Tempering the Rose by Dionne Lister

Author:Dionne Lister
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, dark fantasy, romance fantasy, magic adventure, swords and scorcery, revenge against abuser, fantasy about a woman, adventure action fantasy, thrones and prophecy, fantasy novels for adults
Publisher: Dionne Lister

CHAPTER 17

Shirtless, Radnok stood next to the fireplace and buttoned up his trousers. The ochre-coloured marble mantle reached his shoulders, such was its magnificent size. He held his hand out to the young seeker, who placed a small piece of parchment in his palm. After reading the short message, Radnok scrunched the parchment and threw it into the fire.

The news was bad, but even from unhappy news could come good. Two of his seekers had disappeared, which likely meant they were dead. They had probably died because they had found Adrastine and that weasel shit, Jacob. Why had he betrayed him? If all went to plan, Radnok would soon find out.

Radnok looked down at the messenger. “You may go.”

The boy left, and the high seeker turned to the bed. “And you.”

The girl looked at him, surprised. She was slow to exit the plush confines, trying to keep herself covered as she did. He stared at her even more, enjoying the way her cheeks reddened with embarrassment. Young and tight, just the way he liked them, breasts newly formed and perky, not like the saggy tits his wife dragged around. He had paid the mother well for her daughter’s virginity. He hardened again and looked at her with regret. No time now. He was to meet with King Orlon soon.

As the girl left, he instructed a servant to change the sheets. He liked the sweet, dirty smell of sex, but not the fluids stiffening the sheets afterwards. One drawback was the blood the females always left. Messy business that. Women were, all at once, a pleasure and disgusting. So necessary, yet so irritating.

As he left, his guard of two seekers followed him, another servant trailing behind. He spoke to the white-liveried man. “Please bring my clean clothes to the baths. I will wear ceremonial garb tonight.” He would look his best for King Orlon, and the throngs who would see them dine. Pulling the strings of his regent puppet would be easy. If that didn’t work, he could always cut the strings and burn the marionette, which might be the only alternative if Orlon didn’t name Radnok his successor the following night. And, if he did, which Radnok expected, his seeker network was there to protect him from his most powerful two rivals — Lord Bronstein and High Priest Tudos.

“Oh, and also, make sure my wife is presentable.” He had taken away most of her drugs this past week, and she looked none the better for it. He would need her powers of persuasion this night, though, and, strangely enough, the king enjoyed her company. So presentable and coherent she must be. If anything went wrong now, he would pay a hefty price.

Before they had even reached the heated baths, sweat tickled his scalp and moistened his brow. Druce, you fickle bastard, don’t fail me now.

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