The Warlord's Demand
Page 13
"It's-a-not-a-helping-a-his-a-cause.-a-But-a-I-a-guess-a-you-a-know-a-that."-a-Farrow-a-said.
"Of-a-course.-a-I'm-a-sure-a-I'll-a-get-a-a-a-scathing-a-missive-a-from-a-Daendrin.-a-Hopefully-a-it-a-will-a-be-a-bad-a-enough-a-I-a-can-a-burn-a-his-a-livelihood."
Farrow-a-laughed-a-despite-a-the-a-fact-a-he-a-knew-a-the-a-Warlord-a-was-a-serious.-a-The-a-animosity-a-between-a-him-a-and-a-Daendrin-a-was-a-so-a-fascinating-a-to-a-watch.-a-Especially,-a-since-a-it-a-was-a-like-a-they-a-were-a-parenting-a-the-a-king.
"I-a-saw-a-Braydor-a-bragging-a-in-a-your-a-hall.-a-I-a-was-a-sure-a-you'd-a-kill-a-him,-a-I-a-guess-a-he-a-proved-a-himself."
"Hardly."
"I-a-heard-a-he-a-was-a-the-a-one-a-captured-a-Jenedia's-a-whole-a-party-a-before-a-the-a-witch-a-could-a-get-a-to-a-them."
"Considering-a-all-a-his-a-other-a-failings,-a-it-a-was-a-the-a-least-a-he-a-could-a-do.-a-And-a-if-a-it-a-wasn't-a-for-a-Cadeon's-a-assistance-a-I-a-doubt-a-he'd-a-have-a-managed-a-it-a-at-a-all."
"Ah,-a-where-a-is-a-the-a-prodigal-a-son?"
The-a-Warlord-a-gave-a-him-a-a-a-sharp-a-smile-a-but-a-asked-a-him-a-instead,-a-"What-a-news-a-of-a-your-a-efforts?-a-You-a-lay-a-about-a-and-a-debauched-a-yourself-a-and-a-seem-a-to-a-forget-a-I've-a-given-a-you-a-a-a-job."
"As-a-a-a-matter-a-of-a-fact,"-a-he-a-said-a-pointing-a-his-a-fork-a-at-a-him,-a-"I-a-do.-a-Not-a-to-a-say-a-you're-a-going-a-to-a-like-a-it.-a-Adrian-a-Marrokson-a-has-a-most-a-certainly-a-fled-a-the-a-country.-a-He-a-made-a-it-a-into-a-Askea."
The-a-air-a-around-a-the-a-Warlord-a-got-a-extremely-a-dark,-a-"Farrow."
"But-a-you-a-can't-a-be-a-pissed-a-with-a-me.-a-Daendrin-a-is-a-at-a-fault,"-a-thankfully,-a-"He-a-was-a-supposed-a-to-a-double-a-the-a-men-a-at-a-the-a-Kazgaurd-a-Gate-a-but-a-it-a-would-a-seem-a-it-a-slipped-a-his-a-mind.-a-But-a-you-a-have-a-the-a-delicious-a-witch,-a-isn't-a-that-a-what-a-really-a-matters?"
"Not-a-when-a-he's-a-fled-a-to-a-Askea."-a-The-a-Warlord-a-said-a-coldly.
Farrow-a-raised-a-his-a-hands,-a-"It-a-was-a-Daendrin.-a-By-a-the-a-by,-a-where-a-is-a-that-a-witch,-a-anyways?-a-You-a-rushed-a-her-a-away-a-before-a-we-a-could-a-even-a-play-a-with-a-her."
"Farrow,-a-you're-a-going-a-to-a-Daendrin's-a-estate."-a-The-a-Warlord-a-said-a-abruptly-a-walking-a-to-a-his-a-desk-a-and-a-scribbling-a-out-a-a-a-note.-a-He-a-folded-a-it-a-in-a-half-a-and-a-sealed-a-it.
Farrow-a-looked-a-upward-a-in-a-thanks.-a-At-a-least-a-he-a-didn't-a-throw-a-him-a-out-a-the-a-window.
"Take-a-this-a-to-a-that-a-idiot-a-and-a-then-a-come-a-back.-a-And-a-you-a-better-a-be-a-sober-a-or-a-I'm-a-going-a-to-a-rip-a-out-a-your-a-throat."-a-He-a-said-a-enunciating-a-the-a-words-a-"come-a-back."
Which-a-was-a-fair-a-because-a-Farrow-a-was-a-notoriously-a-unreliable.
He-a-took-a-another-a-swig-a-of-a-wine-a-and-a-stood-a-to-a-leave,-a-"You-a-haven't-a-asked-a-me-a-if-a-I-a-found-a-my-a-target?"
The-a-Warlord-a-gave-a-him-a-a-a-very-a-thin-a-look-a-and-a-Farrow-a-feigned-a-hurt,-a-"I-a-found-a-her.-a-Did-a-you-a-know-a-she's-a-an-a-elf?"
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Farrow-a-gathered-a-himself-a-before-a-the-a-Warlord-a-took-a-his-a-casual-a-attitude-a-towards-a-him-a-to-a-heart.-a-When-a-he-a-shut-a-the-a-door-a-on-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-pissed-a-off-a-face,-a-he-a-turned-a-to-a-a-a-sound-a-of-a-footsteps.-a-Coming-a-his-a-way-a-was-a-the-a-small-a-group-a-of-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-men-a-and...the-a-witch-a-in-a-the-a-middle-a-of-a-them.-a-She-a-looked-a-casual-a-as-a-if-a-she-a-weren't-a-enslaved.-a-He-a-was-a-sure-a-that-a-would-a-not-a-last-a-long,-a-considering-a-he-a-had-a-put-a-the-a-Warlord-a-into-a-a-a-bad-a-mood.
She-a-was-a-dressed-a-in-a-a-a-pale-a-lavender-a-gown-a-that-a-hugged-a-her-a-erotically.-a-It-a-was-a-strapless-a-with-a-connecting-a-sheer-a-sleeves-a-that-a-covered-a-her-a-arms-a-and-a-hugged-a-her-a-wrist.-a-She-a-had-a-an-a-athletic-a-build-a-but-a-was-a-not-a-completely-a-without-a-a-a-certain-a-feminine-a-qualities.-a-Still-a-she-a-was-a-mildly-a-pretty-a-and-a-nothing-a-like-a-the-a-other-a-women-a-the-a-Warlord-a-kept.-a-Her-a-coloring-a-was-a-a-a-rich-a-brown-a-that-a-reminded-a-him-a-of-a-the-a-women-a-he-a-encountered-a-in-a-the-a-humid,-a-wild,-a-enchanting-a-Inderland.-a-Kohled-eyed-a-women-a-who-a-were-a-like-a-falling-a-into-a-paradise.
Farrow-a-took-a-a-a-resentful-a-sigh-a-and-a-mounted-a-his-a-horse,-a-motioning-a-for-a-his-a-men-a-to-a-follow-a-him.-a-He'd-a-deliver-a-this-a-missive-a-and-a-he-a-would-a-come-a-back...eventually.-a-The-a-Warlord-a-never-a-said-a-when-a-to-a-come-a-back-a-and-a-Farrow-a-was-a-a-a-man-a-with-a-needs-a-after-a-all.-a-Besides,-a-he-a-had-a-an-a-elf-a-waiting-a-for-a-him-a-to-a-feel-a-out.-a-The-a-Warlord-a-got-a-a-a-toy...why-a-couldn't-a-he?
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Siyura-a-was-a-ushered-a-into-a-what-a-was-a-clearly-a-a-a-study-a-that-a-was-a-disturbingly-a-interesting.-a-There-a-was-a-nothing-a-particularly-a-threatening-a-about-a-the-a-room,-a-except-a-the-a-red-a-walls,-a-dark-a-and-a-consistent,-a-reminded-a-her-a-of-a-blood-a-coating-a-the-a-walls.
She-a-shook-a-off-a-her-a-uneasiness-a-and-a-focused-a-on-a-the-a-Warlord-a-who-a-was-a-sitting-a-casually-a-at-a-a-a-table,-a-carefully-a-unfolding-a-his-a-napkin.-a-The-a-guards-a-left-a-them-a-alone-a-and-a-Siyura-a-pushed-a-all-a-thoughts-a-out-a-of-a-her-a-mind.
The-a-Warlord-a-did-a-not-a-look-a-at-a-her,-a-just-a-gave-a-her-a-a-a-curt,-a-"Sit."-a-He-a-indicated-a-a-a-small,-a-round-a-pillow-a-at-a-his-a-feet.
Like-a-she-a-was-a-some-a-sort-a-of-a-dog-a-but-a-as-a-she-a-narrowed-a-in-a-on-a-the-a-cold-a-pen-a-against-a-her-a-thigh,-a-she-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-do-a-as-a-he-a-asked.
She-a-strolled-a-to-a-the-a-pillow-a-and-a-with-a-as-a-much-a-grace-a-as-a-her-a-performance-a-would-a-allow,-a-she-a-lowered-a-herself.
He-a-raised-a-an-a-eyebrow-a-but-a-merely-a-cut-a-into-a-the-a-food-a-on-a-his-a-plate.
"Did-a-you-a-enjoy-a-yourself-a-last-a-night?"-a-he-a-asked-a-as-a-if-a-they-a-were-a-friends-a-talking-a-about-a-a-a-carefree-a-night-a-of-a-merriment.
Siyura-a-really-a-did-a-not-a-want-a-to-a-open-a-her-a-mouth-a-because-a-she-a-could-a-not-a-trust-a-herself.
"Siyura,-a-I-a-asked-a-you-a-a-a-question-a-and-a-if-a-you-a-plan-a-on-a-having-a-breakfast-a-I-a-would-a-encourage-a-you-a-to-a-answer-a-me."
It-a-was-a-tempting-a-to-a-go-a-without-a-but-a-the-a-cramp-a-in-a-her-a-stomach-a-made-a-her-a-think-a-twice.
"Yes."-a-She-a-said.-a-The-a-shorter-a-the-a-better.
"Yes,-a-what,-a-Siyura?"
"Yes,-a-sir."-a-She-a-inwardly-a-cursed-a-at-a-how-a-much-a-she-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-play-a-the-a-part.-a-Adding-a-"sir"-a-was-a-like-a-putting-a-glass-a-in-a-her-a-mouth.
She-a-didn't-a-have-a-to-a-look-a-at-a-him-a-to-a-tell-a-that-a-he-a-was-a-pleased-a-by-a-her-a-compliance.-a-He-a-was-a-like-a-any-a-male:-a-wanting-a-gratification-a-of-a-those-a-weaker-a-than-a-them.
"As-a-you-a-are-a-now-a-a-a-part-a-of-a-my-a-household,-a-you'll-a-keep-a-to-a-the-a-rules-a-I-a-give-a-you-a-and-a-those-a-that-a-are-a-expected-a-of-a-all-a-other-a-servants."-a-He-a-said-a-conversationally-a-but-a-she-a-felt-a-uneasy.
"In-a-preparation-a-for-a-the-a-day,"-a-he-a-said-a-leaning-a-forward-a-and-a-sliding-a-a-a-slender-a-finger-a-under-a-her-a-chin,-a-"everyone-a-preforms-a-their-a-task-a-to-a-earn-a-their-a-reward.-a-Their-a-reward-a-to-a-exist-a-within-a-this-a-hierarchy.-a-To-a-have-a-clothes-a-on-a-their-a-backs.-a-To-a-eat."
She-a-looked-a-at-a-his-a-face-a-so-a-cruel-a-and-a-guarded.-a-But-a-as-a-he-a-had-a-been-a-reiterating,-a-she-a-was-a-here-a-on-a-his-a-whim.
She-a-felt-a-slight-a-panic-a-tighten-a-her-a-throat-a-because-a-while-a-she-a-knew-a-this-a-was-a-coming,-a-she-a-suddenly-a-revolted-a-at-a-the-a-thought.-a-To-a-let-a-him-a-put-a-his-a-demands-a-on-a-her-a-neck-a-and-a-her-a-to-a-accept-a-it.-a-Siyura-a-would-a-not-a-look-a-at-a-his-a-eyes-a-but-a-instead-a-focused-a-on-a-the-a-scar-a-on-a-his-a-face.
Another-a-cramp-a-of-a-hunger-a-shook-a-through-a-her-a-body-a-and-a-she-a-knew-a-this-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-be-a-battle-a-she-a-could-a-not-a-win.-a-He-a-had-a-all-a-her-a-options-a-in-a-that-a-finger-a-and-a-she-a-knew-a-when-a-to-a-cede.-a-When-a-Haldane-a-seemed-a-to-a-rain-a-fire-a-down-a-from-a-the-a-heavens-a-and-a-burned-a-her-a-cap
ital-a-to-a-the-a-ground—she-a-had-a-known-a-that-a-her-a-offensive-a-strike-a-would-a-have-a-to-a-morph-a-into-a-preserving-a-and-a-hiding-a-her-a-people.-a-Her-a-sister.-a-Her-a-lover.
With-a-that-a-last-a-thought-a-she-a-bricked-a-up-a-the-a-vulnerable-a-part-a-of-a-herself.-a-Locking-a-it-a-away-a-so-a-the-a-Warlord-a-couldn't-a-have-a-it.
"Would-a-you-a-like-a-to-a-eat?-a-When-a-is-a-the-a-last-a-time-a-you've-a-eaten?"-a-the-a-Warlord-a-asked.
She-a-clenched-a-her-a-palms-a-in-a-her-a-lap.-a-She-a-couldn't-a-recall-a-when-a-she-a-had-a-last-a-had-a-a-a-whole-a-meal.-a-She-a-had-a-grabbed-a-bites-a-of-a-food-a-in-a-between-a-Umla's-a-barking-a-but-a-had-a-not-a-sat-a-down-a-to-a-a-a-meal-a-like-a-the-a-other-a-servants-a-had.-a-She-a-had-a-been-a-too-a-on-a-edge.
Siyura-a-thought-a-for-a-a-a-moment.-a-After-a-bouts-a-of-a-homicide-a-and-a-being-a-forced-a-under-a-a-a-brute,-a-it-a-had-a-all-a-become-a-a-a-bit-a-fuzzy.
"I-a-can't-a-recall..."-a-She-a-said-a-and-a-winced-a-when-a-it-a-came-a-out-a-sharply.
The-a-Warlord-a-waited-a-for-a-her-a-to-a-continue,-a-his-a-movements-a-suspended-a-with-a-a-a-decision-a-that-a-hung-a-between-a-them.
"But..."-a-Siyura-a-said-a-hesitantly,-a-remembering-a-her-a-part,-a-"I-a-am-a-hungry."
He-a-seemed-a-pleased-a-by-a-her,-a-however,-a-because-a-a-a-fork-a-appeared-a-in-a-front-a-of-a-her-a-face.-a-She-a-couldn't-a-help-a-it,-a-she-a-flicked-a-her-a-eyes-a-up-a-to-a-his—knowing-a-she-a-was-a-glaring-a-at-a-him.
"This-a-is-a-what-a-pets-a-do,-a-no?-a-They-a-feed-a-from-a-the-a-hand-a-of-a-their-a-masters?"-a-He-a-said-a-a-a-slight-a-smile-a-on-a-his-a-lips.
She-a-knew-a-if-a-she-a-didn't-a-take-a-it-a-he-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-deny-a-her-a-food-a-altogether.
She-a-gave-a-a-a-slight-a-sigh,-a-leaned-a-forward-a-and-a-took-a-the-a-food-a-into-a-her-a-mouth,-a-the-a-fork-a-smoothing-a-over-a-tongue.-a-It-a-was-a-humiliating-a-that-a-she-a-had-a-to-a-have-a-the-a-same-a-fork-a-he-a-was-a-using-a-in-a-her-a-mouth.
But,-a-damn-a-it-a-all,-a-the-a-food-a-was-a-delicious.
"From-a-now-a-on,-a-you-a-will-a-address-a-me-a-as-a-I-a-am.-a-I'm-a-you're-a-superior-a-and-a-thus,-a-bastard-a-and-a-motherfucker-a-are-a-not-a-acceptable.-a-I-a-abhor-a-such-a-language-a-from-a-a-a-woman's-a-mouth.-a-Am-a-I-a-understood?"-a-he-a-said-a-clearly-a-wanting-a-to-a-test-a-her-a-on-a-this-a-little-a-but-a-of-a-education.
"It-a-is...sir."-a-She-a-purposely-a-stalled-a-on-a-the-a-last-a-word.-a-Remember-a-Siyura...behave...behave...
He-a-ignored-a-her-a-even-a-though-a-she-a-didn't-a-think-a-he-a-would,-a-"When-a-you're-a-entering-a-my-a-presence,-a-you-a-will-a-wait-a-for-a-my-a-instruction,-a-hands-a-at-a-your-a-sides,-a-eyes-a-on-a-me.-a-You'll-a-wait-a-for-a-as-a-long-a-as-a-it-a-takes-a-me-a-to-a-acknowledge-a-you.-a-Anything-a-else-a-and-a-I-a-will-a-correct-a-you."
"I-a-understand,-a-sir."-a-She-a-murmured-a-concentrating-a-on-a-his-a-fork.-a-He-a-lowered-a-it,-a-giving-a-her-a-another-a-bite.
"When-a-we-a-are-a-with-a-company,-a-you-a-are-a-only-a-to-a-speak-a-when-a-spoken-a-to.-a-Any-a-of-a-your-a-outburst-a-and-a-I'll-a-gag-a-you-a-until-a-I'm-a-convinced-a-of-a-the-a-sincerity-a-of-a-your-a-regret.-a-When-a-we-a-are-a-alone,-a-you-a-will-a-ask-a-my-a-permission-a-to-a-speak-a-freely.-a-But-a-any-a-disrespect-a-will-a-revoke-a-that-a-privilege."
It-a-was-a-probably-a-best-a-if-a-she-a-just-a-didn't-a-speak-a-at-a-all.
He-a-offered-a-her-a-another-a-bite,-a-which-a-she-a-took-a-graciously,-a-"As-a-I-a-told-a-you-a-last-a-night,-a-your-a-job-a-is-a-to-a-amuse-a-me.-a-You-a-might-a-even-a-earn-a-privileges,-a-if-a-you-a-please-a-me-a-well-a-enough,-a-your-a-life-a-might-a-be-a-free-a-of-a-hardships.-a-If-a-not,-a-know-a-this-a-with-a-certainty,-a-witch.-a-My-a-king-a-is-a-enamored-a-with-a-you,-a-but-a-his-a-attention-a-is-a-short-a-lived-a-until-a-a-a-new-a-shiny-a-thing-a-is-a-twirled-a-in-a-front-a-of-a-his-a-face."
"If-a-you-a-push-a-me-a-to-a-that,-a-I'll-a-happily-a-ruin-a-you."-a-He-a-said-a-cheerfully-a-and-a-gave-a-her-a-a-a-drink-a-from-a-his-a-cup.
As-a-if-a-he-a-wasn't-a-already,-a-she-a-thought-a-bitterly.-a-As-a-if-a-he-a-hadn't-a-completely-a-stripped-a-her-a-of-a-her-a-dignity.-a-He-a-fed-a-her-a-more-a-until-a-she-a-tilted-a-her-a-head-a-in-a-enough-a-and-a-lowered-a-her-a-eyes-a-to-a-her-a-hands-a-to-a-keep-a-from-a-looking-a-at-a-him.
This-a-wasn't-a-so-a-bad-a-,she-a-thought,-a-her-a-early-a-revelation-a-of-a-his-a-nature-a-making-a-her-a-brave.-a-He-a-had-a-fed-a-her-a-and-a-instructed-a-her.-a-What-a-was-a-terrifying-a-about-a-that?
"Tell-a-me-a-what-a-Braydor-a-did-a-to-a-you."-a-He-a-asked-a-casually-a-pushing-a-his-a-plate-a-away-a-slightly.
And-a-there-a-it-a-was.
"You-a-can't-a-be-a-fucking-a-serious?"-a-she-a-exclaimed,-a-outraged.
The-a-Warlord-a-was-a-fast.-a-One-a-minute-a-she-a-was-a-on-a-the-a-pillow-a-and-a-the-a-next-a-the-a-Warlord's-a-strong-a-hand-a-gripped-a-her-a-jaw-a-and-a-angled-a-her-a-face-a-up-a-toward-a-him,-a-bringing-a-her-a-onto-a-her-a-knees.-a-She-a-let-a-out-a-a-a-pained-a-noise.
"What-a-did-a-I-a-tell-a-you-a-about-a-cursing?"-a-He-a-squeezed-a-her-a-jaw-a-harder,-a-the-a-hold-a-not-a-allowing-a-her-a-to-a-answer.
She-a-gripped-a-his-a-wrist,-a-flaring-a-her-a-nostrils,-a-glaring-a-right-a-into-a-his-a-strict-a-face—all-a-her-a-good-a-intentions-a-flooding-a-her-a-as-a-if-a-they-a-had-a-never-a-existed.
She-a-waded-a-through-a-the-a-frilly-a-skirt—searching-a-for-a-the-a-pen.-a-She-a-was-a-going-a-to-a-stab-a-his-a-fucking-a-eyes-a-out-a-so-a-she-a-would-a-never-a-have-a-to-a-look-a-at-a-them-a-again.
The-a-Warlord-a-with-a-a-a-jerk-a-of-a-his-a-arm-a-pulled-a-her-a-forward,-a-grabbed-a-her-a-other-a-arm-a-to-a-twist-a-it-a-behind-a-her-a-back.-a-Once-a-again,-a-she-a-found-a-her-a-face-a-pressed-a-against-a-the-a-table.-a-The-a-cloth-a-covering-a-it-a-was-a-thick-a-and-a-scratchy-a-against-a-her-a-cheek.
"You're-a-armed-a-aren't-a-you?"-a-he-a-asked-a-amused,-a-shoving-a-up-a-her-a-skirt-a-and-a-she-a-felt-a-his-a-fingers-a-free-a-the-a-pen-a-from-a-where-a-she-a-had-a-hidden-a-it.
He-a-let-a-out-a-a-a-low,-a-throaty-a-laugh,-a-"Your-a-impulsiveness-a-is-a-one-a-of-a-your-a-worst-a-flaws."-a-He-a-tossed-a-the-a-pen-a-away.
"And-a-how-a-about-a-your-a-flaws,"-a-she-a-bit-a-out,-a-"besides-a-being-a-a-a-complete-a-motherfucker,-a-you're-a-also-a-a-a-murdering-a-bastard."
He-a-tsked-a-at-a-her-a-and-a-with-a-one-a-hand-a-on-a-her-a-back-a-still-a-pressing-a-her-a-down,-a-she-a-felt-a-other-a-pull-a-at-a-the-a-ribbon-a-at-a-her-a-bodice.-a-He-a-pulled-a-it-a-down,-a-harshly,-a-the-a-fabric-a-brushing-a-over-a-her-a-nipples.
She-a-heard-a-the-a-gown-a-gather-a-at-a-her-a-feet-a-and-a-the-a-Warlord-a-grabbed-a-her-a-upper-a-arms-a-to-a-pull-a-her-a-up-a-and-a-back-a-against-a-him.-a-She-a-felt-a-him-a-place-a-a-a-soft-a-kiss-a-on-a-the-a-crook-a-of-a-her-a-neck,-a-the-a-softness-a-disorienting-a-her
"Choose:-a-be-a-physically-a-punished-a-or-a-get-a-down-a-on-a-your-a-knees-a-and-a-show-a-me-a-how-a-sorry-a-you-a-are."
She-a-ran-a-her-a-tongue-a-across-a-her-a-teeth-a-in-a-agitation.-a-She-a-knew-a-what-a-he-a-wanted-a-and-a-she'd-a-rather-a-her-a-tongue-a-be-a-branded-a-than-a-ever-a-touch-a-him.
And-a-that's-a-exactly-a-what-a-she-a-told-a-him.
The-a-Warlord-a-laughed-a-as-a-if-a-the-a-answer-a-satisfied-a-him.
"Turn-a-back-a-around-a-and-a-bend-a-over."
Siyura-a-took-a-a-a-deep-a-breath-a-and-a-did-a-as-a-she-a-was-a-told.-a-She-a-didn't-a-trust-a-him-a-not-a-to-a-make-a-her-a-do-a-both-a-if-a-she-a-resisted.-a-He-a-seemed-a-to-a-have-a-practiced-a-patience-a-but-a-she-a-didn't-a-want-a-to-a-push-a-him-a-further.
"Stretch-a-out-a-your-a-arms,-a-palms-a-on-a-flat."-a-He-a-instructed-a-rapidly.