An Empire Of Traitors (Of Hate And Laughter Book 1)
Page 38
“My lord Findley,” said Edrick Highwater. “You must inform the emperor that my father hadn’t any notion of this falsehood. He didn’t know that this pathetic eunuch harbored the girl. Be sure to tell his majesty that my house lent you its aid in finding the betrothed of prince Yoffis...” The young man’s breath was rushed, his tone fearful.
He’s afraid of the consequences. “Rest easy, boy. The lord of Greytown is in no danger. I’ll mention your aid to Soronius Mero.” That is if I don’t forget. He gave Edrick a tired smile, and then saddled up without the vexing youth.
After that pretty little adventure, they returned to the inn of their choosing to settle for the night. The lord of Greytown was paying for all the necessary accommodations. Tobias left word for the grooms to pay careful attention to his trusted steed. Bloodmane was not to be treated like your common dray horse. After he saw that the animal was in good hands, Tobias gave leave to his men so they could eat and drink to their heart’s desire; while he chose to have supper in his private bed with the supposed Aharo maiden – a beautiful girl indeed.
They were served cow belly stew, a little bit too salted, brown bread, and burnt wine. The lord of Stoneweed ate in warm company. “Tell me, beautiful creature,” Tobias spoke in low voice, admiring her tanned skin, almost red, and her lush ebony hair. “Tell me how you ended up in this town, in that piss hole of a brothel? Surely prince Yoffis didn’t endure the same fate. Or is the boy hiding in some other whorehouse as well?” He also desired to know who had planned their escape from Castle Spire. But all in good time. Small steps always yield good things.
“It wasn’t intended for me to...” The girl bit her lip. But the warm smile he displayed somehow made her continue. “I was supposed to reach the Streamlands in Dewfold, but the men who provided my escape changed their minds, or received different orders. I can’t be sure; but they decided to return me.”
Tobias frowned at that. “To return you? You mean to Greytown?”
“Yes, my lord. I was to be a whore under the eunuch’s roof. But a certain elusive patron needed an outlandish girl of darker skin to be made ready for a ceremony; a betrothal with the Empire’s heir. All that I’ve been told was how to act as an Aharo girl. And after emperor Rovines lost the throne to his brother, there was no reason for me to remain free and... intact. That’s what the eunuch said, and I obeyed. I am a whore, my lord. Nothing more.”
I’ll be the judge of that. Though he felt that way, Tobias didn’t say it out loud. Instead, he beckoned her to eat and drink. He had never in his life talked to a prostitute beyond the mere commands of changing position and japes about size, moans, perversions, and price. But this girl was different. She either possessed something other brothel wenches did not, or she lacked something that they had. Honesty, thought the lord of Stoneweed. Honesty and the soft weakness of her sex.
“There isn’t any chance you know the whereabouts of prince Yoffis; is there?”
The girl stopped chewing at his question, and shook her head. It was a sign that she was afraid, and that she hadn’t a clue. Tobias knew how to read the human features well enough to be certain of liars and sweet talkers. The poor girl was not trying to play him for a fool. Enticed by the beauty of her aspect, Tobias leaned next to her and smelled her neck. He was like a serpent, toying with his conquered prey. “Were you with any man before we came upon the eunuch’s establishment? Are you... bathed?”
“No, my lord. I mean, yes...” She swallowed loudly, then continued. “There were no patrons for me this day. My skin and parts are clean.” Iyleen appeared shy and fearful; but truthful in her answers. Truthful and beautiful; a byword to his liking.
This gentle wench is getting under my skin. But that’s because she has yet to accommodate herself within this trade. However, the dog-headed serpent was no fool to believe in perpetual grace and innocence. Any prostitute, woman or man, would inevitably develop the proficiency for such line of work. And that brought with it the love of such a life in service to a pleasure house – in service to its many patrons.
Good thing I reached her before that happened. Tobias grasped her shoulder and slid his hand across her slender arm. Her skin turned to goose prickles at his touch. “Are you cold, sweet Iyleen?”
“Please, my lord, don’t call me that. My whore name is Esha. And besides, that other name is dangerous to be spoken out loud.”
“No,” he said softly. “I don’t care for how that sounds. Your name is Iyleen. And there is no danger. Amarius Mero sits the Sun Throne now. And I enjoy warm relations with his imperial majesty. Do not be frightened, girl. The emperor wishes you no harm and neither do I. But there is something else, something I desire from you.” He didn’t wait for her reply. Tobias kissed her on the lips. The first and second time she didn’t kiss him back, but the third time she did. And then she opened her mouth to him, and he tasted her tongue. It was sweet, sweet as honey muffled with water.
After but a moment’s respite from that gesture of curious lust, Tobias had set his mind. Whether or not it was the right thing to do, he didn’t care. It felt right, and there wasn’t any political impediment. After all, I’m not marrying her. But my nights and days at Stoneweed would benefit from such a woman; my bed from her scent and warmth.
Tobias locked Iyleen in his firm gaze, sinking himself in her dark brown eyes – a corner of the mouth arched in a wicked way. It was said that the eyes were the mirror of the soul; yet the dog-headed serpent believed not in such things. He believed in guile, in money, and steel... There are no fleshless beings for us to put our faith in. No spirit of demon or god to cower against; we are all that is. The only thing I fear is pride itself.
“You are to be my mistress,” he said in a low voice. “I wish it so. If you betray me, I’ll have your head on a spike. But first, I’ll cut open your belly and feed you your insides.” After that solemn vow, Tobias Findley kissed her again. And, with the same passion, pressed himself against her to know every aspect of her body; to taste her young flesh. To hear the heart inside her chest beat not only with fear, but with desire also.