Demonbane (Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

did.”
    “That doesn’t bother you?”
    Maklavir looked over at Bronwyn. He tried to keep his face neutral. “If my benefactor finds my wife to be diverting company, that can only be beneficial to me. Wouldn’t you agree, Brionne?”
    Bronwyn’s amber eyes twinkled mischievously. “Not all men are as…forward thinking as you are, Mr. Maklavir.”
    “Please, just Maklavir. And I tend to find that a man in my position must quickly dispense with any…romantic notions he might have.”
    Bronwyn took a step back. She gave the diplomat an admiring glance. “I may have underestimated you, Maklavir.”
    The man gave a thin smile. “Yes, I get that a lot.”
    She moved close again, and linked her arm through his. “Well, if your wife is going to be occupied by Baron Dutraad for some time, perhaps we—”
    Maklavir felt the heat of her body pushed up against him, and tried to keep his eyes off the swell of her breasts. He felt strangely dizzy, intoxicated. He couldn’t think straight. His hand began to clutch the glass he held so tight he thought it might shatter.
    For one blinding moment he thought of telling her everything, giving the game up and all this silly nonsense about the Soulbinder and everything related to it.
    He was here. He had finally returned. This was Valmingaard, his home, and all these wealthy, arrogant nobles were his kin. He had finally come in from the cold.
    Maklavir closed his eyes. To the Void with Kendril , he thought viciously. Why should he give everything up, everything that he had wanted for so long and that was now at his very fingertips? What had Kendril ever done for him?
    He  opened his eyes again and stood staring at the dancers.
    His heart was torn inside of him.
    Kara was undoubtedly upstairs with Dutraad right now. Joseph and Kendril were in the billiards room. Tomas was outside by the stables.
    They were all depending on what Maklavir would say in the next thirty seconds.
    Bronwyn snuggled a bit closer.
    The rest of the room seemed to fade away into a blur of light and noise.
    “Maklavir--?”
    Oh, well , he thought bitterly. Easy come, easy go .
    He turned to her with a smile. “You know, I think some company might be nice after all. This hall is so crowded. Perhaps we could find someplace a little more…private?”
    Bronwyn crossed in front of him, a sly smile on her face. “You move quickly, Maklavir.”
    “Too fast for you, Brionne?”
    She stroked a hand across his chest. “I didn’t say that.”
    Maklavir took a nonchalant sip of his wine. He took one last look at the crowded room of chattering, happy nobles. “The billiards room, perhaps?”
    “I know where it is.” Bronwyn leaned in close. “Shall we go?”
    “I can’t be seen leaving with you,” Maklavir said briskly. He glanced around the room. “I’m afraid I have a bit of a… reputation that would be unwise to reinforce. You understand.”
    Bronwyn gave a coquettish tilt of her head. “Of course.”
    “Shall we meet there in, say, five minutes?”
    “I’ll count each second,” Bronwyn said breathlessly.
    Maklavir smiled. “As will I, Brionne.” He turned and gave his red cape a twirl.
    He moved quickly through the crowd of party guests, swimming through the vast sea towards the main hall’s exit.
    And stopped.
    Maklavir turned to look over his shoulder. He caught one last sight of the life he was leaving behind.
    Then he stepped up to the door.
                                                                                     
    “Let me, Dutraad.” Kara crossed over to the side table and plucked the bottle of wine out of the baron’s hands. “You just make yourself comfortable.”
    “Whatever you say, my lady,” the baron said with a leering grin. He flopped onto the bed.
    Kara deftly undid the cork, then turned to the two crystal glasses that rested on the silver tray. “I think I’m beginning to like Candle