Free In the Palace of Lazar by Alta Hensley

control the yearning that sliced through her at his nearness. He led them toward his private quarters.
    "I have some further issues to discuss with you," he said as he led her past the entrance.
    "Do you believe that Jaden sent me?" she asked, her voice not much more than a whisper.
    "I believe you came here on your own free will."
    Briar swallowed hard. He didn't fully answer her question.
    Donte reached up to caress the smooth line of her jaw. "I believe you are the strongest woman I have met. I believe you managed to do things and travel distances that no man could do. You sacrificed yourself for the sake of a loved one. I have not met anyone who would do that."
    Her eyes glittered with tears, the words stinging her soul.
    "I have never admired a woman before," he said, his finger moving to tease her lower lip, torturing her with such a gentle touch. He sighed and stepped backward, his hand dropping away.
    It was a struggle not to reach for him, to not fall into his embrace, to not feel his intimate touch. She remembered the way his hand felt against her skin, how the discipline of last night had her moaning for more. The hunger for his cock almost took her breath away. All this time being trained as a harem girl had left her thirstier than any day in the desert. She desperately wanted her thirst quenched by his seed.
    She wanted to give herself to him. She wanted it even more than serving the brothers of the palace. But she was also afraid. Her virginity belonged to them as it was part of being in the harem.
    His voice brought her back to the present. "We are going to have to evacuate the harem," he said, turning away and walking toward the unlit fireplace.
    "What? Why?" Her heart stopped. She wondered if she'd faint right there. She knew what his answer would be.
    Resting an arm on the mantle, with his back facing her, he answered, "Jaden is planning their attack on the palace. We aren't prepared, and although we plan to fight, the battle will not be in our favor." He turned to face her. "We are going to split up the harem and have you all go to different communes. We have neighboring allies that will assist. But in the meantime, we have to make sure the women cannot be taken hostage. Capturing the harem would be quite the prize and offer bragging rights. No matter what, even with the fall of Lazar, we will not give them the harem."
    Briar shook her head, not knowing what to say, but positive she didn't like what she was hearing.
    Donte continued, "I am going to ask you to lead one of the groups. You clearly understand the land and the ruthless nature of the desert. You are a fighter, and I have no doubt you can lead your group to safety."
    Briar's ears rang, her breath ragged. She shook her head again, but remained silent.
    "We feel breaking the harem in three groups will be the best. We need all the guards to stay and fight, so we have no choice but to send the women alone. I will put Mistress Krin in charge of one group, and Mistress Tula in charge of the other. But the remaining one will be led by you."
    Words escaped her. She wanted to scream no, but her voice was lost in her ocean of fear.
    "It will be expected that you lead your group, and wait for us to retrieve you."
    Briar finally found the words. "I want to stay with you," she whispered hoarsely. "Let us stay and fight. At least let me stay and fight."
    Donte shook his head. "You would not be a help, but a hindrance. I cannot have my men worried about the safety of the harem, when they need to be worrying about their own lives."
    The words stung even though they were true.
    Donte crossed the room in three long strides to where she stood. "I need you, Briar. I need your strength to keep you and the other women safe. I need you to do this for me."
    Briar shook her head vehemently. "No. I can't."
    "I am not asking. I am commanding."
    "No! No! No!"
    She shook her head. Hysteria washing over. They were going to die. Donte, the brothers, the guards, even the harem.