Midnight Eyes by Brophy, Sarah (well read books .TXT) 📕

“William, set Imogen free. Don’t bind her to that sniveling, twisted little bastard. He will hurt her. Don’t hurt her anymore, for God’s sake…” He had never before begged for anything in his life, but for Imogen he was not surprised to find that he had no dignity left.

He never saw the sword hilt that rose and came slamming down onto the back of his head. He barely even felt the pain as unconsciousness claimed his mind.

As the floor seemed to rise to meet him, all his awareness was focused on the fact that he had failed. He was abandoning Imogen to all she feared and he realized, his heart weeping with despair, that there wasn’t a thing he could do about it.

He had failed her.

Roger watched with satisfaction as the guards dragged Robert’s unconscious body from the throne room.

It really had worked out far better than he could have hoped.

It was clear for all to see that the fool had actually fallen in love with Imogen. It was too perfect! Why, Robert had even been prepared to abandon the dignity he wore so well, to plead with the king on Imogen’s behalf. That bespoke love in any language.

And such devotion must surely be returned.

Imogen’s heart must have opened wide to let her warrior in, and that left her more vulnerable than she had ever been before. That was all Roger needed.

She was now his.

He had only to tighten the chains a little and he would have her on her knees begging, promising him anything, everything he wanted. All to save her beloved warrior.

Perfect.

She would finally be in his absolute control. She would be humiliated, just as he had been for all those years as his parents’ forgotten son. She would be forced to submit to his will. She would obey him, regardless of what she may think, feel or want.

And that was the perfect revenge he had spent long years working toward.

He suddenly felt William’s gaze on him and he forced his lurid fantasies to the back of his mind. There would be time enough for him to indulge in them later. Right now, he needed to concentrate on pacifying the man who was central to all of his plans, who guaranteed their success.

He couldn’t afford to become overconfidant. A frown briefly marred the perfection of his face as he looked at Robert’s retreating form.

His plan would need a little tweaking, it would seem. As satisfying as it was to see Robert brought low by a woman, his extreme level of passionate devotion might prove to be something of a problem. It was that kind of devotion that removed chains and defied kings.

So he would have to die. Soon.

A pity, really. Roger had intended to keep him alive for a while yet. The mere threat of his death dangled in front of Imogen would soon bring the bitch to heel. However, it would seem that alive, Robert might create more problems than he was worth.

No, he would have to go, and that didn’t really present a problem, Roger thought with a small, satisfied smile. Imogen was now under his own benevolent guardianship, so her husband’s life or death was a formality.

“I told you he was dangerous,” Roger murmured as he leaned toward William’s side. “The sooner he is dead, the safer you will be. And I want you to be safe.” He dropped a teasing kiss on the strong column of William’s neck.

William narrowed his eyes thoughtfully, for once entirely unmoved by Roger’s seductions.

“There is something not right here,” he growled suspiciously.

“The only thing not right is that he lives to threaten you.” Roger shuddered dramatically. “I for one won’t sleep easy till we are rid of that man. When will you give the order?” Roger didn’t bother to hide the gloating tone in his voice.

“After I work out what the hell is actually going on here.”

Roger’s eyes narrowed irritably. Now wasn’t the time for William to start thinking. The last thing Roger needed was for William to actually work out what was going on.

Still, he knew better than to press too obviously, so he just shrugged his shoulder indifferently. “Your decision, I suppose.”

William turned and pinned him with a hard look. “My decision always.” A thread of steel ran through his voice. “Never forget that I’m your king and your master. Confine your manipulations and games to others. I would be more than a little displeased if I found you taking advantage of my preference for you.”

“As if I would,” Roger said with an almost-credible wide-eyed look of innocence. Then he deliberately flashed an engaging smile.

“Sometimes I wonder why I put up with you,” William grumbled, but drew Roger into his arms nonetheless.

“Because no one can make you feel like I do,” Roger murmured huskily and then pressed a passionate kiss on William’s lips.

As the kiss deepened and lusts flared in William, Roger’s mind detached itself and began coolly considering his situation.

He needed to destroy the least bit of suspicion about his motives for desiring Robert’s death. William’s compliance was vital if he was going to succeed. He had to succeed. There was no room for failure now.

Imogen was his.

Consciousness returned to Robert all at once. One second he was sinking weightlessly in the painless dark, the next every cell of his being was screaming in pain.

Obviously, the guards had gone about their job enthusiastically, he thought wryly with a sharp, painful intake of breath. He lay as still as possible in the straw that scarcely covered the cold stone and began to rationally calculate the damage, trying to stop himself from passing out again with the pain.

Judging by the fire that engulfed him with every breath, they had fractured a few of his ribs, so they must have kicked him; and the relentless pounding of his head no doubt came from its violent encounter with that sword hilt. The other pains were only minor in comparison. He glanced down at himself, stripped bare but for