The Darkest Sword by Samantha Kroese (ebook voice reader txt) 📕

lot of her willowy body. Ashiyn shifted in place when he realized he was rather attracted to her.

Rhadamanthus sat up just a little straighter on his dragon-bone throne, his black eyes narrowed and his taloned hand trailing toward the hilt of the massive sword that rested against the arm of the chair.

“Announcing Harm, queen of the elves,” One of the guards started to say, but she flung out a hand. Instantly the guard fell silent, clawing at his throat, then ice bled out of his mouth and eyes and he fell to the ground, dead.

“I can announce myself,” Harm growled, as she stormed right up to Rhadamanthus’s throne. “You have crossed the line for the last time, Darkest King. Your border skirmishes have cost me one of my dearest children. I have come to exact payment of equal measure from you.”

Rhadamanthus seemed unconcerned. “Ah, well sorry to inform you, Ice Queen, I do not have offspring to sacrifice to your whims.”

Harm crossed her arms, glaring at him. “Oh? I imagined even an ugly brute like you could manage to rape a few slaves.”

Ashiyn gawked, both horrified and excited by the way this strange woman held no fear for Rhadamanthus. And her sharp tongue intrigued him. He couldn’t help staring at her.

“Watch your tongue, woman. You speak to the King of the world,” Rhadamanthus growled as he slowly rose from his throne. “Have you come to bargain for an end to the war between our people? There is only one way. Bend your knee and claim allegiance.”

“The Ice Queen bows to no creature! Certainly not a flea-ridden dragonspawn monstrosity with delusions of grandeur and world domination,” Harm glared at him. “Get on your knees and beg forgiveness and perhaps I won’t turn your quaint little kingdom into ice.”

“I have delusions of grandeur?” Rhadamanthus snorted. “Your frail little kingdom is dying, and it is only a matter of time before I crush it. Though perhaps you will have to fall first if you insist on being so defiant. Have you come to challenge me, Queen of the Elves? Do you truly think so much of yourself? Are you blind to the power and legions I control?” Rhadamanthus rolled his eyes then waved his hand dismissively as he started out of the room. “You could not even destroy my Prince, much less me. Come back when you’re ready to concede. I will not hold my breath. Quite honestly, I hope you wither and die like your forest first. Ashiyn, see that she leaves my kingdom.”

Ashiyn tried not to jump when the door slammed behind Rhadamanthus. Typical. Now he stood alone facing the enraged woman. When her cold gaze locked on him accusingly he bowed low to her. “Queen Harm. Perhaps you can forgive my Master’s horrible temperament-“

“I will do no such thing, boy,” Harm sneered as she looked him over. Then she stalked closer for a look. “You are not one of those disgusting dragonkin. You are human.”

Ashiyn narrowed his eyes. “I am an immortal,” he corrected with a scowl. Surely she could see that. Everyone in the world knew what his golden eyes meant.

“So you are,” Harm said, her tone changing from hostile to thoughtful. She turned to her guards with a frown. “Go and prepare our mounts. Send a falcon to the armies to let them know the war continues.”

As one, the four guards who had escorted her saluted, then turned and marched out of the room, leaving Harm and Ashiyn alone.

“Walk with me, my very young Prince,” Harm commanded as she started down the hall after them. “You were ordered to escort me, after all. I don’t think your Master is the type to enjoy defiance.”

Ashiyn scowled but fell into step beside her. His magic was screaming at him that she was a dangerous predator, but he still couldn’t help feeling drawn to her. Was she that fierce in bed? The thought intrigued him so much he completely missed what she said. When he just stopped and gawked at her she slapped him across the face. Startled more than hurt, he put his hand to the mark then glared at her.

Harm stopped to consider him. “Oh, you do have some defiance left in you. I can see the hatred burning in your eyes. Fury.” Her entire demeanor changed, and she sidled up to him. “I have a proposal for you, young buck.”

“And what is that?” Ashiyn said through gritted teeth. His opinion of the woman had dropped considerably with the slap.

Harm looked around them, then pressed him up against the wall and lowered her voice to a whisper. “My people are dying. Which is ridiculous since we are immortal. Your Master is a filthy, disgusting pig. You, on the other hand are not unattractive. Very young though. Do you know how to please a woman?”

Ashiyn bristled. “I was trained by Diredin,” he growled.

Harm blinked several times, her hypnotic multi-colored eyes full of shock. Then she brushed some of her dark hair back from her bare shoulder and adjusted her pose to show off more of her cleavage. “I will grant you a rare opportunity. Take me to your bed and show me this training. It is plain to see the thought has crossed your mind.”

“What are you getting out of it?” Ashiyn crossed his arms.

Harm laughed, the sound actually not as abrasive as her words. “I’m hoping to get an immortal child out of it if I must be honest. You will never know it. I will raise it as pure elven. It will never know you. No one will ever know of this. So how about it, young buck? Will you refuse a romp with a Queen?” She leaned close to his ear, smelling of plants and rain. “I can scream insults to your Master as you take me if you like. I saw how they