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He has a certain—presence.”
    The elder gave a small shake of his head . “The Haarb had just begun their siege of Sylvan Mintoth when DeTano returned to Verdantia. He came with the military power of the LFP at his back. He organized our resistance fighters and rose to command the joint forces, but that is not who he is.”
    Rising with difficulty, the elder pressed the jeweled box into her hands. “For someone your size, my Lady, the smallest grain into the spiced wine is sufficient. Godspeed, my dear.”
    She followed him with her eyes, stunned . With a faint smile and a shaky pat on her cheek, he hobbled from the chamber. She stared at the small, jeweled box Patricio had placed in her hand. It measured four inches by four inches and perhaps three inches deep. The incongruity startled a bitter laugh and then a sob out of her. So small, and yet its contents had destroyed her entire way of life—her entire planet. Cinnagin.

 
    Chapter Two
     
    The potent aphrodisiac enveloped Fleur in a dizzying swirl as she swallowed the last of the jeweled goblet's contents. It tasted of wine, cinnagin and musk. The heavy door to the ritual chamber opened. A scarlet-robed man strode through, pulling the door closed behind him. He halted abruptly, standing motionless, fixing her with a long stare before lifting an ironic eyebrow.
    “ You are my partner? You are tiny. I could break you.”
    His rich baritone vibrated in her feminine places. Her senses rioting, she inhaled the clean scent of lingnum soap borne on a waft of air. Her senses reeled under the masculine assault of the warrior standing before her. His robes indicated a seventh-level magister of advanced magicks . His scarlet robe of office loosely draped a tall, broad-shouldered, spare body. Warrior braids at his temple swept back heavy, shoulder-length, auburn curls, leaving his high cheekbones and strong jaw in clean profile. His hazel eyes regarded her with the intensity of a great hunting cat. You are a very large man.
    Fleur stood as tall as her five-foot-nothing would allow. “I am sturdier than I look.”
    Her eyes wandered over the height and breadth of him. Patricio is right . He has a physical presence. “The docenti told me that under the influence of cinnagin , I would happily service a bald-headed cave troll. You, sir, are not a cave troll.” He looked taken aback, then just snorted.
    A sudden flush sent her equilibrium reeling. “This aphrodisiac is affecting me strangely. I feel a little—dizzy.”
    Swaying where she stood, her gaze shot up to him as he moved silently to steady her. His large hand felt calloused and warm against her upper arm. A strange course of electric sensation pulsed between them. My mind is playing games with me.
    His other hand held leather cuffs and lashings. She was unable to hold his amber gaze, unwilling to betray her precipitous arousal and mounting fear. Trembling, she stepped out of his gentle hold. Without thought, she rubbed her arm where his touch had sparked that strange electric tingle.
    Fleur moved to the glazed window overlooking the profusely blooming courtyard below. Some young children laughed gaily as they pursued each other around the central fountain in a carefree game of tag. Such sweet innocence . It reminded her why she was here. She wanted to give them a lifetime of carefree days.
    “ You know we must succeed.” Fleur carefully placed the goblet on the sill and steadied herself, bracing both hands against the framing, her heart suddenly racing, her breath coming in short pants.
    “ Yes. I am aware of the stakes.”
    She threw a glance toward him , at his dry, sardonic response. Her thoughts spun frantically. What do I know about House DeTano? They are superb horsemen. “I don’t remember seeing you at court,” she said.
    “ Before the invasion, I lived off-planet for a number of years. I came back to fight for Her , for the Senzienza, and for my people.”
    Fleur straightened in astonishment. “ She