Chapter 3

Yes.

Cronan"s first instinctive response to Robat"s suggestion was approval. He found the thought of claiming this little female far too appealing. The last thing he needed was another responsibility and she clearly needed help.

"Claiming her would place her under your protection," Robat said smoothly. "It could also serve as a deterrent for the more... eager ladies of the court, even if you do not actually indulge."

"Damn right you"re not going to indulge," the female said furiously, her gaze darting back and further between them. "I don"t intend to be claimed by anyone."

Her defiance only made her more appealing, and Robat had made two excellent points. He wondered briefly why the steward was so interested, then pushed the thought aside. Whatever his motives, he couldn"t argue with the logic. And she really wouldn"t cause him much trouble, he decided. She would be far more comfortable in his quarters until he could make other arrangements.

"Would you not prefer to be out of this cell? To be clean and well fed? To be clothed appropriately?"

"What"s it going to cost me?"

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him suspiciously. Unfortunately the posture brought her already large breasts into even greater prominence and the torn gown showed a teasing glimpse of a pretty pink nipple. His codix flexed again as he automatically stepped in front of Robat, blocking the steward"s view of the enticing sight.

"I"m not asking for payment. Especially not the kind you seem to be offering."

He gestured at her chest. Still frowning she followed his gaze, and then an enchanting tide of pink flooded her face as she quickly pulled the top of the torn gown together.

"I"m not offering you anything."

"And I"m not asking for anything." He pressed the electronic lock that opened the cell and the door slid aside. Despite the primitive appearance of the dungeons, various subtle forms of technology had been added over the years. "Do you wish to leave the dungeon or not?"

Her suspicious gaze took in the corridor beyond the cell - no doubt as damp and unpleasant as the cell itself.

"Yes."

He held out his hand and waited. After a long moment she reluctantly placed her small hand in his and he couldn"t completely suppress a brief flare of satisfaction. Her skin was as pale as the rest of her - a startling contrast to the rich sheen of his own skin - and her fingers were icy. He wanted to pull her closer, to warm her, but he didn"t think she would appreciate the help.

Maintaining his grip on her hand, he turned to lead the way out of the dungeons. She stumbled, then swore, wincing as she took another step. When he looked down, he realized her feet were bare. His instincts overruled his caution and he lifted her into his arms, ignoring Robat"s startled look.

She immediately squawked and started to struggle, although her ineffectual efforts only served to rub that far too enticing body against his. He suppressed a groan as his codix responded and tightened his grip.

"Stop that. I"m simply preventing you from causing more damage to yourself."

"You wouldn"t need to if you gave me a pair of shoes," she muttered, but she subsided.

"Unfortunately, they appear to be in short supply at the moment," he said dryly and although she didn"t respond, the corners of her mouth tipped up slightly.

There was no further conversation as he carried her to his new quarters but that only made his more aware of the female in his arms. Her body was soft and lush, warming as he held her close, and beneath the dirt, he caught a hint of a sweet, enticing fragrance. By the time he reached his rooms, his codix was completely hard.

Robat hurried to open the doors for him, but as soon as Cronan entered he dismissed the steward.

"I will send for you later."

"Yes, Sire. Should I arrange for clothing for the female, Sire?"

"Yes, if you can find something in her size."

"What"s that supposed to mean?" She was glaring at him again, although he didn"t understand why. "Are all your females skinny?"

Most of them did not have her delightful curves but that wasn"t what he"d meant.

"They vary in size, as do our males, but you are shorter than most adult females."

"I am sure I can arrange for something."

Robat bowed and left, closing the doors behind him and leaving him alone with his female for the first time. She seemed to realize that as well, her eyes widening as a slight tremor shook her small body.

"You can put me down now."

Although she tried to sound demanding, there was a faint tremor in her voice as well. He obeyed silently, immediately missing the feel of that soft body against his. She cleared her throat and took a few steps back, looking around the room and regaining her composure.

"These are the king"s quarters?"

"Yes."

He hadn"t been enthusiastic about taking them over but Barthar had insisted and it seemed silly to balk at occupying Ulmat"s rooms when he was occupying his throne.

"They"re not what I expected."

He"d been surprised as well. Unlike the traditional appearance Ulmat had maintained in the rest of the castle, his rooms had every modern luxury from voice-controlled lighting to temperature control. The fabrics were rich and expensive, if somewhat gaudy, and the room had obviously been intended to display Ulmat"s wealth and power to a select few.

"This isn"t where he brought me," she added, frowning. "Are there other rooms?"

"Of course. A bedroom, a bathing room, a small dining area, and a study."

Not that Ulmat appeared to have used the latter, but then he"d never been known for scholarship. Or wisdom, he thought grimly.

She was still wandering around the room, running her fingers lightly over the fabrics as she examined the furniture, but she paused in front of the wide glass doors that led out onto a sheltered balcony lush with plants.

"What happened to the queen? I know he mentioned one."

He sighed.

"She has been exiled to her family estates."

Another source of contention amongst his advisors. The majority of them thought she should be eliminated in order to prevent someone using her as a figurehead for rebellion, but he couldn"t bring himself to order the execution of a female, even one as cruel as Astra.

"Do you trust her?"

"Not particularly. But I don"t really expect a female to lead a rebellion."

She turned back to stare at him incredulously.

"Why not? Haven"t you ever heard that the female is deadlier than the male?"

"No, although I don"t disagree with the statement. I just don"t expect Astra to become a war leader. She"s far too concerned with her own comfort."

She didn"t look convinced, but she shrugged.

"If you say so."

"I do -." He suddenly realized he didn"t even know his female"s name. "What is your name?"

"Unity. Unity Harper."

"Unity," he repeated, savoring the taste of it. "The word translates as... togetherness. Is that correct?"

"Yes." She sighed. "My mother hoped my birth would bring her and my father closer. Instead, my father left soon after I was born. My mother never got over it, never remarried or dated or anything."

"My father betrayed my mother as well. Ulmat was my father," he added reluctantly.

She frowned at him, then shook her head.

"I don"t see a semblance."

"Thankfully I take after his father - my grandfather Alric. He was a good king but he died when Ulmat was still quite young. Perhaps he would have been a better king if he"d had longer to learn from my grandfather."

"Or maybe he was just an asshole to begin with. Hell, he probably killed Alric off so he could take the throne."

The possibility had never occurred to him before, but perhaps even he had underestimated his father"s depravity.

"Can I go outside?" she added, changing the subject as she cast a longing look through the balcony doors again.

"It might be best if you were suitably clothed first."

She had forgotten to hold her gown together again and he caught another glimpse of that impudent pink nipple, so different from the small, flat nipple of a Farlain female. Different but extremely enticing. His codix jerked and he quickly looked away.

"Would you like to use the bathing room now?"

"All right."

Her cheeks had turned pink again as she clasped her gown together, but she followed him into the enormous bedroom, then stopped dead at the sight of the bed.

"Now that"s just ridiculous."

He agreed. The deep cushioned mattress was large enough for six people - and had been occupied by as many of the rumors were to be believed - and covered with layers of silks and furs. Tall, elaborately carved pillars supported the velvet canopy that was draped across the entire bed. It was far more opulent and decadent than anything he would have chosen, but he would deal with it.

The doors to the bathing room were on the far side of the room and he opened them for her, enjoying the way her eyes widened again, this time with pleasure.

"It"s still ridiculous, but wow."

One side of the room had been decorated to resemble a natural grotto, complete with a waterfall trickling down a rock wall into the bathing pool that steamed gently. Small, sweet-smelling plants were tucked amongst the rocks. The other side of the room contained a shower - also large enough for six - along with wash basins and mirrors and sanitary facilities.

"Not exactly like the rest of the castle, is it?" she added.

"No. Ulmat preferred to keep most modern technology to himself even though Alric had started making advances."

"I told you he was a bastard." She trailed her fingers through the bathing pool and sighed. "But a bastard with good taste in bathrooms."

"I will leave you to cleanse yourself." He should have stopped there, but his mouth betrayed him. "Unless you would like my assistance?"