Into The Dark Flame (Book 4) by Martin Ash Read Free Book Online Page A

Urch-Malmain.
       A woman was descending via a flight of curving, rug-covered stairs into the chamber where they sat. Leth watched her through half-opened eyes. She was of medium height and aged about twenty years, slim, with a full figure, dressed in a light garment of grey silk which fell to her ankles. Her hair was dark and straight, cut just above her shapely shoulders, framing an oval face. Her lips were full and rouged, seeming to carry a knowing smile as if by habit, and her eyes, pale hazel in colour, danced with bright, gaily sardonic amusement. She bore herself gracefully; even in his pained state Leth could see that she was uncommonly beautiful.
       'My sweet, the great Swordbearer has come round,' stated Urch-Malmain with a fulsome gesture towards Leth. 'Swordbearer, allow me to introduce my most beautiful spouse, the great love of my life, my cherished Hellia.'
       He gave an ironic laugh. Hellia glided forward, picking a purple grape from a bunch resting in a bowl on the long table as she came. She stood before Leth, appraising him candidly, guarded humour in her eyes. Her perfume, a subtle blend of exotic spice mingled with orange-clove, was a pleasure in his nostrils. The gown she wore was almost diaphanous; Leth could see the marvellous curve of her hips, the contours of her thighs, the push and pout of her breasts against the thin material, and he felt his blood stir.
       'Mmm, he is really rather handsome,' said Hellia, her voice husky and tinged with faint derision. She placed a grape upon the tip of her tongue and crushed it sensually against her palate.
       'Not more handsome than your beloved husband, surely?' enquired Urch-Malmain.
       Hellia whirled around. 'My darling, of course not! I meant, he is rather handsome, for a hero !'
       She crossed to Urch-Malmain and caressed the air beside his hollow cheeks with both hands. Her lips formed to make a lingering kiss, but they made no contact with his flesh. She looked coyly back at Leth. 'Oh Swordbearer, your face!'
       Urch-Malmain waved her back. 'A little too close, my dear. A little too close.'
       Hellia backed away a pace. Leth said nothing, his brain still too fogged to make much of what was happening. Hellia giggled. 'I do hope you are not going to menace me with that magic blade of yours!'
       Urch-Malmain gave a little whinny. 'Do not concern yourself on that score, my angel heart. We have his sword securely under harness.'
       'But later we will return it to him, won't we?'
       Urch-Malmain's thin face became set and he studied Leth thoughtfully. 'Perhaps. Later. If all is well. Yes, perhaps.'
       Hellia swanned to the long table and took a sprig of grapes. She turned and held it out towards Leth. Leth declined. Hellia pouted. 'You must eat if you are to regain your heroic strength.'
       'Thank you, but for the present I find I lack appetite.'
       'Oh. What a pity.' She gave another little laugh, then moved to stand before the open hearth, her legs apart, one knee crooked, her back to Leth. Leth observed the rise and fall of her shoulders as she breathed, the almost luminous pallor of her back, naked to the shoulder-blades, the outline of her shapely thighs through her garment.
       Urch-Malmain's eyes were bright. 'She is a sight to excite even a dead man to ardour, is she not?'
       'She is most comely,' agreed Leth.
       'Yes, that she is! I am so proud! But now, if you are able to walk, and if you can bear to tear your gaze from Hellia, there is something I wish you to see.' 
       Leth gingerly eased himself from the tabletop.
       'How do you feel?'
       'A little shaken.'
       'You are very pale.'
       'I will be all right.'
       'Good. But do not strain yourself.'
       Hellia spoke over her shoulder. 'You are far from menacing just now, Swordbearer.'
       'That is how I would prefer it.'
       'Oh, but you are our hero. You must be muscular; you must be resolute and deadly; you must wield your