Hel’s gaze settled on the face, largely untouched even though the warrior had battled a legion of demons. There was a bruise on her temple, one the Goddess felt compelled to lean down and press her lips to. The features were chiseled, a strong chin, a straight, aristocratic nose, slightly full lips with a defined philtrum and small cupid’s bow. Hel traced the lips with her fingertips.
Feray, her chief handmaiden, stood behind the Goddess as Hel continued her inspection of her prize. The handmaiden appeared older than Hel, wore similar but less elaborate robes, and bore a resemblance to the Goddess as all her handmaidens did: dark hair, dark eyes, lovely, but not as lovely as the Goddess herself. Faen, Hel’s chief familiar, also hovered behind her, but while Feray waited patiently submissive, the demon hopped from side-to-side, something that would have irritated the Goddess had she not been so engrossed in her examination of her helpless prisoner. Each waited for their command.
“Feray,” Hel said absently, “I give this one over to your charge.”
Feray bowed as Faen grimaced his disappointment. He scuttled away.
“Of course, your Majesty. We will bathe and tend to her wounds.”
“Hmm,” the Goddess said, and turned to leave, her black robes swirling over the prone figure.
“What should we do with her when finished?” Feray called after her.
The five-word response implied the question was spurious, its answer self-evident. The hint of triumph implied the outcome had been inevitable.
“Put her in my bed.”
Also from Samantha Sabian
THE DRAGON’S LOVER
CHRONICLES OF ARIANTHEM I
(ISBN: 978-0-9885822-1-7)
THE SJÖFN ACADEMY
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THE RUNNER THIEF
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THE RIVAL’S CONCORD
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THE DRAGON’S ALLIANCE
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THE SHADOW GAMES
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Table of Contents
Dragon War Interiors Digital
The Dragon's War Page 20