The Savage King by Michelle M. Pillow Read Free Book Online Page B

while he landed effortlessly on his feet. Without another word, the muscular Prince tossed her over his shoulder and sprinted down the hall. It was all she could do to hold on.
    * * * *
    Kirill's coronation was short, just like all of the Var ceremonies. They found no reason to draw out the legalities of an event and turned right to the celebration. As the Preost spoke, his eyes had scanned over the crowd. Most persons within the royal palace were present and made to swear allegiance to the new King. The banquet hall was packed full, but Ulyssa wasn't there. He wondered why he felt disappointment in her absence. He wondered why he thought of her at all.
    The banquet hall was a splendid affair with a high domed ceiling of glass that let in the diffused light of the three suns. Music poured from stringed instruments, playing the traditional songs of his people. Flowers swept over the walls in long garlands, their fragrance sweetening the hall.
    Dancers from Attor's harem weaved about the tables, entertaining the men with their seductive movement. Silk and gauze clung to their bodies, flowing like ocean waves from their tight flesh. Kirill watched their movements in distraction.
    He was now responsible for every soul in the hall before him, and many more souls beyond the palace walls in the Var city, and more still beyond that. It was a heavy burden. From that moment on, every Var life was dependent on him. Every mouth that needed to be fed would be his to feed. Every wrongful death would be his to avenge. Every quarrel, no matter how small, would be his to decide. It was a difficult responsibility, but one he must bear alone.
    Kirill's stomach knotted to think about it. There would be no one to shoulder the burden of his centuries of reign. His brothers would help, but they could never understand. He only wished he'd been more prepared for his father's death, but none had expected the indestructible Attor to fall.
    Looking around the hall, Kirill was glad that most of his father's women had chosen mates. Once a decision was made, the Var found no reason to wait. They'd be leaving the palace that night after a quick mass marriage ceremony.
    Kirill's attention was caught by one of the guards, who came to bow before him. Behind the man was a line of attractive women. Kirill hid his slight smile. A woman to warm his bed and temper the fire in his loins was just what he needed to relax and momentarily forget his burden. Regally, he nodded at the guard, who then motioned the women forward. One by one, the lovely creatures bowed before him. First, a red head with bright green eyes caught his notice, followed by a mystical temptress with hair as dark as deep space. Her gaze sparkled with mischief.
    Kirill debated between the two, eyeing their displayed breasts and the curve of their hips. When choosing a lover, he knew he didn't have to look beyond those few simple things. For a moment, he considered taking both. With the stress he'd been under lately, he wasn't sure he could properly pleasure both of them at once. In the end, he chose the dark temptress.
    With a lift of his hand, he motioned her forward. The woman smiled, coming closer to him. Without hesitation, Kirill asked, "You haven't been with the late King?"
    "No, my lord," the woman answered meekly.
    Kirill nodded, pleased with her sultry voice. She would do well to fulfill his body's needs. "You wish to be with me in my bed?"
    "Yes, my King." There was no hesitation in her answer. Her lips stayed parted and she shot him a look of pure invitation.
    "Very well. The rest may go," Kirill said.
    The women bowed, their disappointment evident. It was a great honor to be chosen as the King's lover and if a woman could please him enough to be made a mistress, well that position was almost as grand as being a wife. However, all knew that the Var Kings did not usually share their power with a Queen.
    "Your name?" Kirill asked of the woman.
    "Linzi, my lord," she murmured. Her eyes dipped