Page 77 of The King of Koraha
“Full strength?”
“Almost. My head still aches when I concentrate too long.” The physician had brought Shyla some scrolls to read to help pass the time.
“It’ll have to do. Get dressed, we have a visitor.” He left.
She scrambled to change from the soft sleeping gown to the tan tunic and pants she’d worn as part of her disguise. Why had she needed a disguise? There was danger…no…no danger…not here with Fellan. But what about this visitor?
Fellan waited for her in the tunnel. Handing her another glass of the reddish water, he told her to drink it. “Should help with the headaches.”
She downed it in a few gulps and then followed him to the receiving room on level six where a number of people had gathered. Sunlight filled the area and Shyla turned her face up. Closing her eyes, she soaked in the warm rays. It’d been too long since she was topside.
“Shyla, come meet our guests,” Fellan said.
She hurried to join him. He faced a large man who looked dangerously familiar. Stepping closer to Fellan, she pressed her fingers on the pendant underneath her tunic. The sharp edges of it dug into her skin, bringing comfort that the goddess would protect her.
“Easy there, little one,” Fellan said, tucking her tight to him. “You’re safe.”
“Well done,” the large man said. “You caught the only person who could have upset our plans. And now she’s working for us.”
“For me,” Fellan corrected. “We’re going to travel to Haiya to convert the Monks of Grane.”
The large man straightened to his full height. “She’s too valuable to use on monks. They’re mostly weak-willed and you’ve been doing just fine without her. I need her for the Water Princes and Princesses; they’re harder to convince.”
“She’s mine,” Fellan insisted. “She won’t listen to you.”
“She will when I take her from you.” The giant strode forward and grabbed Shyla’s arm, yanking her away from Fellan.
She struggled to break free from his grip, but she might as well have been trying to break a heavy metal chain. Glancing at Fellan, she waited for his orders.
He pressed his lips together and shook his head. “Go with him, little one. He’s right.”
Dismay flared. He wasn’t Fellan. She wouldn’t be at peace unless she pleased Fellan. The big man’s oversized muscles and looming presence scared her. Her fear spiked when he grabbed the necklace, pulling the pendant free. Then he removed it, yanking it over her head.
She squawked and tried to get it back. He tossed it to Fellan who tucked it away in his pocket. Her world spun and then steadied. A clarity that she’d been lacking brought everything and everyone in the room into sharp focus. She was surrounded by enemies. And the beast holding her arm was the worst one. Xerxes.
Anger filled her along with the realization that she had regained control of her thoughts and actions. She gathered her will and—
Xerxes looped another pendant around her neck. He held it up to show her the jewel, but she turned away, averting her gaze.Not this time. Grabbing the hair at the back of her head, he forced her to face him. A hot spike of pain stabbed from the still healing stitches. She jerked and…the goddess’s love claimed her. Xerxes had returned the goddess to her. So thankful, she sagged against him.
“You did a good job, Fellan. I’ll make sure Lonato knows how much you pleased him,” Xerxes said.
Fellan puffed up his chest. “Thank you, Commander.”
Then Xerxes moved so she stood in front of him. He crouched a little so they were at eye level. “You’re mine now. The goddess speaks to you throughme. Understand?”
His words slammed into her. They obliterated the inner voice that had been trying to warn her how very wrong this was. Xerxes had four times the power Fellan had. “Yes.”
“Sir. I’m a commander; you address me as sir.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. Now you tuck this close to you.” He slid the pendant under her tunic. “And don’t ever take it off or the goddess can’t protect you or show you her love.”
Shyla nodded and pressed her hands over the lump on her chest. “I won’t.”
“That’s good, Little One.” He glanced at Fellan. “That name fits her perfectly.” Then he straightened. “Keep with the mission, Fellan. We’re ahead of schedule because of you.”
“Yes, sir,” Fellan snapped.
