Read Online Dark Warriors: A Dark Lands Anthology (Darklands) by Autumn Dawn - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Autumn Dawn
Tags: Romance, Anthologies
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“What do I have to do?”
“We’ll go over it later. In the meantime, spend time with the boys. Make sure you can handle them. We’ll talk again later.” He waved her out as if she held no more interest than a gnat.
Burning with a surprising amount of resentment over his attitude, she left. The man had a way of pushing her buttons. With any luck, he’d get stuck with a woman who would push back.
“You should have her tested.”
Dagon looked at Ser over his breakfast table. They’d been friends for many years, yet Ser still managed to surprise him with comments straight from the blue. “Who?”
“The girl. Vana. I see the way she looks at you when we’re in the harem. How quickly she turns away if you look at her. She likes you. I think she’s worth testing.”
As a trusted advisor, Ser’s opinion held weight. Dagon toyed with a stick of spiced bread as he considered his words. There were many reasons he hadn’t let himself romanticize about his future wife. The council was still reviewing the secret recordings of the women and observing them when they were unaware. It was important to know what they were like when they thought no one was watching. As Dagon had been elected for the right to be Tzar, his consort also had to pass the council’s scrutiny. “You think she would make a good queen?”
“It’s possible,” Ser said firmly. He wouldn’t have spoken if he weren’t convinced. It was his way.
Encouraged by Ser’s words, Dagon allowed himself a small smile. Vana was a choice he could bear. Of course, he didn’t have to choose whomever the council selected. He could go without. That option was hardly palatable.
And Vana was…acceptable. He ignored his quickened pulse. True, her soft heart would have to be governed, but he could easily do that. It was preferable to the alternative.
Perhaps she was too contentious for her own good, but at least she had spirit. She was athletic, intelligent and good with children. Her body…
He glanced casually at Ser. “Very well. Since you suggested it. We’ll test her.”
The ceremonial robes they’d insisted she wear kept tripping her. Tired of stumbling over the layered silk hem, she plopped into a chair and fingered the gold embroidery. The high-collared robe was stiff, blue, and weighed on her shoulders, reminding her that what she was doing was no light matter. In contrast, the pale blue sheath under it was nearly weightless, making her feel as if she were about to strut around in public in her pajamas. At least the robe had gold closures, though they were chunky and designed to show the sheath beneath.
They had moved her to a room much closer to Dagon’s; down the hall, in fact. The reason given was that it would allow the boys easier access to their new “mother”. She didn’t know if she bought that, but she did like the privacy.
The room was done in warm tones of pink, with the occasional burst of shocking cherry and white in the huge urns and intricately painted flower pots. A musical instrument of the harp persuasion occupied one corner of the room. Idly, she wondered if she were expected to learn it. Good luck there.
Her new bed was immense and spread with a white velvet coverlet embroidered with a crest. Dagon’s, she suspected. It made her feel odd, as if he’d placed his stamp upon her.
A riptide of emotions swirled in her heart as she thought about the coming ceremony. The boys were a pack of wolf cubs. Too old for their age, yet mischievous enough to give the faint of heart fits. Already she could see that they were going to grow into fine warriors, and they worshiped their brother Dagon. When they weren’t fighting or plotting, they constantly practiced their martial arts.
To his credit, Dagon noticed their efforts to please him. He knew just the moment to speak a word of praise, and just the right kind of frown to gain instant obedience. She could see him as a leader in battle. From what she’d observed, he ran
“We’ll go over it later. In the meantime, spend time with the boys. Make sure you can handle them. We’ll talk again later.” He waved her out as if she held no more interest than a gnat.
Burning with a surprising amount of resentment over his attitude, she left. The man had a way of pushing her buttons. With any luck, he’d get stuck with a woman who would push back.
“You should have her tested.”
Dagon looked at Ser over his breakfast table. They’d been friends for many years, yet Ser still managed to surprise him with comments straight from the blue. “Who?”
“The girl. Vana. I see the way she looks at you when we’re in the harem. How quickly she turns away if you look at her. She likes you. I think she’s worth testing.”
As a trusted advisor, Ser’s opinion held weight. Dagon toyed with a stick of spiced bread as he considered his words. There were many reasons he hadn’t let himself romanticize about his future wife. The council was still reviewing the secret recordings of the women and observing them when they were unaware. It was important to know what they were like when they thought no one was watching. As Dagon had been elected for the right to be Tzar, his consort also had to pass the council’s scrutiny. “You think she would make a good queen?”
“It’s possible,” Ser said firmly. He wouldn’t have spoken if he weren’t convinced. It was his way.
Encouraged by Ser’s words, Dagon allowed himself a small smile. Vana was a choice he could bear. Of course, he didn’t have to choose whomever the council selected. He could go without. That option was hardly palatable.
And Vana was…acceptable. He ignored his quickened pulse. True, her soft heart would have to be governed, but he could easily do that. It was preferable to the alternative.
Perhaps she was too contentious for her own good, but at least she had spirit. She was athletic, intelligent and good with children. Her body…
He glanced casually at Ser. “Very well. Since you suggested it. We’ll test her.”
The ceremonial robes they’d insisted she wear kept tripping her. Tired of stumbling over the layered silk hem, she plopped into a chair and fingered the gold embroidery. The high-collared robe was stiff, blue, and weighed on her shoulders, reminding her that what she was doing was no light matter. In contrast, the pale blue sheath under it was nearly weightless, making her feel as if she were about to strut around in public in her pajamas. At least the robe had gold closures, though they were chunky and designed to show the sheath beneath.
They had moved her to a room much closer to Dagon’s; down the hall, in fact. The reason given was that it would allow the boys easier access to their new “mother”. She didn’t know if she bought that, but she did like the privacy.
The room was done in warm tones of pink, with the occasional burst of shocking cherry and white in the huge urns and intricately painted flower pots. A musical instrument of the harp persuasion occupied one corner of the room. Idly, she wondered if she were expected to learn it. Good luck there.
Her new bed was immense and spread with a white velvet coverlet embroidered with a crest. Dagon’s, she suspected. It made her feel odd, as if he’d placed his stamp upon her.
A riptide of emotions swirled in her heart as she thought about the coming ceremony. The boys were a pack of wolf cubs. Too old for their age, yet mischievous enough to give the faint of heart fits. Already she could see that they were going to grow into fine warriors, and they worshiped their brother Dagon. When they weren’t fighting or plotting, they constantly practiced their martial arts.
To his credit, Dagon noticed their efforts to please him. He knew just the moment to speak a word of praise, and just the right kind of frown to gain instant obedience. She could see him as a leader in battle. From what she’d observed, he ran
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