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Chapter Sixty-Eight - Family Strife
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The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Sixty-Nine - Home Truths
Eithne was first stunned then dismayed when she heard the news. Ephron had ordered Clara’s release from the tower and she was currently under guard in a chamber close to his. It seemed he was about to pardon her for her “misguided actions” and believed her when she blamed it mainly on Edgar.As far as anyone knew he was still languishing in the tower and she had no desire to pay him a visit anytime soon.The summons came as she was preparing for bed. There was no time to don a suitable gown so she contented herself with a thick robe, lined with ermine, and hoped this dressing down wouldn’t take long.Beauregard was the first person she saw. She would recognise that red hair anywhere. His language skills were still not all they could be but she understood he was pleased to see her and hoped she was well.“I am tired,” she admitted, placing her palms together and laying her head against them briefly.It made him stifle a yawn and she wanted to laugh, despite everything.Was her brother
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy - Charles and Lysette
Word had reached de Mornay of a hostile force marching through Normandy. He mocked the very idea, even though the rumours said it was headed up by a bastard.“Send in Fleur,” he said, draining the dregs of wine from his goblet. The maidservant curtseyed before scurrying to obey. He sensed her relief but preferred to believe it was disappointment. “This should entertain you, my love.”His wife was sitting up in bed, still weak from losing their child. He didn’t blame her; Xander never brought him anything but ill-luck. Now it was time for payback.The young woman was dressed provocatively in a too tight gown which matched her striking green eyes.“I can see the resemblance,” Lysette said.“Except for the freckles. Don’t you find them ugly, my love?”“Some say they are kisses from the sun,” she remarked, moving restlessly beneath the coverlet.“I wonder what else has entered that pretty mouth.”“You are disgusting, de Mornay.”“Careful, Fleur. I could have you whipped.”“My name is Gene
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-One - Treachery
They didn’t find her in her bedchamber, though Iain didn’t regret busting the lock and damaging the door. Those things were replaceable; she was not. Hermione was missing, too, and so was Daffyd. To him that meant only one thing: Clara.How had she managed to escape?He went to ask King Ephron, closely followed by Rowanne. Megan had suggested to Ava they find a spot to hide and they were currently on their way to round up Isabel, Cassie, Becca and Jocasta, just in case.Grimly, he told himself that Xander had probably miscalculated when he took that huge fighting force over to Frankia. It had jeopardised the same girls over here as before. Perhaps that was jealousy talking, a feeling he had no right to, but he believed it to be true. The one time conqueror hadn’t done it on purpose, he had just proved not to be infallible.Though hadn’t all of them assumed the threat was nullified here?Eithne. If anyone had hurt her, he vowed to rip them apart, limb from limb.His first port of call
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Two - A Pyrrhic Victory
Xander was really tempted to order de Mornay and his wife to walk the plank, but he was no pirate, even if half his crew had the buccaneer mentality. They were on their way to see the King of Frankia, yet another old foe of his. He really hoped he hadn’t been on the payroll or there was no point.The fate of the other girls who were about to be auctioned off to harems was never far from his mind. Then he wondered if he had done the right thing in taking such a large force away from Ormond.What had he been thinking?Of course, Genevieve was important, but so was Eithne. As soon as his audience was over, he was bound and determined to head for home.A surprise awaited in the form of Marguerite, a lady-in-waiting who claimed to know Ephron. From their brief conversation, it appeared she knew the imposter rather than the current King of Ormond. Enlightening her, it soon became obvious he had given the woman pause for thought.She came running after him once he had concluded his tricky me
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Three - Genevieve
It took a few more days of waiting before Xander left his betrothed’s bedside and came to her.“You look ill,” Genevieve told him.“Sorting out what is to happen with those girls we left behind is making me want to fall on the point of my sword,” he groaned.“Don’t do that. I need you, and so does whichever realm you decide to conquer next,” she said.His grin was brief and, just for a moment, she saw the Xander of old.His face sobered. “She’s so wan.”“Can I help?”“You’ve been through your own ordeal.”“All the more reason to show compassion. Tora and Nell are going to be under the protection of the Danes. I understand someone called Rowanne is Nell’s elder sister and in love with Tora’s brother, Ulf. Is it true she was acquired by Eithne’s mother as a female gladiator?”“I wasn’t here at the time, but that’s my understanding, yes.”“Incredible. What I wouldn’t give to have been born a boy.”“Did de Mornay – ?”She cut him off before he tripped over the euphemisms so beloved of the
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Four - Eithne
Things were becoming clearer all the time. She was surrounded by friends and the brotherly love was unexpected but welcome. Xander. What must he think of her? Showing weakness was foreign to her nature. He must despise her now. She had to know yet didn’t want to seek him out just yet. Ava was seated beside her, though her head seemed to be in the clouds. Having seen Prince Finn Mac Neill, albeit briefly, and as if in a dream, Eithne could understand why. “I have a mind to venture to the solar,” she said. Her fellow princess cringed visibly. “Wouldn’t you rather take the air?” she asked. “I often go up to the battlements. You can see for miles.” Eithne sighed. “You can’t avoid him forever,” she said. “I know.” “Where is Jocasta?” The look on Ava’s face changed to one of horror and then she remembered. “Sorry, it must have slipped my mind,” she said. How lame that sounded, how unfeeling. Intending to comfort Ava, it turned out the opposite was true. “You’ve been so ill, Eithne.
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Five - Feylech
They were an unlikely trio united in a common cause. Rufus reckoned Jens was the only chivalrous one among them yet both he and the enigmatic Frankian had chosen to depart on this mission. Fuck, he was even thinking like him now! Once he returned to the centre of Ormond, his rough edges made smooth like his new way of speaking, he could probably take his pick.Well, there was only one woman for him. Even if she told him she didn’t love him, he would offer his protection. Megan had scars which she didn’t permit everyone to see. Let someone else spy for Xander, if necessary. Maybe he would apply for the position.The sudden bubble up of mirth from nowhere had him almost falling back off the bench in the alehouse yet he wasn’t drunk, far from it. Let them think it. He didn’t owe anyone an explanation.Jens was eyeing him curiously. He didn’t sense disdain and Norsemen were notorious for not keeping anything back.“Something you want to say?” he asked, unintentionally making it into a cha
The Conqueror's Royal Slave Chapter Seventy-Six - Betrayed
Finn had been quick to distance himself from his brother’s actions. He said Ava had told him he should have known as this wasn’t out of character, just unexpected here and now.“Fear not,” Xander said. “I have no desire to consign you to the tower.”“I didn’t see it coming,” he admitted. “Nor did my men. I expect he gave them little choice: join him or else.”“Will you be my adviser, seeing as you know him best?”“Of course. How can I face Ava otherwise?”“What is her sister like?”“Grace? Very beautiful, but so vain and self-centred. She and my brother are a good match.”Xander sighed.“This is partly my fault. I wondered why so many princes were keen to join my quest.” He coughed. “Or rather, King Ephron’s.”“How is he?” Finn asked.“Not good. I may become regent for a time.”“I wish I could pledge you men as well as my support,” the younger man said.When he had gone, Xander went to lie down on the royal bed. It wasn’t his way to enjoy the fancier trappings which went with a succes
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