King of the Seditious

“Could I?” She asked softly.

I grunted. Probably not.

If I had a home, someone would light it afire.

Probably with her in it. He swallowed.

“You’re right.” He turned and strode from the tent. Prepared to announce the Trader’s Market opening for the day.

But slim arms wound his waist and jerked him backward.

Despite himself he laughed. Stumbling as she guided him back inside. “Sneaking up on me is hazardous.”

“Not for me.” She laughed against the back of his shoulder.

“You’re very confident.”

“I don’t want to fight with you today, Jax.” She murmured against his back as they came to a stop. Tucking her face deep into his padded tunic.

“I don’t want you to fight with me either.”

“Thank you for saving me last night.”

“You’re welcome. Murah.”

“It seems you’re always around when I need you.”

He nodded slowly. What do I say to that?

Impulsively, he faced her. Prying her loose as he turned, he cupped her elbows and blurted. “I want to undermine, King Ocnomad. And eventually overtake him.” His blue eyes were viciously piercing. Flashing with deep set fury as he said it.

“What?”

“You wanted to know what I’m doing. You said I need to give you ‘something’.”

Understanding dawned. “Why?”

Why, what? Why am I telling you this? I don’t know.

Why do I want to undermine him? He needs punished. He tortured a child…Me.

“I want someone else on the throne.”

“Who?”

I haven’t gotten that far.

“I don’t know yet.” He spoke. “I just want to hurt him.”

“Why?”

This has turned into many more questions. He was uncomfortable.

“Because he’s my father.”

She teetered as though she were going to fall.

He grabbed her shoulders to steady her. Giving her a worried study.

“You’re a prince?” She cried.

“Ssh!” He looked around. Ensuring no one lurked outside the tent.

No one. At least, that I can see.

“No. I never was. Merely an unwanted child.”

“You told me you grew in dungeons and ate rats. Not why or where.” She shuddered.

“I don’t know why.”

But I know it was in the Grier Citadel.

“I’m no prince.” He shook his head. “Can you imagine me in a castle. Sitting in some chair in confining clothes attending to guests?”

Not likely.

“No.” She blinked huge eyes. “Not in the least.”

“Me neither. Let’s never speak of it again.”

She nodded slowly. Clearly stunned. “That’s how you know how to dance so elegantly. That’s why there is such grace to your movements. That’s why you’re so cultured. You grew up in a castle?”

“In the dungeon of a castle.” He corrected. “My mother made me learn.” She used to sneak down me. Intent on teaching me the ways of nobility. As though one day I might be some grand Lord.” Contempt tainted his tone.

“She must’ve loved you.”

“Not enough to make sure I lived. I had to do that.” He recalled many nights he fell asleep from exhaustion. Quivering with hunger and cradling his cramping stomach. Nights he’d wondered what was wrong with him.

Why I wasn’t even good enough to play above. In the halls. Like the children I could hear laughing above me.

Because King Ocnomad would rather see a Dread boy dead then claim him as a son. Savage presumed.

Lost in thought he was startled when the petite redhead lurched forward to grab his cheeks and rip him down to her. Consuming his mouth with hers.

What is this? He moaned contentedly in her mouth and relaxed. Stepping closer to her to wrap his arms about her. Tightening the embrace as he lifted her off her feet and walked to his coverlets.

“This dress is going to take forever to take off.” He complained.

She giggled. “Don’t you dare rip it!”

He groaned in objection. That was precisely what I was intending.

“Clasp by clasp, Lover.” She insisted. “Patience.”

He parted from her. “I am patient.” He pointed down at his lower body. “That is not.”

“That is connected to you.” She teased. “Patience for the both of you!”

“And they call me ruthless.” He grumbled. Rolling her to painstakingly work the fastens.

Trader’s Market can wait. All of them can wait.

The last few days with Murah had been peaceful enough. She’d stayed all through that day and left that night. He hadn’t hesitated in proceeding to the alehouse and topping the counter to announce Dimurah was willing to come crawling back to beg for his caresses. So, Winter Haven remained his ground.

Dimurah had shouted epithets and thrown rags at him as the men shouted crude encouragements on how Savage had persuaded her of that.

But when no one was looking, she’d shot him a grateful look.

He met it and gave her a slow nod in return. Finger caressing the rim of his tankard as his eyes hungrily took her in.

She’d been back to his tents the three nights following confiding that she felt safer when sleeping next to him.

That’s good. Except I rarely sleep. But he was at peace. Body restful as he watched her in slumber.

She makes me want to stay in the Blue Lark. He admitted.

He fingered the metal key in his tunic pocket. I have to go soon. I have work to do. He told himself. This afternoon he’d been plagued by what Murah had told him a few days ago.

‘I want a home.’ She’d remarked.

Could I ever give her that?

No. Was the immediate answer. No matter how many times he’d asked himself he returned to the same answer.