Free In the Flesh by Sylvia Day, Livia Dare Page A

unwell.”
    “You don’t understand human behavior, Guardian.” Sapphire brushed the hair back from her face. “I’m valuable to him because I’m protecting himand because fucking me also fucks the king and my father.”
    “You are not being truthful.”
    “You are being a pain in the ass.”
    “My programming is such that I am able to seek your happiness, even while you seek to sabotage it.”
    “We’ll deal with your programming in a minute,” Sapphire snapped. “First, tell me how I’m supposed to deal with him now.”
    “He was pleased to spend the night with you.”
    “I’m sure he was. Where is he now?”
    “Unpacking the household goods that just arrived.”
    “When His Highness is finished, I want him taken to the coordinates I specify. If he follows the instructions I leave with you, he should be able to cross the border without getting killed.”
    “Should he approach you with any questions he might have?”
    “No. I’m leaving for the day. Arrange my transportation into the city.”
    “Mistress, may I suggest—”
    “No.” Sapphire held up her hand. “You have caused enough mischief. I can manage this part on my own.”
     
    Sapphire surveyed the assemblage at the governor’s residence with an indifferent eye. Once she’d enjoyed such lively events, but that had changed over the years. Her value to the king had created a barrier around her that few could breach without incurring his wrath. She was sorry to realize that she still felt lonely in a crowd. She was tired of being alone, andexhausted from wearing a façade so carefully crafted no one saw the woman beneath it.
    Dignitaries, wealthy entrepreneurs, even the governor himself had approached her to come out of retirement. The sums of money offered for her services had been staggering, but she was far from flattered. The career of a concubine was a revered position requiring years of training and dedication. Depending on how wisely she selected her contracts, she could attain much power and privilege. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that Sapphire was at the top of her game, but she couldn’t find much satisfaction in the notoriety. Not now that she’d experienced what it was like to enjoy the attentions of a giving, attentive lover.
    “You look bored.”
    She turned with a smile at the sound of her father’s voice. “I didn’t know you were back in town!”
    “I arrived this evening.” Grave Erikson cut a suave figure in his military dress uniform of dark blue jacket and slim trousers. “I went to your home and your Guardian told me I might find you here.”
    “Is this a social visit or business related?”
    “Both. You wanted updates on the investigation into Prince Wulfric’s disappearance. Or have you lost interest?”
    “No.” Her heart raced. “What have you learned?”
    “Not too much, to be truthful, but it was a good excuse to visit you.”
    “Dad!” Sapphire laughed. She adored her father for all his many facets. He was strong and powerful, yet infinitely loving and blessed with the ability to find the silver lining in every cloud.

    “Let’s take a stroll through the governor’s conservatory and I’ll tell you what little I know.”
    He offered his arm, then led her easily through the crush. The masses parted quickly for their revered war hero and his equally famous daughter. “I still haven’t determined where the prince was taken after he was sold.”
    “Have you found out who hired the mercs to attack him?”
    “No. I tracked down the go-between, but he communicates only through videoless comm-link.” Grave glanced down at her. “I had assumed the prince was attacked in an effort to kill or ransom him, but apparently that was not the case. He was to be delivered to someone here in Sari. The torture was merely for the merc’s amusement.”
    They had almost killed him, the fools. The memory of Wulfric’s horrifying network of injuries would haunt her forever. It was a testament to his