Read Online Playing With Fire by Sean Michael - Free Book Online

hands on it!”
    He hissed, the room going chill. “Perhaps he cringes for he has the sense to know when his peer has stepped beyond the bounds of good sense!”
    Wintras gave him a cold smile, seeming composed, despite the goose bumps that raised on his skin. “You always seem to resort to anger and threats when faced with logic, Zujan.”
    “You always seem to resort to stubborn fear when you find I may not have you completely unwilling, pet. You seemed to roll and cry out last night, cock buried in soft lips.”
    “That was my choice! I chose to give myself to those men, to share their pleasure and how dare you spy on us!”
    Zujan pushed himself upright, the fire in the hearth blazing, ice crystals sliding along the bed. Furn crumpled to the floor, whimpering. “You chose to submit to my will. I have been more than generous, and you refuse to honor your word. I can and I will and, until you learn to watch your tongue, pet, you will live a hard life.”
    Unlike Furn, Wintras responded to Zujan’s anger with strength, snarling at him. “I have honored my word! I have submitted. I have done everything you asked.”
    “You know nothing of submission, of control. You are a rude, arrogant, mouthy child who deserves a beating.” The fire roared, licking at the hearth now, a living thing. His fury filled him.
    “Then send me home, and you won’t have to deal with me anymore. I did not ask to be here.”
    “You asked by your rude tongue and your lack of manners.”
    “I owe you no allegiance! You take what you want, do what you want, and everyone else must bow before you or suffer the consequences. You are a petty, little man and have done nothing to convince me otherwise in the time I have been a prisoner here.” Wintras shouted at him, hands balled into fists.
    The curtains caught flame, the bedclothes, Furn’s fallen tunic.
    “Fire!” shouted Wintras, going to the tub that still sat near the fire and rocking it, tipping it over toward the bed. Wintras grabbed Furn, next, pulling the boy toward the door.
    Zujan sat, still and quiet in the midst of it, ice cold.
    Wintras’ arms went around him, lifting him as if he weighed nothing and carrying him from the room. “Don’t just stand there, Furn! Call for help!”
    He blinked up, empty inside as the fire raged. “I will set you aflame.”
    “I’m saving your life, Zujan, don’t tempt me to throw you back.” Wintras strode through the halls, holding him, snapping orders at his staff, having one of them bring a blanket, another leading them to the courtyard.
    The rain began to turn to snow as the household worked to control the blaze. His head man, Lavan, grabbed him from Wintras’ arms. “My Lord? Are you well?”
    Wintras left his side, joining the others at the fire, his sure, firm voice leading the efforts. Zujan nodded, head lolling as he pulled the fire’s energy back into himself, the flames beginning to die back. At last the flames were gone, only one wing of his castle destroyed and no one had been hurt.
    He stood, swaying just slightly. “I will be in the tower. Lavan? I will not be disturbed. Have the south defenses shored.”
    “Yes, my Lord. What would you like us to do with the prisoner?”
    Zujan couldn’t think of the boy, not yet. “Put him to work, he seems useful. If he complains, hang him.”
    “Yes, My Lord.”
    Everyone was bustling and working around him, Wintras among them. He walked through the smoky rooms, alone, small, cold, moving until he reached the stairs to his tower, his prison, his secrets.

 
    Chapter Five
     
     
     
    Nearly a week had passed since the fire, and Wintras was actually beginning to settle in, almost enjoying himself. He liked good hard labor and often indulged in it at home, so he was very happy to be put in charge of the burnt wing. He rescued as much of the furniture as he could, but most of it was singed or burned beyond salvation. Then he started tearing the walls out until he reached stone. He and