Dark Pact: A Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance (Her Dark Guardians Book 1)

by Alana Serra

  Here, and focused entirely on her. It was on the verge of overwhelming, and all Rhia could do was react to them, arching her body against them in turn, moaning and whimpering and begging as skilled hands and mouths worked their magic.

  Despite it all, a distant sound drew her attention. She couldn’t even tell what it was, didn’t want to know, but her subconscious mind seemed to think it was important. So important the details of her dream began to fade, the sensations dulling until suddenly it was gone, and all she saw was the darkness behind her eyelids. All she felt was an intense frustration, her clit throbbing with need. She was so disoriented that it felt all too natural to clench her thighs together, slide her hand beneath the blankets and—

  “Well, someone certainly had a pleasant dream.”

  Rhia’s blood ran cold, her ardor banked immediately. She didn’t recognize that voice. It was smooth, slightly accented, teasing in a way that didn’t quite match the other men. Her eyes flew open and she saw a figure silhouetted by the scant amount of moonlight coming in through the window. A figure she definitely didn’t recognize. It was more than enough reason to act.

  Her hand shot forward and dark magic was thrust forth, slamming into the man and pinning him against the nearest wall. The magic wound down his arms and legs, wrapping tight around his hands and wrists to hold him in place, spread open so he was less dangerous to her, and easier for her to disarm should he be carrying any weapons.

  “I like a woman who cuts to the chase and goes immediately for bondage,” he said, a flash of white signaling his broad grin.

  “Who are you and what are you doing in my room?” she demanded, pushing herself up from the bed on shaky limbs.

  “Well, I was going to introduce myself properly, but you seemed to be having such a fun go of it I didn’t want to interrupt.”

  She came up to him, concealing as much of her fear as she could. Her nerves were on edge, her limbs shaky as she forcefully searched him for weapons. Two daggers sheathed at the waist. A throwing knife strapped to his arm, beneath his shirt sleeve. Another pair of daggers, one strapped to each leg.

  “Bondage and rough handling? You spoil me,” he teased, a note in his voice that told Rhia he wasn’t feigning the interest.

  “Answer my questions, or don’t speak at all,” she bit out, brandishing one of his daggers as if she had any clue how to use it beyond impaling him with the pointy end.

  Her eyes had finally adjusted, the moonlight hitting just enough to give her a decent picture of who this man was. It played over smooth, dark skin, his face made of sharp angles, right down to the way his facial hair was trimmed to frame his jaw and mouth, a black goatee lending him a suitably roguish look. Honey brown eyes looked back at her with a playful sort of intensity, seemingly unconcerned with his current state. His hair was on the long side, but gathered into a braid that was tied off with beads and baubles. He seemed to like his trinkets, jewelry adorning much of him from two gold loops in the lobes of his ears and a few smaller ones along the arch, a piercing above his right eyebrow, one just below his lower lip, and several rings on his fingers. He wore a loose linen shirt that hung open a generous amount, revealing more dusky skin and wiry black hair that covered his chest. Leather breeches met high boots, several little pouches and chains affixed to his belt.

  Whoever he was, his entire presence seemed designed to make a statement.

  “I’ll ask you again: Who are you, and what are you doing in my room?”

  “My name is Tanris, and I dropped by because I heard there was a new Dark Lady in residence. I wanted to see for myself, start a dialogue, forge a relationship. All the fun things you do when there’s someone to impress.”

  His voice had a light, carefree cadence to it, his words woven before her as though he’d plucked them from the air and arranged them with just enough whimsy to catch her off guard. It should have felt harmless. He wasn’t confrontational like Liam, after all, nor did he seem to have the intensity of Wesley or Karak. But there was something too charming about the way he presented himself, as if his whole persona was designed to knock her and others like her off-kilter.

  Given his arsenal and his wide assortment of jewelry, it didn’t seem much of a stretch to believe that was by design.

  “And you couldn’t have done that in the morning? By coming through the front entrance?” she asked, her whole body tense, expecting him to somehow break free.

  “That would hardly be as memorable,” he said, his lips quirking into a grin. “This way, you won’t forget me any time soon. Especially after such a lovely dream.” His eyes flashed, that brown darkening just so. “You moan a bit in your sleep, by the way.”

  Rhia’s cheeks flamed and she fought the urge to look away from him. No, she wouldn’t be ashamed. She wouldn’t let him use her own interest—subconscious or otherwise—against her. She opened her mouth to speak, to tell him it was absolutely none of his business, when the door to her chambers was thrown open so hard it slammed against the stone wall.

  “Get away from her,” Karak growled savagely, brandishing his axe.

  Liam pushed past him, sword drawn as he lunged, holding it at the man’s throat. “You’re going to regret setting foot in this place.”

  It wasn’t until several painful moments later that both men even began to realize she’d taken care of the problem and had neutralized the threat. Karak lowered his axe, looking from Tanris to her. Liam still held his sword in place, but it wasn’t pressed as firmly into the man’s neck any longer, and he hadn’t taken further action yet.

  “You’ll have to introduce me to your pets. It’s always a bit unfair how Dark Ladies just seem to be gifted a glut of very handsome, very fuckable men,” Tanris said with a sigh, looking up at Liam.

  Her cheeks flamed once more, the dream returning to her. It’d felt so real, and she’d had absolutely no reservations about all three of them paying her such attention. Pushing the thought from her mind, she cut a glare toward the man.

  “You’re not helping yourself. I could let them kill you right now just because you’re a pest,” she threatened, knowing it was baseless.

  Tanris seemed to know it too. “If you wanted to kill me, you would’ve done it already.”

  Rhia sighed, her nerves still wound so tightly she thought she might snap at any moment. She needed to think rationally about this, and she couldn’t do that in her bedroom with one man restrained and two others baring their teeth, making a show of strength to defend her.

  At least they’re wearing shirts…

  Quickly banishing that thought, she managed a strained, “Stand down. If he was able to get into this place without anyone noticing, it either means our security is lacking, or he’s very good at what he does.”

  “I assure you I’m very good at everything I do,” he said suggestively. “Though your security is lacking.”

  “I’d like to hear him out, see what he has to offer,” Rhia said. “Liam, go wake Wesley and meet us in the war room.”

  The oathbreaker’s features tightened and he looked as if he was about to argue with her. Slowly he drew back, sheathing his sword.

  “Keep an eye on him,” she heard Liam murmur to Karak as he left.

  “I neutralized the threat before either of you even showed up,” she called after him, “but thanks so much for your concern.”

  Dream Liam might have had talented hands and a devilish tongue, but the real Liam was still just as much of an ass as ever. Rhia sighed and shook her head, dispelling the magic that bound the intruder.

  This was going to be a long night.

  Chapter 15

  Out of all of the places he’d broken into, this was certainly the most entertaining.

  Tanris watched as the Dark Lady commanded her pets, the ginger raising a silent fuss, snorting and stamping about like an agitated bull. He had a soldier’s body, but he evidently wasn’t used to taking orders. Either that or he’d eventually grown tired of it, because any other guardian would ha
ve jumped to do their Lady’s bidding.

  Like the half-orc who seemed to have the best of both lines of parentage. The broad form of an orc with the more refined, chiseled features of a human. That immediate, oh-so-responsive loyalty he had to his Lady likely came from the orc side, as well, and Tanris could easily concoct scenarios in his mind where that would come in handy beyond the obvious.

  She really was spoiled for choice. While he had no idea who this Wesley was or what he looked like, if he had any similarities to the other two, this Dark Lady had clearly gotten the pick of the litter from Aeredus. The Dark God must have taken a particular shine to her.

  It was all the same to Tanris, though.

  As a Dark Lady, she had certain powers and influence over these lands. She would have connections Tanris could never gain on his own. And, most importantly, she would soon be flush with gold. It always happened that way. Dark Ladies acquired wealth and hoarded it like gluttonous dragons. Then they were inevitably killed, and all of that wealth had to go somewhere.

  Why not into the pockets of someone who could put it to use?

  Unfortunately, he’d been too late to endear himself to the last Dark Lady, and she hadn’t seemed the type to appreciate his particular skillset or… brand of humor. This one was on the younger side and new to the position, so he’d decided to come to Ebonhold at once, before anyone else could offer what he intended.

  Everything else—the fact that she was strikingly beautiful, competent, and decisive even in the face of her fear—was just a bonus. Just like the three men she had at her beck and call, the third of which Tanris finally did get a chance to see once he was escorted to the war room, the half-orc at his back every step of the way.

  “Don’t threaten me with a good time,” he quipped as the edge of Karak’s axe nudged against his back.

  The half-orc grunted, a sound that didn’t exactly diminish Tanris’ interest. But he allowed himself to be prodded into the room proper, where the growling fox-haired one was standing alongside another man. Leaner than the two who’d come running, but hardly a slouch in the looks department. There was an intellect behind his green eyes and he looked at Tanris as though he were a puzzle that needed to be solved.

  Truth be told, he wouldn’t have minded being “solved” by everyone in this room. Perhaps all of them at the same time. But business needed to come before pleasure.

  “All right,” the Dark Lady said, drawing in a breath. “You came here to offer me your services, so offer them. And no tangents. We all have better things to do.”

  “Like sleep,” the slender one complained.

  “Or dream,” Tanris supplied, earning a piercing glare from the Lady. He dipped his head, his smile shameless as he continued. “I offer a variety of services, as every well-equipped man does. But I do have my specialties. Would you mind?”

  He gestured to the canvas map that was stretched across the table in the otherwise sparse room. The Lady nodded and Tanris approached, placing his finger directly atop Ebonhold on the map.

  “Your fortress is located in a fairly central point as far as inland trade routes are concerned, but it’s inaccessible by the sea. The closest port is several days’ travel on horseback, and with a cart lumbering along, it would take at least a week to get the supplies you need.”

  “And you can expedite that?” Wesley asked, perking up a bit.

  “I don’t prefer to rush most things, but when it comes to getting people what they need? That I can do quickly.” He flashed the man a broad grin and gave him a wink.

  To his surprise, the man looked away, a bit of a flush in his cheeks. Not immune to such charms, then. Good to know.

  “How?” the half-orc asked. “What connections do you have that we cannot make on our own?”

  “Likely none,” he admitted, “but I’ve made these connections over a lifetime, and you don’t have that luxury. If you’re going to support an army, you’ll need supplies sooner rather than later.”

  “We’re not supporting an army, nor do we have any plans to,” the Dark Lady corrected, earning a brow arch from Tanris. “Answer his question. What are these connections? Why should I work with you instead of someone else?”

  “Clearly I’ll be the most interesting candidate,” he said, though quickly followed it up with something more substantial. “I also have unfettered access thanks to my complete lack of scruples.”

  “Clearly,” the red-haired one, Liam, said under his breath. “I suppose you’ll be breaking into warehouses and storage facilities? Commandeering merchant ships? Holding wealthy bureaucrats hostage with your inanity?”

  Tanris tsked at that, his tongue clicking against the roof of his mouth. “Such limiting thoughts! It’s not just breaking in or stealing. I’ll have you know I’ve charmed my way into the beds and vaults of several prominent officials.”

  “This sounds like the exact opposite of what we need,” the Dark Lady said, waving him off as though he were of no consequence. “I don’t want to bring everyone’s attention to this place or to the people who want to help me accomplish my goals.”

  “And what are those goals, Lady…?”

  “Rhia,” she said, eyeing him warily, “and I’m not telling you anything until you tell me why I should even trust you. So far all you’ve done is break into my bedroom, taunt me and my guardians, and blow a lot of hot air around without much substance.”

  That nicked at his pride a bit, though Tanris wore the same grin he always wore. It was armor, welded in place by sheer force of habit and many years’ experience. He kept it firmly held between himself and Rhia, even canting his head just so. His words were far less irreverent than his actions, though. “You have good instincts. I wouldn’t have expected so much discretion, considering it’s… what? Not even your second week on the job?”

  “This is a waste of time,” Liam said, his hand resting on the pommel of his blade. “Tossing him out would be a mercy. For us and for him.”

  “I appreciate eagerness, but I’m going to need you to slow down just a bit,” he said, his gaze lingering on the sword. “You want the facts. The clear assertion of exactly what I can do for you, how I can do it, and who I am to offer?”

  “That’s what we’ve been asking for this entire time,” Karak said.

  “Well, I’m afraid I don’t know any of you well enough to give you all of that.” Liam opened his mouth to speak, likely to suggest Tanris be thrown out the nearest window, but he cut him off. “What I can say is that I have unlimited access to a lesser known port that’s not two days’ ride from here. I have a merchant vessel and the connections to obtain goods at well below market value in far less time than it would take you to order them from a traditional merchant. I’m in contact with men who will make frequent trips to ensure you’re supplied with whatever you need—army or not.”

  “Why should we believe you?” Wesley asked, finally managing to meet Tanris’ gaze again. “Everything I’m seeing and hearing tells me you’re just a common thief who happened to fuck his way into better connections than most.”

  Well, that was a pleasant surprise. Tanris’ eyebrows lifted and he smiled at the man. “You’re not far off, and truly? You shouldn’t trust me. Not for nothing. That’s why I brought a gift.”

  He slipped a hand into his shirt, ignoring the sudden tension in the room as everyone watched him. His fingers touched a folded letter and he pulled it free from a hidden pocket, presenting it to Rhia. “For you. Regardless of the choice you make tonight.”

  “What is this?” she asked, turning the letter over in her hands. “Wait, I recognize this stamp. This is from the port authority.”

  She read it over, surely getting the gist, but Tanris expanded on it for the others’ sake. “That writ will grant you access to the Port Vredon regardless of the hour. Not a gift that’s given lightly.”

  “Then why give it at all?” Rhia asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. “What do you get out of this relationship?”

  So she
wasn’t quite as fresh-faced as she looked. That was a good thing, in Tanris’ mind. She would acquire more power and wealth before meeting her inevitable end. And she’d be a lot more fun to be around. The dumb ones were always such a bore. Completely open to whatever suggestion he made, never offering any fight whatsoever.

  And while he was a thief, Tanris enjoyed working for what he obtained, even if the result was the same.

  “The pleasure of your company, of course,” he said with a purr. “And that of your strong and noble guardians. But aside from that?” The glare he caught from Rhia was reason enough to continue. And, coincidentally, reason enough to draw it out. “Dark Ladies have connections I can’t ever hope to make, just by being who they are. Not to mention the potential to acquire more wealth than even the most successful thief sees in his lifetime.”

  “Money and notoriety, then. I’m surprised your desires are so mundane,” Liam said, meeting Tanris’ gaze.

  Tanris’ lips quirked and he didn’t shy away from that intense, mildly threatening look. A thrill wound through him as he imagined being scrutinized by that look under far less professional circumstances.

  Lucky Lady, he thought, a spark of jealousy alighting in him.

  “Oh, I assure you, there’s nothing mundane about my desires,” he said with a wink.

  Unlike the other one, Liam didn’t look away. He did seem as though he might growl like a wolf who’d just been challenged for prime access to a kill, though.

  “I’d recommend a probationary period, Lady,” Karak said, his gaze solely focused on Rhia, like a little lost puppy looking for a pat on the head. It was adorable, really. “Have him perform some task and if he doesn’t cross us, we can make use of him.”

  Other men might have gotten defensive about being referred to as untrustworthy, common criminals—and spoken about as though they weren’t in the room. For Tanris, those things were a nice bonus. As outrageous as he could be, as noticeable as he liked to make himself, there was as much benefit in skirting the edges of a conversation and leaving people guessing as to his intentions.