The Darkest Sword

by Samantha Kroese

  “Have you ever ridden a horse?” Ashiyn smirked.

  “I don’t even know what a horse is,” Soryn said slowly as though he was trying to figure out if it was some obscure language for something untoward.

  Ashiyn held out his hand. “Come. I will show you my horse, Illusion.”

  Soryn hesitated. Then with a deep breath he walked over to take Ashiyn’s hand. He made a shocked sound as Ashiyn yanked him through the shadows to the stables at Rhadamanthus’s castle. He let go of Ash’s hand and backed away, startled. “You can travel through shadows like my Master.”

  “It’s not difficult,” Ashiyn said, waving a hand dismissively. Then he grabbed Soryn’s shoulders and turned the other young man to the stall in front of them. “This is my horse, Illusion.”

  Soryn stared at the massive equine with a mix of awe and fear. Then he cowered behind Ashiyn when the horse snorted at them. “Does he eat people?”

  Ashiyn laughed and walked over to pick up one of the fresh fruits he had imported just for the horse. Then he held it out to Soryn. “No, he is a plant eater. Here, if you give him this, he will love you. Just watch your fingers, he can’t see them.”

  Soryn took the fruit and hesitantly extended his flattened hand to the horse. Illusion snorted, pricking his ears forward as he smelled the fruit, then snatched it from Soryn’s hand and started to munch on it.

  Ashiyn opened the stall, walked in, and mounted while Illusion ate. Then he held out a hand for Soryn. “Come, we’ll go for a ride. It’s fun.”

  Soryn hesitated momentarily before he grabbed Ashiyn’s hand. He let out a startled yelp again when Ashiyn easily pulled him up to sit in front of the saddle. He blushed again when Ashiyn’s arms wrapped around his waist to grab the mane of the horse. “Won’t people see us?”

  “People have learned to mind their own business and stay out of my affairs. If they don’t, I’ll kill them,” Ashiyn said. “Hang on, Illusion is swift.” Then Ashiyn called a command to Illusion.

  The horse tossed his head up then burst from the stall into a full-blown gallop, roaring out of the stable and through the courtyard, scattering any servants that might have been watching. Soryn grabbed onto Ashiyn’s arms for support in alarm, but as they raced out of the castle gates and into the dark stone lands beyond it, Soryn relaxed and drank it in. He glanced over his shoulder at Ashiyn, thrilled and breathless. “This must be what flying is like.”

  “I told you it was fun,” Ashiyn said with a laugh. He let Illusion run and just enjoyed the ride with his new friend for as long as he dared. Then he returned the frothy horse to the stable and helped Soryn back to the ground. He frowned as he faced Soryn.

  “I should go back before my Master misses me. Or yours finds us again,” Soryn said softly, staring at the ground.

  Ashiyn felt selfish. He wanted to take Soryn and keep him like he had Illusion. But even if he were able to take Soryn from Rurik, he knew Rhadamanthus would remember and kill Soryn. “Yes, I’m sorry. We have to make certain neither of them knows about this.”

  “I understand. You’ll come back again?” Soryn asked hopefully.

  “As often as I can,” Ashiyn promised. Then he took Soryn’s hand and they walked the shadows once more to Rurik’s tower. Once Soryn was there safely, Ashiyn reluctantly withdrew to his own chambers.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Ashiyn watched the group of elves enter the throne room. They weren’t quite as strange as Diredin had seemed at first, but they still looked out of place here. So far, the dignitaries at his Master’s court had been minor ones from the surrounding kingdoms. The elves were one of the last races to hold out against Rhadamanthus’s armies. The woman who stalked at the head of the pack was clearly furious and a predator. She had blue-ish white skin and dark blue hair that fell in waves to her waist. Her robes were crafted from silver and gems and revealed quite a lot of her willowy body. Ashiyn shifted in place when he realized he was rather attracted to her.

  Rhadamanthus sat up just a little straighter on his dragon-bone throne, his black eyes narrowed and his taloned hand trailing toward the hilt of the massive sword that rested against the arm of the chair.

  “Announcing Harm, queen of the elves,” One of the guards started to say, but she flung out a hand. Instantly the guard fell silent, clawing at his throat, then ice bled out of his mouth and eyes and he fell to the ground, dead.

  “I can announce myself,” Harm growled, as she stormed right up to Rhadamanthus’s throne. “You have crossed the line for the last time, Darkest King. Your border skirmishes have cost me one of my dearest children. I have come to exact payment of equal measure from you.”

  Rhadamanthus seemed unconcerned. “Ah, well sorry to inform you, Ice Queen, I do not have offspring to sacrifice to your whims.”

  Harm crossed her arms, glaring at him. “Oh? I imagined even an ugly brute like you could manage to rape a few slaves.”

  Ashiyn gawked, both horrified and excited by the way this strange woman held no fear for Rhadamanthus. And her sharp tongue intrigued him. He couldn’t help staring at her.

  “Watch your tongue, woman. You speak to the King of the world,” Rhadamanthus growled as he slowly rose from his throne. “Have you come to bargain for an end to the war between our people? There is only one way. Bend your knee and claim allegiance.”

  “The Ice Queen bows to no creature! Certainly not a flea-ridden dragonspawn monstrosity with delusions of grandeur and world domination,” Harm glared at him. “Get on your knees and beg forgiveness and perhaps I won’t turn your quaint little kingdom into ice.”

  “I have delusions of grandeur?” Rhadamanthus snorted. “Your frail little kingdom is dying, and it is only a matter of time before I crush it. Though perhaps you will have to fall first if you insist on being so defiant. Have you come to challenge me, Queen of the Elves? Do you truly think so much of yourself? Are you blind to the power and legions I control?” Rhadamanthus rolled his eyes then waved his hand dismissively as he started out of the room. “You could not even destroy my Prince, much less me. Come back when you’re ready to concede. I will not hold my breath. Quite honestly, I hope you wither and die like your forest first. Ashiyn, see that she leaves my kingdom.”

  Ashiyn tried not to jump when the door slammed behind Rhadamanthus. Typical. Now he stood alone facing the enraged woman. When her cold gaze locked on him accusingly he bowed low to her. “Queen Harm. Perhaps you can forgive my Master’s horrible temperament-“

  “I will do no such thing, boy,” Harm sneered as she looked him over. Then she stalked closer for a look. “You are not one of those disgusting dragonkin. You are human.”

  Ashiyn narrowed his eyes. “I am an immortal,” he corrected with a scowl. Surely she could see that. Everyone in the world knew what his golden eyes meant.

  “So you are,” Harm said, her tone changing from hostile to thoughtful. She turned to her guards with a frown. “Go and prepare our mounts. Send a falcon to the armies to let them know the war continues.”

  As one, the four guards who had escorted her saluted, then turned and marched out of the room, leaving Harm and Ashiyn alone.

  “Walk with me, my very young Prince,” Harm commanded as she started down the hall after them. “You were ordered to escort me, after all. I don’t think your Master is the type to enjoy defiance.”

  Ashiyn scowled but fell into step beside her. His magic was screaming at him that she was a dangerous predator, but he still couldn’t help feeling drawn to her. Was she that fierce in bed? The thought intrigued him so much he completely missed what she said. When he just stopped and gawked at her she slapped him across the face. Startled more than hurt, he put his hand to the mark then glared at her.

  Harm stopped to consider him. “Oh, you do have some defiance left in you. I can see the hatred burning in your eyes. Fury.” Her entire demeanor changed, and she sidled up to him. “I have a proposal for you, young buck.”

  “And what is that?” Ashiyn said through gritted
teeth. His opinion of the woman had dropped considerably with the slap.

  Harm looked around them, then pressed him up against the wall and lowered her voice to a whisper. “My people are dying. Which is ridiculous since we are immortal. Your Master is a filthy, disgusting pig. You, on the other hand are not unattractive. Very young though. Do you know how to please a woman?”

  Ashiyn bristled. “I was trained by Diredin,” he growled.

  Harm blinked several times, her hypnotic multi-colored eyes full of shock. Then she brushed some of her dark hair back from her bare shoulder and adjusted her pose to show off more of her cleavage. “I will grant you a rare opportunity. Take me to your bed and show me this training. It is plain to see the thought has crossed your mind.”

  “What are you getting out of it?” Ashiyn crossed his arms.

  Harm laughed, the sound actually not as abrasive as her words. “I’m hoping to get an immortal child out of it if I must be honest. You will never know it. I will raise it as pure elven. It will never know you. No one will ever know of this. So how about it, young buck? Will you refuse a romp with a Queen?” She leaned close to his ear, smelling of plants and rain. “I can scream insults to your Master as you take me if you like. I saw how they excited you.”

  Ashiyn smirked, bowed to her, and waved an arm to indicate a doorway. “This way, Queen Harm. I will give you a private tour on the way out.”

  Harm sneered and stuck her nose up in a haughty pose as she strutted ahead of him into the room. “I thought you would see things my way, young Prince.”

  As it would turn out she was just as fierce in bed. And he enjoyed every moment of their torturous union. He was sorry to see her go, as he escorted her to the border of their kingdoms and watched her disappear into the mist-filled withered forest.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Ashiyn spent the next several years busily seducing dignitaries and leading his Master’s armies. He also snuck off to see Soryn as often as he could. He found joy in taking Soryn out of the tower to explore interesting parts of the world he had found while commanding Rhadamanthus’s armies.

  He was on his way out of the castle and to the stable to do just that when a commotion in the courtyard drew his attention. Rhadamanthus’s guards were dragging a family of humans through the courtyard. Feisty humans. The man kept slipping loose and throwing punches; the children were kicking and biting their aggressors. But it was the woman who drew his attention. She was the only one of the bunch who managed to grab a weapon and slay one of their attackers, her auburn hair falling into her wild green eyes as the blood from her captor’s throat spattered her beautiful face. With a fierce roar, she launched herself at the one holding the female child and tore out his eyes with her fingernails.

  Ashiyn stopped to watch, fascinated. Aside from Rhadamanthus having the occasional slave, humans didn’t last long in this kingdom. He’d never seen them just as they were captured. Were they this defiant? Would his mother have fought for him this way if she’d gotten the chance? He couldn’t look away, or even move to stop them, as the adults managed to free the children and slay the guards.

  The woman grabbed the hands of both her young children and started to run toward the gate as the man trailed behind and tried to fight off the guards.

  Ashiyn sensed his Master’s presence and cringed when he saw Rhadamanthus step out of a doorway, blocking the humans from the gate. Ashiyn should have turned away and minded his own business, but he couldn’t force himself to do so, even though he knew what was coming.

  Rhadamanthus yanked one of the children right out of the mother’s grasp and used his talons to shred it open right there, blood and intestines spilling out of the screeching child before it fell limp in his grip. The father screamed and ran to grab the other child, but the woman seemed blinded with rage and vengeance. Even as her husband fled from her with the still living child, she launched herself at Rhadamanthus to distract him.

  Ashiyn winced as she met Rhadamanthus’s fist and crumpled to the ground at his feet.

  “I’ll deal with you in a moment,” Rhadamanthus promised her, then stormed across the courtyard after the fleeing father. He lashed out and tore the man’s head right off and threw it at the woman’s feet. Then yanked the other child out of the corpse’s grip and held the little girl up by her foot, as she screamed and struggled. Rhadamanthus held her too far away from him and the ground to do any good. He returned to the woman and with his prize held up just out of reach in front of her mother, who had somehow managed to get to her feet. “Submit and I will spare this whelp,” he demanded.

  The woman trembled in place, gripping the sword she’d taken from one of the fallen guards. The child screamed and cried, begging for help. Then the mother dropped the weapon and slowly knelt with her forehead to the ground in a submissive pose.

  Ashiyn started forward as Rhadamanthus took the child and tore it in two and dropped both halves of the child with a splatter in front of the woman. She rose and she started screaming hysterically. Then she grabbed the weapon and tried to launch herself at Rhadamanthus again.

  Ashiyn grabbed her arm and pulled her back, forcing her to the ground with his superhuman strength. She gasped in agony as he held her there, tears streaming down her face.

  “Finish her,” Rhadamanthus commanded, disgustedly.

  The woman looked at her ruined family then up at Ashiyn, her fury subsiding. Instead, it was replaced with a look pleading for mercy. “Let me join them,” she whispered. He didn’t want to. He wanted her alive. He wanted to talk to her. He wanted to know more about her, where she’d come from. More about the humans in general. If he killed her, he’d never know. This was his one chance.

  He scowled and grabbed her by the hair, yanking and twisting to make her bow low, face to his boots. Then he looked at Rhadamanthus. “Would killing her not be merciful, Master? Should she not be made to live and learn the lesson you have just taught her?”

  “That one will be more trouble than she’s worth. I don’t want to waste my time,” Rhadamanthus scowled.

  Ashiyn took a deep breath. He could see the woman’s gaze pleading with him to end her life. He turned to Rhadamanthus. “I want her. I have not been allowed a servant for my pleasure. Let me have this one. I will enjoy breaking her for you.” He could feel the woman stiffen in his grip and begin to struggle, but he used his magic to freeze her in place.

  “This one?” Rhadamanthus asked, sounding dubious. “She will fight you. She is too foolish to learn. You will kill her in the process.”

  “Is that so different than killing her now?” Ashiyn pointed out. “It is not like she can harm me. Even if she kills me, that will just teach me ways to avoid it in the future.” He caught the woman staring up at him in shock, looking at him like he was a monster. Good. He twisted more to make her yelp in pain and return her gaze to the ground.

  “It excites you to dominate her? Fine. Waste your time. Just do not waste any of the time that belongs to me,” Rhadamanthus snorted then stalked off back to the castle.

  Once they were alone in the courtyard Ashiyn dragged the woman to her feet, and pulled her against him. He hissed into her ear, “I am trying to help you. Don’t make me regret it.”

  “If you want to help me, finish me. Let me join my family!” The woman insisted as she struggled to free herself from his grasp.

  Ashiyn turned her around so she had to face the remains of her dead family. “Do you think that is what they want? Would you want them to die if they were in your place?”

  She collapsed into sobs against him, no longer resisting. Ashiyn grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into the castle. Rhadamanthus had given him an entire wing of the castle and there were a few rooms within walking distance of his own chambers that could be used as cells to hold prisoners. Ashiyn didn’t trust the woman not to try to escape him, so he threw her into a cell. He’d never had use for it before.

  Part of him was tempted to throw her down and dominate her, as he had seen Rha
damanthus do to slaves his entire life. But the lessons Diredin had taught him were still fresh in his mind. Besides, he wanted her to talk to him. For that he’d have to befriend her. Breaking her by using her was not going to make her trust him. He slammed the door shut and left the woman alone with her grief for now.

  CHAPTER TEN

  “So, I am expected to be your bed slave? You think I will just submit to whatever you want from me now?” The woman growled when Ashiyn had time to visit her again. He’d had his servants visit her and clean her up, feed her. He had not returned to her until his servants had told him she’d become calm and sullen and had stopped trying to find creative ways to end her own life.

  Ashiyn closed the door of the cell and leaned against it, crossing his arms. “I could have taken you any time I wanted. I would prefer you gave yourself to me willingly.”