Canes and Scales Page 4

  More distractions! I needed to devote everything to making this man rescue me. He needed to desire me beyond reason.

  Another low moan greeted my last vigorous attack. “Perfect, young one, delightful. Ahh, the punished muscle returns to normal. Mmm.” See, dear Linden needed to give me the chance to prove myself. Worthless guests never deserved my secret talents, but occasionally one of the kinder men received a subtle treat.

  My fingers lessened force, there, ending in a clever little pattern against the muscles designed to promote further healing. “Do you feel less tense, my Prince?”

  A gratified sigh answered me. “Absolutely, Alasdaire. My strained back feels recreated. You are extremely talented in many sensual arts, eh?”

  I chuckled. “Well, my Prince, my position in life is to please.” I winced in alarm. Did my words sound too servile?

  “Well, Alasdaire, you pleased me immensely. I feel so relaxed I believe I will indulge in a nap.”

  Good, he did not seem to think less of me for my hasty words. I watched Linden rise from the tub and stretch. He looked like a merman of old, streaming water and desire. This man called to me. I quickly rose and fetched a towel. Linden allowed me to dry his flesh. As I stroked the fine material over his body, I wondered what curious thoughts lurked behind his pensive smile. Did I delude myself into thinking this powerful Prince regarded me with true warmth beyond his desire for my young flesh? I feared my desperate need made me see what did not exist.

  But this remarkable Prince would take me with him. He would. I would be this man’s lover at court. I deserved the lofty position. As Linden already acknowledged, I was noble, so I deserved something more from my dismal life than to be a common, often punished bed warmer at a remote country estate.

  My work finished at Linden’s back. Desire teased me. The urge to touch him further overwhelmed me. My arms wrapped around his body until I pressed close against his torso. The nape of his neck seemed a fine place to hide my face. Imagine, ahh, imagine waking up every day curled around this powerful man. We’d wake with the dawn’s pearly glow and make love before he dashed off to his court duties.

  “Alasdaire? How long do you plan to embrace me? Your touch feels quite pleasant but I’d rather hold you close in bed.” Linden rolled his shoulders against my face.

  Ninny! “Forgive me, my Prince, my mind wandered.” I released him and stepped back. Linden turned toward me. The Prince’s searching stare forced fresh discomfort into my mind. I smiled even as I mentally scolded myself for acting foolish. “Now to tuck you in for a restful nap.”

  As he stretched his back in relaxation, Linden rubbed his scales. I wanted to halt that repulsive act. “You are joining me, correct, my Elf? Not that I feel prepared to adore you but holding you close during my nap sounds agreeable.”

  My heart almost melted in glee. “You honor me, my dear Prince.”

  “For now it is time to enjoy the tasty wine in bed. Make sure the suite’s door is locked. I trust my guards but I appreciate a locked door.”

  “Of course, Prince.” How lax of me; the suite’s door remained unlocked. I turned the key and placed it on the table beside the door. The Prince’s power wafted around me, especially strong by this door. The thought struck me. I felt his power because he had energized his personal spells. I realized why this room intrigued me; Linden’s lingering power soaked into the old stone. He embraced the ancient, forbidden magic. Of course! See, I felt destined to be this man’s lover. He understood magic and allure. In time he might understand me.

  I hastened to fetch the wine and glasses. When I returned Linden already relaxed against the headboard. A contented smile greeted me. I poured his wine then I playfully bowed—yes, remember to act carefree—and handed him the goblet. Despite feeling tipsy I splashed a measure into my glass.

  Linden patted the mattress. I cuddled next to him and impulsively clinked my glass against his. “Long life and vibrant health to you, my Prince.”

  “The same to you, Alasdaire.” His sharp gaze examined me again. “I feel pleased to see your mood ascend into the cheerful. The way you acted before we talked I feared a resumption of dark brooding.”

  “Forgive me for my shameful initial behavior, my Prince. You treat me so kindly I feel no need to sulk. See, you banish sadness from my soul. You are the royal sun defeating my gloomy rain clouds.”

  “Not only cheerful but positively flowery. I appreciate your happy words.” Linden drained his wine and set it on the bedside table. “Now it’s time to act slothful.” He slid under the silken sheets.

  Finishing my remaining wine so quickly made me dizzy. This seasoned Prince sought to corrupt me. I enjoyed the sensation. I giggled in silly delight and snuggled down against his warmth. “This is highly slothful, my Prince, but it feels lovely.”

  “Indeed. If you wake and see that night claims us, wake me, all right? I’ll decide if I want to bother with my fellow nobles or remain closeted away with you.” One arm squeezed me tight. “If I remain up here there is no need to dress. Hmm, the notion sounds appealing, eh?”

  “It truly does, my Prince.”

  In mere minutes, Linden’s breathing fell into the cadence of deep rest. The wine worked on my senses in lulling adoration. Tranquil slumber slithered into my mind. It felt deliciously decadent to sleep in the middle of the day, especially when curled against a loving man.

  I never felt happier in all my defeated life. Imagine, I had seduced a wonderful Prince.

  My heart wanted to deny it, but I knew I was falling in love. I thought to spell a Prince, but somehow his power claimed me. The Serpent conquered this victim in sweet consideration.

  I accepted my defeat.

  Linden

  Confessions

  “How charming.”

  I lunged up, knife in hand. Luckily I halted myself from slashing my unwise cousin’s throat. My tense muscles snapped back the small blade just before the edge sliced skin. “Keith, Powers on High, you know not to do that to me!” My breath caught in my throat.

  Instead of acting alarmed, my cousin arched a brow sardonically. “So I see! I wondered if age had dulled your legendary reflexes.”

  “I see you still act like a reckless bastard.” I shook the small knife in warning before I set it down near the wine bottle. We stared in melodramatic threat until I laughed. “Good to see you, old man.” Our hug smoothed over the messy greeting.

  “I am glad you did not slit my throat. It certainly would have prevented me from amusing my many guests.” Keith’s gaze slid past my shoulder toward Alasdaire. “Ah, it appears I provided you the correct young male.”

  “You certainly did. Dear Alasdaire has made me feel comfortable and welcome.” I twisted to smile at the wide-eyed Halfling clutching the sheets to his chest like a startled virgin. “Sorry to alarm you.”

  Alasdaire shook his head in amazement. “My Prince, I never saw the knife on the bed table.”

  “That’s because I tucked the blade under my pillow.” A pained expression haunted Alasdaire’s face. His lips tightened in remorse. What a sensitive soul. I applied verbal salve. “No, not out of fear of you, beauty. I always keep a knife under my pillow. One too many attempts on my life has taught me to arm myself when I sleep. It’s an old habit I doubt I’ll ever break.” To my pleasure the ugly tension dissolved from Alasdaire’s smooth face. He nodded and relaxed against me. My fingers caressed his arm.

  “Yes, we all know how the savage Serpent loves to slaughter a man in a blink.”

  Fresh tension coursed through my bed partner’s body. Why did every word affect Alasdaire’s damaged emotions? Surely his natural power told him I meant him no harm. Well, another little chat would help him understand.

  The oblivious Keith fixed his stare on Alasdaire. “Alasdaire, I wish to speak to my cousin in private. Why don’t you see if Anders needs you?”

  What? No. Anders be damned. I gripped his arm. “No, Alasdaire, wait in the small bedroom.” I turned and stroked his cheek.
His troubled gaze sought security. “Don’t roam too far from my side. I am not sure what I plan for this evening, but if I remain up here I desire you with me.”

  My words made Alasdaire smile in brilliant acceptance. Amazing how my simple act of kindness warmed his heart. “Of course, my dear Prince. I look forward to whatever you decide. First I shall clear away the lunch plates.” He rolled from the sheets, offered us a small bow, and then padded away from the room. The thin white scars marring his back broke his canes into imperfect patterns. When we embraced my wandering fingers tried not to draw attention to them, but their presence saddened me.

  Keith stared after the Halfling. His amused gaze returned to me in speculation. “So it appears my moody Halfling displays his best behavior for you. I never know what to expect from him, but something told me he would warm to you. Deep inside that hoary old hide I know you entertain sympathy for pretty underdogs.”

  Anger prompted my next words. “Why do you allow guests to beat him?”

  “My, Alasdaire certainly poured his woes out to you in a quick confession. The obstinate Halfling is beaten because his usual nature is surly, insubordinate, and remarkably insulting. He’s ill-suited for the task, but when I told him working in the winery and the greenhouses could be his only duties he acted offended. His house slave rank pleases him. He acts surly about working outside the manor, yet conversely he claims he enjoys his tasks. What a fickle, infuriating creature.”

  Light clinking and the sound of the suite door opening made me pause. Not that I thought Alasdaire listened at the keyhole, but it felt rude to discuss him when he occupied the next room. “Is he done?”

  Keith rose and cracked open the door. “The trays are gone and the servant’s room door is shut.” He returned to his perch on the bed. “My, you are a sensitive old prince.”

  “There’s no need to let him think we speak about him, although the young man is not stupid. He knows I will discuss his situation although he does not want me to defend him. So you told Alasdaire he can stop entertaining guests?”

  “Indeed I have, yet the dramatic creature claims he does not care what happens to him so why not be something beyond a mere slave? I swear at times I am sorry I agreed to grant Alasdaire shelter, but his exotic beauty spoke to me. Each passing year nurtures his moody, rebellious nature. Acting defiant and fiery was fine when Alasdaire was fifteen, but now that he’s mature, he knows his reckless act ruined his life. I am sure he told you his tale of stupidity, correct?”

  My cousin’s tone sounded unexpectedly callous. My own tone dropped in temperature. “I know the poor slave wears an undeserved Torvine Catch.”

  Keith shook his head in remorse. He sensed my rough mood. “Dear cousin, do not be put out with me. I do not argue the point but I did not make the decision. Leo created such an uproar with Edward, and you of all people know how much Edward adores using the Catch—bah, if he had his way I swear half the country would sport a necklet—so the decree was passed.” A disgusted lip twist followed. “This news will displease you; the vengeful Leo originally wanted the Catch’s boundaries to be defined by the manor walls. That seemed cruel, so I pointed out such restrictions limited Alasdaire’s usefulness. I won the Halfling’s limited freedom.”

  “Good of you, cousin. I can’t imagine the poor lad confined to the manor. Imagine dying for accidentally stumbling across a doorway. Highly unfair.” I shrugged away the distressing notion. “That complex creature intrigues me.”

  Keith’s inquisitive stare mocked me. “Really. Do you plan on allowing him to intrigue you long term?”

  “Too soon to tell, cousin, too soon.” I did not want to think about the important concept. It was not in my nature to embrace impulsive behavior. I relaxed back. Did any wine remain in the bottle? “You didn’t visit to discuss Alasdaire, correct?”

  “True.” Keith rose and waved his fingers toward the wine. “Finish up and I’ll fetch the last bottle. Did you enjoy the estate white?”

  “Yes. I understand Alasdaire assists in the process.”

  “Assists? Old Adolph sat back and let Alasdaire work his magic. Impressive results for one without training or knowledge. He’s a natural vintner.”

  I smiled in acknowledgement. Indeed, Alasdaire understood natural magic. It sounded like someone was bold in showing off his skills. He certainly behaved boldly with me, although his innocent spell effort pleased me. The Halfling wanted a Prince to save him from captivity. What amazed me was Alasdaire’s ability to still use his natural magic even when bound by the Catch. Fascinating indeed. I sipped the red and watched as Keith poured a tall measure into his goblet. “When you hear my distasteful political news you’ll want more wine.”

  A chill settled over my skin. “Which group wants to kill me now?”

  My cousin withdrew a folded paper from his smartly-styled, green and black checked velvet jacket. Quite rakish. Somehow his bright suit did not clash with his dark red hair. I owned no idea how he managed the visual feat. “Your old friends the Front Liberty.”

  Instant rage flared in my soul. “Not those insolent bastards again! I thought they understood I am not the true enemy in this damned regime! I fight for the people’s welfare and comfort, I fight to protect them from our hateful border mates, so what more do they want from me?”

  “Tsk, tsk, cousin, you are not up on the news. After a violent upheaval in the faction, a new leader emerged who doesn’t care that you aren’t insane. No, this Voltik character hates the royal family and he declared the Front will not cease until the royals are erased from the land and democracy rings free. The usual rebellious nonsense delivered at great volume. This is what really bothers me; this flyer arrived in this area just this week. The timing is unsettling.” He unfolded the battered cheap paper.

  How droll. A crudely drawn scenario of men in crowns skewered on stakes appeared before me. The printed phrase “LIBERTY NOT TYRANTS” screamed from the bottom. I crushed the cheap paper. “This flyer is outright treason. How dare they promote such nonsense? So their new leader is Voltik?”

  “Yes, he came into power just this past month, not long after the war ended. He twists matters, declaring your nefarious use of the sulfur bombs proves how easy it would be for the royal family to destroy their people. Voltik claims you promote modern advances to enslave the people, then, when they feel secure, you will shut down the power plants and deny them steam generated power. You will tax coal beyond reason. From what I understand, this new leader is quite charismatic and fiery in his rhetoric. I heard the news from Sir Inger. They mainly make noises in the far South, but as usual it creeps toward the main cities.”

  “When he is captured, this new upstart will spew blood instead of heated words. I will not tolerate this level of rebelliousness. I do not deserve it.” Abrupt weariness replaced my uncharacteristic rage. My shoulders slumped. “What do my people want from me? No, wait, I sound silly. I know the majority of the people in this country understand this regime is different from those in the past. It doesn’t matter that my brother is a decadent moron; I maintain the control level and protect the people. But when someone like this insidious troublemaker threatens me, it makes me despair, especially since we reached a tentative truce with Colbran. Now we need to start anew to woo this rabid idiot.”

  “I agree slaughtering him will make the other zealots scream all the louder. But you understand my concern. I don’t think any of the nobles attending my merry parties mean you harm, but I cannot vouch for the horde of servants. My guards keep a particularly close eye on them, plus your worthy guards will thwart any mischief.” Keith raised his goblet in sarcastic salute. “So there’s your news update. Nothing too exciting, eh?”

  “No, merely another death threat, another in a long line. This country breeds fanatical sects like noxious weeds. I can thank my dear deranged Serpent ancestors for supplying them such fertile hatred.” I shut my eyes in resignation. “I wonder about a limited democracy. Would it work in this diverse country? Part of my
soul thinks a more open society would be a marvelous event.” I opened my eyes to see Keith’s reaction.

  Keith’s ginger brows immediately arched in comic amazement. His lips opened. He sputtered in shock. I feared he might hyperventilate. One freckled hand gripped my knee. “Egad, did I just suffer a hallucination? No, wait, you are real. Democracy? You, dear cousin, must have sustained a serious head wound to talk so wildly. I shall pretend I did not hear those last outrageous sentences.”

  My laughter sounded bitter. “I agree that’s a wise reaction to my speculative words. But I am serious, which is why the hatred from these factions harms me. Yet I do not possess the heart to stage a coup.”