The Stone Prince

From Harlequin Nonfiction

Dating the Undead (with Jill Monroe)

From Harlequin TEEN

The Evil Queen

Everlife

Lifeblood

Firstlife

A Mad Zombie Party

The Queen of Zombie Hearts

Through the Zombie Glass

Alice in Zombieland

Twisted

Unraveled

Intertwined

And look for the
next scorching story in Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series

The Darkest King

coming soon!

Dedication

To Michele Bidelspach. Our first book together.
I look forward to many more!

Introduction

Once upon a time, kings and queens from across the galaxies searched for new worlds to inhabit, and other species to rule. These greedy royals sent armed legions into battle. Millions died, the newly discovered planets destroyed. While the heartless monarchs thrilled as they watched these bloodthirsty battles, they inherited little more than wastelands.

Wanting to continue their games and master new worlds, they agreed to a contest—the All War. Each sovereign would send one warrior to any newly discovered territory. Their best warrior. That territory would be their playground...and their battlefield. One champion would take everything, and all losers would die.

Throughout the centuries, one unspoken edict has remained the same. Do not fall in love with a local.

“Love? Never again. My heart is made of vengeance and hate.”

—Bane of Adwaeweth

“I’ve warred with fibromyalgia and lupus for years. Tame some big, bad beasty-boy? Watch me.”

—Nola Lee

PROLOGUE

The Realm of Adwaeweth
1026 AA (After Alliance)

BANE OF ADWAEWETH ignored his instincts to dominate his woman—always he ignored his instincts—and rolled to his back, the expected position for an Adwaewethian male. Not just expected, but enforced by law.

Would the pleasure be greater on top? Bane had broached the subject with Meredith once, only once, but she’d had no interest, so he’d dropped it. Most days, he told himself he didn’t care. Some days he believed it.

Bathed in candlelight, Meredith rose to her knees, straddled him and sank down on his throbbing erection. The pleasure!

Head tipping backward, spine arching, Meredith moaned with rapture and began to ride him. Sweat glistened on her golden skin, and desire hooded her golden eyes. So beautiful. So strong and brave.

Meredith was the love of his life. Not too long ago, they’d recited vows in front of royals and peers alike, forever binding their futures. Only in death shall we part.

When she braced her hands on his calves and whipped her hips, his mind blanked...only to come back to life with a single thought. More. Releasing a strangled groan, he clasped her waist to control her motions. Up and down. Faster. Harder. Just the way she liked.

“Bane. It’s so good.” Short flaxen curls danced around her gorgeous face.

Harder still. Faster and faster. She loved his ferocity. But then, he’d always gravitated to warrior women. The ones courageous enough to rush into battle at his side.