Even so, Devon knew him. Recognition grabbed him by the balls and squeezed hard.The gladiator stood framed in the expansive window. Sunlight made his boldly sculpted musculature stand out in high relief. His barbarian hair was the color of a lion’s mane, but not so shaggy. His coarsely woven tunic top left his brawny arms bare. His sun-darkened skin bore white flecks of battle scars.This was the gladiator Xandaras. The mighty Xan.Devon feared his shock and lust were plain for all his attendants to see. He did not dare meet anyone’s gaze.Devon had been in love with Xan from the moment the gladiator first stepped into the arena and killed the men who were meant to be his executioners.Xan was the most beautiful man Devon had ever seen in his life—not that Devon’s life had been all that long. Devon, the Sovereign of the province of Shiliya, had seen only twenty-eight summers.Devon was not sure whom he had expected to find here in his reception chamber, but it was not Xan.The gladiator did not turn to face him.
