The Fate of Stars by S.D. Simper

The Fate of Stars by S.D. Simper

Author:S.D. Simper [Simper, S.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endless Night Publications
Published: 2020-04-30T22:00:00+00:00


* * *

Dauriel had always warned Tallora against wine, even when the servants delivered it. Said she needed her wits about her, that alcohol would dull her instincts for survival.

When she stood outside the envoy’s door, one of the other courtesans offered her a flask. “For luck,” she said, and Tallora hesitated, hand trembling as she grasped it. She stole a breath, cringing as she brought the metal to her lips and forced the bitter liquid down her throat. Coughing, she returned it, then steadied her hands around the open bottle of wine and two glasses. They entered the suite.

Ambassador Lemhi sat among an array of pillows, dressed in loose clothing patterned in green and gold. He caught her eye immediately—he and the other men around him. Girls were already attending to them, doting upon them with food and wine, some seated in their laps and kissing their ears. No sign of Amulon.

The visiting ambassador beckoned Tallora forward, and she obeyed, her stomach in knots. She swore she felt her pulse in her throat. “You are prettier every time I see you,” the man said, grinning as he studied her. The words were foreign to him, a broad accent on his tongue. “Join me.”

Tallora’s legs suddenly failed; she all but fell against his side.

He helped steady her, placing an arm around her shoulders. “I’m told you turned into a Celestial girl.” His other hand skimmed her bare skin, glossing over her scaled calves like a treasure chest of gold. “Astounding. You might be the rarest creature in the world.” His rough hand stroked her shoulder; tears brimmed in her eyes. “Any other tricks I should know?”

“Oh, I can turn into other things besides a Celestial,” she said, unable to even fake a smile. Fear screamed to run. Instead, she simply lied. “I once turned into a shark and ate a man alive.”

He only looked more intrigued. “Have you?” His leering grin came much too close to her hair. His lips brushed the locks. “Tell me more.”

She heard gentle moaning from beyond—looking past him, she caught a glimpse of a woman she didn’t know leading a man behind a curtain, his hands actively groping her body.

“I can become a sailfish,” she heard herself say. “Dart away at any danger—no one can catch me.”

“Except Solvira, it seems.” His hand traveled up her shin and to her thigh instead; she trembled and swallowed tears, reality rapidly descending, crushing her soul. “But you are all woman now, yes?”

Beyond, she saw a woman in an open-mouthed kiss with a man while another knelt between his legs, and although Tallora couldn’t quite see the act, she imagined it well enough.

Fingers at her shoulder dipped down enough to pluck the string holding her top together. It unraveled like a present, and Tallora gasped to hide her sob. “Even prettier than last night,” he whispered into her ear. The hand at her thigh came up to stroke the thin garment between her legs. Fear rose, utter violation causing her entire body to shudder.



Download



Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.