Free The Pandora Curse (Greek Myth Series Book 4) by Elizabeth Rose

prisoners.”
    “Why don’t you tell me what you usually do in cases such as this?”
    She took more food into her mouth, as if eating would help her find an answer to her problems.
    “I’ve never taken over a kingdom before. Normally, I conquer and then move along on my way.”
    “Well, I’d say you’ve got a decision to make here. You’ve got two choices as I see it. One is you leave and give the king back his kingdom.”
    “I can’t do that. No conqueror ever gives back what they’ve earned. It would make them weak.”
    “Earned? Or stolen? It seems to me you have confused your actions, my lady.”
    She put a piece of bread down on the platter, playing with it instead of looking at him. “And what, as you see it, is my second choice?”
    “You kill the prisoners, and stay here as Corinth’s new queen.”
    She looked up sharply at that, and for a mere second he thought he saw a flash of horror cross her face. Then she regained her composure and smiled.
    “You amuse me by being so bold. Must I remind you, you are here to scry for me, and that’s just what you’ll do. You are not here to tell me how to run my kingdom. Now, I want you by my side in Athens to tell me my future. If it doesn’t look as if I’ll win one of the games, than I shall keep myself from embarrassment and not even enter that competition.”
    Nikolai swallowed and shook his head. “That’s not what my powers are to be used for. I will not use them for your personal gain in a game of chance.”
    “They’re not games of chance.” She put the platter on the bed and picked up a hunk of cheese. Then she got up and paced the room. “They’re games of skill. Just like you said. Skills that derive from talent, which usually involve physical competition. So all you’ll be doing is looking into your magic ball to tell me if my skills in certain areas are strong enough to win or not.”
    “No.” Nikolai walked over to a trunk and pulled out a fresh tunic. “I will not help you in that way.” He pulled it over his head, and when he did, he noticed something across the room he hadn’t seen before. An odd little green chair.
    “No one says no to Vara the Conqueror . You will do as I instruct.” She plopped down atop the green chair, and Nikolai thought he heard it groan under her weight.
    “I will not abuse my powers.” He slipped the cord containing the crystal orb around his neck. “If you want me to assist you in Athens, it will have to be for advising only.”
    She leaned forward in the chair. It groaned again. “That’s exactly what I want you to do. Advise me of the future.”
    “I will tell you, using my abilities, where you need to improve. I may even be able to instruct you in polishing your skills in the events. But I can not and will not use my scrying abilities for nothing more than to suffice your ego.”
    She sprang to her feet, and the chair sighed in relief.
    “Fine! Then come as my advisor only, to the events if you must, but I am not saying I will heed your advice. And I insist you look for the man who is supposedly going to destroy me while you’re there.” She headed toward the door. “Be ready to leave this afternoon. My men will prepare the necessities for travel and be awaiting you in the courtyard.”
    “As you wish.”
    “As I command,” she corrected him and pulled open the door. Then she looked back to the chair. “Get rid of that chair.” She crinkled her nose. “It stinks.”
    She slammed the door and Baruch quickly changed back into himself.
    “Ohhhh,” he moaned. “Why did she have to sit on me?”
    Nikolai answered with a hearty laugh. “Well, next time use a different disguise. After all, chairs are meant to be sat in.”
    Nikolai sat on the edge of the bed and pulled on his boots. He fastened the pouch of vials at his waist.
    “I’m hungry,” came Baruch’s complaint.
    “Well, then eat the crumbs Vara left. I am not sneaking you food again.”
    Baruch headed for the platter,