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

I could sate them well as often as you desired. Have you ever had one woman you could return to every night? Or have you only had ones who used you as you used them?” She walked over, her shirt falling to the floor.

Ashiyn did not respond to her question, letting his gaze roam over her bare skin. His body ached for her, but he refused to allow her to seduce him. He scowled at her. “I told you I would not give you that unless you begged me for it.”

Annalysa’s lips pursed and fire flashed in her eyes. For a moment he thought she would try to grab his weapon after all. Instead, she took a deep breath and knelt before him, hands trailing down him. “I beg of you, Prince. Take me to your bed. It is my greatest desire to serve you.”

“No,” Ashiyn said, then turned and stalked out, slamming the door behind him. He ran directly into Rhadamanthus’s chest. Great. He tensed and looked up to see the displeased look on his master’s face. “Master, did you need something?”

“I came to see if your slave was obeying you yet,” Rhadamanthus said coolly as he uncrossed his arms. “I am disappointed in you, boy. Go back in there and take her.”

“Surely there are more profitable women you could watch me have sex with if that’s what you desire, Master,” Ashiyn snapped before he could think about it. Rhadamanthus clearly was not in the mood for insolence today and Ashiyn got quite the beating for his retort. Luckily, Rhadamanthus’s servant rushed in with an urgent matter and saved Ashiyn from death, this time. He laid there until he no longer heard Rhadamanthus’s boots retreating then he stumbled to his feet.

“Master, someone waits in your chambers,” Sark mumbled as Ashiyn dragged himself down the hallway toward his room.

Ashiyn stopped to look at the lizardman, scowling. His mind was clouded with pain, and he just wanted to collapse and sleep until his body healed. At least he had not died all the way this time. He furrowed his brow in confusion. He knew from what he’d heard of the report that Rhadamanthus had left the castle. “Who?”

“I do not know him, Master,” Sark said, writhing his scaley thin hands with his nervousness. “He does not seem dangerous. He said you would know him and that it would be okay, so I let him in.”

“It’s not my Master’s brother is it? Or a ghost?” Ashiyn grumbled. His head hurt. He reached up and wiped blood away from the gash in his forehead.

“No, Master. Not those. Want me to chase away?” Sark asked, his reptilian eyes eager to help.

Ashiyn just waved Sark away and continued to his chamber. He was too exhausted to even draw his blade. He’d just turn whoever it was inside out with his magic if he had to. He pushed open the heavy door, walked inside, then closed it again and turned to face the room. Whatever he had been expecting, it was not Soryn lying on his bed. “Soryn?”

Soryn glanced up, then scrambled up and rushed over, concern on his face. “Ashiyn, you’re bleeding.”

“The servants will wipe it up,” Ashiyn muttered. His injured brain was stuck on trying to figure out how Soryn had gotten here. Then it got even more stuck on the realization that Soryn was not wearing his normal heavy robes that covered everything. In fact, quite a lot of Soryn was visible today. Ashiyn blinked, trying to clear his thoughts. “You’re not in your robes today.”

“Would you just sit down before you fall over? You’re too heavy for me to pick up,” Soryn mumbled as he guided Ashiyn over to the bed. “You just lie there. I’ll find something to help stop the bleeding.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Ashiyn slurred as he stretched out on the bed. He hated when his brain was injured, but he wasn’t dead. Nothing made sense. But Soryn wasn’t a threat, so he just relaxed and closed his eyes. He jerked away at the feel of something cold and wet on his forehead.

“Would you lie still?” Soryn grumbled at him and pressed the cloth down again. “What did you do this time? You didn’t die, so it must not have been that bad.”

“I wish I was dead,” Ashiyn grumbled as the room spun. “Rhadamanthus wanted me to rape Annalysa in front of him. I told him there were probably better women I could take if he really wanted to watch me have sex.”

“You really need to learn how to control your tongue. How long does it take you to heal?” Soryn shook his head.

“The look on his face was worth it,” Ashiyn snickered, suddenly amused. “Did you know Rhadamanthus’s skin could actually turn green with fury?” Ashiyn laughed, then he was once again distracted by how little Soryn was actually wearing. “Did Sark steal your clothes?”

“I couldn’t bring the robe with me; Rurik can track it,” Soryn said with a snort. “Amazing the things you notice when you’re out of your mind.”

“I notice them other times,” Ashiyn insisted with irritation.

“Oh, do you?” Soryn smirked at him. “Do you like my lack of clothing?”

Ashiyn looked Soryn over slowly. “I like it. Clearly, you’re not a lizard. Rurik is a lizard, and he tried to touch me last time I was there. He scared me.” Ashiyn frowned. “He hurts you.”

“He doesn’t hurt me. Don’t worry,” Soryn chided. “So that’s why you didn’t come find me? Rurik? I’m sorry. I’ll make sure he’s not around when you come to see me. I didn’t know he found you.”

Ashiyn winced as Soryn poked around his wounds. He felt like he should be acting differently, but the part of his brain that could tell him how was not currently working at full capacity.

“I want you to stay,” Ashiyn mumbled.