father’s lips.
This is what it took to win your approval?
The room seemed to spin around him as the emotions battled for control – pride at finally having pleased his father, guilt over the vulgar indulgence, and anger over the humiliation. He managed a weak smile as the other girls pressed in, caressing him and boasting about their talents, enticing him to lay with them next.
Crausin could not deny the allure of the exquisite pleasure, but what had triggered the powerful response in his body? Was it the feel of Meglyn’s supple body, writhing beneath his or was it the thought of possessing Cristalla – the object of his father’s affection, the beautiful young mother who had abandoned him as child. The answer made Crausin want to draw Cristalla’s dagger across his own wrists.
When Duke Crausin opened his eyes he was grateful to be back in the present and free of that painfully paralyzing memory. But he knew they would come more powerfully and with greater frequency without Comron to help keep them at bay.
Comron! his mind cried out.
CHAPTER 16
Comron glanced at his wrist chronometer. It was the third hour of the afternoon and the coast was nowhere in sight. Comron’s head ached as the thoughts kept tumbling over in his mind. His maternal house had intentionally sabotaged the Mobias transport and sent an assassin to put a bullet through his head. Sheally was innocent, of this he knew. She practically worshipped Crausin and adored all of her sons. She’d sooner throw herself off a building than ever conspire against her beloved family.
Sheally’s uncle, General Lugen Undersoll, was a different matter altogether. It was no secret that great animosity existed between Lugen and the Duke. Lugen’s orthodox views of the holy faith and matrimony were diametrically opposed to the way Crausin had conducted his life, in particular, the way he treated Queen Sheally, Lugen’s cherished niece. More importantly, Lugen had been held in check by Crausin limiting military expansion and his own popularity in the assembly.
Lugen’s attack at the execution was directed at both Crausin and Comron. He’d intended to remove them both from power likely believing he’d have less difficulty controlling Rhence or Gavin.
He gazed up at the cloudy sky. Crausin, time is against us. You must find me soon.
The sector banking conference would begin tomorrow evening. If this incident caused them to miss out on the rare opportunity to advance Nethic, Crausin would have Lugen’s head on a stick, regardless of House Undersoll’s position in the realm.
If he were traveling alone, he could have made much better time, but as it was, Vaush and Wensel were like an anchor weighing him down.
He turned back, giving Vaush a harsh look. But he knew they were doing their best and had barely complained about the grueling pace. Guilt began to gnaw at him; they had scarcely stopped to rest since ridding themselves of the assassin nearly five hours ago.
Comron waited for them. Wensel was a raw bundle of nerves as Vaush pulled him along. She was drenched in perspiration and aggravated as hell. Even still, she looked incredible.
“We’ll break for thirty minutes.” Comron swung the backpack and blast rifle off of his shoulder. “Get some water and rest your legs,” he said as he proceeded toward the stream to fill his canister.
They joined him, filling their own. Vaush took a few hearty swallows and gazed out onto the sparkling water.
“Do you think it would be safe to take a dip?” she asked.
Visions of Vaush frolicking bare skinned in the crystal clear water flashed before Comron’s eyes, quickening his pulse.
He looked away from her. “We hardly have the time.”
“Just ten minutes would be heavenly.”
“I really don’t advise it.” His tone was firm.
She shrugged. “Then don’t.” She got up and slipped away to undress behind the bushes.
He and Wensel exchanged glances.
This is what it took to win your approval?
The room seemed to spin around him as the emotions battled for control – pride at finally having pleased his father, guilt over the vulgar indulgence, and anger over the humiliation. He managed a weak smile as the other girls pressed in, caressing him and boasting about their talents, enticing him to lay with them next.
Crausin could not deny the allure of the exquisite pleasure, but what had triggered the powerful response in his body? Was it the feel of Meglyn’s supple body, writhing beneath his or was it the thought of possessing Cristalla – the object of his father’s affection, the beautiful young mother who had abandoned him as child. The answer made Crausin want to draw Cristalla’s dagger across his own wrists.
When Duke Crausin opened his eyes he was grateful to be back in the present and free of that painfully paralyzing memory. But he knew they would come more powerfully and with greater frequency without Comron to help keep them at bay.
Comron! his mind cried out.
CHAPTER 16
Comron glanced at his wrist chronometer. It was the third hour of the afternoon and the coast was nowhere in sight. Comron’s head ached as the thoughts kept tumbling over in his mind. His maternal house had intentionally sabotaged the Mobias transport and sent an assassin to put a bullet through his head. Sheally was innocent, of this he knew. She practically worshipped Crausin and adored all of her sons. She’d sooner throw herself off a building than ever conspire against her beloved family.
Sheally’s uncle, General Lugen Undersoll, was a different matter altogether. It was no secret that great animosity existed between Lugen and the Duke. Lugen’s orthodox views of the holy faith and matrimony were diametrically opposed to the way Crausin had conducted his life, in particular, the way he treated Queen Sheally, Lugen’s cherished niece. More importantly, Lugen had been held in check by Crausin limiting military expansion and his own popularity in the assembly.
Lugen’s attack at the execution was directed at both Crausin and Comron. He’d intended to remove them both from power likely believing he’d have less difficulty controlling Rhence or Gavin.
He gazed up at the cloudy sky. Crausin, time is against us. You must find me soon.
The sector banking conference would begin tomorrow evening. If this incident caused them to miss out on the rare opportunity to advance Nethic, Crausin would have Lugen’s head on a stick, regardless of House Undersoll’s position in the realm.
If he were traveling alone, he could have made much better time, but as it was, Vaush and Wensel were like an anchor weighing him down.
He turned back, giving Vaush a harsh look. But he knew they were doing their best and had barely complained about the grueling pace. Guilt began to gnaw at him; they had scarcely stopped to rest since ridding themselves of the assassin nearly five hours ago.
Comron waited for them. Wensel was a raw bundle of nerves as Vaush pulled him along. She was drenched in perspiration and aggravated as hell. Even still, she looked incredible.
“We’ll break for thirty minutes.” Comron swung the backpack and blast rifle off of his shoulder. “Get some water and rest your legs,” he said as he proceeded toward the stream to fill his canister.
They joined him, filling their own. Vaush took a few hearty swallows and gazed out onto the sparkling water.
“Do you think it would be safe to take a dip?” she asked.
Visions of Vaush frolicking bare skinned in the crystal clear water flashed before Comron’s eyes, quickening his pulse.
He looked away from her. “We hardly have the time.”
“Just ten minutes would be heavenly.”
“I really don’t advise it.” His tone was firm.
She shrugged. “Then don’t.” She got up and slipped away to undress behind the bushes.
He and Wensel exchanged glances.
Similar Books
