Author:
Daniel M. Bensen is paid to teach through fiction. His debut novel JUNCTION is available now from Flametree Publishing. His Sidewise Award-winning short story “Treasure Fleet” is in the Tales from Alternate Earths anthology. Dan lives in Sofia, Bulgaria, where he teaches English. For more news, visit thekingdomsofevil.com and sign up for The Kingdoms of Evil mailing list.

Former soldier Andrea Herrera isn't happy with where her life has taken her: Hell Creek, Montana, 65 million years before the present. When their time machine malfunctions, Andrea and her paleontologist clients are trapped in a timeline that shouldn't exist with something a hell of a lot more dangerous than dinosaurs: other humans.

Kidnapped by the stone-age descendants of a lost time colony, Andrea finds herself stripped of her technological advantages and forced into a war against the implacable armies of the Slaver Empire.

Andrea's only hope lies with the ferociously intelligent and violently insane tribal war-leader, Trals Scarback. Can Andrea persuade him to see her as a partner rather than a tool for his ambitions? Only if she beats the barbarian at his own game and becomes the Tyrannosaur Queen.

Groom of the Tyrannosaur Queen

Trals raised his arms and voice to address the warriors gathered before him. "Long ago, when the Ethlek were newly exiled from Fallen Megga, they did not know how to live on the Face of God. Hunger and madness waxed terrible. Then came the First Leader, who showed them the killing ground of the tyrannosaur," he said, "and taught them how to steal from it."


Dzhiff the Dwalotch Eethlek agreed. "The tyrannosaur will hear you, you maniac."


"The King of the Face of God has better things to do now than hunt down noises in the woods," said Trals, "I assure you."


"Yeah," Njrea snorted, "you also assured me that thing wouldn't attack. And then it attacked."


Trals pursed his lips. "Woe betide a warrior who leads his wife to battle."


The men chuckled, and Njrea glowered. Trals made an elaborate Slaver bow. "Lead us, if you would, oh Njrea."


Chapter 56: King Of The Face Of God Part 3