“I take you with only that you have now.” When he tilted her head back, she parted her lips in anticipation. “I love you, Kasmiri.”
Her smile lit up every dark corner of his heart. No more would they be alone, not when they had each other.
Lowering his head, he pressed his lips to hers. In a timeless show of passion, tenderness, love, and even lust, he kissed his beautiful bondmate.
Enraged, Ambo sputtered, “This won’t save you from the stone!”
Reluctantly, he pulled back from her plush, passionate lips. “It does,” Sterlave said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her into his embrace. He swore this would be the last time either of them was exposed in public. “She renounced the throne.”
“That doesn’t change—”
“She surrendered her power before you had a chance to strip her of it and render punishment.” Ambo had taken too much pleasure in decrying her. He could have swiftly listed her crimes and pronounced her penalty, but he had to prattle on endlessly, enjoying the attention. “Since I was the Harvester and I selected her as my bondmate, I’ve decided that we will live here, without reprisal, for as long as we wish.”
Red suffused Ambo’s face. Through his blathering self-aggrandizement, he’d lost his chance to castigate Kasmiri. When he opened his mouth to argue, Sterlave softly reminded him of the rites and rituals.
“You wouldn’t wish to invoke the displeasure of the gods, would you?” Sterlave asked pointedly.
Ambo shivered, probably at the memory of Loban, but the cruel slash of his lips told Sterlave Ambo would never stop seeking a way to banish them both. But for now, he could do nothing. Regretfully, Ambo dismissed the guards.
Helton smiled and settled in his seat. Ambo could not punish him without revealing his own place in unleashing the monster, and there was no crime in bedding the empress. Unless Ambo could prove corruption, Helton would remain head of the palace guard.
Stunned by the sudden turn of events, most of the crowd erupted in spontaneous gasps that turned to whispered speculations. Some were in support of Sterlave, but most were violently opposed. They feared Kasmiri would try to claim the throne in the future with her children. What they thought didn’t matter. He was a Harvester. He had a right to select any sacrifice as his bondmate, and he had the right to live in the palace if he chose to do so.
Through gritted teeth, Ambo calmed the masses. He had no choice but to uphold Sterlave’s claim. Sterlave realized he couldn’t punish Ambo directly for what he’d done, but watching him squirm as he was forced to uphold the law was quite pleasant. In an effort to inflict some type of reprimand, Ambo gave them a room far on the east side of the palace, but Sterlave insisted on a room closer to Chur’s because he would be training the recruits.
A flicker of emotion crossed Helton’s face, but it quickly vanished. Perhaps he realized that he would never again be a handler. Sterlave had to content himself that it was punishment enough. Since he could do little against Ambo, he had to throw his trust in the hands of the gods. Surely they would craft a better punishment than he ever could.
Scooping Kasmiri into his arms, he knew there were two more details he had to take care of before he could lose himself in her embrace.
28
Kasmiri considered their new living quarters with a grateful smile. It was nothing compared to her old room, but it was so much better than what they would have had in Rhemna. She would willingly exchange luxury for freedom. For the first time, duty did not hang about her neck and she felt lighter. There were things she would miss, such as her room devoted exclusively to dance, but the palace was large with innumerable places where she could practice without interruption. She would also miss her enormous bed. This bed seemed so small in comparison, barely big enough to hold Sterlave, let alone her. However, the posts at each corner would certainly come in handy.
Now if only Sterlave would return.
Fiddling with the tie of the robe that Enovese had graciously allowed her to borrow, Kasmiri wondered again where Sterlave had gone off to in such a hurry. For a while, she’d played host to Chur and Enovese but realized her skills were woefully inadequate. She had no food to offer them, and even if she did, she wouldn’t know how to prepare anything. Kindly, Chur and Enovese explained how to order weekly provisions from the majordomo, and Enovese agreed to teach her how to cook. In the meantime, Enovese and Chur shared what they had, so when Sterlave did return she had a meal waiting.
At first, it was difficult to accept Enovese’s help, but rather than being pompous with her knowledge, Enovese was very humble, with a clear desire to share. The first few threads of a tentative friendship formed, almost without Kasmiri being aware. After a while, she wondered how she could have ever hated the woman. Enovese was so solicitous and generous. She now understood why Chur had chosen her. Together, they were an amazing couple, and she was proud to call them friends. With her heart securely granted to Sterlave, she could now gaze upon Chur with appreciation for his handsome form, but no lustful designs on obtaining him.
Restless, she lifted a cover and picked at the meal. She was starving, but she was determined to wait for Sterlave. When he finally entered, she wanted to throw herself into his arms but held back when she realized someone followed behind.
“Rown?” she asked, fighting back an impulse to hug him. She knew it was inappropriate to treat servants like family, but then she decided she didn’t care. When she wrapped her arms around him, he tensed for a moment, then hugged her back.
“You are no longer the empress?” he asked, straightening his robe.
“No,” she answered, smiling.
“And you are glad of this?” He seemed perplexed, probably because he had rarely seen her smile.
“I couldn’t be happier.” When Sterlave placed his arm around her, she turned and kissed him deeply. Rown would have to get used to her smile because she intended to show it often.
“Then I am too.” Rown removed his crimson sash.
She would have to find him a black sash at some point, but he didn’t seem to mind having a billowing robe for now.
Sterlave showed him his room. The space was smaller than the one he’d had off Kasmiri’s old room, but again, he didn’t seem to mind. He was honestly happy just to be with them. As Rown went off to move his possessions, Kasmiri leaned into her mate, and asked, “How did you manage this?”
“I can be…persuasive.” Playfully, he nipped the tip of her nose.
He turned to several recruits who stood waiting in the hallway. Each had an armload of items. Sterlave pointed out a storage room, then turned back for another kiss.
“What is all that?”
“Our bonding gifts.” He lifted his eyebrows suggestively. “I found the most interesting item.”
His wicked smile flushed heat all the way to her toes.
Battling her lashes, she asked, “Now that I have no power and you do, you won’t lord it over me, will you?”
“Only in bed,” he whispered, kissing her temple.
Teasingly, she said, “I feel in need of a soft bed.”
He scooped her into his arms. “As you please, my lady, as you please.”
APHRODISIA BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2010 by Anitra Lynn McLeod
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
Aphrodisia and the A logo Reg. U.S. Pat & TM Off.
ISBN: 978-0-7582-6020-8
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Dark Harvest Page 30