Jeweled Read Online Free PDF Page B

who’d risen to take up the cause put forth in Nizli’s book, he published his own inflammatory texts and distributed them under the nose of the Royal Guard. He gave impassioned speeches and encouraged the people to rise up and seize the government for themselves.
    How ridiculous. And boring.
    Just then, Roane looked in her direction. She caught his gaze briefly and held it for a heartbeat before looking earnestly into Tadui’s face. She affected a look of deep interest and batted her eyelashes. “Has there been unrest of late?”
    He gave her look of blank disbelief. “Don’t you know about the riot in Belai Square led by Gregorio Vikhin just last week?”
    She didn’t have to feign attentiveness now. She straightened and frowned. “Truly? No. I—I must have been so immersed in my preparations for Performance Day, I didn’t hear about it.” Plus, Belai Square was on the opposite end of the palace from the House of the Adepts, and Belai was a very large place.
    He harrumphed. “Borco and his staff do keep the adepts well isolated from such unpleasantries. And Ondriiko has a tendency to want to discount these little uprisings, which is the height of hubris and it’s hazardous to boot. Vikhin is a cagey one and the Royal Guard has not located him. His town house has been empty for months.” He smiled reassuringly. “But don’t concern yourself. We’ll find him before he rouses the people to anything truly dangerous.”
    “Truly dangerous? Was anyone hurt in last week’s occurrence?”
    “Some commoners were shot by the Royal Guard, yes, but none of our soldiers were harmed. The killings did seem to inflame the rabble, however.” He stuck out his elbow. “Come, this conversation is far too dreary for this evening of celebration. Let’s dance.”
    Uneasily, she took his elbow and allowed him to lead her toward the dance floor. She knew little of the character known as Gregorio Vikhin. He cut a charismatic—and perhaps dangerous—figure in her mind, but she’d never given him much thought until now. He was responsible for spilled blood directly outside the place where she lived.
    A faint shiver of unease skittered up her spine. None of this boded well. Violence, so close to the palace . . .
    “May I cut in?”
    Roane appeared before her, chasing all concern about the uprising in the square away.
    “We haven’t even begun to dance yet,” Tadui growled.
    “Ah, good, then I’m not interrupting.” Roane whisked her away from Tadui and into his arms without even asking what she wanted.
    She masked her annoyance with a smile. “My lord Roane.”
    He yanked her flush up against his body and dipped his head toward her throat. His breath smelled of alcohol and his teeth nipped her skin. “My lovely lady Evangeline.” He whirled around with the music and ground his hard cock against her stomach. There was no question in her mind that Roane was attracted to her now. The man had all the subtlety of a hammer—a very valuable hammer. Apparently her game had worked. All thoughts of the uprising left her mind.
    His hand slid from her waist over the curve of her rear to the small of her back. He fingered her new jewel. It was still sore and she winced from the contact, but tried desperately not to let him know he was hurting her. He circled it with his index finger. “I can tattoo around it if you would like. I’d use a pattern as beautiful as you are.”
    Her breath caught. To be tattooed by Roane was more than she ever could have hoped for. It was commonly known that for a J’Edaeii to bear his mark meant Roane had claimed them as a favorite. To be called upon for sex at any moment of the day or night.
    And she hadn’t even shown him how good she was in bed yet!
    He danced her back toward a corner of the ballroom and pinned her up against a wall. His hand slipped down the back of her dress and he cupped her rear. “Come to my room tomorrow evening and I will tattoo you.” He leaned down and nipped her