Fangs, Flames, and Allure_A Reverse Harem Romance

by Zara Zenia

  “Shall we go on?” The High Priestess asks as her eyes dart around in confusion.

  Michael and Brent stare at each other in a showdown of defiance. Finally, Michael relents and storms out of the sanctuary where the ceremony is to take place. “Have it your way,” he calls over his shoulder. “I am powerless to stop you, for now.”

  I sigh with relief as order resumes among the five of us and the audience. All is quiet and serene once again, and we can close out our vows to one another and the planet of Ethwan.

  As the High Priestess proclaims us all a unified family, I kiss each of my grooms with the profession of exceptional, unconditional love. We are finally and wonderfully, legally married on the planet of Ethwan.

  Epilogue

  Katie

  “It’s so great to see you again,” I say as I embrace my sister Eva.

  I am here with Brent, Ken, Roger and Carl. It’s been several months since we were married on Ethwan and peace is springing up around the planet. We are thrilled so far with the results, seeing community blossom all around us, even faster than we had earlier anticipated.

  “We are so happy to have you here.” Eva eyes me with kind eyes and I know all the burdens of our past and the bitterness we felt for each other so long ago is finally flooded out and washed away with a bright, sunny future of friendship and love.

  “I am just happy about the weather here on Desergan,” Roger states and brushes his hair back with his fingers.

  Everyone erupts into joyful laughter. “I have to concur,” Carl quips.

  “Is it getting better though?” Eva asks with concern.

  “Yeah,” Carl shrugs, “the scientist teams are doing a great job at helping us adapt to the environment. And all of the vampires have been freed. Some have chosen to leave, but most have agreed to stay on Ethwan and help us build a peaceful world together.”

  “I am so glad things are working out.” She smiles. “Are you all hungry? You must be after that long flight,” Eva asks.

  “I’m starving,” I admit and rub my grumbling belly.

  “Follow us to the grand dining hall and we can start the dinner celebrations,” Eva says and beckons us to wander behind her and Trylor.

  “Thank you for the accommodations and your hospitality,” Brent praises and gives Eva a bright smile. “We really appreciate it.”

  “I am delighted to help,” Eva responds. “I’m willing to do anything it takes to make sure the negotiations of peace come to my planet as well.” She looks over at Tylor and Brandt and smiles and then shares a smile with Lucas and Morgan too before turning her gaze on her son, Spes.

  I finally understand that Eva wasn’t forced into anything, Fate moved her as it did me. She has a special connection with each of the men in her world just as I do in mine. What I thought was her unhappiness, was just her uneasiness of sharing the unique relationship she has with them to me. However, now that I too have several loves, I understand. And since we both share the same kind of dynamics, I hope it will make it easier to mend the rift between our worlds.

  In that regard, we are here on Desergan to meet with the advisors about forming a treaty. Vampire and dragon rulers alike are all here to represent the grand gesture and union of the planets. All is well, and the future looks bright for everyone involved. I can’t believe how far we’ve come and I never want to look back, only ahead at everything we have left to accomplish.

  “Thank you for supporting me on this,” I whisper privately to Eva as I sit down next to her at the dinner table.

  She squeezes my hand affectionately. “I am here to support you no matter what.”

  “We finally have a real purpose in life,” I admit with a humble chuckle.

  “I believe that everything happens for a reason,” Eva attests.

  “You know what,” I nod, “me too. Now more than ever.”

  “Life is better here and on Ethwan than it could have ever been back on Earth,” Eva declares.

  “Maybe we should try to make that planet a better place too,” I say as I place my napkin in my lap, ready to dive into the food.

  “You are a wonderful leader. You are glowing, absolutely radiant,” Eva says, which is the most genuine compliment she’s ever given me.

  “Thank you,” I say and kiss her cheek. I glance around as my beautiful family enjoys a meal together filled with love and laughter. Everything is perfect, and I never want to wake up from this amazing dream that is now my wonderful reality. My heart and my soul are full, and I’m surrounded by incredible people who love me.

  About Zara Zenia

  Zara Zenia writes steamy, sexy, and suspenseful sci-fi romances! You will find her writing alien romances from intergalactic planets, bionic romances, superheroes and time travel romances too.

  Please see her Author Central Account on Amazon for a full list of her titles.

  Sign up for her mailing list and find out about her latest releases, giveaways, and more. Click here!

  For more information, be sure to check out the links below!

  zarazenia.com

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  Also by Zara Zenia

  Aliens of Dragselis Series:

  Zaruv: A Sci-Fi Alien Dragon Romance (Book 1)

  Karun: A Sci-Fi Alien Dragon Romance (Book 2)

  Ragal: A Sci-Fi Alien Dragon Romance (Book 3)

  Pavar: A Sci-Fi Alien Dragon Romance (Book 4)

  Rizor: A Sci-Fi Alien Dragon Romance (Book 5)

  * * *

  Royally Blue - Celestial Mates:

  Blue Alien Prince’s Mate: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Celestial Mates)

  Alien Gladiator’s Mate: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Celestial Mates)

  The Blue Alien’s Mate: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Celestial Mates)

  Blue Alien Prince’s Captive Bride: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Celestial Mates)

  Blue Alien Prince’s Mail-Order Bride: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Celestial Mates)

  * * *

  Reverse Harem Romance Series:

  Fire, Blood, and Beauty (Book 1)

  Fangs, Flames, and Allure (Book 2)

  * * *

  Alien Abduction Series:

  Alien Zookeeper’s Abduction (Book 1)

  Alien Mate’s Abduction (Book 2)

  Alien Captive’s Abduction (Book 3)

  * * *

  Alien Auction House Series:

  Sold To The Alien King (Book 1)

  Bought By The Alien Prince (Book 2)

  * * *

  Warriors of Orba Series:

  Benzen: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Book 1)

  Jarick: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Book 2)

  Voland: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Book 3)

  Draygus: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Book 4)

  Ethazol: A Sci-Fi Alien Romance (Book 5)

  * * *

  Standalones:

  Bionic Outlaw’s Baby: A Secret Baby Sci-Fi Romance

  Zaruv Preview

  Preview:

  Book 1 of the Aliens of Dragselis Series: Zaruv: A Sci-Fi Alien Dragon Romance

  Chapter 1-Zaruv

  Tick, tick, tick, tick. My eyes darted across the emerald table, meeting those of my youngest brother. The incessant tapping continued, much to my chagrin. Every time the heavy, golden, ring on his middle finger brushed against the table, the noise rang out across the silent ship. He was going to start a fight without ever lifting a fist in anger.

  That was Pavar’s thought. He had a way of stirring the pot to his liking. Young and wild, my twenty-five-year-old brother shot me an easy grin. At once, I felt my anger giving way to amusement. It was damn near impossible for me to stay angry at his hotheaded ways. The youngest of five brothers, Pavar always seemed to play on the line between prince and prisoner.

  “If you continue to act like this, you will be the death of us all,” I said finally.

  He cocked his head and the tapping finally stopped, “Come now, Zaruv. We both know that the Dragselian people are not going to change their ways. The sys
tem has worked for thousands of years.”

  “It’s flawed and you know it. Hell, I would even venture to say that the other brothers know it too. None of you want to speak up though. Even now, we are all heading to our exile and still, you won’t speak against the old ways.”

  “It’s not my place to speak ill of them. Nor is it yours.” Came Karun’s steady voice.

  He stepped into the ship’s hull and nodded toward me as a sign of respect. As the second oldest son, I held the honor of being charged with my younger three brothers. We all knew that the day of exile was coming, but now that it was here, old struggles seemed to be flaring up. It didn’t help that we’d been stuck in the small passenger spaceship for the last two weeks. No amount of preparation could ready one for spending so much time in close quarters with their siblings.

  Pavar glared at Karun while nodding in respect toward his elder brother. “We are heading to Artax, where we are sentenced to live out our lives away from our home and our people but you still support the rule?”

  “I do,” replied Karun confidently. “The system, though flawed, has worked well long before we were here. It will continue to work long after we are gone.”

  “You make Artax sound like a prison,” I interjected. “Artax is a resort planet, dear brother. We are going to live out our lives with more Dragselian woman and servants than we can handle. Yet you seem to find a way to make it sound terrible.”

  “That’s because it is! I want to be back home on Dragselia, not billions of light years away from it.”

  “You are so ready to start a fight when our father has not even been dead a week. You mourn the loss of your comfort, but not the man who provided it. You should be ashamed, Pavar,” Ragal said.

  My two brothers sat down at the table with myself and Pavar. Looking around at them I saw the stark differences between them. Each one of them had a different personality that had its flaws, but also its winning qualities. I could think of no better warrior than Karun. His strength, speed, and agility were almost matched with my own. An anger boiled below the surface though. He hated the exile even more than Pavar, though his loyalty to the Dragselian way ran deeper than his disdain.

  “We are not far from Artax now, I think you will sing a new song once you see what waits for us there, Pavar,” Karun said

  “Karun, you won’t win. I would encourage you to let it go now before a war of our own starts,” interjected Ragal.

  “I agree,” I said while nodding to Ragal. “There is nothing that we can do about it now. Pavar, you may voice your concerns among us brothers, but once we reach Artax, there will be no room for that hostility.”

  “Why not?” Pavar fumed.

  I started to speak, but it was again Ragal who answered. “Because Artax is a haven of Dragselian. To speak against your king would be unforgivable.”

  “Maybe that’s what I need to do then, at least I wouldn’t be living a lie.”

  Karun sighed and shook his head, “Then we will be forced to live with your death. You will be painted the selfish, spoiled brat that you are.”

  Pavar leaped up, but I raised my hand in a command for him to sit. He begrudgingly listened. This wasn’t the first time that he’d tried to start a fight in the close quarters and I knew it wouldn’t be the last. I didn’t worry about Ragal. His level head and passive nature wouldn’t allow him to partake in such a pointless fight. It was the others that I was worried about. Karun was a fighter and Pavar was an instigator but Ragal only wanted peace to reign out over all others. I smiled at him as he sat silently, looking out at the stars as they flew past us.

  “We are close,” Ragal whispered beneath Pavar and Karun’s argument.

  I looked out the front window and took in the beauty of the planet. It had been many years since I’d ventured to the area. Everything seemed the same. A small flicker of light caught my eye. At first, I thought that it was a star, but it seemed to be moving. Another ship in this area was common. Artax was a popular resort planet. No chime of the security console came but that did little to comfort me. It was programmed to send a message to all ships in our area, keep track of their level of danger.

  Our vessel did not bear the royal insignia of our home planet. It was too dangerous to openly declare that there were royals on board. Throughout the area, there were Infernians lurking and waiting for our capture and eventual death. If no heirs to the throne were alive, they could easily overthrow our rule. I kept a watchful eye on the ship. It wouldn’t take much to fool our system. A false sense of security might blanket those who didn’t know the price on our heads, but it did little to put my mind at ease.

  “What troubles you, brother?” Ragal asked, watching the changes of my face.

  I shook my head, not wanting to alert the others of potential danger until I was sure. “It’s nothing, just my paranoid mind playing tricks on me. I think that I, too, am getting a little stir crazy.”

  Ragal smiled and leaned back, “I believe it's infected me as well. I will be glad when I can again rest my feet on solid ground.”

  I snickered, Ragal hated to be on ships. The uncertainty of the unknown did little to comfort him. He was not one for adventure. Left alone with his charts and the stars, he was a very happy nomad. I glanced back at the window, searching for the small blinking light. At first, I thought it had gone, moved onto whatever planet it was destined for, but then I caught it again, this time it was closer and worse, it wasn’t alone.

  My heart started to race, wondering if it was enough danger to alert the others. In my hesitation to speak though, a heavy silence fell over the cabin. Karun and Pavar were no longer arguing with each other. The silence had transformed into a heavy fog, waiting for me to speak and lift it. I glanced back at the approaching ships, four in total and knew that I needed to make a decision. They would be on us in a matter of minutes.

  “Zaruv?” Karun asked, “What troubles you?”

  I looked him in the eyes, dark and brooding as always. We were an incredibly attractive lot by human standards. Our bodies had little to no hair, save for our heads which flowed freely down our backs, mine in waves of deep auburn. My heart was racing; we were not prepared for a fight as we flew in a passenger vessel with no security. Instantly, I regretted my decision to not push for some sort of escort. These were troubling times for our kind, as evident by the unmarked ships now closing in.

  Karun saw them before I responded to him, “Are they Infernian ships?”

  I shook my head, “There is no way to know. They do not have any markers or colors. I don’t think they are coming to be friends though. Jartex?”

  A computer voice rang out over our heads. Jartex was our security system. “Yes, my prince?”

  “Can you send them a message please and ask that they identify themselves?”

  “Shall I share make your royal presences known?” Jartex asked.

  “No,” I whispered. “Do not share who we are with them.”

  The four of us stood watching through the window as the ships grew closer. They couldn’t see us through the thick glass, but we could see enough that my heart sank to the pit of my stomach. No passenger vehicle carried the two heavy missile portals on either side, as were the ships that were now hovering a few hundred feet from us. There was little doubt in my mind that they knew who was on board.

  “Sir?” said Jartax, “They do not respond to my signal. Should I try again?”

  I shook my head and took a step backward, tugging Pavar and Ragal along with me. “No Jartax, it’s too late.”

  My three brothers looked to me, then back to the ships now facing us. They saw the same thing that I did, the missiles being lowered by long, metallic, arms as they prepared to fire. I could feel my stomach flipping in anticipation for a split second before I reacted.

  “Jartax, drop range now!” I screamed out.

  My brothers scurried around and quickly buckled into the seats around the emerald table, but Pavar wasn’t fast enough. Our ship dropped from the
dark sky and Pavar was shot up in the air, his back cracking against the ceiling. He quickly recovered, our bones and skeletal structure being stronger than that of humans. In our dragon forms, we were almost impossible to kill but shifting now would rip apart the small craft, sending us floating pointlessly into space.

  “Take evasive measures!” I called out.

  Karun quickly unbuckled and took the seat next to me as the autopilot engaged and started to dodge the incoming missiles.

  “We need to get to the escape pods,” Karun said.

  I shook my head, “This far from Artax, we would never make it.”

  “What other options do we have? We cannot fight back; we are too far to call for help from home. It’s the only chance that we have for survival.”

  An argument rose to my lips, but before I could share, the ship started to shake violently. One of the missiles had made contact, sending everything on the vessel flying through the air as we struggled to breathe through the debris and depleting oxygen. I nodded to Karun. He grabbed ahold of Pavar and I did the same to Ragal, shoving each one into an escape pod.

  Before shutting the doors on the pods, I looked over at Karun and yelled, “Make for Vaxivia, I will find you all there.”

  Karun nodded, as did Pavar and Ragal before we sealed them in. Within seconds we heard the alarm of an incoming missile and quickly we both dove into our escape pods. Looking around at my brothers, I hit the eject button and was sent soaring into space. Unequipped for long travel, the air in the pod grew thin just as we entered Vaxivia’s thin atmosphere.

  The last memory I had before the darkness consumed me, was of my brothers. All I could do was hope that their fates had not yet ended. They were all the family I had left; someone had told the enemy where we were. There was a spy among our kind.