---
"Thanks
to you, and your companions," Aluriel began, "the kingdom is safe
once more. For defeating the treacherous witch Khemma and freeing those
enslaved to her will, the kingdom owes you a debt of gratitude beyond
words." She gazed down at the two men as she spoke, and was slightly
startled when Darius arose and began to ascend the dais. She knew that
plainsmen were uncouth and barely civilized, even for humans, but surely even a
barbarian would know not to approach a princess so directly. She didn't allow
the shock she felt to appear on her face, but she faltered in the speech she
had prepared for this moment. By the time she resumed, Darius stood in front of
her, his rugged face and broad shoulders towering over her.
"Ask
for whatever reward you desire, and it shall be yours," Aluriel said, her
voice faltering ever so slightly as she looked up into the plainsman's dark,
impassioned eyes. He captured her gaze
with those eyes, held her firm. She didn't move as she saw him raise a hand from
the corner of her eye, didn't flinch as she felt his rough fingers trace gently
along her cheek, and remained entranced as his hand caressed the back of her
neck.
"What
I want," Darius spoke, his voice deep and commanding, his breath smelling
faintly of cinnamon on the air, "is you." He bent his head down,
pulling her mouth closer to his.
***
"Wait,
hold on. You want to what?" April looked up from her notes, over the rim
of the game master's screen.
"You
heard me," Derrek said. "I want to seduce the princess." Derrek
smiled as he spoke, and Mike began laughing across the dinner table where they
all sat. The bewildered look didn't leave April's face.
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