VS: I was always fascinated by gladiators, as depicted on the screen and on TV (Lydon from the 1980’s “Last Days of Pompeii” is a particular favorite of mine and so is the first season of Spartacus on STARZ.) So it wasn’t too much of a leap for me to write my own scifi romance gladiator series, Badari Gladiators. I loved telling the story of Kyden, a Badari Warrior taken far from home and condemned to a life in the arena and how he rose about it and won his fated mate. She happens to be a Senator’s daughter…

This excerpt is how he met Elara, rescuing her from a pack of other gladiators after she and her sister were delivered to the barracks by enemies.

It was clear to Kyden neither woman belonged here but it was far too late for them to leave. As Benet said, once the women had been delivered to the Gladiatorial Hall, none were allowed to depart until dawn. Erment the gladiators’ owner wanted his money’s worth and he wanted his men fully satisfied when they sallied forth to fight. Big L didn’t want any of her chattel to escape.

Kyden waded in, ruthlessly pulling men from the crowd and tossing them aside, until he and Jadaxus were facing each other in front of the upset women.

“What the seven hells, Kyden? What are these two to you?” Jadaxus said a bit drunkenly. “Prime new specimens Big L sent today. So the girls are shy, so what?” Stroking the bulge in his pants with one hand, he winked. “We’ll break them in.”

“I’ve told you, we’re the daughters of Senator Vasclavian and we’re not supposed to be here,” the older girl said, hands fisted and ready to strike out. “You’ll rue the day you touch my sister or me.”

Jadaxus winked at the other men and there were loud guffaws, although no one else ventured within arms’ reach of Kyden as he stood there glowering. “Sure you’re high born, sweet thing,” the other gladiator said to the woman in a mocking voice “Because noblewomen regularly slum it in the gladiatorial halls.” He reached for her and she slugged him in the jaw. Now the man was angry and yanked her roughly to him, attempting to plant a kiss on her lips.

With a sigh, Kyden extracted the girl from his grasp and grabbed the cowering younger one with his other hand. She screamed and attempted to twist away but he had an iron grip on her arm. The older one made no protest, apparently biding her time until she could figure out what he had in mind. “These two are mine. The rest of you men can share the whores Big L sent.”

“Yeah, you ain’t doing yourselves any favors with us.” One of the regulars piped up in a screechy voice, hands on her ample hips, scowling at the gladiators. “I expect to earn my credits tonight, not watch you paw these girls. You may have to pay me double for the insult.”

Several of the others took up her threat, catcalling and teasing the gladiators who were rapidly losing interest in the game now Kyden had stepped in.

Jadaxus fingered the knife at his belt while he appeared to debate continuing to argue. “You’re not fighting tomorrow, Kyden. You’re not entitled to one woman, let alone two.”

He shrugged. “So I’ll fight tomorrow.”

Kyden turned, keeping a tight grip on both girls, who he suspected actually were what the elder was claiming to be, and headed to his room. “Come with me if you want to remain unmolested,” he said in a low voice to the tall one as an outcry arose from the crowd. “I give you my word not to touch either of you without permission.”

She studied him, her blue eyes cool and level and then nodded.

“Stay behind me,” he said, releasing them.

Without checking to see if the women had obeyed, he pivoted, taking the wallet from its pouch at his belt. “The drinks are on me tonight.” He tossed his credit authorization token to Jadaxus who snagged it neatly out of the air. “All night.”

“You’ll be sorry,” Jadaxus said with a wicked grin. “Maybe the two of them together will give you a good ride but not enough to be worth what I’m going to spend in your name.” He reached out and grabbed his favorite partner from Big Lorena’s stable, who snuggled up to him and gave Kyden a grateful look.

As he ushered his two unusual guests out of the big room and down the hall to his quarters, Kyden took another deep breath of the older girl’s delicate perfume. She was exceptional—tall and striking.

“You’re Kyden the Death Dealer,” she said as they walked, studying him critically. She supported her sister, whose steps wavered. “I’ve seen you fight a time or two.”

VS: And the adventure begins, because he soon realizes she’s his fated mate…

There’s a box set of the first three gladiator novels.

KYDEN: BADARI GLADIATORS SERIES BOOK ONE by Veronica Scott

Kyden is the top ranked gladiator in the Five Systems but he’s hardly there by choice. Unscrupulous guards faked his death in the lab where he was created and sold him into slavery in the galaxy’s hinterlands. He has no idea where his home is or how many years have passed since he was condemned to a life of endless combat. Kill or be killed is the rule and a Badari never gives up. He’ll fight to stay alive until the Badari goddess sees fit to decree his death.

Elara Vasclavian is the daughter of a senator, as far removed from the life of a gladiator as a noblewoman can be until through the machinations of a political enemy, she ends up in terrible jeopardy. Abducted and given to a group of drunken gladiators for their amusement the night before the games, Elara vows to put up a fight but there’s no real hope of saving herself. Until Kyden steps in, responding to the goddess’s commandment to protect those who are smaller and weaker. And discovers she’s his fated mate.

Depositphotos

Rescued, Elara returns to her life of privilege but she can’t forget the man who saved her life. The gulf between their places in the Five Systems is unbridgeable, no matter how much Kyden longs for even a glimpse of her in the arena audience. No matter how much she feels the pull to be by his side. As matters stand, they cannot be together…Or can they?

KYDEN is the first book in a new series, spun off from my ongoing Badari Warriors series. Kyden is a Generation Five Badari whereas the main characters in the long running series are from a later time and are Generation Eight. This new series stands alone and you don’t have to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one. I couldn’t resist the temptation to tell a few other Badari stories, set in the galaxy’s Hinterlands, and who can resist gladiators?

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