The Mad, Bad Duke by Jennifer Ashley

Author:Jennifer Ashley
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc.
Published: 2011-11-26T17:48:27+00:00

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Alexander stilled. Von Hohenzahl watched him like a cat regarding a mouse hole.

“In what sense?” Alexander asked, voice calm.

“What are you willing to give up for me? Your life? Your service? Your role as Grand Duke?”

Alexander got to his feet. “You know nothing,” he growled. “You are a grasping little man with nothing to give me. I would never pledge myself to the likes of you.”

Von Hohenzahl rose. “You would. You are key to Nvengaria, Your Grace. Not Prince Damien with his prophecy and his long-lost princess. The kingdom would have fallen apart under the old Imperial Prince if not for you. I know that. I watched. You made sure Damien had a kingdom to return to, and what did he do for you?” He smirked. “Tossed you out to watch over the boorish English as far across Europe as he could throw you. All your devotion and all your work, and your reward is exile. We are much alike, you and I.”

Alexander subjected von Hohenzahl to his chill Grand Duke stare. “I have nothing in common with you. You are nothing but a petty official in Metternich’s cabinet.”

Von Hohenzahl chuckled, not offended. “While you are the second most powerful man in Nvengaria. And yet, my friend, you need me, if you want to be restored.”

“I will not move against Prince Damien. He rules by right, and if I must remain behind the scenes I will do it. I want Nvengaria to prosper, not my own glory. That is why you and I have nothing in common.” Alexander made a show of pulling his watch from his pocket and studying it. “As you clearly have nothing to offer me, I will depart. My next appointment is an important one.”

Von Hohenzahl lost his smile and his eyes gleamed in a way Alexander did not like. “Pledge yourself to me, Your Grace. It will be easier for you if you come to me willingly now. Later, it will not be so easy.”

Alexander speared him with a look. “If you threaten me, I ensure you will regret it.”

“I make no threats, Your Grace. I only state the truth. The danger will be less if you follow me, not only to yourself, but to your pretty new wife. And your son. He is merely six years old, I believe. So very young to be in danger.”

The need for blood rose inside Alexander again. Every Nvengarian had blood lust, a trait never stamped out in the eight hundred years since his people lived in mountain tribes. He’d felt his native stirrings before, but this was different. He wanted to give in to the logosh inside him, a beast that would take control and rip von Hohenzahl apart before he could so much as scream.

Alexander saw in his mind exactly how he could do it, and knew he’d have the strength.

But Alexander the Grand Duke had been in charge longer than the logosh. He fought to cool himself, knowing that the game of politics he played was much more important than his need to hurt von Hohenzahl.

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