Dark One Rising. Leandra Martin

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      The party had ended long ago, but he held these two back. He had watched them all night making moon eyes at him and blowing him kisses from across the room.

      He had no intention of bringing either of them to bed, but he enjoyed their attention nonetheless. He had had way too much to drink tonight, more so than normal, and his eyes burned and his head spun.

      He had dismissed his Prime Minister hours ago, and he hadn’t seen Alekzand’r Morgan, his Royal Advisor and Bounty Hunter, for days. He was restless and needed something to occupy his thoughts and his hands for a bit. These two had been eager to spend time in his favor, so he invited them to stay for private entertaining. He was getting sleepy now and wanted to retire, but the excitement of these ladies held him back.

      The door to the room opened just as the blond was feeding him another grape, and Alekzand’r strode in, eyeing the ladies and his king sprawled out casually. He scowled.

      “Ah, Alek, you’ve returned from yet another trek into the unknown. Welcome home.”

      Alek still scowled but said nothing as he stood stiffly, arms crossed over his chest. Dain sensed Alek’s annoyance and swallowed the last of his ale. He moved his arms from around the beauties and kissed them each in turn.

      “I’m afraid the night has come to a close, ladies. It seems I have some business to attend to.”

      The women both pouted, standing up from the chairs they occupied and batted their eyelashes sensuously at him as they exited. He watched them both leave, their curvy forms sashaying out of the room. When the door was closed and all was quiet, Alek finally spoke.

      “What is the matter with you, Dain? This is the third time in the last two weeks I have found you inebriated and entertaining company at all hours of the night. Did you forget that you had audiences to hear tomorrow?”

      “No, I have not forgotten. How could I forget anything with you constantly reminding me all the time?” he said curtly, rising from his chair and going to the window. He leaned on the sill and took a deep breath of fresh pre-spring air.

      The evenings were still chilly, but he did not notice most of the time, for the cold seemed to fit his melancholy mood of late. Spring was coming and the days were warmer, the nights still crisp, but the fresh smells were starting to permeate the air. It smelled of moist earth and wood smoke that traveled on the wind from the town laid out in the valley below. He could see a few twinkling lights burning at this hour from windows still stirring with life. He turned back toward Alek, who was now sitting in a chair that one of the ladies had occupied only moments before.

      Dain knew that he was out of line again, but he just couldn’t seem to help himself. The affairs of state and the monotonous string of complaints and requests that came in every week made him irritable. It wasn’t that he didn’t care for his people, or want to understand their plights, it was just that he didn’t know how to help them the way he knew he should.

      He had obtained the throne way before he was ready, and he hadn’t quite gotten the knack of what he should do for the province that now belonged to him. The province he had inherited too many years too early.

      He sighed. If he was to be honest, he didn’t really try very hard. He rode through his cities and villages and made himself available to the people he governed, but when it came to changing laws or making edicts, he was way too inexperienced. Emerick usually handled all of that, and Alek gave him advice on what he thought should be done. Without them, he would be nowhere. Hell, his throne should have been overthrown by now from his lackadaisical way of ruling and his apathetic attitude for all of it. He looked at his Royal Advisor and best friend, and frowned. He knew Alek was disappointed in him for his behavior, but he never really ever came out and said it. It was actually worse not to hear his opinions out loud but rather to see it on his face instead.

      The silence was broken suddenly, and Dain was glad for it. “I have to remind you all the time for if I didn’t, you would be late or not show up at all for your appointments.”

      Dain just looked at him, his face hot with drink, his eyes bloodshot and dry. His head was reeling now, and he was beginning to even forget the names of the ladies that had been by his side only minutes before. Or maybe he didn’t know them in the first place. He berated himself for his lack of self-control and held up his hand in agreement. “I know, Alek. If not for you I would have lost my throne long ago. I owe you my life, you know that.”

      “Then why don’t you listen to me? I have tried to tell you these things and have tried to get you to see the path of destruction you are on, but you continue to ignore my warnings.”

      “I’m sorry, Alek. I cannot seem to be able to help myself. I enjoy hiding from my responsibilities in drink and beautiful company.”

      “The responsibilities are always there whether you hide from them or not. You cannot escape from them even when you try. You are king of Azlyn, and you have responsibilities to your people, and to yourself.” His anger was abating somewhat, but his tone was still stiff.

      Dain sighed. “I know.”He turned back toward the window, not wanting to endure the hard stare that Alek was giving him, disappointment gleaming in his eyes.

      “What’s wrong, Dain? You can talk to me.”

      “I don’t know. I feel a cold wind blowing, and I feel something coming, something that I cannot put words to. I fear there is a menace threatening to overtake us, but I’ll be damned if I can put my finger on it. Maybe it’s just the alcohol induced coma that is causing me to feel a cold wind blowing into my realm, seeping into my soul.”

      “I’m glad you’re feeling them; at least I know you’re paying attention. I have felt them too. That’s why you must snap out of this mood you have slipped into. You have to be alert in order to be ready if these phantoms are indeed out there. I have much to do and cannot do my duty if I have to worry about your soul.”

      Dain finally walked away from the window and placed a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I don’t mean to make you worry so, Alek. I’m a grown man and can take care of myself.”

      “From where I stand the view is quite different.”

      “All kings have indulged themselves in drink and beautiful ladies.”

      “Yes, but you are indulging enough for several kings. This path can only lead to heartache and loneliness. I hate to see you so unhappy.”

      “Am I unhappy?”

      “Yes, whether you admit it to yourself or not, you are indeed unhappy. The drink and the ambitious women can only fill your time and your soul for so long. After it all wears off, you’re going to wonder where your life went. I want to see you strong and vibrant as you once were, with a respectable woman who will love you for you, not because you are king.”

      “I don’t think there is a woman alive that’s not after the power I can provide by making them my queen.”

      “There is, if you’d look in the right places, or clear your head from the alcohol long enough to see them clearly.”

      “Yes, Alek, I get it. You’re disappointed in me just as my father was. He didn’t understand me and neither do you, I fear.”

      Alek stood and approached his liege and friend. “I do understand, Dain. I understand you more than anyone ever has, except maybe your mother. I’m СКАЧАТЬ