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Chapter Forty-One - Rowanne
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The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Forty-Two - Taking Sides
There was to be an unscheduled match between Brutus and a new gladiator, Augustus. Eithne was dismayed to hear it would result in the death of one of them. Isabel was behaving strangely, unable to keep still. She kept glancing at Augustus as if she couldn’t believe her eyes.When Megan enlightened her as to the reason for the contest, the Princess swayed on her feet.“An additional incentive, gladiators,” Clara proclaimed, lifting her eyes heavenwards. “The winner can look forward to not just one woman, but three. The virgin, the whore and the warrior. Step forward Eithne and – Claudia, why are you wearing that hideous outfit? Go below and change.”“Into a man’s harness and leather skirt, Your Majesty?”“The looser the fit, the better, eh boys? I take it there are some spares? Good. My daughter will wear the same thing. We may even have a curtain-raiser.” She tittered. “You can never have enough feminine flesh on display.”That was when Eithne followed the direction of Clara’s specula
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Forty-Three - Let The Best Man Win
Eithne was trembling as she watched Brutus go toe to toe with Augustus. Even though the newcomer had managed to convince her mother they needn’t fight to the death, she had never witnessed bloodshed other than on the day of the invasion. And Clara was prone to sudden whims which could change their supposed fate at the drop of a hat. Or, in her mother's case, her drawers.She didn’t know where the thought had come from but it made her want to laugh, in spite of everything. That wouldn’t be prudent right now.Both gladiators appeared to be skilful, if wary of losing, and each blow was successfully parried, making her mother yawn. Eithne wondered where Ephron had disappeared to: was he in the tower in her place, keeping Edgar company? She had to keep reminding herself that wasn’t her brother.Did the Queen want no rival, imposter or not? Or perhaps she had her eye on one of the fresh batch of fighters.“Ulf could take both of these,” Rowanne muttered.“They’re trying not to lose,” she po
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Forty-Four - Xander
“Any more illuminating insights for me?”Jocasta fetched him a clout which stung, as well as being embarrassing. He had assumed his reflexes were up there with the best.“Keep your eyes on the road ahead,” she said. “Miscreants abound this time of night.”“Will’s ugly mug’s enough to frighten anyone.”“I heard that.”He was riding in the back of the cart, weapons to hand, though everything was still and largely silent beneath a gibbous moon. The hay was making him sneeze every bit as Xander had hoped. So what, he was spiteful. Drago was sometimes in need of a comeuppance.“Has anyone bothered Princess Eithne?”“Will it ease your mind if I say it?”Xander stared at his boots. Why was she being so difficult? If he didn’t know better he would think they were an unlikely trio who were each out to torment the other. A rare circle of mischief-making that would be, if his fellow mercenary would only play ball and taunt Jocasta.Of course, then he would have to kill him, before Iain did. That
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Forty-Five - Subterfuge
The three of them headed for Iain’s quarters and were admitted by an anxious-looking young woman who began to complain loudly that she’d been neglected. Xander raised an ironic brow but it seemed to be all part of an act designed to fool the neighbouring new recruits.“We can’t be sure who’s with us and who might report back to Clara,” the gladiator explained.“Hopefully, that will not be anything to worry about soon,” Drago said.Xander eyed him with disdain. “Losing faith in me, Will?”“Flora has been teaching me that it’s not good to tempt Fate.”“I see. Thinking of retiring to the countryside and devoting all your time to the Lord of the Rainbow instead of your commander?”“You know about the old ways?” Iain asked.“I make it my business to know as much as I can about each province. Where’s Eithne?”“First things first, Xander. You can’t just go wandering the corridors. People will recognise you and Will from before. But Flavius and his assigned woman can pay a visit to the new ch
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Forty-Six - Ava
Because she had been charged with taking care of the Princess of Ormond, Ava had no alternative other than to give chase. Xander wasn’t a man to cross, but that wasn’t why she was the quickest to react. She felt only sympathy for her fellow royal, even if the man from Frankia meant her no ill.It was hard not to compare him with Finn, though the circumstances were hardly the same. The commander of mercenaries and whatever else he was had at least come back for Eithne. Granted, he probably wanted to drive Clara from the castle. But that could only be a good thing.“Eithne, stop,” she urged, her voice little above a whisper.She managed to grab her kirtle but the girl twisted away. You tended to forget she was so young. Her ways were those of a caring mother, even though she had yet to reach nineteen years.“I won’t be used,” she said. “Not by him, or anyone.”“Princess, it’s not like that now.”The deep voice shocked them both. Turning, Ava saw what Eithne had already seen: the Command
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Forty-Seven - The Unfortunates
“I vote we stay here for a bit while Xander takes Eithne down to Jocasta.”“Your sister’s here? Oh, how is she?”“A pain,” her captor said.“Why won’t you let go of my arm, messire?”“Because I don’t trust you.”“Don’t look so worried, Ava. We’ll make our escape in good time.”The girl shook her head. “It has to be now, Iain. I have a bad feeling.”But the conqueror wouldn't listen.Eithne suggested they enlist the help of some of the gladiators friendly to the cause. In truth, she was wondering about Becca and if she needed female companionship.That was how they ended up in Carl’s room. Oddly, Nero didn’t have a symbol on his door, though there were signs that something had been scratched out. It looked like a dagger. If that were her, she would have been incensed, too.Ava spoke then about what it was like to await a horrible fate, reinforcing what all of them already knew: they had to get away. She was open and frank, and Eithne admired her courage. Xander was philosophical about
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Forty-Eight - The Siege
Xander had his ways and means. Some of it he organised himself, like when he’d nipped down to send Jocasta on that errand. But now de Mornay was refusing to play ball and insisting his troops needed refreshment before any battle. It would be foolish to act without them now that they were here.He made a fist. A source had told him there was a new captain. Apparently, Charles had returned out of the blue to lead the men of Normandy. Those girls were just going to have to wait for succour.Eithne was less than impressed, but what could he do?The first thing was to ensure she slept beside him. That was more about protecting her from de Mornay than exercising his will. Not expecting her to sleep, he was nonplussed when he woke to find it was almost daylight.“Who’s Genevieve?” she asked, fixing him with those captivating violet eyes.He stiffened. Had he been indiscreet?“No-one,” he lied. “Are you hungry?”“A little,” she said. “Though I would like to wash.”“Normally, I would say there
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Forty-Nine - Waiting
Megan was having a difficult time of it, having been told she must serve the new arrival, Kurt of Germania. He wasn’t a gladiator, more of a battle commander, yet he had the build and more. She suspected it would be no contest should he enter the arena.It had been hard to betray Ava, but she had not disclosed anything else, even though she was aware of the reinforcements from Normandy. Manipulating the man mountain into rescuing the prickly princess from the tower had not been easy and she had paid for it with her body. They said you never forgot your first time or who it was with. This was one memory she definitely wouldn’t cherish.Kurt was a brutish lover and there was no pleasure, just discomfort and pain. She suspected he had his own agenda and that Clara should watch her back. If only that bitch’s days were numbered, it would all have been worth it.And now Alexander of the Franks was camped outside, biding his time until they starved. She really doubted it would come to that.
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