rogue shifter 07 - cut off Read Free Page A

arms, I enjoyed the view from the higher platform. None of the current queen's sycophants would dare say anything against my sitting here, particularly because I was the most powerful male at court.
    The mongrel serving girl had returned.
    "More wine." The decanter was half full and I could easily have poured my own, but I wanted to enjoy her terror as she poured it for me. I would be demanding much more of her today and she knew instinctively that she might not survive what I'd expect of her.
    The lithe female poured the wine, trembling as she replaced my goblet on the small table beside the throne. She was pretty, but would have been quite beautiful if she had access to her magic and enough to eat. Fionna drained most of the court mongrels' magic, leaving them barely enough to survive. Full-bloods were also required to contribute a portion of their magic to "prepare for the war", at least that is what Fionna told them. Her true reason being that It kept them weak and under her control. I was one of the few she left intact. Our personal guards were also included in that group. No reason to take chances.
    "Do you need anything else, lord?" The servant was two feet away, but I could barely make out her whispered words.
    I took a long sip, drawing out her torture. "Yes. Kneel here." I pointed to the floor in front of the throne. She stared at her feet as she shuffled and knelt where I'd indicated. She trembled so violently I thought she might collapse, but then, I was indeed a creature to be feared.
    I had inherited my birth father's telepathic powers at the age of sixteen. The gift brought me sweet revenge on my mother and continued to serve me in many unexpected ways. Fionna would soon bow to my will, as would others at court. Charles would learn to use his inheritance as I have and together we would control Faerie. What young man would turn away from such power, and if he did, well, I had ways to encourage him to follow my instructions.
    I locked gazes with the mongrel kneeling before me and thrust my will into her mind without kindness, taking over her body and guiding her as I wished. Her terror was still present, but if she pleased me well, she could become a favorite. Sighing, I relaxed into Father's throne, imagining what else this mongrel could endure today to please me.
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
    My senses returned as the scent and feel of a filthy wooden floor wrinkled my suddenly responsive nose. Although it was still dark, my keen eyes had no trouble adjusting to the dimness. I was sprawled face down, unbound and dumped without care. I forced my body into a sitting position, then stood and stretched out my stiff muscles, not feeling any ill effects from whatever spell had been used. Grateful for the relative freedom, I began to pace around the small room, automatically searching for an avenue of escape.
    The mild stomach cramps caused by my not having fed, were a relief, informing me that I'd been here for less than a day. I knew all the symptoms of blood deprivation by heart, having been starved half a dozen times by Eleanor, my long dead maker. There was one main difference. Where in the past I could access magic to dampen the pain, here I was blocked from using that skill. I sighed, knowing I was in for some difficult days if this imprisonment went on for long without my being able to relieve the hunger.
    Fae light lit up the room with a warmth opposite in mood to the female who appeared a heartbeat later. Dressed in a golden gown that shimmered with jewels, Fionna smirked as she took in my more vulnerable state. Her gaze slowly traversed my entire body, spending a few longer moments on my bare chest. Dressed only in sweatpants, my usual resting-phase attire, I felt like a horse at auction.
    I stood still and waited for her to speak first, hoping she'd give me some information I could use.
    She spoke in Seelie Fae, a language I could understand and speak fairly well. "I see Jacqueline has excellent taste in males. Are