The Darkslayer: Book 01 - Wrath of the Royals Read Online Free PDF Page B

it, but wanted to discover what she was about and why he was drawn to her. Indeed, she might be his enemy and it seemed only prudent to keep a close eye on her—a task he hoped to enjoy ….
    Venir was sleeping by the burning coals of the campfire when ferocious growl from Chongo stirred him. They all sat up, hands gripping hilts. Two heavyset half-orcs with beady eyes, sweaty snouts and flails approached. They were part of Jarla’s escort.
    “Jarla wants to see the one called Venir,” one said as the other spat. “Come with us.”
    Venir shrugged and couldn’t help a grin at his men, as he followed the pair away. Mikkel and Billip looked at each other and rolled their eyes, then lay back in their grassy beds.
    “Venir’s a dog!” groaned Mikkel. “He has all the luck. I was just dreaming about being in the sack with my woman right now.”
    “Yeah, your woman is something.” said Billip.
    “What!?” he said, sitting back up again.
    “Go back to sleep, I’m just messing with you. Don’t get me thinking about it too, things are bad enough. Even that orc woman missing an eye is starting to look attractive to me.”
    “Well, just you dream about her then, not about my woman—got it?” Mikkel said, giving his friend a shove in the back.
    “Got it, now go to sleep,” Billip said, hiding his grin.
    Mikkel rolled over and was fast asleep, but Billip kept churning the whole night. He was ready to leave and determined to convince Venir to do the same. The hills didn’t have walls, but he could feel it closing in. He rolled up, stoked the coals, petted Chongo and cracked his knuckles. This place is evil, he thought as he waited for dawn to break. He swore he heard voices laughing at them somewhere in the distance.

 
     
CHAPTER 6
     
    The escorts left him at the entrance to Jarla’s extravagant tent. It stood in the center of the camp, ten feet high with the makings of a Royal field general. How did she get this? His nerves were on edge as dozens of favorable scenarios inside her quarters raced through his mind. He pulled his flaxen hair back from his eyes, took a deep breath, and entered with a smile.
    Her tent was plush, filled with purple and red pillows, hand stitched carpets and curtains, twinkling silverware and china lay out on the tables. The shining candle lights were absorbed in the dark tapestries and there was a fragrance, overwhelming at first, but soothing. It was so much better than the foul air that surrounded him earlier. He saw no sign of her as he walked toward the center, spinning around on his heel. He wanted to dive into the sofa and guzzle the crystal carafe of wine on a table nearby. He rubbed his filthy hands on his dirty trousers. From behind one of the curtained sections he heard a playful and sultry voice.
    “I’ll be with you in a moment, Venir.”
    He was all too eager to find out what awaited him behind the purple and gold curtain. He swallowed the lump in his throat. His temples began to pound, as if he were entering the battlefield to face an enemy he had never seen before.
    After a few more agonizing seconds, she emerged from behind the curtain, wearing thick gold hoop earrings and a sleeveless black silk gown that stopped mid-thigh. Her dark blue eyes were magnetic, drawing into his as she approached him. Her jet-black hair was pulled into a pony tail that lay over her shoulders and her wine colored lips revealed a small welcoming smile.
    She brushed her chest against his and looked down into his blazing blue eyes.
    “Come,” she whispered, lips brushing his ear. Taking his eager hand in hers, she led him back further into her tent ….

 
     
CHAPTER 7
     
    His growing relationship with the queen began to bear fruit on his men. They were given a decent tent within the camp and were supplied with better rations. Venir and Jarla were not often together, but it was clear that she favored him over all others. As time passed he felt her bringing him in deeper, but she hinted