Fire, Blood, and Beauty: A Reverse Harem Romance

by Zara Zenia

  Fire, Blood, and Beauty

  A Reverse Harem Romance

  Zara Zenia

  Illustrated by

  Natasha Snow

  Edited by

  Elizabeth Lance

  Copyright © 2018 by Zara Zenia

  All rights reserved.

  Cover design by Natasha Snow Designs

  Edited by Elizabeth A Lance

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are all productions of the authors’ imagination.

  Contents

  Mailing List

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Chapter 40

  Chapter 41

  Chapter 42

  Chapter 43

  Chapter 44

  Chapter 45

  About Zara Zenia

  Also by Zara Zenia

  Zaruv Preview

  The Blue Alien’s Mate Preview

  Benzen Preview

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  Chapter One

  Eva

  “Easy there, buddy,” I coo at the startled fox.

  His lips draw back over his teeth and he growls at me as I step closer.

  “It’s all right, I’m not going to hurt you, I promise.”

  Poor thing’s scared to out of its mind, probably starving, too. Every day I canvas a section of the woods surrounding my cabin. I’ve divided the area up into sections; seven of them, one for each day of the week. So this little guy might have been here a while. I have to tamp down a surge of rage at the jerk who put this trap out here. At least it isn’t a trap designed to kill, but this land is a protected reserve and these animals shouldn’t have to worry about humans trying to kill them or take them out of their home.

  The fox’s ears press back, and he retreats into the corner of the cage as I take another step forward.

  “Don’t worry,” I purr, reaching into my bag for something that I know will do the trick: a can of cat food. As soon as I open the can, his nose starts twitching in the air and I smile. “Yeah, you’re interested in that, aren’t you?” I take another step forward and he starts to growl, but his nose gets the better of him and he takes a microscopic step forward.

  “That’s it,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. I set the can down gently right outside of the cage and he’s immediately sticking his nose through the grate, trying to get at it. “Give me a second, you’ll get your food,” I chuckle, stepping around to the latch on the other side.

  He’s so distracted by the food that he doesn’t notice me opening the cage. Tomorrow, once I’m sure he’s gone, I’ll come back and destroy the damn thing. And if I find another one, I’m going to start setting up cameras. Never mind it being illegal to trap here, this is my forest, and no one messes around with it.

  Maybe I should have left with Mom and Katie after Dad died. Maybe I should have abandoned the woods like they did. But how could I? This is my home. This is where all my best memories are and where I plan to make many more. Even though these woods took my dad from me, I can’t blame them. That’s just what nature does.

  Suddenly, the hair on the back of my neck stands up and goosebumps march up my arms. I turn around to look at the fox, but the little guy’s already long gone, the food left uneaten. My stomach twists up into a knot and I stop, holding my breath to try and hear any sound.

  Then, cutting through the silence, a lone wolf’s howl stretches into the afternoon, causing a stir in the treetops.

  Not again.

  Wolves are not supposed to be in this area. And the last time there was any sign of them… I swallow, a tight lump forming in my throat at the memory of my dad, surrounded by snarling wolves, razor sharp teeth bared and gleaming.

  “Eva, I need you to run,” he’d said. “I need you to run and not look back. And never forget you have a great purpose. Never.”

  I’d cried, told him not to talk like that, like he was already dead. We could fight them together. I was good with my Bowie knife. And he had a shotgun. We had a chance! But Dad wouldn’t hear it. The wolves pressed closer, snapping at his heels, only barely held off by the threat of the shotgun he’d already shot once in warning. I wailed at him to stop being so crazy, but that only got the attention of the wolves and one of the turned to me.

  “NOW, Eva, run!”

  And I did. I ran and ran all the way to the cabin, hearing the shotgun blast and then trying so hard not to hear anything else.

  Right away Mom wanted to move into the city, Katie too. But not me. I’m not sure I could ever leave these woods, but there’s something wrong if the wolves are back. Something very wrong.

  Another howl joins the first and I turn toward the direction as the whole chorus starts. Then, my blood chills as I recognize the other, quieter sound under the howls: a person.

  Before I know what I’m doing I’m running toward the wolves at full speed, pulling the pistol from my hip. Not today, wolves.

  I’m gaining on them, leaping over fallen trees and crashing through the underbrush until I spill into a clearing and I’m suddenly slammed back in time.

  In a wide circle, with eyes gleaming blood red, there’s an entire pack of wolves snarling and snapping. But the wolves nearly fade into the background, because at the center of their circle are two of the most gorgeous men I’ve ever seen. I’m a good distance away, but even from here I can see that they’ve got smooth caramel skin and thick, defined muscles. They’re talking in some language I don’t know, but it’s clear they’re debating what to do about the ambush, trying to figure something out. Lucky for them, I’m here. I bring two fingers to my lips and whistle long and loud, drawing their attention. I’m not going to be running anywhere today. The wolves stalk toward me, and I wait until they’re closer to shoot the flare right in front of them. It sparks up big and bright, making me have to look away. Most of the wolves are startled and head to run back into the woods, but there are three that keep coming for me despite the hot white light.

  That just makes me angry. I tried to end this fight peacefully, even when I don’t really feel like they deserve that kind of courtesy from me. But I was raised better. I know that animals are gonna follow their instincts, but
these three aren’t. Why?

  “Go on! Get out of here!” I yell, lunging at the snarling wolves. Frequently, if you pretend you’re the boss of them, they’ll believe it. The wolves narrow their eyes, still that unsettling red that makes the hairs on my arm prickle in alarm. These are not normal wolves.

  Then, the middle wolf takes another step toward me and suddenly he stops, his ears go back, and he starts whining and backing up. The others look at him with their heads tilted, and I’m not sure what’s going on, but I’m willing to chance it, so I take a step forward.

  Just like I hoped, the other two wolves do the same routine, their ears go back, their tails tuck between their legs, and high-pitched whines make my ears ring.

  I jump forward another step and this time they hightail it out of here, running off in the opposite direction.

  And I can’t help laughing at them. The feeling is so good. I feel powerful. Like something I did actually mattered. I realize I’m still laughing like a maniac when I spot the two sexy gods staring at me with their jaws hanging slack.

  It’s a little embarrassing, yeah, but I can’t even really find it in me to care all that much. I just grin wide at them and shrug. For the first time since my dad died, I feel better. I’ve been kind of walking in a daze, feeling like a victim — yes, a survivor too, but mostly a victim — and now I feel strong, like I can take on anything. I just scared off an entire wolf pack on my own!

  The flare’s still sparking and burning as I step around it and make my way down the small hill to the men.

  “You guys okay?” I ask, hoping they speak English. Communicating will be a lot more difficult if they don’t, but we’ll manage, I suppose.

  The two men look at each other, their jaws snapping shut in unison. That’s when I realize that they’re not only the hottest guys I’ve ever seen, they might be the hottest guys, period. And they look alarmingly similar. Like maybe they’re brothers? They each have a strong chiseled jaw, wide shoulders, huge biceps, and pecs, and quads and…man they look like either one of them could be a stunt double for The Rock, and I’m trying not to drool when one of them flashes me a perfectly white smile that turns my insides to jelly.

  “Yes, we’re okay,” one of them says, his eyes bright and golden. I’ve never seen eyes quite like them, like a light shining through amber. The other guy has crazy eyes, too, but because they’re nearly neon green. Those are some wild contacts and normally I’d think it’s dumb, but on these guys? It works.

  “Thanks to you,” says the other, and it’s then that I hear that soft lilting accent that leaves me tongue-tied.

  Who are these gorgeous Adonises and what are they doing in my woods attracting wolves?

  Golden eyes rove over my body and make me squirm like he’s actually touching me. But in a good way. A way that makes me feel almost dizzy.

  His eyes suddenly snap to the trees and mine follow, something tightening in my chest. “We should go,” he says, and without waiting for my response, he settles a warm hand on my back and starts ushering me back into the tree line.

  Chapter Two

  Trylor

  “To whom may we address our thanks?” I ask.

  She raises an eyebrow at me and seems confused, but Brandt steps in.

  “He means, what is your name?”

  She narrows her eyes at me, then at Brandt and then seems to decide something. She opens her mouth to speak, but no words come out. Instead, her lips turn into a beguiling grin and she runs off, leaving my hand hanging in the air.

  “Hey, wait!” Brandt calls after her, but she’s gone.

  “Way to go,” Brandt says, switching to our native tongue. “You frightened her.”

  “How so?”

  “You stand too near, talk too close, you’re too familiar and these people don’t like that.”

  I shake my head, smiling, remembering the gleam in her multi-colored eyes. “You’re mistaken, brother. I think our woman simply craves a chase. And a chase I am happy to deliver.”

  Brandt shakes his head at me chuckling. “I sure hope you’re not wrong about this.”

  “Are you suggesting I’m ever wrong?” I say, arching a brow and letting my smile fall slack.

  Brandt just laughs harder. He is probably the only one in all of Desergan who could get away with it, but I’m certainly glad I have him. Even I deserve a good-natured ribbing now and again.

  “Come on, she’s gaining distance while you laugh,” I say, marching off after her scent. It’s not a scent I’ll ever forget. Nor one I’ll ever tire of. The moment Brandt and I spotted her, the moment she stood up to those wolves, we knew. There was no doubt that she is the one. The one we’ve been looking for, the one that will save our planet.

  I hadn’t been sure what to expect of this person. I knew that they were destined to save my planet, but the whole idea of being forced into something like that never sat well with me and I’d vowed to find another way. But now… Well, after having seen her, I might be changing my opinion slightly. Maybe this way wouldn’t be so bad.

  She’s a beautiful creature — petite, but full, with a smile to make a man forget his senses. And those eyes of hers… I’ve never seen anything like those multi-colored eyes. At one angle, a light golden brown with spots of green, at another, a cool blue gray. Those eyes call to me. Even now, when they’re not lighting me up with their appraisal, I long to see them again. And I will. I must. For the fate of my people and hers.

  But not only for that. That’s a nice story to tell myself, but the truth is that seeing that woman ignited a need in me I never knew I had. Seeing her made me realize what I’ve been missing and I’ll be damned if I let her slip through my fingers.

  “That was her, wasn’t it?” Brandt says, his long strides finally catching up to mine.

  I nod. “Obviously.”

  “We can’t let her get away.”

  “Does it look like I intend to?” I’ve already covered a sizeable distance and I’m sure our woman can’t be much further ahead. Soon, I tell myself. Soon, you’ll have her safe. You’ll have her in your arms and she will be safe.

  I have to keep reminding myself of that, else the rage inside of me boils over. There’s a reason we have to take her back to our planet, and it’s not only to serve our own needs. She’s not safe here. What happened earlier may not happen again. They may not turn away the next time she crosses their path.

  That thought is enough to make my fists clench.

  Brandt sees it and lifts a brow, his forehead wrinkling with concern. “I’m not crazy, right? You felt it too?”

  “It?” I ask, as if I don’t know exactly what he’s referencing.

  “You know…” Brandt says, wriggling his shoulders in indecision. “That…feeling.”

  I scoff, relaxing and flexing my fist absently. This hand had rested on her back and her touch nearly combusted me. But I’m not telling that to Brandt. He has no need for that information.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I say, sniffing the air for her trail. I think she must have retraced some of her ground to confuse the scent. Smart girl, our woman.

  “Man, I can’t believe you didn’t feel it too, considering…well, you know.”

  “Hmph,” I grunt, picking the direction that seems right. Thankfully, I’ve always been an excellent tracker, even in this form.

  “Well, it was unlike anything I’ve ever felt. Like a lightning bolt to the groin.”

  “Brandt!” I chastise, sending him a disapproving look.

  “What? It’s true.”

  “That’s no way to talk about the woman who is going to save us.”

  “Look, I know you’re not a fan of this plan, but—”

  “I’m not opposed to it.”

  Brandt stops in his tracks, rustling fallen leaves underfoot, making me glare. We’re making far too much noise to really be serious about this hunt. But I’m almost certain our woman wants to be found, so I’m simply giving her a good chase for the th
rill of it.

  “My stars… You’re serious, aren’t you?”

  I shoot a glare over my shoulder. “What do you think?”

  “It’s just that… Well, you seemed to have reservations before we set out on this quest.”

  “I’ve reconsidered,” I say, marching forward yet again.

  I can nearly feel Branden’s frown boring into the back of my head and I growl.

  “If you have something to say, say it.”

  “Oh,” he says innocently, “I don’t have anything to say to my lying brother,” he snarls.

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I will not grant it. You lied to me, clearly.”

  A heavy sigh escapes my lungs. “What are you talking about, Brandt?”

  “You did feel it. That’s why you’ve reconsidered. That’s why you’re no longer opposed to the plan. I knew you did.”

  “Even if I had, I wouldn’t have described it in such crass terms.”

  “No? How would you describe it?”

  I mull that over for a moment, remembering the sparkle in her eyes, the curve of her lips, the sway of her hips. I have to press back another growl at the memory of those hips.