Caller of Light Read Online Free PDF Page B

wide smile pushed his chubby cheeks upward, squeezing his small eyes into slits. Regin’s scrunched look reminded Marek of a stubby legged, tusked pecari, forcing him to stifle a smile.
    Regin swirled the dark liquid in his glass before placing the chalice on a nearby table. “Marissa will bear you fine heirs with strong, royal bloodlines. And, as the next Caller, she’ll increase our holdings substantially. By the time I leave this world, both you and Marissa will inherit significant wealth.”
    Marek nodded. Regin spoke of Marissa as his only daughter. Yet, even a mixed blood could produce an heir if a king wished it so.
    At the thought of mixed bloods, Carina filled his mind. His pulse quickened when he remembered chasing after her on FireStrike. She rode with an unwavering courage. Many people feared Critons and would never get close, let alone ride one. But Carina rode with a graceful, natural style.
    He’d never encountered a woman with such passion. Although she deferred to Regin and Marissa, he detected an unyielding strength brewing inside her. He clenched his teeth and fought a growing urge to seek her company. She might not have the power to call Critons, but her inquisitive, brown eyes and slender, curvy body called him. He needed to be very careful.
    “And your other daughter?” he asked. “What of her?”
    Regin’s eyes clouded. “Carina is of no consequence.”
    “She seems very fond of Critons. What happened to her mother?”
    “She died of an illness several years ago when Carina was but a child.”
    Although Regin appeared reluctant to discuss Carina’s mother, Marek continued his questioning. “Was she from Brookshire?”
    “We found her unconscious and nearly drowned on the bank of the Sassame River. She couldn’t remember anything about her prior life including her name, so we called her Sasha. But that didn’t stop her from trying to become my mistress by seducing me after supplying me with too much drink.” Regin hesitated as if he’d said too much, then frowned. “Why do you ask such questions? Are you interested in Carina as your mistress? Because if so, her cost is the same as that of my Marissa.”
    Marek bowed his head. “I was merely curious. My intentions haven’t changed.”
    Regin smiled. “Good. Carina takes excellent care of the Critons.”
    “Father, am I interrupting?”
    Marissa descended upon the room like a griffon swooping in for the kill, capturing everyone’s attention in the biggest dress Marek had ever seen. He spared Sampson a quick glance before rising from his chair along with Regin. Although Sampson never smiled, he knew his captain well enough to recognize his silent amusement.
    Marek walked over to Marissa and kissed her white-gloved hand. “You look beautiful, Lady Marissa.”
    She batted her eyes and dipped her head. “Thank you, King Marek.”
    Regin clapped his hands in delight. “Daughter, you look ravishing.”
    “Oh, Father, please.”
    Regin edged toward the door. “Shall we move into the dining hall?”
    Marek was about to inquire into Carina’s whereabouts when she emerged at the top of the stairs. She paused. Uncertainty flickered across her face. For a moment he thought she was going to fade back into the shadows of the upper floors. But she took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and stepped off the landing.
    He inhaled a ragged breath at the sight of her. Her dress accentuated the slight swing of her hips while the tight bodice molded perfectly to the swell of her breasts. With each step as she descended, a slow burn heated his blood, flooding hot desire straight to his groin. She shimmered in the soft light spilling from the room—a light acting as a path for her to follow, illuminating her way…to him.
    She entered with her head bowed and lowered into a deep curtsy. “Your Majesty.”
    He extended his hand and tried to keep his fingers from twitching in anticipation of her touch. She hesitated, and had yet to look him in the