Darkness Rising by James E. Wisher

Author:James E. Wisher [Wisher, James E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-945763-00-7
Publisher: Sand Hill Publishing

Chapter 3

Damien sat at the intricately carved mahogany table in the dining room of the royal quarters. Roast pheasant and a variety of sides covered the table. Uncle Andy sat to his left, Princess Karrie across from him, and Queen Audra to his right. After the attack that morning Uncle Andy had insisted he join the family for supper, as a reward or for protection Damien couldn’t say. For his part Damien was glad to have an excuse to escape the marathon torture session in the dungeon.

He’d never considered himself squeamish, but after two hours of listening to that woman scream he had been happy to beg off and get ready for supper. The assassin was tough, he had to give her credit. Alden had to quit after an hour and a half. While he recovered, a stunning young woman—blond hair, blue eyes, and a perfect figure—took his place.

The sight of perhaps the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen after Lizzy, torturing someone without blinking, amazed him. The strangest thing about the whole process was the lack of blood. Aside from a hoarse voice you’d never know anything had happened to the assassin.

“What’s wrong, Damien?” Queen Audra asked. She wore a blue gown, her long dark hair hanging loose down her back. Damien had never been as close to the queen as he was to Uncle Andy. Whenever his family visited the capital she spent most of her time gossiping with her ladies. Uncle Andy liked to play with him and Jen. “Isn’t the pheasant to your liking?”

Damien looked down at his almost untouched plate. Everything tasted like ashes after the torture session. As far as he knew the assassin was still screaming under their feet. Thinking about it soured his stomach.

“Everything’s delicious. I guess after the attack I don’t have much appetite.”

He looked up and found Karrie staring at him with her bright, green eyes. She batted her eyelashes, trying to play the flirt. Since he’d last seen her Karrie had grown into a pretty girl. Straight black hair framed a heart-shaped face and a slim body was just starting to show signs of the woman she’d be. In a couple more years, when she finished filling out, the noble boys would be fighting over her and not just because she stood to inherit the throne.

“It’s a good thing you were there today.” Uncle Andy took a sip of wine. “A lot of people might have gotten hurt otherwise.”

“My master said to make myself useful. Capturing assassins seemed useful.”

Uncle Andy laughed and dug back into his meal, an attempt on his life insufficient to blunt his appetite. Damien nibbled a few more bites. The pheasant really did taste wonderful. To his surprise, five minutes later, he’d cleaned his plate. He fought a yawn and lost. It had been a long day.

“You look all in,” Uncle Andy said. “What do you say we call it a night?”

Before Damien could respond a tremor ran through the room, setting the silverware to rattling.

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