Page 116 of The Last Slayer
His hand tightened around a fistful of silken sheet. He’d never wanted the dragonlordship. Yet they’d given it to him and expected him to fulfill his duties.
And what choice did he have but do what needed to be done?
A sudden whiff of heady lilac and acacia darkened his mood. Here was one of the burdens of his duties, what he had done in the name of fulfilling his responsibilities.
“Nathanael.”
Francesca’s voice was quiet, well modulated. He drained himself of all emotion. The woman was a constant reminder of what he’d given up, what he hadn’t been able to give Leh: a consortship to protect her from Apollyon and Semangelaf. They wouldn’t have dared touch her if she had been his in every way.
“I brought you something for the pain.”
“I am content.” The burning sensation in his chest called him a liar. He ignored it.
He felt her presence by the bed. She hesitated, then the mattress dipped as she sat.
She was beautiful, a mortal imbued with magic, who would never age or die. Her hair remained the color of the finest rubies, and time had no power to ravage her smooth pale skin. A princess he’d married centuries ago to form an alliance with men to destroy the slayers. Her father had kept his end of the bargain, and Nathanael had kept his, even to this date.
A vow cannot be broken.
“Don’t you have something else to do?” he asked, his voice cool. “Perhaps another shopping excursion to Paris? I’ll send escorts with you.”
She didn’t respond. Instead she spread the sweet-smelling ointment on his chest and massaged his limbs. Despite her gentle ministrations, his body tensed with guilt. He hated her for her devotion and himself for his inability to return it. Francesca’s position as consort of Windgar should’ve been Leh’s.
“Enough.” His voice cracked the air like a whip.
She flinched.
“I require rest. Return to your chamber.”
Her small body trembling, Francesca rose and made a quiet exit. When she was gone, he closed his eyes.
Sleep was a long time coming, but when it finally overtook him he dreamed of a girl with Leh’s face and his own blue eyes.
