Kasmiri opened her mouth to argue but ceased when one of the servants held up what once must have been a piece of jewelry. From the shape, he surmised it had been an extremely elaborate necklace, but all that remained was a melted clump of metal with gemstones stuck along the jagged folds.
Kasmiri’s dismayed gasp caused several of the servants to glance at her, then quickly away, their eyes downcast with apology. Fearing for her sanity, for how could anyone survive this much turmoil in her life, Sterlave dragged her away. If he thought she would collapse gratefully into his strong arms, he was wrong.
“I’m going to find out who did this, and when I do, I will create a punishment so vile, so painful, so degrading, so, so—no one will dare to cross me again!” She turned on her heel, swirling crimson astle in her wake.
Sterlave smiled, pleased that she refused to cower in fear. Whoever did this wasn’t going to frighten Kasmiri away. Also, she needed something to focus her anger on rather than her mother or her own fears of becoming a mother. As proud of her as he was, he also didn’t want her to use this to protect herself from the pain of grieving. But he would worry about that later. Right now, they needed to find somewhere safe to eat, bathe, and change. He would worry about where they would sleep closer to nightfall.
When he mentioned all of this to Kasmiri, she tossed a smoldering look over her shoulder as she continued down the hall, destination unknown.
“I will be sleeping in the same room I have always slept in.” She turned her attention away as she marched on.
“If your mother’s room isn’t safe, what makes you think your room is safe?” He kept up with her pace, but he had to push harder than usual; she was practically running, in heels no less. “I don’t know about you, but I have no desire to be roasted in the night.”
“Coward,” she spat, rounding a corner.
One place he wouldn’t let her take her anger out was on him. He grasped her arm and spun her around, barely ducking the swing of her other arm. He suddenly realized just how many times he had to grasp her and turn her to get her attention. Clearly, this had to stop.
“You let go or I’ll have the guards haul you away!” she threatened.
“Haul me away?” he asked, letting go of her arm and taking a step back.
Lifting her brows and jutting her chin, she snidely asked, “How do I know you didn’t have something to do with this?”
His mouth literally fell open. How could she even think such a thing?
With an accusatory finger jabbing his chest, she said, “You forced me to bond to you, tricked me into allowing you into my bed under the pretext of learning to pleasure a man, and then suddenly my mother dies, I’m in charge of the empire, and then someone’s out to kill me.” When she placed her hands on her hips, she lifted to her full height and leaned into him, as if challenging him.
“Don’t be a fool.” He resisted the urge to shake her and instead stepped into her, pressing her back against the wall. She maintained her furious look, but her eyes flared with trepidation. “If I wanted to kill you, you would have been dead the night I first came to your room. And why would I set fire to your mother’s room when I knew damn good and well where you were sleeping?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. Crowding against her until his body pressed the length of hers, he added, “And for your information, I never tricked you into anything. It was your idea to use me to learn about sex to please Chur. Besides, you wanted to share a bed with me, so don’t try to change facts in your mind now to justify your anger.”
“I have a right to be angry.” Her breathing was sharp, quick. Her pulse danced wildly, causing the vein in her slender neck to visibly throb.
“You do, but not at me.” He lowered his head until his nose brushed against hers. “I’m not the enemy, Kasmiri.”
Turning her head away, she whispered, “I don’t know whom I can trust.”
This he understood. Her mother had a contingent of guards and those men had, in turn, sworn themselves to Kasmiri, but who knew where their allegiances actually lay? Riches could buy a man from his conscience. Promises of women, prosperity, and a life of leisure would be most attractive to a man with little to look forward to in his advanced seasons. Bribing a palace guard wouldn’t take much.
“You know you can trust me.” Ever so gently, he cupped her chin and brought her face back to his. Her eyes were wide and filled with tears. “I have never hurt you and you know I never would. If you want to stay in your room, then that’s where we’ll stay. I’ll make sure it’s fully guarded at all times. Guarded by men we can trust.”
A modified pout puffed her lips. “I don’t want to live like a prisoner.”
“You won’t, but I’m also not taking any chances with your safety.”
Some of the fear left her gaze then, and she tilted her head up, bringing her lips a fraction from his. “You promise to keep me safe?”
She changed so swiftly at times—from angry woman to frightened girl to playful lover—he found it difficult to keep up. Brushing his lips across hers, he whispered, “I am your faithful servant.”
At last, she smiled. He felt every bit of the powerful man he’d been last night when he’d kicked in her door. Never would he confuse Kasmiri for a coward who couldn’t take care of herself, but right now, she needed a protector. To do that, he would have to place her in the care of the one man who could actually steal her from him.
“Until the room is secure, you’ll have to stay elsewhere.”
Kasmiri immediately took off down the hall. “One of the suites for visiting dignitaries should be fine.”
“No, somewhere safer.”
She rolled her eyes. “Those rooms are carefully guarded. It simply wouldn’t do to have one of our guests murdered. Over one hundred guards patrol that wing; it’s safer than—”
He knew she was about to say it was safer than her mother’s rooms. “There is one place that I know you will be safe.”
“Where?”
“Chur’s rooms.”
When her eyes lit up, he gritted his teeth. Just when he thought she’d given up on Chur, she reminded him that she hadn’t, and probably never would. However, if placing her there would keep her safe, he had no other choice. Sterlave trusted Chur more than he trusted Kasmiri.
“The only problem is I don’t know where his rooms are.”
“I do.”
Of course you do.
He followed behind her, watching her primp her hair, smooth her smudged makeup, and adjust her clinging dress, all without missing a step. Suppressing a series of annoyed sighs, he strode through a maze of hallways and up several flights of stairs. Eventually they stood before a pair of massive doors protected by equally massive guards.
Kasmiri announced herself but the guards didn’t move.
Curious, Sterlave waited patiently while Kasmiri berated them both for their ineptitude. After a long while, Chur came to the door. His face was sweaty and all that covered him was a black loincloth. Sterlave instantly knew what had delayed Chur. He did his best to suppress a knowing smile, but Chur caught it anyway.
Man to man, they nodded to one another; then Chur graciously moved aside and let them enter. As Sterlave drew next to him, his nose confirmed what his gut already knew. Chur and his lovely mate had been thoroughly enjoying the pleasures of their bed. Once inside the room, another whiff of sex tickled his nose. The scent of pleasure seemed permanently affixed to the place. He wondered just how often the two indulged in the erotic arts.
Sterlave had never had a chance to enjoy the Harvester rooms, but he imagined they would look much like this. Everything had clean lines with no clutter. The furniture was solid, crafted in simple styles with minimal decoration. Almost everything was black or various shades of brown. Masculine but warm, Sterlave felt comfortable the moment he entered.
Most of the room was one large space, with areas for sitting, dining, and sleeping. Only the kitchen and basin were behind walls. When Sterlave looked around, he saw e
vidence of remodeling, but what really caught his eye was the massive bathing unit that took up the entire north wall. A dozen knobs and gilded jets put Kasmiri’s unit to shame. The entire room seemed to focus on the unit, as if this held the greatest importance to them. He puzzled over it for a moment, shrugged, and then turned his attention to Chur.
“We were about to eat. Won’t you join us?” Chur motioned to a large wooden table next to the kitchen.
Sterlave and Kasmiri sat down next to each other on the same side, watching as Chur disappeared behind the wall.
“By the gods! Why is the bathing unit in the main room?” Kasmiri asked, glaring at the polished Onic tile as if it had personally affronted her.
“They like to bathe?” Again, he shrugged. “I’ll ask Chur about it in the training rooms later.”
Kasmiri’s eyes rounded and she hissed, “You intend to leave me here alone with that woman?”
A burst of laughter came from the kitchen, followed by the rattling of cooking utensils. Something about that sound caused a surge of envy in Sterlave. He wanted that kind of easy enjoyment with his mate.
Cupping Kasmiri’s hand, he said, “I can’t very well take you to the training rooms. Besides, you should get to know Enovese.”
Silted eyes and a mew of disgust were her only answer.
“Try to be friends with them. Remember, we need their help.” But he knew Kasmiri didn’t want to be friends with Enovese, not when she thought the woman had stolen the man of her dreams. “You’ll be safe here until Chur and I can get your room put to rights.”
“And why would he do that?” She pulled her hand from his and made another attempt to fix her sleep tousled hair. Black strands strayed from the knot at her neck.
“Because he’s my friend.”
Kasmiri paused at that, looking ashamed. She stopped fidgeting and lowered her hand to the table.
Enovese and Chur emerged carrying trays with several platters. They placed them in the center of the table, then returned with plates and utensils.
“Please, enjoy.” Enovese, resplendent in a black robe with her hair plaited into a single braid, seated herself to the left of Chur, who took up the head of the table.
Sterlave wasn’t shy. He picked up his plate, then helped himself to the food—seared aket, fluffy bread, creamed nicla, and several items he couldn’t identify but tried nonetheless. Everything was wonderful. When he complimented Enovese, she smiled demurely.
Kasmiri kicked him under the table.
He darted her a quick frown when Chur and Enovese were distracted. Kasmiri rolled her eyes, made a face, and then looked away. She didn’t even want him complimenting Enovese! Was Kasmiri that insecure, or did she just wish to start trouble to force him to find somewhere else for her to stay?
Spoiled empress or no, she would do what he said. His duty was to protect her, and the empire, so that’s exactly what he intended to do, whether she liked it or not. Spending a day with Enovese wouldn’t kill her. Perhaps some of Enovese’s quiet strength would rub off on Kasmiri.
While they ate, Sterlave conveyed the morning events to Chur and asked for his help. Graciously, he agreed to help him hand-select guards for not only their rooms, but for Kasmiri.
“And what of guards for Sterlave?” she asked, jutting out her proud chin.
“I don’t need—” he began, but Chur cut him off.
“They clearly were after you, not him.” Chur considered for a moment, discussed something with Enovese, nodded, and then rose from the table. “Come, Sterlave. There is much we must discuss.”
Kasmiri looked ready to eat her way up the table, but instead, she plastered a smile to her face, nodded to Enovese, and slid her chair back.
“Are we safe leaving them alone?” Sterlave asked as he followed Chur from the table.
Chur laughed. “Kasmiri will be fine.”
“She’s not the one I’m worried about.” When he looked back, Enovese gracefully removed dishes while Kasmiri stood by and watched. It probably didn’t occur to her to help. When he motioned for her to do so, she crossed her arms and glared. He sighed. He wasn’t sure if she was being deliberately rude because it was Enovese, or if she genuinely thought such a task was beneath her.
When he turned back, Chur had removed his loincloth, exposing an overwhelming length of glowing bronze flesh. Sterlave gulped but couldn’t take his gaze away. Every bit of Chur was chiseled, sculpted, almost unbearably perfect. A dusting of regrowing black hair shaded his muscular body in such a way to make him seem even more powerful. A quick peek over his shoulder confirmed what he already knew; Kasmiri watched Chur with unabashed interest.
“Enovese will be fine as well.” Chur pulled on a pair of loose-fitting trousers but not before giving Kasmiri a good look at his cock. That’s all Sterlave needed: one more thing he couldn’t live up to. Even flaccid Chur was big. The shadow of short black hairs just made him seem even larger, not like he needed help there.
Chur didn’t seem to mind that they stared. He was either entirely oblivious or actually enjoyed being on display. Sterlave realized it was the former when Chur slipped a shirt over his head and strode purposefully to the main door. If he was aware of the impact he made, he showed no sign of it.
“Come, we will find the right men to guard the empress.”
Kasmiri tried to keep her tongue in her mouth, but with a will of its own, it darted out to the corner of her lips. Chur was magnificent. No woman could look at him and think otherwise.
“While I clean up, you are more than welcome to use the bathing unit.” Enovese placed a stack of fresh towels within reach. On top of the stack, she placed a simple black robe. “I will give you privacy.” With that, she returned to the kitchen.
Out of all the women Chur could have chosen, why had he chosen her? As Kasmiri undressed, she had to grudgingly concede that Enovese was beautiful, but she was so quiet in comparison to Chur. He was a mighty storm that threatened to engulf the planet, while Enovese was barely the puff from a bird wing. And Sterlave, practically drooling over her with compliments and expecting her, an empress, to clean up like a common servant!
Under the flow of water, she shook her head. Sterlave had a lot to learn. Enovese was a servant, not her. Into her mind crept her thoughts of Enovese from the bonding celebration party. Enovese, legs splayed, and man after man working to find his pleasure between them. All the while Chur watching, but this time, in her mind’s eye, he was not angry but excited by what he saw. His cock pulsed hard and strong, angled up from his body, nodding in time to each man’s thrusts. Suddenly, the scene shifted. Kasmiri was on her back with a series of intricate straps and knots holding her down. Sterlave teased his fingers along the lips of her sex until it wept with need. She would have begged him, but a strap kept her mouth closed. Finally, he plunged within. Her whole body wanted to arch up to meet him, but the knotted ropes held her immobile. Again and again, he thrust until she closed her eyes and screamed her climax into the gag.
A small shiver passed through her. To her shock, she realized she’d climaxed without a single touch.
Warily, she opened her eyes, half expecting to find Enovese standing in front of her, but she wasn’t. From the kitchen, Kasmiri could hear her humming as she cleaned up. What kind of a woman happily played servant to a man who could afford many?
Kasmiri would never tolerate such a situation.
As she soaped her body, her thoughts turned sultry again, this time Sterlave joined her in the shower, teasing his hands along her flesh, sliding his fingertips across her bottom then to the cleft between. Before she could fully indulge in her wild fantasy, she dropped the soap, snapping herself out of the dream.
Eyeing the elaborate bathing unit, she wondered if it had caused her amorous thoughts. Something about the heated Onic tiles, smooth gilded faucets, and oversized knobs all right out in the open was painfully arousing. She’d smelled sex when she’d entered Chur’s rooms, and as soon as she had, she’d grown wet with wa
nting. Her awareness hadn’t been for Chur, but for Sterlave. That’s why his attention to Enovese angered her so much. He should only look at her with that lust in his eyes. But, too, there was something more to this than just a scent or the physical aspects of the room itself. Within these rooms lurked a veritable sexual power.
Kasmiri rinsed quickly, dried herself, and slipped on the robe. The rich astle, perfectly stitched, was fit for an empress. Again, somewhat grudgingly, she had to admit Enovese had good taste, or Chur did. She frowned. Somehow, she couldn’t imagine him selecting something as mundane as a robe. His happy little servant must do that. Kasmiri wondered what other things Enovese did for Chur. With an entire day together, she had a perfect opportunity to find out.
15
Loban entered the tishiary, ready to harvest another batch of sacrifices. He’d learned his lessons well last night. This time, he had a small pouch at his hip to hold soothing oil, a cleaning cloth, and if necessary, a gag. Even before he dressed himself for tonight’s event, he was aroused.
Painfully aroused.
All day, as he sat and repaired weapon after weapon, his balls throbbed and his cock ached. Every recruit who crossed his vision took center stage in one of his fantasies. Some he simply killed with a few deft strokes, but others he elaborately raped, then killed. He could smell their fear, taste the richness of their blood, and feel the quivering pain in their trembling limbs. Each one helped him prepare for his second night as the secret Harvester.
He paused behind a draped wall, waiting for the larger groups to leave. He would like to try two at once, but he didn’t think he could control three without restraints. Moreover, he preferred to hold his conquests down himself.
Chur hadn’t spent much time in the training rooms today. Late in the morning, he strode in and pointed to a few recruits, who leapt to attention, then followed him like love-struck virgins. Loban had no idea where they went or what they did. He didn’t care. If they kept Chur and his hateful, knowing gaze away from him, that’s all he cared about.
Dark Harvest Page 15