ROMAN: Fury of Her King (Kings of the Blood Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

among the living.” Setting down a large
clay hydria, he added, “We have much to discuss.” Then pointing to the fire in
the center of the structure over which a hare was cooking on a spit and freshly
baking bread lay on the iron grate, he continued, “You need to eat. Your
continued resistance to your first meal has left you poorly nourished.”
    Irritated at being chastised like a wayward child by his former
Commander and feeling out of sorts, Romanus slowly climbed to his feet and
sarcastically spat, “Am I not to live on the blood of others? Am I not a demon
of your own making?”
    Ignoring his question, Viktoras went about brushing spices over
the hare and taking the bread from the fire. Pouring the water from the large
hydria to a smaller one with a spout, the Commander then filled a large cup.
“Drink this.” He shoved the cup into Romanus’ hand. “Come eat. I will no longer
entertain your immature taunts. You know in your heart and soul that I am not a
demon nor would I ever cause you harm. Put aside the petulance of your juvenile
nature and face the reality before you.”
    Swallowing his pride and choking back the vile comment that burnt
the tip of his tongue, the General stood and walked across the tent, sitting as
far from his Commander as possible while still able to reach the food. His
attempt to act aloof was obliterated by the loud growl of his stomach.
    Barking with laughter, Viktoras pointed at the food. “Eat.”
Sitting down across from the General, his smile turned to a scowl as he
continued, “Unless you like suffering, in which case you can sit there and
glare in my direction while I enjoy what the gods have blessed us with.”
    Hands clenched at his sides, teeth grinding together and his
stomach growling like a tiger, Romanus finally relented, if for no other reason
than to have the strength to fight the demon should he choose to attack. “It
looks good. Thank you for your kindness.”
    Taking the food Viktoras offered, the General had to admit to
himself, if no one else, that he owed whatever version of his Commander this was
the courtesy of at least listening to what he had to say. Before his death, the
man, had, after all, been his surrogate father for most of his life, had taught
him everything he knew, and made sure he was cared for even after his death.
There was no way the gods would allow a man with such honor to become a demon
in his afterlife…was there?
    They ate in silence until only the bones of the hare and the
crumbs of the bread remained. Viktoras leaned back on the cushions behind him,
stretched out his legs, and asked, “Do you think that you can put aside your
prejudices and listen to what I have to say?”
    Several long, tense moments passed as the two formidable warriors
stared into one another’s eyes. Romanus could not deny the kinship he felt for
the man reclining across from him. Nor could he dispute that he appeared to be
the same man who had picked him up out the gutter, fed him his first meal in
weeks, and gave purpose to his life.
    Still unable to speak the words, but needing to hear what the
Commander had to say, the General gave a single nod of his head. Viktoras took
a long drink of his wine, looking over Romanus’ shoulder as if watching
pictures of the story he was about to tell, and began to explain. “While I was
in prison awaiting the inevitability of my sentence, Zeus spoke to me.” He took
another sip of his wine then looked at Romanus. “He explained to me, just as I
explained to you on the battlefield, that because of my loyal service in life
and the injustice in my death, I was being given a second chance, an
opportunity only the most devoted could receive. The gift of eternal life.”
     The Commander’s eyes stayed riveted on Romanus’ as the
silence between them grew. The General felt the weight of Viktoras’ stare like
a stone around his neck as the irrevocable truth of the situation settled all
around him. The man he had called