Becca Abbott Cethe (epub)

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.Already sick with dread, Stefn’s heart nearly stopped.He stood up, knocking his chair over in his haste.The elegant newcomer stooped beneath the low door and into the dark, cold room.He held out a gloved hand for the lantern, which was promptly given over.“Leave us.I will summon you when I’m ready.”“Yes, my lord.” Corliss bowed again and the door closed.Stefn was left alone with the most loathsome of his captors.Gone were all traces of the priestly disguise.This was a man more regal than the rebel prince he served.Arranz wore black, all black, and at his throat was a single silver amulet.The brown dye was gone.With his long, ice-pale hair, he seemed to be a beautiful, shining flame in the gloom.Michael Arranz, eldest grandson of the Demon Duke of Blackmarsh.As close to pureblood naran as existed in this day and time.Traitor.Spy.Taint.Yellow light danced over the bare wooden floor, across Stefn’s narrow bed to stop at the table where he stood.“What? No ‘hello, Brother Michael? Nice to see you?’” Arranz set the lantern down.Mockery edged the deep, quiet voice.“Ah, well, I suppose not.”From the inside pocket of his coat, Arranz brought out a scroll, tossing it onto the table before Stefn.It was tied with a red ribbon.Blood red.Stefn recognized it well enough; he’d seen it before in the hands of Corliss and others who’d come to his cell and demanded he sign it.Stefn tried to match the taint’s mocking tone.“It must have been quite a shock to the servants to find out our cleric was really a taint.“Brother Michael was recalled to Zelenov several days ago.Such a shame.I never got to meet him.” Arranz waved his hand carelessly toward the scroll.“His Highness grows weary of your heroics, Eldering.Sign the damned agreement.”“Go to hell, taint!”The Elderings had been loyal to the King and Church since the human-naran war.Stefn would not defile his family’s memory by submitting to one of their half-breed, murdering descendants.Arranz sighed.“If you sign the agreement, you can leave this room, have a hot meal, a bath… ”“Forge my signature,” Stefn retorted, even as his heart lurched and thudded.“What’s one more vile act for a taint like you?”Arranz’s mouth twisted.He seized Stefn’s chin, ignoring the attempt of the smaller man to jerk away.One long thumb pressed against the lump on Stefn’s jaw, making him hiss in pain.“Do you so enjoy your jailer’s heavy hand?” Arranz asked.Ice ran up Stefn’s spine, but he did not back down.He couldn’t.Deep in his heart of hearts, he knew very well who had brought the Elderings to this pass.Sin-catcher!“Shia is loyal to the Church and king.I will not sacrifice my sister and home for a traitor’s cause! Especially one who would employ the likes of you!”“So dramatic.Do you honestly expect me to believe you mourn your boorish parent and equally repellent brother?”Stung, Stefn retorted, “They were men of honor, loyal servants of Loth!”“They were murderers, a hundred times over murderers, slavers, and thieves, just like the rest of your misbegotten clan.”“You cannot diminish their honor!” spat Stefn, shaking with rage and contempt.“You, a murderer polluted with the blood of demons!”“You may very well be right, but time is growing short and my prince has plans.You will do as he wishes… ”Stefn’s heart stumbled as his limbs were seized by an invisible force.“ …and turn over to him what he demands.”There was no resisting the power that lifted Stefn’s hand, opening his fingers to receive the pen Arranz placed in it.Fury and despair filled his eyes with water and made the words of the declaration blur as he dipped the pen into the inkpot before him, then to the paper.Stop! he screamed to himself, but his hand went through the familiar motion without heeding him.The pen was removed.His signature stared back at him.Stefn regained control of his limbs as Arranz rolled up the scroll.Without thinking, he lunged for it, oversetting the inkpot, but with a word, the taint flung him away to crash into the wall.Pain streaked up Stefn’s leg and it buckled, sending him into a humiliating sprawl at Arranz’s feet.Arranz dragged Stefn upright again.He said something under his breath and shoved the trembling earl onto the stool.“What happens now?” whispered Stefn.“No matter what, I will swear true loyalty only to the rightful king.”“You may swear loyalty to whomever you wish,” replied Arranz.“As long as you obey me.”Stefn, speechless, returned a look of outrage.Arranz’s lean features lit up with amusement.He bent and, seizing a handful of Stefn’s hair, held him still for a punishing kiss.“I’ll be back in a day or two,” he promised, and was gone soon after, leaving Stefn shaken, confused, and profoundly afraid [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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