Anitra Lynn McLeod - [Onic Empire 01] by Wicked Harvest (pdf)

Author:Wicked Harvest (pdf) [Harvest, Wicked]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Bondmates share the chores, do they not?”

She nodded and fought to suppress her joy. Despite how strange it felt to have him working beside her, it also pleased her that he had every intention of holding to the agreement to live as bondmates. However, his culinary skills left much to be desired. He handled the slim knives like weapons, attacking the food rather than preparing it.

She stilled his hand. “Cut even pieces so the meat will cook evenly.” She moved his hand over the raw Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html

aket showing him how to cube it rather than shred it. “Aketis very tender and easily ripped apart. See how a slow, smooth stroke of the blade keeps the chunks intact?”

Chur nodded. “I guess too many years of training have ruined me for the kitchen. Or perhaps I am thinking of Loban while I work.”

“Did something happen during training?” Enovese readied thevacsear.

“Nothing beyond the usual.”

Enovese sensed a hesitance in his tone and then noticed he again attacked theaket. “If you do not wish to discuss your training, then—”

“It’s not that.” Chur cut her off, then slowed his movements. “I am concerned that Loban will not be the only one to issue a challenge.”

Enovese considered. Usually the recruits battled amongst themselves to determine who would issue the formal challenge, but that did not prevent several from doing so. “Do you think Loban is compelling these recruits to challenge you?”

“That is exactly what I think. If I must fight several before Loban, then he will have a distinct advantage when his turn comes.”

Enovese placed the cubedaket into thevacsear. As the machine drew the air out it seared all sides of the meat simultaneously. “Isn’t Loban generally disliked by the recruits?” she asked, for she wondered why any of them would help Loban in his scheme.

“That is what I thought.” Chur washed the knife and cutting surface. “It is not to their advantage to issue a formal challenge, for if they lose they will die. To challenge amongst themselves only results in a bit of damaged pride, not death.”

Enovese turned the food out into the warming platters. Chur helped her carry everything to the table. As they ate, Enovese speculated about what would compel the recruits to do something so foolish. “It is as if they wish to kill themselves by your hand.”

Chur abruptly stopped chewing and cast her a shrewd glance. He finished his mouthful and thoughtfully said, “Better death than disgrace.”

It was one of many credos that recruits learned by rote, but it was also one of the most powerful. “But there is no disgrace in being a recruit.”

Chur sighed. “No disgrace, but for those at the lower end there isn’t anything for them beyond the training room. Only the top recruits become palace guards. For the lower ranks, all that awaits them are menial palace jobs or a position in the palace army. They are discouraged from bonding, and if they do, they are allowed only one child.”

Enovese had never considered what happened to the recruits who didn’t advance.

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