters to deal with them individually, but the monsters were lashing out as the fires grew closer. She had never seen a fight like this. She didn’t understand why one of the slave masters had not ended it by now. The mayor watched with amusement as men fought for their lives. It was just sheer chaotic entertainment for them, and everyone wanted to see what would happen next.
Her soul was saddened when the flames engulfed Tresk’s limp body. If he had been alive, it was all over now. She could have helped him had she been in the arena, but there was nothing she could do for him now. If something happened to Cade, would she be forced to watch him die as well? Tears filled her eyes, and she could feel Prinzton’s gaze lingering on her. She fought back the tears, determined not to give him the satisfaction. Was that Prinzton’s plan—to make her watch Cade die and be unable to help him?
The fight seemed to go on forever as the encroaching flames made the fighting area smaller. Man and monster both fell, and she held her breath the entire time, searching for a speck of green in the madness. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Cade embed his sword into one of the monsters, killing it. She wanted to clap but held herself back. The men were forming an alliance in the arena, and Cade appeared to be leading them. Whenever he would lift his sword or point, the others followed his lead. They attacked each monster’s blind sides until one by one, all had fallen.
Eldredth sat there stunned, looking at the dead monsters on the ground. It was over. They had killed them, and Cade was still alive. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Their victory was almost incomprehensible, but somehow, they had survived. The flames still licked around them as Cade turned, looking to the balcony and staring right at Prinzton.
All the men needed to be healed, and she got up to go to Cade. She needed to be by his side and make sure that he was okay.
She stood up.
“No, Eldredth.” Prinzton scowled.
She looked at Prinzton in confusion. He snapped his fingers at two other healers in the balcony, who made their way down to help the men. She couldn’t believe that Prinzton was preventing her from doing her work. She was there as Maizon’s healer; he shouldn’t be treating her this way.
“You stay put, Eldredth.” He smiled. “The other girls can handle this situation.”
She sat down again, fuming, wanting to lash out at him, but she didn’t dare. There was something seriously wrong in Rahl, and she felt like they were all in danger being there. This wasn’t how battles were supposed to go, thrown together at a moment’s notice. She looked into the arena, feeling helpless that she couldn’t be there with Cade. She hated the idea of another healer taking care of him when it should be her hands on his body. Prinzton liked having control, and he didn’t care that she was in pain over what had happened here. He had an agenda, and that was what scared her the most.
****
Eldredth snuck out of her room that night and went to the spot Cade had told her to meet him. Things were riskier than ever now, and it would be certain death if anyone discovered them. But she needed him. He could have died in the arena that day and she would have lost him forever. Tresk was proof that some wounds just couldn’t be healed.
She was willing to risk it all just to be close to Cade again. She had thought it was a good idea to avoid each other for the time being, but that was until she saw Tresk die. She couldn’t bear to think of Cade dying while she was avoiding him. She needed to be with him as much as possible, because every minute was precious. Tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed for either of them, and even less for Cade now that he seemed to have a death warrant on him. She trusted Cade, but she wasn’t sure that they were going to get off the planet. It was time to live life as if they only had today.
She made her way to the barracks, instructing the guard that she had been sent by Maizon to make sure everyone was properly healed. She found an empty room and waited. She was wary of being found in the slave quarters, but Cade assured her that Arc was going to keep an eye out for them. Cade trusted Arc with the knowledge of their love affair, and that was enough for her. The men had bonded so much that they were now looking after one another. That was the way it should be.
Cade showed up moments later and pulled her into his arms. His warmth radiated all over her, and she burst into tears. He looked down at her with concern.
“What’s wrong?” he asked gently.
“I was so scared for you today.” She buried her face into his muscled chest.
“I know. None of us expected that.” He frowned. “We lost good men on both sides.”
Eldredth noticed Cade had bags under his eyes. “You look so tired, Cade. Are they not healing you properly?”
“It’s mental exhaustion. I’m trying to keep the men strong, and I’m worried about you. Why weren’t you with the other healers?”
“Prinzton forced me to stay in the balcony. He wouldn’t let me come to you.”
“He did what?” There were storm clouds in his eyes, and she wondered what he was going to do about it.
Cade left the room without saying a word. She worried about what he was doing, because she didn’t want him to approach Prinzton. He returned a few minutes later with a red blanket and laid it out on the cot.
“I want to try to make this nice for you.”
She smiled. “This is perfect, Cade. As long as I’m with you.”
He took her face in his hands, staring into her eyes for a moment before kissing her on the lips. His kisses became more fevered. Eldredth moaned beneath their passion. She needed him in that moment to erase all the pain and fear she had experienced the past few days. She kissed him back hard, and he growled in response.
She stopped and gazed into his deep green eyes. “I love you, Cade.”
“I love you too, Eldredth.”
He kissed her again and let it linger, slowly slipping his tongue into her mouth. She accepted it and sucked gently, tasting him. His arms wrapped around her and his hands found their way to her bottom, squeezing it. She pressed herself against him. She felt his member throbbing against his pants. It wasn't long before he was ready for her.
“I want you, Cade. Give me what I want.”
“Oh really?” His mouth curled in a devious smile.
She giggled. “Yes, really.”
<
br /> He pulled her to him once again. “It looks like I don’t have a choice.”
He kissed her deeply, slowly undressing her. As he slid off her robes, her breasts fell before him.
“Eldredth, you have no idea how much you arouse me.”
She felt the front of his pants and smiled with delight. “I think I have an idea.”
She loved the way he caressed her breasts, and she moaned at his touch. He pressed his fingers against her womanhood and rubbed her. She moaned eagerly; she could not wait to have him inside her once again. He stroked her harder, building the excitement further.
“I adore you, Cade.”
He grunted in response.
“Please...” she moaned. She was dripping against his touch. She had an ache between her legs that needed to be eased, and only Cade could do that for her.
She touched his member through his pants, feeling his erection. She loved when he got hard for her, it made her feel powerful, like she had control over whether his member grew hard or not. That he wanted her that badly. She undid his pants and tossed them aside. Every minute that passed felt like an eternity.
“Oh, Eldredth, you're so beautiful.”
He slid his fingers inside her and started pumping. She moaned as he pleasured her.
“Oh, god, that feels good.”
She didn't know how much more she could take. She needed him inside her. Only he could quench the fire in her loins. Only he could make her orgasm like no other. She gasped as he held her close to him, still standing as he pleasured her. She held on to him as her womanhood grew wetter. He knew how to touch her just right, and she couldn't get enough.
She took his hand as he removed his fingers and licked them. Cade’s eyes burned for her in that moment. She laid down on the blanket and spread her legs, unable to wait any longer.
Cade wasn’t done yet. He bent down and slowly licked her opening. He slid his tongue inside her, and she convulsed against his touch. It sent tingles throughout her body as he sucked on her clit, and her eyes rolled back.
“Oh, Cade, you feel so good. I need you. Please take me.”
He smirked playfully. “Your wish is my command, beautiful Eldredth.”
He rolled her over so that her bottom was available to him. She couldn't have gotten in position fast enough, the way he spoke drove her mad. He could have her any way he wanted. He was so strong and amazing. She lifted her ass high into the air. He spanked it lightly, and she giggled.
He chuckled. “I want you to be mine always, Eldredth.”
He plunged into her, and she moaned softly. “Oh, you feel so good.”
“You feel incredible. I love the way you make me feel.”
He moved against her bottom hard, and she took each thrust eagerly. He meant it when he said he was going to take her.
“Give me more, Cade, please. I need it,” she begged.
He pumped faster, and an orgasm crashed into her with fury. She whispered his name as wave after wave of pleasure consumed her.
“You are so wet, Eldredth.”
He flipped her around so she was on her back again. “Do you want me?”
“Yes, Cade, I need you. Please come back inside me.”
He bent down and kissed her. He slid his tongue in her mouth, and she accepted it. She never felt safer than when he kissed her.
“You feel incredible.”
She smiled up at him. “Please Cade, stop teasing me.”
He went in for another lingering kiss.
Cade buried himself inside of her. She loved it as he pushed into her, aching for more. She had never felt so incredibly desirable, but Cade was doing that for her with very little effort. He turned her over, to where they were both on their sides. Her legs intertwined with his and he drew her in close, his member still inside of her. He looked deep into her eyes, and she smiled back at him. There was more than lust when he looked at her. She kissed him deeply once again. She caressed his chest, following the outlines of his tattoos as he pounded her.
“Oh, I like that, Eldredth. That feels good.”
She kissed him again, her tongue finding his and causing electricity.
He started moving inside of her, and she moaned with every thrust. He was now moving slowly and deeply, and she threatened to unravel. Her eyelids fluttered as the intense pleasure sparked through her body.
She moaned his name, crying out with each thrust, not caring who might hear. He felt incredible and his forcefulness made her crazy. He was a great lover and although she wasn't used to being with a man, she loved it. Maybe it was the sex or maybe it was her connection to Cade that caused this wild feeling between them. Either way, she couldn't get enough of him. She felt amazing, and he filled her up in more ways than one. This would easily be one of the best nights that she had ever had.
She felt another orgasm building. He was hitting every nerve inside her and the world was growing fuzzy. She knew an explosive orgasm was coming, and she couldn't wait.
“Cade, I’m cumming.”
“That's what I want to hear. Let it go.”
He moved faster, sending her over the edge. She cried out in ecstasy, feeling the waves of passion thrashing inside her. She needed him, needed this, right now. She moaned as she came onto his member for the second time.
“That was…amazing,” she gasped.
“It’s not over yet, Eldredth. How did I ever get so lucky?”
“You're a real sweet talker, aren't you?” She smiled.
She increased her movement, and he closed his eyes. She watched his face as she took control of his pleasure. He moaned her name as he released. His body shook against her, and she grinned as her movements slowed. He moved inside her slowly as he finished, and she sighed deeply as she looked into his eyes.
“That felt so good, Cade. You make me feel so good.”
“It's all you.” He kissed her forehead and slid out of her. They both laid on the blanket, exhausted but satisfied. He rested with his arm around her. He made her feel complete, and she couldn't imagine ever being away from his side. She rolled into him and they snuggled together on the cot.
“Cade, I don’t want to lose you, and I’m afraid that I’m going to.”
He kissed her on the head and held her just a little tighter. “You aren’t going to lose me; I promise you that. I’m going to take you from this place. Didn’t I tell you to trust me?”
“I do, but Prinzton is acting evilly, and I don’t know what he’s capable of. Who knows what he’s going to do next, and Maizon is no help. Why did he agree to that madness today?”
“He didn’t have a choice. I don’t want you to worry about me. I can take care of Prinzton. I have a plan, and now all of us are going to be better prepared.”
“Just take care of yourself. I need you.”
He turned her face so she was looking up at him. “I love you, Eldredth. We are going to be together forever.”
She nodded.
He kissed her softly. “You should probably get going. Tomorrow is a big day for all of us.”
She got up off the cot, and they both quickly dressed. Cade went out of the room first to see if the coast was clear. He saw Arc, who waved that it was safe for Eldredth to come out.
He peeked back inside the room and told her it was time to leave. They had one final kiss before she left and made her way back to her own quarters.
Chapter Nine
A week had passed since the last fight. A week of nonstop training. Cade looked from one exhausted face to another. Everyone was tired, but at least they were alive. The final battle would be happening soon, and the winners would have an opportunity to fight in the capital.
The biggest fight of their lives was still before them, no matter how exhausted they were. Cade felt for each and every one of them, because he was in the same position. All of them couldn’t go to the capital, but they all dreamed. They had spent the past week preparing for the final fight, and the training had pushed them to the limit both physi
cally and mentally. The healers could only do so much because the training was constant. They had a hard time keeping up with the constant wear and tear on the gladiator’s bodies.
While they took a water break, Cade gathered Maizon’s gladiators. “Before we go out there today, I just want to say that it’s been an honor to fight alongside all of you. Each and every one of you are brave warriors. We are all fighting for the same thing—our freedom.”
The men shouted in unison, and their voices gave Cade the strength to keep moving forward. It reminded him of the battle-cries of his people.
“Let’s go out there and prove to Prinzton and to everyone else that we won’t go quietly into the night. That we are true warriors and will not be beaten.”
The men cheered and everyone assembled to receive their weapons.
Arc approached Cade and clapped him on the back. “Good speech, brother. Good luck to you.”
“Same to you, Arc. Hopefully you won’t have anything too creepy to fight against,” Cade chuckled.
“If you get off this planet, you make sure you take that girl with you. The rest of us will be fine, we are strong. You come back when you can.”
Cade nodded, knowing that he wouldn’t just leave the men on the planet to die one by one at the hands of the slave owners. His list of responsibilities grew steadily larger. Eldredth, Arc, the other gladiators, not to mention his fellow Kondorians. He hadn’t seen any in Rahl, but he knew there were others out there. He had seen them on the news.
The men waited at the edge of the tunnel that led into the arena. They were about to be announced and paraded around for the audience awaiting the bloodbath. Cade almost had to look twice when he saw the transformation of the arena. The crowd all wore red, and it looked like a sea of blood.
“Now, that’s more than a little odd, don’t you think?” Arc gazed at the crowd.
Cade nodded. “What do you think it means?”
“Nothing good, my friend, nothing good.” Arc shook his head.
It was as if the bloodshed had already started. There was red everywhere that Cade looked, from red streamers to red rose petals in the sand. Cade swallowed hard. This was the first time he had felt truly worried. The crowd was hungry for blood, and there would be no mercy today.
