The Copper Horse #2 Pride by K.A. Merikan Read Free Book Online Page A

him to sit at the table, like an actual
person, right?” Frey started shuffling through some papers on his
desk.
    “As a matter of
fact, I do.”
    Reuben knew
Erik had only said that just to piss his brother off. Still, the
mere thought of being at the table with people who knew their way
around all the fancy tableware made Reuben nervous. Where he was
now, at least he knew his place and could relax, knowing Erik would
take care of things. But at a dinner table? Even if Frey wasn’t the
most refined of men, how would he cope? Would he be expected to
talk?
    Frey went
silent, and the rustling of papers stopped. “Oh, do you?” he said
after a moment. “Do you want a servant to fetch some clothes for
him?”
    “Why? He’s
dressed just as I am.”
    “He’s wearing a
fucking tail, Erik.”
    “Think of it as
a fashionable accessory, and maybe you could borrow the idea for
your wives.”
    “I’ve heard
enough of this,” hissed Frey and slammed his hand on the table.
“You do whatever filth you want with that slave of yours, but you
do not talk about my wives like that.”
    “Well, then
don’t take so many liberties when talking about my stallion.” Erik
got up from the fainting couch and walked over to a black and red
screen. He folded it, revealing a set dining table.
    “Should I stand
up, Master?” Reuben asked from the floor, avoiding Frey’s eyes. The
man must have really needed something from Erik to tolerate this
much. Reuben was also lost by the idea that Frey had more than one
wife, but then again, it was Bylondon.
    “Yes, come with
me.”
    Frey looked up
at Reuben with a deep scowl and shook his head. “Just don’t let it
talk to my wives.”
    Reuben
approached Erik without a word, his gaze cast down to the floor.
Even when dressed, it felt degrading to be talked to like that.
Erik’s hand on his face came almost as a surprise.
    “What is it, my
darling?”
    “What should I
do?” Reuben whispered, uncomfortable with the whole situation.
“What are the rules?” It was the only thing that came to his mind.
Not having guidelines was unnerving.
    “Be polite and
listen only to me. I will keep you out of harm’s way,” Erik
promised, gently tracing his thumbs over Reuben’s cheekbones before
rising to his toes to kiss him.
    And just in
that moment, the door slammed open and four women rushed into the
room in a cloud of chatter. Each of them wore a dress of a
different color, drowned in frills and lace. The clothes were so
elaborate it was almost too much.
    “Darling! We
had such a good day!” one of them chirped, sidling up to Frey in a
fluid movement.
    “Oh, and look
who’s joined us for dinner! This will be interesting!” A
handsome dark haired woman laughed and hid her lips behind a red
fan. Her accent was almost as foul as Reuben’s was when he didn’t
make an effort.
    “Frey! We went
to the circus, and then Annabelle helped me buy a new set of
earrings... you remember you promised, right?” twittered a
beautiful young girl dressed in a gown that seemed loosely inspired
by a peacock’s tail. She ran over to her husband and moved to sit
in his lap with a delighted giggle. “We have all missed you
so!”
    Reuben couldn’t
help but gawk at all the fuss and swirls of fabric. The four women
seemed to get along like best friends even though they shared the
same husband. He couldn’t help but wonder about jealousy. Where he
came from, this could have never worked.
    Frey gave the
woman a tender smile. “Maybe we can go together next time. When I
have less work to do.”
    Less people to
murder, Reuben thought.
    The Peacock
leaned into a kiss before withdrawing slightly to allow Red Fan
have her turn.
    “You must be
tired, my white lion. You need something to take your mind off all
those important things,” she said, gently tracing her gloved hand
up his throat.
    “At the moment,
I am too hungry for that.” He smiled at them and got up from behind
the desk.
    Reuben was
amazed by how