Naga licked his lips for the umpteenth time. He really was a most disgusting little man. Naga was clearly under the impression that if his achievements pleased the emperor, his star would rise in Acheron. He didn’t know the Dark Lord as well as he should. It was a dangerous game he played. The emperor preferred to make such important decisions himself. He would occasionally defer to the suggestions of the other Dragon Lords, but he didn’t like his subjects outmaneuvering him for their own ends.
“Then best you tell me what you intend to do with the prisoners.”
“You’ve seen the servants in the citadel, so you must be aware I have the ability to draw out the souls and the self-will from anyone I choose.” He twisted his scrawny hands in his lap and licked his lips again. “I intend to use my magic on the rulers of Percheron and Kabra. Once they’re wholly under my control, I’ll send them back to their respective kingdoms. When the time is right, they’ll order their forces to lay down their arms and surrender to the armies of Acheron. Once we’ve established a base in the Western Kingdoms, all the other lands will soon be ours as well.” Naga narrowed his eyes and glared at Jaden. “Then we can think of advancing south. I think perhaps the empress has plans for Marquab?”
The mage’s plan was sound enough, but he should never have attempted it without clearing it with the emperor first. Jaden had no intention of telling Naga that. At present he was far more interested in the sour expression on Senshu’s face. It was clear she’d not known all of Naga’s plans, and she appeared none too pleased by what he’d just said.
“Marquab? Yes.” Jaden returned his full attention to Naga. “The Empire of Marquab is indeed of great interest to the Empress. She was born there, and it would please her greatly if these lands could be brought under the control of her husband.”
“Yet at present they are still a great threat to us. Their army is huge,” Naga pointed out as he fingered the amulet which hung around his scrawny neck. It was a strange, dark blue stone fixed in an elaborate gold setting. “But you already know that, do you not, Suzerain Commander?”
Jaden didn’t respond. He lounged in his chair as if Naga’s words meant nothing to him. Yet his mind seethed with troubling thoughts. Talking about Eridea brought it all back to him, and he’d no desire to dwell on such painful past events.
“Why do you think the empress sent me back to Marquab?” Jaden asked, letting his tone convey slight displeasure. “She knew that in my youth, before she commanded me, I’d been close to the emperor of Marquab. It was easy enough to resume our friendship and persuade him to trust me enough to make me commander of his army. When the time comes, the forces of Acheron will be assured of victory, will they not?”
“She must place her absolute trust in you.”
“It appears she does. I’m honored to serve her.”
“Do you plan to return there to take up your position as Suzerain Commander again?”
“If my empress commands—I obey.” Jaden frowned. “But that’s not your concern. What should concern you is that your plan has flaws.”
“Flaws.” Naga drew back his lips in a snarl. “There are no flaws.”
“Judging by the pathetic soulless creatures in the citadel, there clearly are,” Jaden said. “If Tarn and Sarin were to return to their kingdoms like that—”
“No!” Naga slapped his hand on the arm of his chair. “That’s not my intention. I can control the level of the magic I use. I’ll draw out just enough of them to enable me to control them. I’ll not destroy them completely. They’ll look nothing like the servants in the citadel. They’ll appear normal to those around them, but they will, of course, follow my commands to the letter.”
“Are you certain you can do this?” He stared coldly at Naga. “On behalf of my mistress I’ll need proof of your claims before you try it on either of those men.”
Naga shuffled about in his seat, squirming under Jaden’s relentless scrutiny. “I’ll have proof soon enough. I’ve sent my soldiers into the city to find me some test subjects. I just have to experiment a little to ascertain how much power I must use.”
Jaden frowned. He’d no wish for more people to suffer, but he’d no control over Naga’s actions at present. He would just have to bide his time until an opportunity to further his own ends presented itself.
Senshu was so angry with Naga she could barely contain her rage as she strode along the corridor to her quarters. The slimy creep had promised she could have Tarn for herself. She’d been so looking forward to keeping him as her slave and teasing and torturing him for as long as she wanted—well and truly paying him back for his injustices toward her family. Now she’d discovered Lord Naga had planned all along to steal Tarn’s will then send him back to Kabra to await the arrival of the forces of Acheron.
After the Dai’Shi-en had departed and they were alone, Naga had assured her that once he had finished with Tarn she could have him back and keep him as her permanent plaything. That didn’t appeal to her at all. There would be no pleasure in torturing a pitiful creature with no self-will. She’d not spent two years pandering to Lord Naga’s perverse demands and doing everything that disgusting little toad wanted her to do to him just to be betrayed like this.
She entered her chambers and slammed the door shut. She felt like tearing all the clothes from her body and screaming in frustration. She stalked into her bedchamber. Where were her maids? There should be one here waiting for her. Then she remembered she’d dismissed them all for the night so she could amuse herself with her new acquisition in private.
She stormed across her room and pulled open the door that led into the small adjoining chamber. Some months ago she’d had it fitted with hooks and rings so she could chain those she confined here in a variety of ways.
Clad in a grubby pair of breeches, Tarn sat on the low pallet, head in hands, apparently deep in thought.
“You forget yourself,” she snapped.
He stood. “Lady Senshu.”
She strode over to him. “Unfasten this dress for me,” she ordered, turning her back to him. “And be quick about it.”
Senshu had left her keitan in her bedchamber, but it didn’t matter, as one of Tarn’s wrists was chained to the wall. The chain was relatively short. Just a couple of steps and she’d be out of his reach. Not that he would try anything. He was too fearful for his son’s safety.
His warm fingers brushed her skin as he undid the back of her tight gown. The gentle touch soothed and yet aroused her as he eased the garment from her shoulders and slid it down her body. As it fell around her feet, she stepped out of it and turned to face him, naked. The massive diamond necklace Lord Naga had recently given her sparkled on her breasts, and she knew she’d never been more beautiful.
Tarn’s expression did not reveal what he was thinking. At first glance, his blue eyes appeared clear and guileless, but fire simmered in their depths. Pride had been his downfall, and inside no doubt he must be struggling to keep control of his angry frustration, resenting the position he now found himself in. She found that intoxicating. He’d suffer a very long time for his crimes against her and her family. How dare Naga think of turning Tarn into an obedient pawn. It would spoil her pleasure if he lost that spark of resistance.
Tarn’s hands were grubby, the nails dirty, but she found the grime oddly inviting, especially after she’d been forced to endure the fastidious cleanliness of Lord Naga.
“Take off those filthy breeches, slave.”
Tarn’s resentment flared in his eyes for a moment, but he did as he was told, dropping them on the floor at her feet. “Speaking of filthy.” He looked down at his dirt-streaked legs and feet. “I’m still covered with the grime of the dungeons.”
“If you behave yourself this evening, I’ll order my bath prepared. After I’ve bathed, you can use the water to wash yourself.” Of course he would have to thoroughly wash her first and then, if the mood took her, she might have him couple with her in the tub. Lust lodged in her belly as Senshu took his
hand and placed it on her breast. “Caress me.”
The sight of his grimy hands stroking her bosom aroused her, and when his dirty nails dug into her flesh, she shivered. Senshu’s sex grew wet as he squeezed and twisted her nipples. His manhood was already stiffening. By the time she’d finished with Tarn, he would become hard just by her being kind to him. She’d learned over time that most men were easy to manipulate if you played them right.
Maybe she would let him enter her, or maybe she would make him fall to his knees and pleasure her with his mouth. She was just about to make a delicious choice when she was interrupted by a loud hammering on her bedroom door.
“Wait here,” she snapped. “And don’t lose that!” She pointed at his erection.
On her way out of the chamber, she grabbed her cream velvet robe and slipped it on before sliding the door-bolt to ensure Tarn was safely locked out of sight. Who dared enter her quarters unannounced, and then had the utter gall to hammer noisily on the door of her bedchamber? They would regret their insolence.
Holding the robe around herself, she walked to the door and jerked it open. “Dai’Shi-en!”
His cold, obsidian eyes stared down at her, his expression so ruthless that a shiver slid down her spine, while the moisture between her thighs increased. She enjoyed sex with Tarn, but she so wanted to fuck this man. Dai’Shi-en were said to be brutal and lascivious lovers.
“Come in,” she stuttered, pulling the door open wide.
He stepped inside and pushed the door shut. “I trust we can speak in here unheard and unseen?” He paused, twisting his lips derisively. “Or does Lord Naga like to watch you with the other men you take to your bed?”
The Dai’Shi-en would know Lord Naga had spies all over the citadel. Any self-respecting mage would do so to protect himself. However, it had been agreed he was never to know what went on in her private rooms. If he wanted to watch her with her lovers, then she’d take them to Lord Naga’s quarters so he could also enjoy them if he desired it.
“We can speak in private, Dai’Shi-en—I promise you. Lord Naga has no way of knowing what goes on in my chambers.”
There was something about him that attracted her, and it wasn’t just his aristocratic features, dark hair or obsidian eyes. She sensed the darkness in his soul, and that excited her more than handsome looks ever could. She’d wanted him in the dungeon when she was torturing him, and she wanted him even more now she knew he was Dai’Shi-en. Senshu always got what she wanted.
The Dai’Shi-en fingered the gold dragon amulet at his neck, then brushed his fingers across one of the diamonds sparkling on her breasts. Her sex grew even moister and her legs felt shaky even though his skin had yet to make contact with hers.
“In private, if you wish it, you may address me as Jaden. That is my birth name.”
“I’m honored.” How surprising that he’d been allowed to keep his own name after his indoctrination. That was most unusual. She’d been told it was the custom for the new master or mistress to give these men another name to celebrate their rebirth as a Dai’Shi-en.
“These plans of Lord Naga’s.” He leaned forward, his breath hot on her cheek. “I get the impression you don’t approve of them?”
“He can do what he likes with Sarin, but Tarn of Kabra is mine. He promised him to me.”
Jaden regarded her pensively. “As your slave?”
“Yes.” As he moved closer, she took a couple of nervous steps back. There was something very threatening about his demeanor which scared and aroused her at the same time. “I have my reasons. Very good reasons.”
“No doubt they are, but that doesn’t concern me.” His gaze seemed to scorch its way through her flesh. Senshu released her grip on her robe, letting it gape open.
With slow deliberation, he ran the tip of one finger down between the valley of her breasts. The touch felt like fire, igniting her desires, and she gave a soft, pleading whimper. Move your hands lower, she wanted to beg him, but she didn’t. She was an important person in the citadel, second only to Lord Naga, and she would not beg him to pleasure her.
“It was I who first suggested to Lord Naga that he send his mercenaries into Kabra to abduct the prince, purely in order to lure King Tarn here and use him as a hostage. But he never told me he intended to ruin my pleasure by turning him into one of those vile, soulless creatures.”
“So you have no wish for Lord Naga to change Tarn?”
“It would spoil my pleasure completely,” she said with a petulant pout. “I want to make him suffer, but also enjoy his attentions when it pleases me to do so.”
“So he’s to be your sex slave as well?”
“Why not? I wish him to rue the day he first laid eyes on me. Despite that, I find his face and his body pleasing. I’m a sensual woman, Dai’Shi-en. I have very particular needs, and few men are able to fully satisfy them…” She let the words hang in the air. He must know she wanted him, but would he do anything about it? She stepped closer to him. As she’d planned, her robe pulled open even more, exposing most of her body to him. Senshu shivered as his dark gaze raked her naked breasts. She’d never wanted a man as much as she wanted the Dai’Shi-en.
His fingers brushed the side of her neck. Senshu trembled with delight, hardly able to contain her excitement as he eased the velvet robe from her shoulders. It slid downward, falling in a pool at her feet. “Needs that few are able to satisfy?” He smiled, making no move to touch her again, even though her flesh ached for him. “I confess I’m surprised Lord Naga did not tell you of his plans.”
“What do I care about his stupid plans?” Why didn’t he get on with it? She was certain he wanted her and she desired him so much the need was almost painful. “Why should I bother myself about the Dark Lord’s desires to conquer Kabra or anywhere else, for that matter? I just want my revenge on Tarn.”
He grabbed her breasts, kneading them with an invigorating roughness. “Some might consider that remark treasonable, Senshu.”
“Treason?” He was a loyal servant of the empress. Was it likely he’d report what she’d said to the emperor? She couldn’t read his expression; she’d no idea what he was thinking. Senshu licked her dry lips, horrified she’d been so loose-tongued. “I didn’t—”
“Yes, treason.” Jaden unfastened his belt, removed his long, black coat and tossed it aside. Despite her fear, the sight of him clad only in tight breeches and knee-length boots stunned her. “You deserve punishment, do you not?”
“Punishment?” Senshu didn’t enjoy pain as Lord Naga did, but she enjoyed inflicting it on others. She took another nervous step back, her eyes growing wide with apprehension as he picked up the keitan she’d left on her bedside table.
“Did I not promise you in the dungeons that I would punish you?” he said with a threatening smile that turned her limbs to water.
“Please,” she begged. She’d heard of the terrible things the followers of the Dragon Lords did to prisoners to turn them into Dai’Shi-en. He must know just about every method of torture there was, because he would have endured every one of them himself during his indoctrination. “Don’t hurt me.”
“But you deserve to be hurt.” He brushed the tip of the keitan across her left nipple. It barely made contact with her body, yet the sharp searing pain traveled down her body to her belly.
Shuddering in distress, Senshu fell back against the side of her bed. She’d used the keitan on others, but it had never been used on her. The pain had been intense, but she’d also experienced just the faintest whisper of pleasure. How could that be?
“Please, no.” He frightened her, yet still she wanted him more than she’d ever wanted any other man. His breeches clung tight to his strong thighs, and for a moment she couldn’t tear her gaze from the very obvious bulge at his groin. She drew in her breath, overcome with lust. She had to have his massive cock inside her!
“I’m far more skilled at using the keitan than you, Lady Senshu.” His soft, seductive voice didn’t fool her. “
It is a subtle weapon. You use it to give either pain or pleasure, but I can apply both at the same time, in any strength or any way I choose.”
She needed to stop him thinking of punishing her and persuade him to fuck her instead. But how? “I know I misused you in the dungeons.” She lowered her gaze in repentance. “Forgive me. It was a terrible mistake.”
“A mistake,” he said coldly. “You clearly enjoyed it.” He glanced at the keitan and then back at her. “So should I not also enjoy myself by punishing you in recompense?”
Jaden flicked the tip against the soft skin of her belly. Senshu writhed helplessly as the wrenching pain seared its way up through her breasts, into her sex and even down her legs. The muscles in her thighs trembled, threatening to give way. Yet her desire for him did not decrease. If anything, it grew stronger.
“You cannot do this,” she cried out. “Lord Naga will—”
“Silence,” he commanded, pointing the keitan threateningly at her breasts again, the tip a hairsbreadth from touching her.
She shuddered as he pressed it against her left nipple. The tip dug into her engorged teat, but this time a sweet pleasure caught her by surprise. She gave a keening moan. The delicious sensation slid seductively through her body, and it took her a few moments to recover her composure. She put a hand on the bedside table to steady herself, wanting far more than this from him. To her frustration, he just stood staring coldly at her.
Apprehensive and uncertain of his true intentions, she glanced at the lethal instrument resting in his hand. “My lord.” She licked her lips, her mouth having gone dry.
“You need to place your trust in me.” His eyes were dark and unfeeling as he moved the tip of the keitan toward her trembling stomach. He brushed it against her belly, and the powerful surge of desire swept deep inside her feminine sheath and through every vein and artery.
The sensation was so blissfully intense, she nearly climaxed immediately. Her lust for this brutal, unfeeling warrior magnified as he tossed the keitan onto the bedside table. He reached for her breasts and Senshu shuddered in anticipation. His long fingers kneaded the soft globes, then pinched one nipple, squeezing it gently at first, then harder until she gave a faint whimper when he hit the knife edge between pleasure and pain.
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