The Darathi Vorsi Prince (Song of the Swords Book 0) by Tameri Etherton Read Free Book Online

reticence.
    Amdi allowed him few liberties in the camp, but on this day Rhoane was not only given access to roam freely, he was told specifically to visit the heale r’ s tent. Intrigued, Rhoane followed the guard to a vibrantly painted tent. Its three highest points were adorned with black pennants. Embroidered on the flags was a symbol: two wavy lines bisected by another two lines. He opened the tent flap and stepped into the darkened area. In the first room, several men and women waited on cushions. Some drank from tin cups, others rocked steadily back and forth, clutching their arms.
    “ What is this ?” Rhoane asked the guard, but he put a finger to his lips and indicated a smaller room to their right. Through a slight opening of fabric, Rhoane saw figures moving inside. He opened his mouth to speak, but again the guard shushed him. Instead of asking permission, he tugged aside the flap and entered.
    What he saw in the room horrified and mystified him. On a raised table covered with crimson velvet lay a naked woman. To her right, a man, his naked body a gleaming specimen of perfection, guided his manhood into the woma n’ s mouth. She moaned with the effort, and the ma n’ s head rolled back. Rhoane looked quickly from him to see Kaleigh positioned between the woma n’ s legs, pleasuring her.
    He reeled back, drawing Kaleig h’ s attention.
    Upon seeing him, Kaleig h’ s eyes narrowed, and a deep scowl creased her forehead. She pushed away from the table and spoke to the couple rapidly in Ullan, most of which Rhoane missed, but her anger came through.
    The guard chuckled a guttural laugh and left Rhoane standing in the doorway, dumbstruck and confused.
    Kaleigh rose, wiping her mouth on her sleeve, and Rhoan e’ s insides churned .“ You should not be here . ”
    “ The guard said Amdi wished to show me something .” He pointed at the other two .“ I can only assume it is this. You making love to another couple .” Hostility dripped from every syllable.
    Kaleigh regarded him for a moment. Myriad emotions crossed her features. When she spoke, it was in a tempered tone, as if she, too, held her annoyance in check.
    “ I am not making love, Rhoane. This is how the Ullans heal. The release of energy helps restore health and speed the recovery of wounds .” She led him away from the tents and turned to face him. Anger sizzled beneath her words .“ Amdi believes you should visithere after each battle. He does not understand why you must be tended by me, even though I do not touch you. He read the scroll and, I believe, secretly worries I am thi s Darennsa i the prophecy speaks of . ”
    “ But you are not ,” Rhoane said, his voice flat.
    “ I know this, and you know this, but Amdi does not. He is jealous. With each win, you gain favor in his court. He wished you to see me healing another so you know I am impure . ”
    At that moment, the laird approached with six of his personal guard close behind .“ What are you doing out here, my dove? Are you finished healing my sister ? ”
    Rhoane stifled his surprise.
    “ Not yet. Your intrusion into my work delayed the healing .” Kaleigh glared at her lover .“ I was making good progress until he showed up .” She jerked her thumb toward Rhoane .“ Now, I will have to begin anew. Much time has been wasted. If you would like to play games, my laird, please keep the welfare of your people, including your sister, out of them .” She turned on her heel and left them gaping after her.
    “ She has spirit, that woman ,” Amdi said with pride .“ You, as well .” He faced Rhoane, who towered over the laird by the span of a ma n’ s hand .“ I may have misjudged you, First Son . ”
    “ I am not like Kaleigh, my lord. I will not heal your people in those tents, nor will I submit to the seductions of the women you thrust at me. I will fight in your arena as long as you see fit to challenge me, but I will not yield. I was born for a higher purpose than to be