[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
pleasant enough but neutral in demeanor. Helios had spent the week in interviews and exams on
the history and values of the coalition. He d taken pains to explain our traditional system of rule
and the changes he d begun to implement among our people. Now we were at the final stage of
the process. His voice was slightly hoarse, not only from use, but from fatigue. Carlotta and I
exchanged glances.
Helios was not holding up well under the pressure. However, I doubted that I d have fared
better. When there were no more questions, Helios rose, giving me a weary smile. He studied my
face as though I were the one who d just undergone the verbal inquisition of the coalition.
Perhaps we should go out this afternoon. Both of you look like you could use a break.
Carlotta strode along on the other side of Helios as we exited the interview room. Immediately a
small contingent of guards surrounded us. There d been no threats since the first day, but still,
tension remained high. The atmosphere had an ominous feel. I could only attribute that to the
constant presence of the Landaun. I was reluctant to agree to expose Helios to danger, but the
pressure of the preceding week had to be alleviated, or he d eventually break.
An Uncommon Whore 2: When I Fall 103
Carlotta s Somians mentioned a restaurant that s nearby. Perhaps you d enjoy dinner
there tonight? I walked close enough to the king that we brushed shoulders. The contact felt
good.
It wouldn t be as intimate as a Somian restaurant normally was, given the guards in our
wake, but I knew he was eager to experience new cultures and cuisines.
He smiled and nodded without answering. I took his arm and looped it through mine. His
muscles were tight, and he gripped me hard.
Is all well, Lio? I spoke in a whisper, though there were those close by who had sharp
ears.
I m just tired. Too many questions, too many hours awake.
I searched his face for the truth. We didn t dare speak of his memory here in the open, so I
squeezed his hand. Soon enough, we were behind closed doors. Without looking at me, Helios
moved through the rooms and silently entered the bedroom. I followed to find him sitting on the
edge of the bed, still fully clothed. I slipped off my boots and lay down next to him, then tugged
him down till he lay next to me.
You did really well, Lio. I stroked a stray hair from his cheek. His demeanor didn t
invite much more. I realized it had been days since we d embraced. We moved carefully around
each other, taking pains to avoid conflict. With a heavy sigh, he rolled in my direction and rested
his head on my shoulder. Slowly I drew him closer.
Touching him felt like water in the desert. I d been starved for his touch, for the look on
his face that was for me alone. I craved the intimacy we d shared and the confidence he d once
shown in me. Never before had it been so apparent that I shared Helios with so many other
people.
Never forget that I love you, Griffin.
And I love you, Lio. I put everything I couldn t say into those words. My fear and my
guilt. My sense of loss and isolation. The foreboding that dogged my every hour.
Suddenly we shifted positions; my head rested on his shoulder, and his arms were wrapped
tightly around me, holding me close.
104 Belinda McBride
There didn t seem to be much else to say, so we lay there in uncomfortable silence,
listening to each other s breathing. Soon enough he was deeply asleep. When I glanced up at his
face, the track of a single tear glistened in the late-afternoon light. I closed my eye and let fear
usher me into sleep.
An Uncommon Whore 2: When I Fall 105
Chapter Twelve
The music was low and sensual, weaving a spell that drifted through the scented air in the
room. The notes had texture the melody was soft to the touch. We reclined on mounds of plush
cushions, enjoying the fragrance of good food and the lyrical sound of Somian voices. Helios
and I had a private dining room; we were able to relax with the knowledge that the restaurant
was secure both inside and out.
Helios sprawled elegantly amid a pile of velvet and silk, looking completely at his ease in
the sumptuous surroundings. A delicate goblet was cradled in his hand; golden Somian wine [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl rafalstec.xlx.pl
pleasant enough but neutral in demeanor. Helios had spent the week in interviews and exams on
the history and values of the coalition. He d taken pains to explain our traditional system of rule
and the changes he d begun to implement among our people. Now we were at the final stage of
the process. His voice was slightly hoarse, not only from use, but from fatigue. Carlotta and I
exchanged glances.
Helios was not holding up well under the pressure. However, I doubted that I d have fared
better. When there were no more questions, Helios rose, giving me a weary smile. He studied my
face as though I were the one who d just undergone the verbal inquisition of the coalition.
Perhaps we should go out this afternoon. Both of you look like you could use a break.
Carlotta strode along on the other side of Helios as we exited the interview room. Immediately a
small contingent of guards surrounded us. There d been no threats since the first day, but still,
tension remained high. The atmosphere had an ominous feel. I could only attribute that to the
constant presence of the Landaun. I was reluctant to agree to expose Helios to danger, but the
pressure of the preceding week had to be alleviated, or he d eventually break.
An Uncommon Whore 2: When I Fall 103
Carlotta s Somians mentioned a restaurant that s nearby. Perhaps you d enjoy dinner
there tonight? I walked close enough to the king that we brushed shoulders. The contact felt
good.
It wouldn t be as intimate as a Somian restaurant normally was, given the guards in our
wake, but I knew he was eager to experience new cultures and cuisines.
He smiled and nodded without answering. I took his arm and looped it through mine. His
muscles were tight, and he gripped me hard.
Is all well, Lio? I spoke in a whisper, though there were those close by who had sharp
ears.
I m just tired. Too many questions, too many hours awake.
I searched his face for the truth. We didn t dare speak of his memory here in the open, so I
squeezed his hand. Soon enough, we were behind closed doors. Without looking at me, Helios
moved through the rooms and silently entered the bedroom. I followed to find him sitting on the
edge of the bed, still fully clothed. I slipped off my boots and lay down next to him, then tugged
him down till he lay next to me.
You did really well, Lio. I stroked a stray hair from his cheek. His demeanor didn t
invite much more. I realized it had been days since we d embraced. We moved carefully around
each other, taking pains to avoid conflict. With a heavy sigh, he rolled in my direction and rested
his head on my shoulder. Slowly I drew him closer.
Touching him felt like water in the desert. I d been starved for his touch, for the look on
his face that was for me alone. I craved the intimacy we d shared and the confidence he d once
shown in me. Never before had it been so apparent that I shared Helios with so many other
people.
Never forget that I love you, Griffin.
And I love you, Lio. I put everything I couldn t say into those words. My fear and my
guilt. My sense of loss and isolation. The foreboding that dogged my every hour.
Suddenly we shifted positions; my head rested on his shoulder, and his arms were wrapped
tightly around me, holding me close.
104 Belinda McBride
There didn t seem to be much else to say, so we lay there in uncomfortable silence,
listening to each other s breathing. Soon enough he was deeply asleep. When I glanced up at his
face, the track of a single tear glistened in the late-afternoon light. I closed my eye and let fear
usher me into sleep.
An Uncommon Whore 2: When I Fall 105
Chapter Twelve
The music was low and sensual, weaving a spell that drifted through the scented air in the
room. The notes had texture the melody was soft to the touch. We reclined on mounds of plush
cushions, enjoying the fragrance of good food and the lyrical sound of Somian voices. Helios
and I had a private dining room; we were able to relax with the knowledge that the restaurant
was secure both inside and out.
Helios sprawled elegantly amid a pile of velvet and silk, looking completely at his ease in
the sumptuous surroundings. A delicate goblet was cradled in his hand; golden Somian wine [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]