Bonn Skaard's second meeting with Scipio Davadas took place in the king's private dining chamber, far from the earshot of any servant or palace guard. Before him, a sumptuous midday meal of seasoned meats, bread, and roasted vegetables was laid out on a narrow table before an open hearth. A low fire warmed the room. The queen was in attendance, playing the role of a gracious hostess as she poured spiced wine for the men.

Bonn, his tall and muscular body perched awkwardly in a low chair, ate his fill but refused the wine. He wanted to keep his wits as sharp as the battle-ax resting against his chair. He listened to the king's proposal with a divided mind. He was anxious to return to his embattled homeland, but here was his chance to negotiate for the reinforcements his army so desperately needed.

"I can't spare any of my men for this mission," Bonn slowly spoke as if choosing his words carefully. "As I told you before, the Thrades have grown in number and power." His gaze, blue as the center of a flame, burned into Scipio's dark stare.

"We don't want your men," Hyperia said, reaching across the table to lay a cool white hand on top of Bonn's rough, calloused one, "only you."

There was a steely glint in the queen's violet eyes shining like the edge of a knife. And something else that made the back of Bonn's neck tickle. He recognized the blind ruthlessness he had seen on his enemies' faces during close combat.

Bonn slid his hand away from the queen's velvety touch and stood. Now towering over the seated monarchs, the top of his blond head nearly touching the low ceiling, he gazed intently at the king and said, "I will rescue your princess on two conditions."

The queen's hands remained folded calmly on the wooden table, but her eyes flashed.

"Yes, what are they?" King Scipio replied.

"You will dispatch an army to Kadaar to join my men beyond the mountains."

Scipio nodded. "Fifty of my men stand at the ready."

"One hundred men," Bonn Skaard rejoined.

Scipio rapped his dark knuckles on the table. "Done. What else?"

"My partner and I require fresh mounts."

"What partner?" Hyperia blurted.

Bonn lowered his gaze at Hyperia. "You've met Leiffen Skaard. His magic will help you achieve your goal, my lady."

"This mission is to be performed under the highest secrecy," insisted Hyperia in a quavering voice. "My sister's life depends on it."

Bonn nodded. "I understand."

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Scipio stood, scraping his chair against the marble floor. "You'll get my best horses and any weapons from my armory."

Bonn picked up his ax and said, "This and my long blade are the only weapons I need."

Hyperia stood and crossed to the Skaard warrior. Standing close enough to smell the cool air of Kadaar still clinging to his fur capelet, she ran her finger slowly down the edge of his ax's blade. "This is a very interesting weapon," she said, gazing up at Bonn through a fringe of jet-black lashes. "This was forged during the Illymium reign of my people. I recognize the motifs carved on the handle from my home city."

"Be careful, my lady." Bonn lowered the ax and rested its head on the floor. "My blade is very sharp."

"I'm sure it is." The queen's gaze locked on Bonn's for a moment.

"Let's not tarry," Scipio said gruffly as he headed for the door. "To the stables now to choose your horses."

Bonn nodded. Before the two men left the room, Bonn turned to address Hyperia. "There's one more thing."

"Yes?" the queen asked breathlessly, her white bosom rising in her low-cut gown.

"Nargos Nazeer's reputation has reached my corner of Ardelym. I don't expect him to give up easily. Nazeer blood will be spilled."

Hyperia's pink lips glistened. "Do whatever you must do to return my sister to us safely."

* * *

Hyperia watched from her balcony as the setting sun made the Crimson Sea the color of blood and turned the white tops of the Kadaar Mountain range to golden crowns. A warm breeze fluttered her fluted silk gown around her bare legs.

Scipio came up from behind, pressing his warm, hard body against her. She melted into his embrace. His large dark hands traveled from her waist to her breasts, caressing them gently.

"My son is growing within you," Scipio whispered.

"Yes, my lord," she answered breathlessly.

"I don't want to harm our child ..."

She took one of his hands and pressed it between her legs, giving her consent in a prolonged sigh.

Hyperia was still waiting for signs from her body to confirm the pregnancy, but her hope was fading with each day. If Scipio made love to her again, then perhaps... With bitterness, she recalled Niet Wol's milky blind eyes that saw through to her deception, all the way into her empty womb.

From the queen's chamber balcony, Hyperia and Scipio watched Bonn Skaard and his companion, Leiffen, pass through Oran's main gate. Bonn sat atop a silver stallion, Stellarion. At eighteen hands, the horse was the pride of the Davadas stable, while Leiffen rode a smaller but still powerful Roan gelding named Emberfall. Their saddlebags were packed with enough provisions to last the fortnight's journey to Nazeera.

"They are traveling by Pendulum Road?" Hyperia asked, her violet gaze fixed on the powerful Skaard warrior.

"No," Scipio said, pulling her close. "They will ride along the coast and take the old mining route through the Crags."

"But that will take much longer."

"Yes," he sighed, "But they'll avoid Nargos' ambush that way. Come, wife."

As Scipio Davadas guided his wife through the curtains and toward her bed, the queen's lust heightened at the thought of Starlex being brought back to Oran with her virginity intact.

Starlex will never bear a king or any child at all while she is once again under my palace roof. I will see to it!

She had faith in the golden-haired warrior from the land of ice. He was a handsome man, and no one's fool, especially no woman's fool. She had even played the minx with him in front of her husband, but Bonn hadn't taken the bait.

A man I can't easily seduce is a man who will always get my attention.

She lay back on the bed, relaxing into the cool silk sheets. And as Scipio unfastened her belt and slowly peeled back the layers of her gown, she closed her violet eyes and imagined it was Bonn Skaard's large rough hands touching her tender flesh, caressing her full breasts, and pressing down on top of her as she clawed his back and cried out.