The Blood Empress Read Online Free PDF Page B

not expecting him to be so filthy this late at night.
    They hugged and her red gown was smeared with sweat and dirt from the northern plains. She could smell the outdoors on him, mingled with his sweat and the blood of the aliens he had killed.
    "I'm so pleased you have returned victoriously, Ketar," she whispered into his ear.
    "For you I would do anything, my Empress."
    She pulled away to look up into his dark eyes.
    "You can still call me Kaleen when we are alone."
    His mouth cracked a knowing grin. She had a sudden urge to kiss him and she didn't know why. His eyes shinned and his forearms held onto her firmly.
    "I... I have to warn you of something," she mumbled.
    He pulled her closer to him and she sighed. Before she could draw in a breath he had closed his lips around hers. They kissed long and hard like only lovers could.
    She pushed him away until their lips parted. His eyes continued to shine in the dim light and she wanted nothing more than to go on kissing him, long into the night.
    "I have to warn you about Ku'nar. He's not what you think. He will betray you. Even kill you."
    Ketar shrugged indifferently. "I know."
    "You do?"
    "We are competing for you Kaleen. He will have to kill me in order to win."
    She shook her head. "No, you don't understand. He will make you think that he has your back like he did today, but then he will thrust his falchion into your ribs."
    Ketar shook his head slowly.
    "It's the warrior way."
    She squeezed his arms tightly, her nails digging into his skin for emphasis. "Ku'nar is no ordinary warrior. He is under the control of the Kwizarra Lonn. He will not have your back when it counts. He will do his master's bidding and you will die for it. I don't want you to die, Ketar."
    His heavy brow furled tighter and he pulled her close to him in a firm hug. "I won't let you down, Kaleen."
    She rested her head against his chest and felt him breathe and his heart pounded sure and steady. It comforted her despite the growing fear that she was spending her final moments with her love.
    ***
    The next morning the games resumed on the castle grounds. The two remaining contestants were treated to a morning meal fit for an Empress. She had told her staff to spare no expense for the final meals. She knew it would be the last meal for one of them and she wanted to show them how much she appreciated their efforts on her behalf. It was a bit unusual to treat individual warriors in such fashion but nobody was prepared to deny her wishes.
    The Kastra representatives from Surg and Vicar were also invited to the meal. There were nine guests at the Empresses long table. Nine was a sacred number to the Votainions and many of their ceremonies honored the number.
    Nykostra was dressed in her finest silken gown, black with red piping and delicate lace patterns in tiny V shapes that were only visible at close range. She loved the intricate craftsmanship of the gown and only wore it on special occasions. This day, the day that would see her future mate decided at the tip of a blade, was surly the most important day of her young life.
    The two guests of honor sat closest to the Empress at the end of the rectangular table. She could talk to them freely without going through their seconds or their political representatives.
    Nykostra was quite impressed with how well both of her suitors cleaned up. Votainion men were not known for being fond of formal affairs. They were more comfortable on a battlefield than at a state meal, but both of these warriors were prime examples of the best that the Empire had to offer.
    Ku'nar was slightly taller than Ketar, with wavy black hair that fell down just above his shoulders. His beard was trimmed and as black as his eyes. Nykostra wanted to hate the man, knowing he was the Soothsayer's pick to win. But there was nothing about his soft spoken manner or his gentle smile to hate.
    Ketar was the younger of the two, just a year older than herself. His black hair was thinner and less wavy