Preface:  Welcome to my serial.  The intention of this is to provide a new scene  once a fortnight for free for you to enjoy.  Come travel with me to a world where hate, desire, action and betrayal collide.  This is a fantasy romance, so enjoy.

Disclaimer:  My writing is dark, hot and aimed for those over 18.  If you are under 18 please don’t read on.

1. Assassin

Crouched upon the outstretched hand of a flying buttress, Talia remained silent as the wind as she awaited her target.  Although concealed by the shadows cast by the moon and the mammoth stone edifice, she steadfastly kept herself tense and alert for any movement below.  Guards stood sentry on the ground four stories down, unaware that their Chief Advisor and future King would breath his last breath this night.

Canting her head, her finger skimmed her black clad leg to finger the dagger that rested snugly against her thigh.  A cold smile tilted her lips as she imagined the outcome of this adventure.  It was always the same, but different.  Her job often required finesse, but not tonight.  Tonight she was to send out a message.  What message, she didn’t know or care.  Her job didn’t require to ask questions.  All that was important was that she got the job done.

Pushing to her feet, she stepped across the narrow ledge and eased the window open with disgusting ease.  Ah, the gods shined down on her this night.  With an inwardly gleeful chuckle, she placed one foot on the floor, her doeskin covered foot sliding silently against the smooth stone surface.  As she slid over the windowsill, she assimilated herself to the room.  On the left an inground spa spread out, graced with statues portraying two of the female divinities.  Carah the Goddess of Fertility and Ferah the Goddess of Fire.  The scent of freshly warmed water and sex hung thick on the air and a ball of disgust curdled in her stomach.

Her task would’ve been completed already had it not been for the lusty woman her target entertained this night.  It came as no surprise to her that he would have divinities within his room.  Although believed to be a former Priest of the Order, he showed no remorse for using women to satisfy his baser needs.  Hypocrisy and treachery seemed to extend its fingers everywhere these days.

The soft slide of sheet against skin prickled her senses and Talia stilled, her heart keeping a steady pace as she stared across the chamber as the man rolled onto his back.  Save for the flickering firelight directly opposite the large bed on where her target lay in restful slumber, the vast room remained cloaked in darkness. 

On silent feet, she glided across the floor to the bed, and eased the dagger from its sheath with an almost undetectable sound of metal against metal.  With delicate fingers, she pulled the gauze aside and stared at the two figures lying naked upon the green silk sheets.

Her lips curled back in distaste.  Who would dare use the color of royalty on their bed?  It was a slap in the face of the missing Royal Family.  Squelching her flare of unusual anger, she assessed the two oblivious bodies on the bed.  Her job was to dispose of the man, but the blonde woman would be a bonus.  She would be doing the world a favor ridding it of this particular screamer.  Talia shook her head.  No, she had to stick to the plan.  Should the woman create a scene, then she would finish her off.  Resting on her side and facing the wall, the screamer would pose no problem at all.  She could kill the man with one strike and the screamer would be none the wiser.

Her attention shifted from the curvaceous woman to the man and she drew in an appreciative gasp.  A sheet lay carelessly across his lap, barely concealing his manhood from her.  Strong smooth legs and tapered waist gave way to a well-defined torso that barely glimmered with gold under the ambient rays of the fireplace.  One arm lay under his pillow and the other rested over his eyes.

It was such a shame to end the life of such an attractive man.  But she wasn’t meant to question the will of the Elders.  Her gaze ran over his jaw line, lips and aquiline nose.  She always had a thing for lips, the way the bottom filled out just nicely sent a shiver of desire through her.  Frowning, she cut off all her emotions.  She shouldn’t be ogling her target.  Still, there was something about him that called to her.

Her eyes narrowed on the man’s lips once more, a memory long ago tickling the back of her mind.  Soft masculine laughter echoed in her head and she knew with all certainty that she knew this man.

No, it couldn’t be…

She stepped closer, desperate to see the rest of his face.  She reached out with trembling fingers wanting to ease his arm up and away. If she could just… 

Fiery pain slammed into her stomach and stole her breath.  Dazedly, Talia stared down at the dagger imbedded there, her fingers clasped at the thick wrist that held it in place.  The iron flavor of blood filled her mouth.  She looked up into the green eyes, a hank of hair shadowing the fury that lay in their depths.

Talia trailed her bloodied fingers along his jaw line, desperate to feel him this one last time. “Miksala,” she whispered.

Surprise flickered in his eyes as she stumbled back, the slide of the blade leaving her making her gag.  Her knees buckled and she fell back against the floor, her vision wavering as the agony spread across her torso.

Miksala appeared and his hand clasped the back of her neck to lift her head. With desperation in his gaze he slid the facial hood from her face.

“No,” the anguish filled voice drifted from her.

This was a good way to die.  In the arms of her love.  Even if he didn’t love her anymore.

to be continued…