Read Online Flesh and Feathers by Danielle Hylton, April Fifer - Free Book Online

lay against his bare chest. A sizable scar ran the length of his torso and curved with the build of his abdomen. The hair on his head was replaced by intricate drawings that were tattooed on his skin, and his deep red beard was unevenly braided.
    Scarlet stood by his side. The sound of the swinging doors made her turn and face Kano. “Back so soon?” Scarlet asked in a malice voice.
    Kano had little tolerance for her. He looked straight past her to Tobias, who had sat up in his chair. “If I could have a word with you?”
    Tobias held up his hand, motioning for Scarlet to leave the room. She was clearly frustrated by Tobias’ lack of respect. She had spent many years serving him and felt that it was her right to be involved in every aspect of this task. Besides, it was she who had located the Arch.
    Scarlet had procrastinated, waiting for Tobias to realize his mistake by asking her to leave, but in the end, she had only vexed him more by not obeying. “Scarlet. Leave us.” This time his voice rumbled through the room, and birds that had perched themselves in the eaves of the cathedral scattered wildly and then quickly exited through one of the broken windows.
    Scarlet vigorously pulled her hood up as she turned away from Kano and Tobias, motioning at the servants to open the doors as she sauntered out.
    Once they were alone, Kano spoke. “You did not tell me that there was more than one watching over the girl.”
    This amused Tobias. “I am not here to make your job easier.”
    Kano spoke calmly. “Regardless of what you think, I don’t work like this. You will either give me all the details or I can return from where I came.”
    “Fair enough. There are three that watch her; the leader, the healer, and the protector. The protector was our main concern. However, he is now gone and has been substituted with someone less adequate.”  
    “And that’s everything?” Kano asked.
    Tobias paused and looked at him coldly. “Now you know what we know. No more questions.”
    ***
    Tobias walked down the elongated corridor of the monastery that led to the east wing. He was a private person and this end of the building was vacant. It was only occupied by him, mostly because this is where he liked to engage in his personal endeavors.
    However, when he opened the large wooden doors to his main chamber, he didn’t find the bedmates that would have normally been awaiting him. Instead, Scarlet lay stretched out across his bed. She was lying on her stomach using her elbows to prop herself up. Her long slender leg was bent, showing through the split in her gown. “I thought I would accompany you tonight,” she said.
    “Where are the other girls?” Tobias asked as he removed his necklace, laying it on a nearby table. Tobias was aware of how envious Scarlet could be. He had never given her a second look, and this was something she could not understand. Anyone but Tobias would have fallen at her feet because of her beauty.
    “I sent them away,” she said smiling. “They are disposable.”
    Tobias stood there with his arms comfortably crossed. “That was bold of you.”
    Scarlet slid off his bed and walked over to where he stood. She lifted his hand carefully guiding it inside the narrow part of her gown and placed it on her breast. Her eyes followed his, assessing his reaction. Tobias removed his hand from her bare skin and retrieved a small blade from his side.
    Tobias placed his hand at the back of Scarlet’s neck, grasping the strap of her garment. He slowly ran the blade down the side of Scarlet’s cheek and stopped near his hand, before slicing the strap in two. The gown fell to the floor, and Scarlet stood there uncovered except for two small braided chains that wrapped around each thigh. To any normal man, she would have looked like a Goddess, but not to Tobias.
    “What makes you think I want you?” Tobias asked mockingly.
    “You are still a man with needs.”
    He smiled at her. “I am no man.”
    “You are