Dark Hunter 25 - Acheron.html by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

you anymore, Acheron."

    Tears gathered in his eyes before he pulled the cowl back up to shield his face from me.

    "Speak to me, little brother. Tell me what thoughts you have."

    "My will is your will, Idika."

    "Stop calling me that! I am Ryssa. I'm not your owner."

    And again he had no response to that.

    Aggravated, I left him to himself while we traveled for the next hour until Boraxis found us a large hostel where I could rent Acheron a room so that he could bathe and rest.

    A short time later, Boraxis brought a smith to the room.

    I knocked on Acheron's door, then pushed it open to find him lying naked on his bed. I motioned Boraxis and the smith to stay in the hall while I entered.

    "Acheron," I said softly, reaching to shake him awake.

    I paused as I saw the myriad of scrapes and bruises that marred his perfect skin. There were places where entire handprints were still visible from his abuse. Gods, the horror he must have faced alone in the belly of the ship.

    My stomach churned at the sight of my failure to protect him. How could I be so worthless? I pulled a blanket over him before I shook him very gently and promised myself that he wouldn't be hurt like this again.

    He came awake as if terrified.

    "All's well," I assured him.

    He looked about as if not quite sure he should believe me.

    "Boraxis?" I called.

    He entered with the smith behind him. As soon as Acheron saw the tools in the smith's hands, he panicked and tried to run.

    "Stop him."

    Boraxis did. He grabbed him and held Acheron down on the floor while the smith brought a large pair of clips forward to snip through the bands.

    Acheron screamed and fought as if we were cutting off his limbs.

    "Please, stop!" he begged hoarsely. "Please!"

    His pleas tore through me, but this was what must be done. I didn't want anyone else to mistake him for a slave. "It's all right, Acheron. You're free."

    Still he fought until the last band had been removed. Then he lay without moving, his eyes dazed.

    "Keep the gold," I told the smith, who then thanked me and left.

    I looked at Boraxis, stunned by Acheron's actions. "Why would he not want them removed?"

    "You took his registration shield. If a slaver finds him now, he doesn't have to be returned to his owner. Anyone can claim him."

    I growled at words I didn't want to hear. "He's not a slave."

    "He's branded as such on his hand, Princess. If anyone sees that mark, they'll know he's not freeborn."

    I frowned. "What brand?"

    Boraxis held Acheron's right hand up to show me a jagged brand in his palm that looked like an X through a pyramid. How odd that I hadn't noticed it before. But it made no difference to me.

    "No one will know."

    "The smith knows, Highness. For that reason, I would suggest we leave here as quickly as possible and reach your father's kingdom before we're stopped again."

    My jaw slackened. "You're not serious?"

    By his face, I could tell that he was. "Please, Highness. Listen to me in this. The last thing I want is to see either one of you harmed. We need to leave."

    "Why didn't you tell me about the brand before the smith removed his bands?"

    "Highness, I'm a freed slave. It's not in my nature to question mybetters. I love and serve you and should the gods decree, I'd give my life for yours."

    He was right. I'd seen my father and Styxx beat many a servant for hesitating after they'd given the servant an order.

    Nodding, I went to Acheron who still hadn't moved. "Come, Acheron, we must hurry."

    He looked at me then with his eyes filled with despair. "Idikos will punish me harshly for this. Have you any idea what you've done?"

    "Estes is not going to hurt you ever again. I'm your sister and my word to you, you are safe."

    He shook his head in denial. "He will find me. He always does."

    "How many times have you escaped?"

    "Enough to know it's not worth it."

    "This time, it will be." At least that's what I was hoping. And by all the gods, I intended to make it so. No one