Kol nodded. “That’s what I thought.” He turned to Shawth, whose brow shone with a thin sheen of sweat.
“You’ve had your fun, Lord Shawth. As entertaining as this is, I am intrigued by this girl. A magic-wielding woman with Royal blood. There could be use in that.” Kol’s brow twisted, as if he’d had some deep thought, before he shook his head.
“You are forbidden from touching this girl unless I change my mind or she willingly invites you to do so. There are dozens of other priestesses in this castle. Have your fill with them, if you must. But for now, this one is undermyprotection.”
The room fell into a silence so deafening, Anniliese fought the urge to cover her ears. Shawth’s face slowly turned red, then purple, his eyes nearly bulging out of his face.
To his credit, he remained quiet. Anniliese, for her part, could have grinned with delight if she had such control of her body. She knew this shield wasn’t perfect and she was scared for what might be asked of her in exchange. But for now, at least, she let herself feel the barest hint of relief.
Shawth bowed his head, his hands still trembling. Boredom settled into the lines of Kol’s face once again as he picked at the tailored hem of his jacket. “That’s enough for today. You are excused, Lord Shawth.”
Boots scuffed hurriedly across the polished marble. A door slammed closed, and Shawth was gone.
“Your Holiness.” Ksee sidled beside Kol, laying her hand again possessively on his arm. “It is late. Perhaps we should…retire.” She dragged a nail down his skin, and revulsion swelled in Anniliese.
This, too, was a usual occurrence. She didn’t know why Kol allowed it. Then again, it was just one of many things about the dark god that Anniliese didn’t understand.
Kol nodded absently. He pulled his arm from Ksee’s grasp and strode to the door leading to his bedchamber. “Come along then, High Priestess. If you want to worship, then let’s get to it.”
“Absolutely, Holiness,” Ksee said with too much nauseating excitement. She glanced at Anniliese. “Come, Priestess. You will attend to your superior and your god.” Her lip lifted in a sneer, dark delight flickering with the flames in her eyes.
“No,” Kol growled abruptly. “The girl can stay here, if she wishes, but I have no desire for her presence beyond that.”
Ksee blanched, sneer fading. “I…my apologies. Whatever you command.” She turned back to Anniliese, taking a step closer and lowering her voice, her words just for her. “He may not want you to watch, but you will listen. You will learn what it means to serve a god. The sooner you see the honor in it, the easier life will become for you.” She withdrew, eyes flickering with veiled malice, and she followed Kol into his bed chamber.
Anniliese sighed, but theuxosilhad retaken control, and Ksee’s order sank into her bones. Her steps were leaden as she assumed her unwilling vigil. She wished this day to be over.
The sounds comingfrom the other side of the door turned Anniliese’s stomach.
She couldn’t move, couldn’t clasp her hands over her ears, couldn’t even flinch. She was trapped there, staring blankly at the far wall, as Kol’s grunts and Ksee’s over-the-top, exaggerated moans and cries wrapped around her, burrowing into her mind until she was sure they’d never leave.
It was truly disgusting. There was no way Ksee was enjoying thingsthatmuch.
Perhaps Kol would oblige any woman who threw herself at him so willingly. Maybe to him, the partner didn’t particularly matter; it was the freely given worship that pleased him.
Or maybe he was just lonely.
If she weren’t frozen, Anniliese would’ve rolled her eyes at herself. The sun god was far from lonely. And if he was, it was clearly something of his own making—a punishment he rightfully deserved.
The image of Lisabel Salis’s bloodied and brutalized body, lying discarded amongst the rubble, flashed through Anniliese’s mind just as she processed the silence of the room behind her.
Inside her mind, she tensed. No more moans or groans or growls or grunts. Not even a softly spoken voice; just a quiet rustle, the sound of clothing being gathered and slid back over bodies.
It was just enough warning before the door swung open and Ksee breezed past her, cheeks flushed, hair thrown into a hastily secured coil atop her head. The High Priestess sneered coldly, adjusting her pale robes.
“Let’s go, Priestess.”
“No.” Kol’s voice rumbled behind Anniliese. He appeared at her side, buttoning the final clasps on his shirt. “I wish to speak with her.”
Ksee bowed her head. “Of course, Your Excellence?—”
“Alone, Ksee. You may go.”
Ksee blinked in shock. “Of…of course, Your Excellence.” She turned, casting one final glower at Anniliese as she breezed from the room.
A dark humor again filled Anniliese. That priestess loved pretending to be superior, but she could never say no to the command of a powerful man.
Kol slowly slid his burning gaze to her, and Anniliese’s streak of delight vanished in a puff of smoke. His gaze seared into her cheek, the side of her face. She felt far too exposed. Too vulnerable. Nothing more than a lamb placed before a dragon.
