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Soran had come perilously close to succeeding. Nicarr had been critically wounded by him, and he’d spent weeks recovering. Soran hadn’t been an Imperial guard, but he’d been well respected up to that point, and he’d achieved the rank of Captain in the royals. It had been quite a shock for all concerned when the truth came out, and one of the reasons General Haggoz came up with the idea for the Imperial Guards. He wanted men who would be above reproach.
“You don’t have to worry about Venkarr,” Mikos replied. “His honor is impeccable. I’d stake my life on it.”
I almost choked, because I knew better, and I did clench my fists as hard as I could. I managed not to say what was on my mind, though I dearly wanted to fling the truth in Mikos’s face. Not that he’d believe it. Mikos would only defend the man, and I had no proof of anything, as the major had pointed out to me many times. Blake would believe me, but the king might demand something to back up my allegations, and Venkarr always made sure there were never any witnesses to his abuse.
At first, I’d thought it was just banter, like I’d been hearing all my life. His remarks to me were inappropriate, but harmless, I thought. Gradually, it got worse, and I even thought for a time that he was attracted to me, and just had an awkward way of showing it. I tried to think of ways to let him down easy, because I wasn’t attracted to him and never would be, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. It seemed so ridiculous now to assume he had feelings.
“Don’t worry. I don’t find Venkarr attractive in the least,” I simply said, managing to keep my voice free of any emotion.
“Hmm. He’s not married, though, I believe. That’s unusual at his age, considering how young Tygerians are when they typically find a mate.”
“Can we get back to the discussion at hand, please?” Davos asked. “I have no intention of changing my plans for Rakkur, Blake, so wrap your mind around it and find a way to accept it. Everything is arranged, and the ship is leaving in the morning. It’s much too late now to change anything. Rakkur, your guard will be by early to collect you and your things and get you settled onboard.”
“Father,” I said, groaning. “I don’t need him to come and ‘collect’ me. I’m perfectly capable of making my own way to the ship.”
“Just make sure you’re ready to leave when the time comes.”
Chapter Two
I had made it about halfway down the corridor from my father’s office when a hand on my arm turned me roughly around.
“I bother you, do I? You want someone else to accompany you on this journey? What are you trying to do? Deliberately sabotage my career?” I looked up into the flushed and furious face of Major Venkarr and made an ineffectual attempt to pull my arm away. I knew better. It only made him angrier. Still, I instinctively tried to jerk away, though my efforts didn’t come close to breaking the man’s grip. When I realized Venkarr wasn’t letting go, I went limp and stopped struggling, rather than get into another undignified wrestling match where I always came out the loser.
I managed not to shout at him, but it was a close thing. “How exactly do you know what was said in a private meeting with my parents? No. Wait a minute; let me guess. My asshole brother told you everything.”
“Your brother did, yes. And he happens to be the Crown Prince, so keep a fucking respectful tongue in your mouth. He had his communicator set so that I could hear what was going on in the meeting. So yes, I heard your asinine comments. I feel more ignorant for having listened to them.”
Furious, I jerked my arm again, hoping for an element of surprise, but Venkarr hung on like grim death, smirking down at me. “Oh no, you don’t. You’re going to stand there and answer me, and you’re not going to lie. Why did you slander me to the king?”
I opened my mouth to answer, but a big hand clapped itself under my chin, squeezing my cheeks together and almost suffocating me. It hurt, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of reacting. He’d like that far too well.
“No. On second thought, I don’t want to hear your lame lies and excuses. Why do I ever expect anything better of you? You’re a worthless, spoiled rotten brat.”
I pulled back my other arm and rounded on the major with my fist, which was immediately caught by his other hand and twisted around behind my back. He stepped forward, pushing me with his big body into a shadowy alcove and shoving his face down into mine.
“Why are you always trying to fight me? You know what will happen.”
“Because you make me furious. Because I hate you,” I said, spitting out the words and despising how weak I sounded, and the way my body tried to arch back away from Venkarr’s, as if I were afraid of him. Venkarr would think I was, anyway, and I hated the idea. All I really wanted was to be somewhere else. Anywhere else would do. I desperately wanted to slam my forehead into the Major’s, and I actually considered it for a moment, but I knew I’d be punished for it, so I held myself in check and tried to endure.
He bent his head and kissed me. His so-called kisses were more like a mauling, as he pushed me back over his arm until my feet came off the floor and his tongue delved into my mouth like he was checking my tonsils. It was disgusting. He kept it up until I started to gag and only then did he pull back. He bit down hard on my bottom lip, drawing a sharp sting and the taste of blood.
“Let me go,” I said, panting for breath.
“Ask me nicely.”
I’d have rather died, but this was a game he loved to play, and he’d keep it going until I did as he asked. “Okay…please stop. Will you let me go?” I said, almost choking on the words, but wanting this to be over.
Slowly, Venkarr released his hold on my wrists and took a half step backward. He was still way too close—close enough that I had to tilt up my head to look at him as he smiled insufferably down at me.
“If we were somewhere more private, I’d take the time to teach you better, but we’re too close to your parents’ rooms. Go down to yours and pack. Stay in tonight and go to bed early, because we leave before the sun comes up in the morning. Do as I say, or I’ll make you sorry.”
“All right, I’m going,” I managed to say, grinding the words through my teeth.
He smiled at me and infuriatingly patted my cheek. “Run along now and be a good boy. Be thinking of how you’re going to make this up to me when I get you alone on board the ship.”
Burning with humiliation, I broke free and stepped past him, having to get way too close to him if I wanted to get away, and I did—desperately.
I heard someone clear his throat nearby and whirled around to see a uniformed figure standing only a few feet away, leaning against the wall and watching me with narrowed eyes. It was an Imperial, dressed in their traditional black clothing, even down to the short swords crossed over their backs in black leather scabbards. He pushed back his dark hood, and I recognized the man as Venkarr’s first cousin, Colonel Tariq. Of all the people in all the world, it had to be him. I could feel my face burning with embarrassment. How much had he overheard?
