LITMIR.BIZ

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      “She’s safer if I don’t follow. I have a plan in place to keep her safe. I have someone who will look for her and escort her somewhere so that she will be hidden and protected. It’s better if she’s on her own, for now.” He paused for a moment, then asked, “Did you say you cut her hair?”

      “Yes. All of it.”

      “Why?”

      “She thought it would help disguise her.”

      Kevaan shook his head. “That’s all well and good until someone looks too closely at her eyes.”

      “I tried to tell her that, but she wouldn’t listen. It pained me to do so.”

      “It’ll grow back.You did the right thing to help her. Continue to keep her safe. Tell no one of her departure or that we spoke, and make sure Tomas remains tight lipped as well. Her safety depends on it.”

      “Yes, Your Highness. I would do nothing to bring her to harm.”

      “I know.”

      Kevaan patted Lucan’s shoulder and left him to finish his work. As he crossed the bailey to go inside, he caught Tomas’ eye. He nodded to him subtlety, and Tomas nodded back. Kevaan didn’t worry about either of them. Melenthia had mesmerized many men with her beauty and charm; he just wished one of them could have been of royal blood. Then she could have married and saved herself from this awful fate. He shook his head sadly and went inside.

      CHAPTER 7

      King Dainard Grayson stood with his back to the bedroom door, staring out the window, gazing across the green countryside that rolled all the way down to the Eirene Sea. He was the king of all of the land laid out before him, and he was proud, but something felt missing in his life lately. He felt incomplete. He took a deep breath, and the light southern wind blew the smell of salty air to his nostrils.

      His black silk breeches clung to his muscular behind, and his back muscles tensed whenever he shifted his weight. His dirty blond hair was tousled from being in bed, and a piece fell down across his forehead. He reached a hand up and brushed it back. He felt tired but his pale blue eyes were alert. He held a glass of dark Tierian ale in one hand, the other hand supported his weight as he leaned against the windowsill.

      The door opened and a woman walked in, closed it behind her and approached him, wrapping her arms around his waist. She placed her head on his back and sighed. She was thin and petite, in size only, for her voluptuous figure was not proportioned to the rest of her. Her curvy figure made her small waist seem even more so. She had long, sandy blond hair which hung down her back and practically touched her bottom, and cream colored skin. She wore a thin gauze-like nightgown that clung to her womanly curves and was transparent in the late morning sunlight. She rubbed her hands up and down his broad bare chest, pressing herself firmly into his back.

      “Darling,” she said, standing on her toes slightly to reach his ear. “Breakfast has been ready for some time; aren’t you hungry?” Her hot breath sent a chill down his spine. He shivered.

      “No. I’m not in the mood to eat.”

      “Well maybe it isn’t food you are hungry for, but another kind of hunger you need sated.”

      She slid her hand down his chest and headed down his belly. He grabbed it before she got further than he wanted and growled.

      “Are you never satisfied, Annikka?”

      “With you my love? Never.”

      She tried again to get him to let her touch him. He pushed her hand away again.

      “Go take a cold bath.”

      She moved away from him and crossed to the armchair near the hearth, sitting down with an exasperated sigh. “What’s wrong with you the last few days, Dain? Why are you so grumpy?”

      “Just because I don’t want to partake of your pleasures this morning doesn’t mean something is wrong. Perhaps I’m just tired, since you refused to let me sleep last night.”

      “I can’t help it, darling; when I’m near you I can’t control myself. Your stamina has always been considerable. You’ve never had trouble going all night without effect the next morning.”

      “But not all night, every night for the last two weeks,” he grumbled, tossing down the rest of his ale and going over to the highboard to pour another.

      “Maybe I’m not sensual enough for you.”

      “On the contrary, dear,” he said, glancing in her direction, taking in the curves of her body apparent through the thin material, and swallowing his again rising urge. “You’re almost too sensual at times.”

      “Then perhaps you are boring of me.”

      “I really don’t know, Annikka. I’m just not feeling myself these days. Perhaps it’s time for us to part ways.”

      She stood up and went over to him, draping her arms over his shoulders.

      “I’m sorry I kept you up again, darling. Why don’t you go back to sleep, and I’ll wake you when Emerick comes to get you for your meeting.”

      “I don’t want to,” he snapped, becoming somewhat annoyed. “I have other things I need to attend to before that. Please, Annikka, go away and leave me be.” He took another large gulp of ale.

      She dropped her arms and placed her hands defiantly on her round hips. “Maybe you wouldn’t be in such a foul mood if you’d quit drinking that swill in the wee hours of the morning.”

      “Don’t tell me what to do, wench!” He seethed, pale blue eyes becoming lighter in his growing impatience. “That’s the reason I desire to part ways. I don’t like to be mothered!”

      “Maybe you need more mothering.”

      He shot her an angry look now. “What?”

      “I’m just pointing out the obvious, darling. No reason to get riled.”

      “I’m so glad I have you here to point out all my flaws,” he answered sarcastically. “Now would you please be so kind as to remove yourself from my presence.”

      “You’re seriously thinking of kicking me out after everything I’ve done for you?”

      His head snapped around, his face becoming red. “Done for me?”

      “I have fulfilled your desires for the last two months without any thought of compensation. I’ve been here for you, at your beck and call, and have loved you unconditionally. I’ve been here for you on your best days and your worst days.”

      He turned toward her, eyes now so light blue they were almost transparent, the muscle above his tight jaw twitching, his teeth grinding together.

      “Sex isn’t the only thing that matters to me, but you wouldn’t understand that I’m sure. You don’t understand me.”

      “Maybe not, but what have you done for me?”

      “Everything you wanted. I took pity on you when your husband, Colonel Waverly, threw you out for your blatant infidelity. I gave you your own room in my palace, put jewels on your fingers and elegant dresses on your back. I’ve given you enough money and social graces to keep you comfortable. Let’s face it, Annikka my dear, I’ve given you more than you deserve.You don’t really care about me; you’re just hoping I will tolerate you long enough to make you my queen, but I can assure you that isn’t going to happen. I’ve tarnished my reputation enough by bringing you into my bed, but I certainly have no intentions of tarnishing it further by making you my wife,” his tone changed slightly, and he sighed. “Besides, I don’t love you, Annikka.”

      She laughed, “Men in your position don’t marry for love darling, they marry because they have to. Why do you think nobles have mistresses, because they don’t love their wives. We’re good together, Dain.” She wrapped her arms around

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