Authors: Aubrey Ross

Tags: #paranormal romance, #alpha hero, #gladiator erotica, #gladiator romance

Secrets of New Pompeii (14 page)

“Of course, Sire.” Max bowed, offering a
belated show of respect.

“Now I need to figure out what to do with
Mikko and Tarhee. My first instinct is to throw them into the arena
they seem to love so much.”

“A fitting end, if you ask me,” Max
agreed.

“I’m not sure I can make my council support
such a verdict. It was bloodlust and power that led them so far
astray.”

“So let them choose,” Naloni suggested. “They
can submit to Fedoran justice or accept punishment according to the
laws of the city they created.”

“Genetic modification or death by gladiator.”
Sineth shivered. “That’s not much of a choice.”

“It is more of a choice than their victims
were given,” Max pointed out.

“True.” He smiled at Naloni and said, “You
two make one hell of a team.” He kissed her on the cheek then took
his leave. His guards followed him from the lounge and Naloni flew
into Max’s waiting arms.

“Is it really over?”

He lifted her against his body and smiled
into her eyes. “No, my love, our future together has just
begun.”

She wrapped her legs around his waist and
kissed him with all the love bubbling in her soul.

“Am I interrupting?” Caleb’s amused tone drew
them apart, and Max lowered her feet to the floor.

“We were celebrating our victory,” she told
him.

“So I saw.” He strolled to them, his stride
relaxed and slightly rolling. “What is the outcome?”

“The founders have all been arrested and it’s
up to us to assemble a new council made up of inhabitants.”

“That sounds like a damn good start. Will the
barrier be deactivated?”

“Eventually.”

Max’s answer shocked Naloni. “Eventually? Why
not as soon as we return to the city? Why would we delay?”

“How are we going to explain it? The people
must be transitioned gradually. It’s not fair to flip on the lights
and say, ‘Surprise, your entire existence is a lie’.”

“He’s right,” Caleb nodded. “The inhabitants
must be given a choice on how to live out their lives, but
maintaining the integrity of the original city should probably be
one of the options.”

“We can’t leave New Pompeii the way it
is.”

Caleb shook his head. “That’s not what I’m
suggesting. Some people don’t adapt well to change. Why not make
the noninterference clause a voluntary guideline for how life is to
be lived inside the city. If anyone wants a life free from
technology, a life focused on the simpler things, they are welcome
to settle in New Pompeii. But if they enjoy the conveniences and
the faster pace of a technologically advanced society, then they’re
free to leave and assimilate with the rest of Fedoros.”

“A simplistic existence is not what drew
people to New Pompeii,” Max argued. “They came for sexual freedom
and the Gladiator Games.”

“Would that need to change, if everyone
participating in any event were willing?” Both men stared at her,
speculation twisting their expressions. “The fact is, we can’t make
these decisions alone or we are no better than the founders. We
must ask the people what they want and let them decide what to do
with their city.”

“I bet many would be willing to entertain
tourists if they were benefiting from the trade,” Max mused.

“The possibilities are nearly limitless.”
Caleb slapped Max on the back. “I don’t envy you two this task.
I’ll stick to smuggling.”

“Thank you for your assistance,” Naloni said
as Caleb turned to leave. “You were a godsend.”

“Anytime, Your Highness. My ship is always
available to you.” He motioned to the door. “There’s a shuttle on
standby. Just head to shuttle bay two as soon as you’re ready to
depart.”

Naloni looped her arm through Max’s as he led
her from the lounge. “So what will you do first, Governor Max?”

“Appoint a council. Any ideas, Your
Highness?”

“Laetif Xyell. You know you can trust her and
she has a wonderful head for business.”

He considered the possibility then looked
down at her and asked, “Do you think she’ll stay in the city once
all this comes to light?”

“With Mikko gone, I think she’ll be happy as
a lark.”

“With her bodyguard to keep her warm?”

“And occasional visits with Captain Thrax to
keep things interesting.” They both laughed and moved into the
airlift.

“Felicia must be part of this council,” Max
said as the lift began its descent.

“The high priestess?”

“Yes. She has been the backbone of the
resistance from day one.”

“Will she accept the position?”

“I intend to find out.”

They walked along the corridor in silence,
each lost in speculation. Suddenly Max stopped and faced her, his
expression inscrutable. “I don’t even know where we’re going. Where
will we live? I have nowhere to take you.”

She smiled and took his hand, interlacing
their fingers. “You can
take
me anywhere you like, but it’s
customary for a governor to be allocated an official residence. You
should be given your choice of the guest villas.”

This seemed to put him at ease. They walked
into shuttle bay two and waited for the pilot to open the hatch.
Max leaned down and whispered, his voice hushed with wonder, “Is
this really happening? I’m afraid I’ll wake up in the
ludus
and this will all have been a dream.”

“This is no dream, my love.” She squeezed his
hand, her heart nearly bursting with joy. “As you said in the
lounge, this is the first day of our future together. Welcome to
reality.”

East Coast Dichotomy

Aubrey
Ross

Dichotomy
: Within hours of arriving
on mysterious Epiphany Island, Chelsea, a history professor,
encounters Ray, a gorgeous, fun-loving blond. She’s ready to
abandon her inhibitions and spend the week in Ray's arms -- until
she meets Delano.

Matchmaker
:
After a ruthless rejection, Thane is convinced he will never
find a woman who can accept his dark nature and demanding desire.
Sam, Thane’s Dichotomy, is infuriated by Thane's attitude.
Determined to find their true mate and prove to Thane that a soul
bonding is not hopeless, Sam hires a Faerie matchmaker.

Carousel
:
Someone is killing members of
the
Dark Elf
Court. Lyell, a ruthless
warrior, is sent to track down the murderer. His investigation
leads him to The Carousel, an exclusive nightclub that caters to
otherworldly beings. The club's owner, sultry Evette, immediately
catches his eye.

Snow
Blind
:
Sekarrah is the first female
Dark Elf to command a royal security team. She is both intrigued
and infuriated when her mentor, Dezmon, arrives from the Dark Elf
Realm. She can’t deny the attraction she feels for Dezmon, but her
first priority must be to Prince Lyell.

About the Author:

Aubrey
Ross

When my parents realized I had an aptitude
for storytelling—okay, even at an early age I was a consummate
liar—they encouraged me to find constructive ways to put all that
“creativity” to use. I wrote my first novel when I was in junior
high school. It was a typical teenage girl’s fantasy about being
kidnapped by a rock star, finding out he was really a
misunderstood, millionaire’s son, and living happily ever after
with the reformed rebel. Erotic romance just seemed like an
inevitable destination for someone with my naughty muse.

Now I spend my days, and many of my nights,
trying to keep up with the characters springing to life within my
mind. I find creative ways of avoiding errands and housework
because I can’t drag myself away from the dramas unfolding in my
latest story. And every day I thank God I was able to quit my day
job and actively pursue my dream!

I also write paranormal romance as Cyndi
Friberg. So if you’re in the mood for something a little less...in
your face, give one of my other books a try:

http://cyndifriberg.com

Other Books by Aubrey
Ross

Self-Published
:

Dichotomy Saga (Shapeshifter)