Change of Darkness (The Change Series Book 3) by Jacinta Jade (best new books to read txt) 📕

Loce’s quiet voice sounded from behind as he gave Herrin some final orders.

As she marched past the lines of soldiers, Siraay heard Herrin’s voice raise itself once more in command.

‘You four—Wexner, Genlie, Zale, and Melora—report to the elite guard quarters in the palace for reassignment.’

Siraay smiled to herself as she exited the arena, pleased with her choices as Loce’s footsteps quickened behind her as he hastened to catch up.

No one would be able to touch her.

***

The four members of Siraay’s personal guard quickly integrated themselves into her routine. They worked in two shifts, one pair on duty while the other rested, ensuring she was always protected.

Not that she couldn’t handle herself, as she had proven multiple times already, but having a personally selected guard would deter any attempts on her life—either by the Resistance or rivals—and stop people bothering her when she did not wish for company.

And their loyalty to her meant that she could give her guards special tasks, and that they would report back to her on what they saw and heard around the palace. Indeed, even when her guards were technically off shift, she required them to make a couple of rounds of the palace so that they could inform her of any notable movements around the residence the next time they were on duty.

As the spymaster had once intimated, there was always more dirt shifting beneath the ground than what you could see moving on top.

And there were other benefits to having her own personal guard.

One night, feeling restless following a heavy training session surrounded by bare-chested and sweaty males, including Loce and Chezran, Siraay called in Zale and Wexner, who had been on guard outside her door.

The pair moved inside promptly, bowing their heads to her, then stood and waited for her command.

Siraay took her time eyeing them both, weighing the attributes of each carefully, before deciding.

‘You’re dismissed,’ she told Wexner, flicking her fingers at him.

The male immediately left the room.

Leaving Zale standing at attention by himself.

Siraay moved closer to him, surveying the press of his shoulders against his uniform, his fine face, and the strength in his legs, which even his thick fighting gear could not hide.

His physique pleased her.

Siraay began to circle him, moving closer still. She ran a hand lightly over the back of the male’s shoulders. As she walked back to stand in front of him, Siraay let her fingers trail gently down over his arm before stepping away.

While he didn’t have the dark power that attracted her to Chezran, his other attributes were enough to hold her interest.

Zale had tensed, and his breathing—much as he tried to hide it—had quickened.

‘Look at me,’ she commanded.

Zale’s eyes slid to hers.

‘No,’ she chided him softly, stepping back and lowering her hands to her sides. ‘Really look at me …’

This time, Zale’s eyes shifted from hers, down to the toned body that she knew he could clearly see through her sheer black robe. His eyes paused on her breasts before moving farther down …

His intake of breath was just audible.

‘Do you want me?’ she asked him.

His eyes flicked back up to hers. ‘Yes,’ he responded, his body tenser than before, barely contained lust lining his body as he fought to keep his face expressionless.

Siraay eyed him and shrugged the sheer robe from her shoulders, the delicate material gliding down over her naked body to puddle around her bare feet on the dark stone floor.

‘Show me,’ she commanded.

Zale’s shirt was off before he had taken two steps towards her.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

SO IT WAS that in the mornings Siraay trained with Loce, Pyron, and whomever else was around in the special training hall set aside for Chezran and his archons, and then she would usually go and train with Drosni and her elite unit after breakfast, or have them accompany her on a patrol.

In the afternoons, it was strategy sessions, or sitting with the archons and Chezran while Renhed relayed the latest intelligence on the Resistance army and the peacekeepers of the capital.

Slowly, their plans were coming together for their attack.

And most evenings, Siraay undertook other exercises with Zale. After all, if she was going to win and keep Chezran, and a place at his side in the new Kaslon they were creating, then she would need to know how to keep him satisfied.

And Zale seemed more than a willing volunteer as she took pleasure in his body.

This was not mating, Siraay knew. It was something rarely done now by Kaslonians, to take a lover before formally finding and mating with their chosen other.

But the desire to follow tradition had never been hers—it had been something the old Siray had wanted.

And apparently this new Zale was also more than happy to ignore previous social norms.

Siraay also enjoyed knowing that many of the high-ranking females who roamed the palace were envious that she had such attractive guards, and during one visit with Archon Renhed, the spymaster commented on her escorts.

‘Your choice in males is … exemplary,’ the female archon purred, leaning back in her chair while observing the muscular forms she could see through the open door. ‘Almost seems a waste, really …’

Siraay smiled. ‘Not as much as you might think.’

Renhed raised an eyebrow. ‘I’m glad to hear it. But then—?’

‘Oh, my other plans are still in place,’ she assured the spymaster. ‘And near to being realised, I think,’ she mused softly.

The spymaster nodded. ‘Good, because soon we’ll be on the move, and then everyone’s complete focus will be on this war. Don’t wait too long,’ she warned, giving Siraay a pointed nod.

And Siraay did have it planned out. She knew that the time was drawing close to when she would have to declare herself to Chezran, although it would have been preferable if she had been able to make him approach her. Still, better for her to move at a time of her choosing before Atalia forced her hand.

Siraay scowled to herself. Atalia had been making subtle advances towards Chezran, wearing more daring outfits