Cat Marsters [Empire 01] After The Fall (pdf)

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I said it lightly, but Carver's fingers tightened around my own. I'm a soldier for
hire, he said, not a warm body to be rented out."
"I didn't mean "
"I've waited seven years for you, my lady. I'll never his head turned as he
spied something, ever he slowed right down, want anyone else "
His whole body twisted away from me, and before I could quite register what
was happening, he'd grabbed a man walking past us and kissed him, hard.
I stared, completely stunned. I'll never want anyone else, and then he's snogging a
random stranger!
"Carver, I began, and then the stranger freed himself from Carver's grip,
stepping back and pulling a sword in one fluid movement. The tip of it was against
Carver's throat before I could take another breath.
Cat Masters Empire 1: After The Fall 75
"Give me one reason not to gut you right now, he said, and I leapt on him,
clothes ripping as I changed shape mid-air, roaring in outrage at the audacity of
someone daring to threaten my man.
I was a hairsbreadth from ripping out his throat when Carver said, Nalina, stop.
Don't kill him."
I snarled at the stranger, an unremarkable man with brown hair and forgettable
features. So bland he was almost hard to see. I growled at him. I dug my claws into his
chest just hard enough to let him know I could hurt him.
"Your pet, Carver? said the stranger, apparently unafraid.
"My lady, Carver said evenly.
"And very loyal she is too. Call her off, would you? We'll talk."
Carver gave a bitter laugh. She has her own mind, he said. She'll call herself
off. If she wants."
I glanced at Carver, cool and still in shades of blue. His hand rested casually on
the hilt of his sword.
"Of course, the Mer King probably won't be happy about this sort of
disturbance, the stranger said conversationally, as if he didn't have an angry tiger
perched on his chest.
"Probably not, Carver said, but if she rips out your throat, the disturbance will
be over. And since you were supposed to have died seven years ago, I don't suppose
you'll be missed."
The stranger was silent a moment, then he started to laugh. My word, he said,
smiling, I won't harm you until we've talked."
"Your word you won't harm my lady, Carver said, talk or no talk."
The stranger nodded, and I stepped off him, changing my shape and wrapping
myself in my torn dress. Carver's arm went around my shoulders, possessive as hell.
The stranger got to his feet, dusting himself down, and frowned at the blood on
his chest. I can't harm her but she can gouge holes out of me?"
"Double standards, I said. You're a man, you should understand that."
Cat Masters Empire 1: After The Fall 76
Carver shot me an amused look. We should talk in private, he said, and the
stranger nodded.
The Orangery at Versailles faced out onto formal gardens. They'd been formal
before the French Revolution, and they were still formal now, despite being under a
large amount of water. The Mer had sculpted aquatic plants into beautiful formations,
and flitted about the empty fountains, playing with brightly-colored fish.
Carver and I faced the stranger under the cool stone arches of the cathedral-like
Orangery. His hand had never left his sword the whole time, and as I noticed this I
realized both men carried swords. Even considering the low-tech nature of the
underwater city, that was unusual. Who was this man? Another former Royal Guard?
"John Carver, said the stranger, according to news reports. Although I think I'd
rather call you Sexby. Or maybe Brutus. I frowned at that, but he went on, So this
must be Nalina Bradwell, concubine-killer."
"It was self-defense, I said, not entirely truthfully.
The stranger gave an unhappy smile. All this and beautiful too. I can see why
my uncle wants you for his harem, he said.
At first I thought he was joking. But when neither he nor Carver said anything, I
realized he actually meant it.
"Your uncle, I said, feeling sick. The sword, Give me one reason not to gut you
right now, and Carver's sudden burst of passionate devotion.
"My uncle the Emperor, said the Prince, and as I watched his features came into
focus, as if a veil was falling away from his face and letting me see him clearly for the
first time. Blond hair, in need of a cut. Blue eyes. Strong, noble features.
A glamour. He'd been wearing a glamour.
"Your uncle, the Emperor, who clearly was unsuccessful in having you
assassinated, Carver said, his eyes steady on the only other person he'd ever believed
in.
"Not that clearly, the Prince said. In seven years no one else has seen through
the glamour."
Cat Masters Empire 1: After The Fall 77
"No one else knew you like I did, Carver said. Why Sexby?"
"Because Sexby plotted to kill Cromwell, I said, and Carver looked confused.
English Civil War. Cromwell led the revolt against the king." [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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