Master of the Dance by T. C. Southwell

Author:T. C. Southwell [Southwell, T. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: condemned, killer, Princes, regent, deadly duel, Fantasy, torture, liar
ISBN: 2940011160103
Goodreads: 10572742
Publisher: T C Southwell, via Smashwords
Published: 2010-12-21T00:00:00+00:00

Blade woke that afternoon, and the maidens plied him with hot broth and mulled wine. Minna knew that allowing the girls to tend him now was risky, since the marks of the ropes on his wrists were impossible to hide. Now that his true identity was known, it would only take a whisper of gossip to betray his presence here. For this reason, she only allowed her two most trusted maids in the rooms, who had been with her for several years. While they may still be tortured into revealing his presence, it seemed unlikely that anyone would do such a thing. She had to take the risk, in any case, in order to hide him. Minna swore the girls to silence, knowing, even as she did, that Blade's continued presence was becoming far too dangerous.

Minna urged Kerrion to stay away, not only to avoid suspicion falling upon him, should Blade be discovered, but also to prevent further arguments with the irritable assassin. In his present mood, the mere sight of the King annoyed him, and the slightest excuse brought cutting remarks that Kerrion seemed unable to ignore. The maidens washed Blade with warm wet cloths and rubbed kellis flower oil on his bruises, massaging his stiff hands with the aromatic oil while he cursed them for causing him pain.

The following day, Kerrion warned Minna that the court guards would search their rooms again in the afternoon, and she took Blade's bag of cosmetics to him, along with the wig and a handmaiden's gown. The maidens had arranged the wig into a fetching coiffure, disguising its shortness. Minna dismissed the girls, and Blade limped into the adjoining room to don the disguise, refusing her offer of aid.

When he re-emerged, the Elder Queen stared at him in amazement. The blond wig framed his narrow, sculpted face, enhancing the golden hue of his smooth skin, and the dye hid the scar on his cheek. The white gown clung to a modest bosom and slim, but womanly hips, and he walked with a girl's swaying grace. Several rings graced his fingers, and a silver necklace encircled his throat. A little kohl outlined his pale eyes, making them appear larger, and berry juice reddened his sensual lips. He met her incredulous stare with a hard glance and sank down on a couch, his every movement and gesture feminine.

The beauty of Blade's feminine disguise astonished Minna, being more profound than she had ever imagined and putting the loveliest girls to shame. The handmaidens had returned in his absence, and gazed at him in confusion, clearly perplexed as to who he was. That was why the disguise was so effective, Minna mused. Few would believe that the person who wore the wig and paint was a man. Even she found it hard to credit that the gown hid a muscular male body. No wonder he was able to lure his victims into his perfumed embrace so easily before slipping a dagger between their ribs.

Minna went over and sat on the couch beside him, searched for a flaw in his make-up and found none.

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