Small popping noises sounded as, one by one, the council teleported to Sava’s tower. Finally having the queen alone except for her guard, I exited my hiding place. “I must say, I don’t think Sava likes you, sweet.”
She tossed her head, her hair waving behind her in a stream of white gold. “Sava’s a thorn in my side. Has been for centuries. For some reason, he’s taken a liking to Alandra, refusing to believe she’s turned traitor to Aelle.”
“Perhaps Zartic can show him the harm she can cause.” I waved my hand, and Zartic’s healed face reverted to the bruised flesh from before.
The Der warrior winced, his throbbing cheeks and split lip bleeding as if he’d just encountered Arim. What a cluster that had been.
“Your Majesty,” Zartic said, his voice cold. “Though I agree Alandra’s place is here, I cannot see how she could be at fault for what the Light Bringer did. Arim is a known scourge.”
“Balen, your thoughts?” Lidra stroked her lip, eyeing me through her lashes.
“She’s in league with them, you fool,” I snarled, aggravated the queen would have me explain myself to a mere soldier. “Why do you think she left Aelle? Because she attempts to rally your kind to aid the Light. The Light, Captain.”
Zartic frowned, staring from me to the queen. “If that’s so, why was the sorcerer not stained with her energy?” His eyes narrowed. “And why does my queen appear so Dark of late?”
I thrust my will through Lidra’s mind and took control, infuriated she’d let the upstart warrior speak to me thus.
“Zartic,” she snapped. “Watch your tongue. Because of you, we’ve lost another opportunity to return Alandra to her rightful place. What she has done could cause harm to all our people. Trust me, her punishment at my hands will be a kindness.”
“Is not living in that hideous world torture enough?” Zartic snorted.
“Zartic.” Lidra stood and glared down at him with fiery blue eyes that took on the brilliance of Netharat flame. “Show Lord Sava what our Light Bringer empathizer has done to you.” She glanced at me, as if waiting for my input, which I was happy enough to oblige.
I crushed my fist and mentally threw that pressure against Zartic’s already bruised face. I added a broken nose and cracked left cheekbone to his injuries.
The warrior groaned and staggered, unable to brace himself against the overload of pain.
“Failure is not to be tolerated,” I said in a low voice, pleased when the warrior finally showed a lick of sense by kneeling in deference.
“Once Sava and the others take note, hie yourself and two dozen of our men back to the xiantope plane,” Lidra ordered. “Do not return until you find Alandra. If you step one foot on my soil again without her, I’ll give you to the Dark Lord to do as he pleases.”
Zartic, wisely, said nothing. He slowly rose and kept his head bowed.
“And Zartic,” she added with a cruel twist to her mouth. “Balen doesn’t like you. So pray you return with the girl quickly.”
Zartic reached for the Mir charm at his throat and vanished.
Alone with the queen at last, I sealed the small clearing with a privacy spell and waited for her to come to me.
I saw the resistance she tried to hide behind a wide, sensual smile and laughed. I did so love the games the Aellei played. And none were as skilled as their queen.
Each time I took hold of her mind, I enabled her to see what I did, showing her my immense power while she struggled to be free. Obviously, she was no match for my sorcery, but unlike my brother, I would not underestimate my allies.
Aellein magic ran deep. Though Lidra gave me plenty of energy to further my plot against the Storm Lords, only with Alandra would I have a real chance at ending this farcical battle for Tanselm. She had a connection to the Storm Lords her aunt did not.
My brother had made mistakes. Sin Garu hadn’t listened as he should have, convinced of his right to rule. He thought he could overtake both me and the Storm Lords at the same time. Unfortunately for him, our sister had chosen the right side—mine.
Lidra distracted me by coming closer. She played with her gown, toying with the fastenings holding her dress closed. As the silken fabric slithered to the ground at her feet, shadows played over her skin, like dark hands inviting me to join them.
Instead of going to the queen, I sat on her throne. The flare of outrage in her eyes amused me, especially when she tried to hide it. She cupped her breasts and raised a brow, as if taunting me with what I’d already had.
Ah, brother, I sent the mental taunt to Sin Garu, who, according to my last report, lay near the Aellein healing pool, trying desperately to steal some of its healing properties. You could have been with me, brother, experiencing this lusty queen side by side. But greed made you clumsy.
Lidra slid her hands down her stomach and between her legs, her breath catching as she toyed with her body, staring into my eyes with invitation.
I shed my clothes with a thought, my needs growing as the Shadow royal stirred my desire.
I stroked myself, holding my cock for her. “Come, sweet. Sit here.”
