Belly of the Beast Warren Thomas (e novels for free .txt) 📖

be a royal, or at least a noble. Her father was probably some illiterate goat herder or farmer. Every tribe, clan, and family group had a king, so she could be a Tyrian princess. Not that it meant anything.

            “I suspected as much,” he said. “Such grace and beauty couldn’t possibly have come from peasant stock.”

            Her smile was radiant.

            “I must confess, if you don’t stop smiling at me like that, I’ll be lost forever,” Nizar said.

            “Do you really want me to stop?” Raven said, giving him the most sensuous look he had ever seen. She leaned forward, her head rolling back to expose a slender neck.

            His belly became jelly, and his knees threatened betrayal as well. Never had any woman offered herself to him so blatantly before. Indeed, no woman had ever offered herself to Nizar before, period. Then she leaned even closer, revealing a generous amount bosom and a small silver medallion nestled in its milky depths.

            His heart froze.

            Ashtar’s Own! Nizar thought, seeing the medallion only Ashtar’s priests were permitted to wear. Dakar protect! I should have seen it! My God, she looks exactly like Ashtar! I’m a fool!

            That last thought startled him. What if she was Ashtar? He was doomed. But he could find out, for he had “felt” Ashtar earlier in the raven. If he could just find the strength.

            Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, Nizar silently prayed to Dakar for His aid and protection. That done, he tentatively reached out with his priestly powers, all the while fearing Raven would detect his probing.

            He felt resistance to his probing. Heart hammering, he pushed a bit more and broke through. To his great relief, he found she wore a talisman against magic somewhere on her person. Thankfully, it was no match for Godly powers.

            Raven proved to be only a woman. But she had the “Taint” of Ashtar, thick as summer flies. She was definitely connected to Ashtar in some way, but not a priestess. Not a full priestess. There wasn’t the aura of power that surrounded a priest. An acolyte? Probably.

            But still, one of Ashtar’s Own, he thought.

            Raven snuggled close, nuzzling his cheek. He realized she didn’t know what he was doing, and might be misinterpreting his slight withdrawal. There was confusion, maybe even fear, in her eyes, well hidden, but there. Fear and uncertainty in equal measures. It fired him, deep down. She was afraid he didn’t want her.

            Power. I have stolen her power, and she knows it. She is mine.

            “I’ll get a room,” he said, feeling her tense.

            He noted uncertainty claim her face, but he returned a look of utter confidence. As expected, she responded to his confidence. Raven relaxed, though wariness still owned her eyes.

            “You won’t be sorry, lover,” she said, caressing his hand lovingly.

            The way she watched him, watched his eyes, said she was still unsure of him. It was obvious she wasn’t used to being in that situation. And it seemed to make her want him even more.

            He fought to keep control of his emotions. Nizar had never really wanted any woman, but he wanted this wicked woman, this Ashtarite. The swordsmith’s friend, his trusted comrade, Ashtar’s Own – and he would use her to capture Tane Kyleson.

            Victory is so sweet, he thought. Earlier, I vanquished your Goddess, Raven. Tonight, I’ll make you my weapon with which I will destroy your beloved Arisens’ only hope.

Chapter 39

            Tane and Quinn walked through the garrison gate together, laughing comradely about Raven’s antics in the bathhouse earlier.

            “I have to admit,” Tane said. “I was afraid you might be angry with me.”

            “Why?”

            “Well, Raven was nude when she waylaid me,” he said. “She’s a very...uh...pretty woman. And, of course, she’s your woman.”

            “Ha! My woman! Raven?” Quinn said. “My friend, Raven doesn’t ‘belong’ to any man.” He gave Tane a comradely clap on the back, saying, “She’s like a cat. Beautiful, graceful...”

            “...Preens shamelessly...” Tane offered with a laugh.

            “...Totally amoral...”

            “...and always lands on her feet,” Tane finished with a laugh. “Raven is glorious!”

            Quinn laughed merrily. “You sound like a man in love, except for that crack about her preening shamelessly.”

            Tane shrugged in good humor, saying, “I admit I was more than a little smitten with her, at first. But she would kill me. She’s fire, and I’m water. We’re fine side-by-side, but never put us together.”

            “You’re wise beyond your years,” Quinn said. He sighed gustily. “I thought I knew better, and I do, but....”

            “But you’re not going to turn her away,” Tane finished as they reached the tavern. After consummating their “friendship” in the bathing pool, they had taken it back to the barracks and had at each other on Raven’s bunk. Twice. Tane was more than a little impressed, and envious. “I don’t blame you, old friend.”

            “Old?” he laughed. “If you only knew. If you only knew.”

            Before Tane could question the half-elf further, Quinn slipped into the tavern. Tane followed, and was immediately brought up short. Never had he seen such a place. The women were all scantily clad, and about half the serving wenches were topless. The men were some of the most dangerous he had ever seen.

            “This is the tavern Raven is meeting us at?” Tane said. He was incredulous. Why would any woman want to patronize that tavern? It scared him. “If I were a woman, I wouldn’t even walk down the same street as a place like this. It doesn’t look safe for armed men.”

            “Raven doesn’t like safe,” Quinn said.

            “I’ve noticed.”

            All the tables were taken, so they found a clear spot at the bar in back. Tane looked around, but didn’t see Raven anywhere. Strange, since she had asked twice to ensure they would meet her there. Had she changed her mind?

            “You see Raven?” Tane said.

            “No,” Quinn said. “We’ll wait a bit, but