Free The Red Knight by K.T. Davies

she put it from her mind; he and the woman were probably lovers. And in truth, they made a handsome pair. She was big, voluptuous, with sparkling eyes and a head of wild, ebony curls.
    “Good to meet you, Bear. My name’s Ali. I didn’t mean to intrude…”
    “What? Oh. You mean me and him? Asha’s paps! He’s like my brother—the one I wouldn’t fuck.” She laughed so hard she almost fell in the fountain. “Oh my, no. I mean, I don’t mind a bit of strange from time to time, but I couldn’t possibly with him . He’s my oldest, dearest friend, and I think we’re related—isn’t that right, Talin?”
    Talin grunted and folded his arms. “I really couldn’t say. You’ve done that thing where you’re nice, and a bitch all in the same breath, it confuses me.”
    “As you can see, Lady Ali, he’s not the most erudite fellow, but that isn’t his fault. Gods love him.” She gave Talin a hearty, drunken hug. “I’ll not hear the poor idiot blamed. Y’see, he was dropped on his head when he was a babe and it’s left him a little slow.”
    “Pleased to meet you, Talin.”
    “Pleased to meet you too, Ali.”
    “Oh I see,” said Bear. “Its all coy smiles and lingering eye contact, is it? Fine then.” She scooped up a bottle of wine, had second thoughts, and picked up two more. “I’m going. I can see where I’m not wanted. I’ll send Medelle your apologies, Talin.” She tossed a tangle of curls over her shoulder and staggered from the garden, clutching her spoils.

    “Where’s your woman, Corvinius?” Princess Matia snarled from behind a smile. “I thought the lanky cunt would be here by now, swaggering around like she owns the place.”
    Rufus chuckled. For all that her venom burned, being drunk dulled the sting of Matia’s scorpion tongue.
    “She’s a Knight Captain of the Royal Guards. It’s our duty—nay, our god given right, to swagger, Highness.”
    Matia smiled sweetly. “ Our? Oh, forgive me Rufus, I’m so accustomed to you whoring yourself like an oversexed game cock, that I sometimes forget you’re a Knight Captain, albeit a rusty one.”
    Matia was such a vicious little poppet. He fancied that one day, probably in the not too distant future, instead of kissing her slender neck, he’d be forced to break it and do both him and Jerim a favour.
    “That reminds me—with ‘Lyda being here, I won’t be able to attend to you tonight.” He winked. “She needs her turn with the game cock.”
    The Princess threw back her head and laughed, but her dark eyes were hard, and promised vengeance for the slight. He enjoyed provoking her; he liked the way her small breasts swelled in their silk cage as she fought to control her temper. Corvinius called a servant over who was carrying a jug of wine. The boy re-filled his goblet, slopping wine over his hand in the process.
    “Oaf!” Corvinius hissed, and backhanded him across the face.
    The boy mumbled an apology, and backed into the crowd.
    “I don’t think your half-breed whore will mind a stained cuff,” said Matia, clearly amused.
    “None of my whores concern themselves with what I wear, unless… you’re not trying to tell me something, are you, Princess?”
    “You’re drunk, so I’ll let that go, but have a care Corvinius, you’re not indispensible.”
    He raised his glass and took a long drink, savouring the rich, full-bodied taste, and the look of impotent rage on her face. “Oh, but I am, Highness.”
     
    He was convinced he’d done a marvellous job of keeping Lady Ali amused. She’d laughed at his stories, and teased him about the truth of some of his more outrageous claims. He had enjoyed himself immensely, despite being shocked by quite how much of his life was defined by being a prince. It had proved most enlightening, if a little depressing and yet, despite his best efforts, she still insisted on leaving.
    “I really have to go,” she said, just when he thought he’d convinced her to stay.
    Other than his