Prelude

Once upon a time a lonely man yearned for the love of his life. He searched and searched throughout his world, but could not find the right woman to bond with and fill his heart.

One night he dreamed about this dark beauty from another world, place, and time.

He woke with a light heart, full of purpose, and an impossible plan….

 

                                                            Chapter 1

She lay on her back, arms spread, unconscious. Her hands, palms up, curled. Rumbling in the distance grew. An army gathered like a storm, producing whirling clouds of dust as they raced towards her body.

Sand surrounded them, a vast ocean of nothingness.

"I see her!" He shouted excitedly. His voice muffled by a red scarf. It had taken so long for this day’s arrival. The Collector [A1]  worked.

The group thundered closer.

He jumped off of his ride, unable to contain himself. The animal reared, shrieking as it narrowly avoided trampling on her.

Gracefully, he landed by her side.

Reaching out and cradling a large palm under her head, he leaned close. Searching for injuries. Checking her breathing. The Shinoquoia [A2] Desert was unforgiving and deadly. They didn’t have much time.

Nervously, he waited for the approach of his right-hand man, Ojabelo[A3] . An older fellow with blond, tightly curled hair, whiskey eyes, and skin the color of tobacco leaves.

Slowly and carefully, he removed the red scarf covering his face. "Is she with us?” He rasped, kneeling beside her.

At this query, her eyelashes fluttered.

Ojabelo pointed at one man in the unit. “Tijani. Get me water. Quick!”

The big hand cradling her head moved lower, circling her shoulder, providing leverage to prop her up. He retrieved the flask of water held out to him without glancing up. Gingerly, he placed it at her dry, chapped lips and tipped.

Drinking too fast, she choked. He rubbed her back, waiting for her to recover. Ojabelo chanted, waving a hand up and down the length of her body. His chanting gave her strength. Dizziness faded as words swirled and gathered in her mind. She managed to ask. “Where am I? Who are you?”

            A broad hand lowered the red scarf covering his face. A smile, bordering on menacing, stole across his handsome face. His deep voice boomed. “I am Maximillian Tan-Shin.” [A4] 

 

                                                Chapter 14

In one smooth motion, he came and pressed her into the bed. Placing his arms on either side of her head, he closed in until a hand’s width separated them. His hair fell forward, forming a silky black curtain about their faces.

“Is this not what you wanted?” He asked huskily, close enough to steal her breath.

She wanted to avoid his mesmerizing gaze. Yet she was trapped in a snare of rising desire. Her hands stroked over his massive, smooth shoulders, cupping bulging biceps.

“I didn’t mean to tease or lead you on.” She whispered, suppressing a moan as his lower body rubbed against hers. Boiling hot, he made her scalp itch. Sweat beaded her hairline. Princess licked her lips, her eyes drifting to his mouth.

“If I kiss you like I did before, I may not stop.” He panted, very aroused. He wanted her. He would take her, but when she gave consent with a clear head.

Princess contemplated his lips, licking her own, when he gave in. With a small groan, he gathered her into a tight embrace in his arms. Their bodies molded together. He slanted his mouth over hers. His tongue swept inside for a hot, moist, sweet kiss. She buried her hands into his silky, wavy black hair and savored the feel of it.

His smooth wet lips trailed down her cheek, nipping her neck, before latching onto her hammering pulse. Tan-Shin’s long canines gently gnawed at her pulse, pinching the flesh. He sucked it deep into his mouth. The sensation made her lightheaded. Giddy. She stretched shaking a little, arching up to meet his thrusting hips. Her mouth opened as a cry rose, building from her throbbing groin, quivering stomach, and up to her tightening throat.

“Oh…” She began. Trying to catch her breath. He pulled back abruptly, cutting her sweet, aching, culminating ecstasy short. Burning with anger, she rose onto her elbows.

Panting, they stared in adversarial lust.

 

                                                Chapter 38

“Will it hurt?” She asked, biting her full, moist lips.

“It will sting.” He allowed, studying her lips. His gaze roamed her brown face, adoring every feature.

“How come?”

“I have to bite you.” Tan-Shin smiled, rubbing his nose against hers, and flashed his long white canines at her.

Princess giggled, her good humor returning. “Haven’t you bit me enough?”