Read Online Possessing Allura by Reese Gabriel - Free Book Online Page B

beside her, kept her eyes straight ahead. She swore if she were to see even the slightest trace of his smugness right now she would tear him to shreds with her bare hands.
    â€˜Baron,’ continued the grand duke, ‘if it please you, may I offer you welcome into this hall, the home of the family which has offended you, and may I further offer the deepest apology, as that family’s senior member for the dishonor done to you and your house?’
    â€˜As the offended party,’ Montreico replied, continuing the formal discourse employed in such situations, ‘I accept your family’s hospitality and apology, as well as the wisdom you bring as senior member.’
    â€˜With your permission, then, may we proceed with the matter at hand?’ asked the grand duke.
    The baron inclined his head. He smelled of fresh morning dew and of the forest. The scent of manhood, of conquest and of the kill hung about him in a way that made her weak-kneed and distinctly uncomfortable. ‘I do grant this permission.’
    â€˜Allura, face your accuser.’
    She did so, keeping her face a mask. As for Montreico’s, why hadn’t she remembered it as being quite so handsome, with its etched lines, capable of worry, laughter and, quite likely, deep passion?
    â€˜Do you admit your offense, before these witnesses, that you did soil yourself, yielding to your feminine heat?’
    The words rankled unbelievably. ‘Uncle, you don’t expect me to—’
    The duke threw up his hand to stop her. ‘Enough, niece, my hands are tied. You will do as is required or this matter will be turned over to the magistrate.’
    The magistrate; legal redresser for the poor, keeper of the prison court where even an ugly hag could expect abuse not only from her jailors but her defense attorney as well.
    â€˜You wouldn’t dare,’ she challenged, without real conviction, for one look at his aged face said he would. ‘Very well,’ she huffed, ‘I will play your game, but know for the record I think this is all a sham.’
    â€˜I am waiting,’ prompted the baron, something in his tone making her react.
    She took a deep breath. ‘I, Princess Allura, of the House of—’
    â€˜No title required.’ This time it was the baron who interrupted. ‘You will use your given name only.’
    â€˜Very well,’ she said. ‘I, Allura, before these witnesses do confess my crime, that I have soiled myself and yielded to… to my…’ She balked at the sight of Veeta being led into the chamber on a leash by a man in hunting gear like that of the baron. What was she doing there? ‘To my feminine heat,’ she concluded.
    â€˜What are the details of your crime?’ asked her uncle, pretending not to know.
    Allura’s cheeks flushed; this was exactly where Veeta had stood for her own false conviction, when Allura could barely contain her glee as the girl was found guilty and subsequently rejected by Porfino. Openly sweet young Saraveeta had wept at the reading of her sentence. ‘I… I touched this man… Baron Montreico.’ She faltered at saying his name, for the shame of arousal being exposed was more than could be borne. ‘I pressed my lips, my body against him.’
    â€˜Do you, baron, acknowledge this offense?’ asked her uncle.
    â€˜I do, your excellency.’
    â€˜So be it. Accused, state for this assemblage your understanding of the implications of your action, stemming from the unleashing of your female heat.’
    Allura’s mouth was dry with anxiety. The baron’s gaze upon her was so masterful, so utterly implacable. She dared not read into it or seek to understand. ‘By touching this man and unleashing my heat, I have disgraced my ancestors and myself. I am deserving of nothing more than slavery and nothing less than death, depending on the d-decision of my judges.’ She stammered the last few