Wrath's nostrils flared. "And he left you for dead?"
"Aye. " On some level, he still couldn't believe it. Which marked him as stupid. "Aye. . . he did. "
"Is that the reason your own blood is your allegiance now?"
"No. That has e'er been true. "
Wrath nodded and crossed his arms over his chest. "You tell the truth. "
"Always. "
"Well, good thing you quit them now, son. The Band of Bastards is kicking at a hornets' nest the likes of which they will not walk away from. "
"Verily. . . there is nothing I can say that you do not already know. "
Wrath laughed softly. "A diplomat. "
Vishous cut in with, "Try dead animal - "
Wrath's hand shot up into the air, the black diamond of the king's ring flashing. "Somebody get that mouth out of this room. Or I'll do it. "
"I'm fucking leaving. "
After the Brother marched out, the king rubbed his forehead. "Okay. Enough with the talking. You look like shit - where's Layla?"
Throe began to shake his head. "I have no need for blood - "
"Bullshit. And you are not dying on our watch just so Xcor can accuse us of killing you. I'm not giving him that kind of weapon. " As the king started for the door, Throe realized for the first time that there was a dog at the male's side - wearing a halter that Wrath grasped. Was he truly blind? "Needless to say, this is going to be witnessed - Oh, hey, Chosen. "
Throe's entire brain shut down as a vision entered the room. An absolute. . . vision. Tall, and fair of hair and eye, dressed in a white robe, it was indeed a Chosen.
Such a beauty was she, he thought. A sunrise that lived and breathed. . . a miracle.
And she was not alone, as was appropriate for a gem such as herself. By her side, Phury, son of Ahgony, was a wall of protection, his face screwed down so tight, it appeared as if mayhap she was his? He even had a black dagger in his hand - although it was discreetly held by his thigh, undoubtedly so the female did not see it and grow alarmed.
"I'll leave you to this," Wrath said. "But if I were you, I'd watch yourself. My boys here, they're a little twitchy. "
After the great Blind King left with the blond dog, Throe was alone with the Brothers, the soldiers. . . and that female.
As she came forward into the room, her smile was a wellspring of peace and femininity in the midst of the vile trappings of war and death, and if he hadn't been lying down, he'd have sunk to his knees in awe.
It had been so long since he had been 'round any female of worth. Verily, he had grown too used to the whores and the prostitutes, whom he treated like ladies out of habit, but not concern.
His eyes teared up.
She reminded him of who his sister should have been.
Phury stepped up in front of her, blocking the view as he leaned down and put his mouth right to Throe's ear. As he squeezed Throe's biceps until it screamed in pain, the Brother growled softly, "You get hard and I'll castrate you as soon as she leaves. "
Well. . . if that wasn't crystal clear. And a quick glance around the room suggested that Phury wasn't the only one who would come after him. The other Brothers would fight for pieces of his dead carcass if he became aroused.
Straightening to his full height, Phury smiled at the female as if there was nothing of any concern going on. "This soldier is very grateful for the gift of your vein, Chosen. Aren't you. "
The "asshole" went unsaid. And the grip that once again tightened on Throe's upper arm was just as hidden and emphatic.
"I am e'er grateful, your grace," he breathed.
At that, the Chosen smiled at Throe, stealing his breath. "If I may be in even a small way helpful to a male of worth such as yourself, I am blessed. There is no greater service to the race than fighting the enemy. "