Part 24 (2/2)
”Continue,” Daryn ordered, motioning with her hand.
Lock stood and took his place as the music began.
For an hour, Lock danced for the Empress. Sparrow was completely shocked by this new side of her lover. Lock knew many dances and performed them with mystical beauty and precision, almost like one who enjoyed it.
By the time the last song ended, the Empress had moved from her throne to sit at the edge of the platform, close to the floor and to Lock. He knelt with his back to her, so close she could reach out and touch him. Again he arched backwards, his blue eyes finally fixed on her. His fingertips touched the hem of her gown. The music ceased, and he turned, on his hands and knees in front of her, his pale eyes meeting hers through ringlets of sweat-soaked hair. The tip of his tongue traced lips that curved upward in the slightest yet most inviting smile.
The Empress reached out and took his chin in her hand. Sparrow's stomach tightened with jealousy and antic.i.p.ation as Daryn spoke, her lips hovering over Lock's. ”Tell me what you want. I'll give you anything in my power.”
Lock's smile faded and the alluring expression in his eyes turned hard. ”I want Miska in the ring.”
Sparrow felt her heart stop beating. No! His freedom! He's supposed to ask for his freedom!
The Empress laughed. ”You want to die?”
”I want Miska in the ring,” Lock repeated.
Daryn returned to her throne, her elbows resting on the edge, her fingers creating a peak on which she rested her chin. ”Done. There are games planned for the morning. You'll fight Miska then. Tonight, you and your mistress will remain here. Everyone, the compet.i.tion is over for this year. You may go.”
Slaves and mistresses alike bowed and cleared the chamber.
Numb, Sparrow was unable to stand. She stared at Lock as he approached her, the torn silks slung over his arm. He brushed hair from his face and dropped to the ground beside her, still catching his breath from his performance.
”I haven't had so much fun in a long time,” he commented and began stretching his legs.
”How could you?” Sparrow hissed, all her emotions returning in a rush. She grasped his shoulders, her fingers biting into muscle. ”You were supposed to ask for your freedom so we could get married!”
”Sparrow, we can get married anywhere. This is one sure chance to give Miska what he deserves.”
”Who gives a d.a.m.n about Miska!”
”I thought you hated him?”
”I hate him as much as I love you.”
”Then I'll kill him for you.”
”Kill him for me?” Her fingers loosened and she slipped her arms around his neck. ”I don't want you to fight him.”
”Too late.”
”No, we can go to Daryn and say you changed your mind. We can-”
”Do you still believe Miska deserves to die for what he did to your sister?”
”Yes!”
”Then I'm not going to Daryn.” He stood. ”Come. I'd like to get a good rest tonight.”
”Lock!” She clung to his arm. ”What if he kills you?”
”Then there's a lot of people who think I deserve to die.”
”I don't believe this.” Sparrow covered her face with her hands. ”This is a nightmare.”
”I don't plan on losing, girl. Why do you think I asked to see him fight before? I wanted to know if I could beat him.”
”And?”
”And I won't lie to you and say it will be easy, but yes. I can beat him.” He touched her cheek and kissed her . ”I will beat him, Sparrow.”
I hope so, she thought. If you don't, then Miska really will have taken from me everything I've ever loved.
Chapter Eighteen.
Sparrow and Lock returned to her room where a warm bath and meal awaited them.
”If you're still mad at me, why don't I just spend the night in the slave quarters?” Lock dropped the ripped silks and sheathed daggers in a heap on the floor and removed the loincloth. Naked, he reached for an apple from the bowl on the table.
Sparrow's eyes raked him. ”And you'd probably jaunt down there unclothed, too.”
”What's that supposed to mean?”
”It means I have never in my entire life seen such a disgusting display as your so-called dance!”
”It was fine with you when you thought I was bartering for my freedom.”
”Seems like you'd rather fight a gladiator than marry me.”
Lock raised his eyes to heaven and swallowed the piece of apple he was chewing. ”Unbelievable. I'm going to give you what you want most in the world-I danced my a.s.s off to get it-and you're still not satisfied!”
”I told you, I don't care about Miska! I don't want you to die!” Sparrow turned away, but not before Lock noticed tears glistening in her eyes. He stepped across the room and placed his hands on her shoulders. She shrugged him off. ”Don't touch me!”
Ignoring her, he tugged her into his arms. Her cheek was soft against his chest. Her arms slid around his waist and squeezed. ”I'm afraid you'll be hurt, Lock. I don't want to see you suffer again. When you were tortured in the square it nearly broke my heart, and I wasn't even in love with you then.”
Lock held her closer and rested his cheek against the top of her head. Her words troubled him. Though he'd grown accustomed to their relations.h.i.+p, the realization of the depth of her feelings for him was a great responsibility. He never imagined anyone caring so much about him, and he hated knowing his actions affected her so.
”Think of it this way, Sparrow, Thea probably wasn't the only person he brutalized. She probably wasn't the last. Someone has to stop him.”
”It doesn't have to be you!”
”Will you trust me?” He tilted her face to his and kissed her. ”I really need a bath.”
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