Read Online Luxury of Vengeance by Isabella Carter - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Isabella Carter
Tags: Romance MM, erotic MM
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him to the Hall of Dragon's Claw did so with the somber manner of
escorting a man to his death. And likely they believed that would be the case. They knew only the prince
who appeared more child than man.
Chien's hands tightened around the hilt of his weapon, but he did not allow himself to falter, to
look anything less than completely confident in his place and in his victory. This throne was his destiny, a destiny Mai had stolen from him, a destiny he would reclaim. Still, his hands shook slightly because this was the end. Talking was cheap, planning was nice, but in the end it would come down to his strength
versus that of his aunt's.
The Empress sat upon her throne, her posture relaxed and a small smile upon her face. Of
course she could be confident. She had no intention of playing fair. The first time she had abandoned
her honor had likely been the most difficult. Each time since then would have become easier until the
only way she could see victory was through betrayal and dishonorable acts.
She would bathe the Throne of a Thousand Swords in blood, and that could be allowed no
longer.
"Nephew, I have taken the liberty of securing a weapon for you."
"That will not be necessary." Chien pulled the dao from his belt, watching the way her eyes
widened as recognition dawned upon her face.
"Where did you get that sword?" A hush fell over the spectators as they too began to recognize
the sword in his hand.
"It was given to me."
He watched her face grow mottled with rage, "It means nothing."
"It means everything."
Isabella Carter | 26
"I will not be held prisoner by the voices of invisible Old Gods that sit upon their pedestal and
dictate what man should do. This Empire is mine. Not theirs. I earned it. I claimed it."
"You stole it."
"And you think to take it back? What makes you believe that you can do so? What makes you
believe that you have the strength?"
"I could explain it, but words are meaningless. Years from now, only my actions will be
remembered. You laid the parameters for this duel and I have agreed. Now," Chien flicked the sword,
taking a moment to admire the balance of the weapon in his hand, "I would prefer to end this."
"Cocky little brat."
"I have waited thirteen years for this moment. Thirteen years of groveling, of watching while
your disgusting sons lorded over this palace and watching as you ran this Empire into destruction.
Thirteen years of watching my people turn to our enemies to save them from your rule. Thirteen years
of vengeance burning inside of me. I have had thirteen years, my aunt, to contemplate the different
ways I would enjoy seeing you die. And at last it will come to pass."
"Not yet my, dear nephew." She sat back in her throne, Chien's throne, and flicked her hand, "As the prince has spoken, the rules have been set forth. He has challenged his cousins for their position."
Tuan and Minh stood, and Chien realized just what she planned. "The both of them. At once."
"Better to get it over with quickly, do you not agree?"
To his surprise, it was Bao who stepped forward, "This is hardly fair, Empress."
"Quiet, General. The future of our Empire is at stake and you expect fair?"
"You would pit your trained sons against a child who has barely lifted a sword in his life." What was the Bao doing? "How would beating a single child like that show your strength to the Empire?"
"He has committed treason. I do not think he intends to stop with this attempt. What would you
suggest, my General?"
"Banish him then. Or hold him under tighter guard. Make it clear how little a threat you find
him."
"I wonder, General, why you plead so hard for his life."
"Because he is nothing to you, Empress, and you should show such through your actions."
The Empress seemed to honestly consider his words. "Many have considered your compassion
to be your weakness, General, but I have always considered it your greatest strength. It is clear that you care for the people of this
escorting a man to his death. And likely they believed that would be the case. They knew only the prince
who appeared more child than man.
Chien's hands tightened around the hilt of his weapon, but he did not allow himself to falter, to
look anything less than completely confident in his place and in his victory. This throne was his destiny, a destiny Mai had stolen from him, a destiny he would reclaim. Still, his hands shook slightly because this was the end. Talking was cheap, planning was nice, but in the end it would come down to his strength
versus that of his aunt's.
The Empress sat upon her throne, her posture relaxed and a small smile upon her face. Of
course she could be confident. She had no intention of playing fair. The first time she had abandoned
her honor had likely been the most difficult. Each time since then would have become easier until the
only way she could see victory was through betrayal and dishonorable acts.
She would bathe the Throne of a Thousand Swords in blood, and that could be allowed no
longer.
"Nephew, I have taken the liberty of securing a weapon for you."
"That will not be necessary." Chien pulled the dao from his belt, watching the way her eyes
widened as recognition dawned upon her face.
"Where did you get that sword?" A hush fell over the spectators as they too began to recognize
the sword in his hand.
"It was given to me."
He watched her face grow mottled with rage, "It means nothing."
"It means everything."
Isabella Carter | 26
"I will not be held prisoner by the voices of invisible Old Gods that sit upon their pedestal and
dictate what man should do. This Empire is mine. Not theirs. I earned it. I claimed it."
"You stole it."
"And you think to take it back? What makes you believe that you can do so? What makes you
believe that you have the strength?"
"I could explain it, but words are meaningless. Years from now, only my actions will be
remembered. You laid the parameters for this duel and I have agreed. Now," Chien flicked the sword,
taking a moment to admire the balance of the weapon in his hand, "I would prefer to end this."
"Cocky little brat."
"I have waited thirteen years for this moment. Thirteen years of groveling, of watching while
your disgusting sons lorded over this palace and watching as you ran this Empire into destruction.
Thirteen years of watching my people turn to our enemies to save them from your rule. Thirteen years
of vengeance burning inside of me. I have had thirteen years, my aunt, to contemplate the different
ways I would enjoy seeing you die. And at last it will come to pass."
"Not yet my, dear nephew." She sat back in her throne, Chien's throne, and flicked her hand, "As the prince has spoken, the rules have been set forth. He has challenged his cousins for their position."
Tuan and Minh stood, and Chien realized just what she planned. "The both of them. At once."
"Better to get it over with quickly, do you not agree?"
To his surprise, it was Bao who stepped forward, "This is hardly fair, Empress."
"Quiet, General. The future of our Empire is at stake and you expect fair?"
"You would pit your trained sons against a child who has barely lifted a sword in his life." What was the Bao doing? "How would beating a single child like that show your strength to the Empire?"
"He has committed treason. I do not think he intends to stop with this attempt. What would you
suggest, my General?"
"Banish him then. Or hold him under tighter guard. Make it clear how little a threat you find
him."
"I wonder, General, why you plead so hard for his life."
"Because he is nothing to you, Empress, and you should show such through your actions."
The Empress seemed to honestly consider his words. "Many have considered your compassion
to be your weakness, General, but I have always considered it your greatest strength. It is clear that you care for the people of this
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