The Most Powerful Of Kings - Jackie Ashenden Page 0,5

you’re ordered to do?’

‘Of course.’ Her hands rearranged themselves in her lap. ‘I shall be taking my vows soon and proving my obedience is one of the tasks I need to undertake before the Reverend Mother gives her approval.’

You could show her how to be obedient.

The thought was instinctive and so unexpected he sat there for a minute in shock at his own response.

He was a man who was in complete control of himself and his environment. A man who didn’t suffer from sparks in the dead area of his chest where his heart should be. Or flickers of sexual interest in small, innocent creatures such as the one sitting opposite him. He had his hungers, but they were entirely physical and when his body needed a release he dealt with it either himself, or with a couple of very discreet, experienced women who were happy to see him when he needed them, and just as happy to say goodbye when he left.

So he didn’t know why this particular woman, this very innocent nun, was making him feel things he did not want to feel. In fact, why she should make him feel anything at all was beyond him.

Detachment was the key to being an effective protector and defender of his country, and so he didn’t let anything touch him. His father, King Xenophon, had been a hard and brutal teacher on that specific point, but Adonis had learned. He might once have raged against his father’s methods, yet in the end he’d come to see the importance of it.

He felt nothing. And one little novice nun wasn’t going to change that.

Ignoring the flickers of interest from his baser self, Adonis said curtly, ‘Then you can prove yourself obedient by obeying my order to leave Axios.’

This time it was her turn to stare at him in surprise. ‘Excuse me, Your Majesty? Did you—’

‘Are you deaf?’ he interrupted, suddenly irritated almost into anger at himself and this whole ridiculous situation. ‘You will leave Axios by tomorrow morning. Am I clear?’

Shock rippled over her face, swiftly followed by another deep flush.

‘I’m sorry if I caused offence, sire.’ The spark of anger had vanished from her voice, leaving nothing but contrition. ‘I spoke out of turn.’

She was absolutely genuine, of that there was no doubt. And if he’d been a man who felt normal human emotion, he might have felt sorry for her.

But he wasn’t and he didn’t.

Instead, he pushed himself to his feet. ‘Tomorrow morning,’ he said flatly.

Then he turned on his heel and left the room.

CHAPTER TWO

ANNA PACED AROUND the little guest room she’d been shown to after her failed audience with the king, anger churning in her gut.

She hated him. He was cold, rude, arrogant, autocratic. And, even though he might have looked as if he was going to kiss his adorable little daughter’s finger, he hadn’t. Certainly, he had no business accusing her of being here only to seduce him. What absolute rot. She was a novice nun, not a pretty socialite or member of the aristocracy trying for a good marriage.

She wanted to take her vows, not...seduce men.

It was absurd that he’d even considered it. Though now she was curious as to why he’d even think that in the first place. Perhaps the Reverend Mother had sent other novices to him. She hadn’t heard of any, though, and anyway, why would the Reverend Mother send her if that was the case?

Sister Caroline was much lovelier than she was and Sister Maria was more refined. There was nothing about Anna to recommend her to a king.

She came to a stop near the door and glared at it.

Now she was to be sent home for absolutely no reason that she could see. Why? Did he not believe her when she said she’d obeyed the Reverend Mother? Or had he been offended by her outburst?

A trickle of shame slid slowly down her back.

She shouldn’t have let her annoyance at him get the better of her, especially given it was his daughter’s behaviour that he wanted her help with. Not exactly the best example to set. She’d only been shocked by his accusation and offended, if the truth be told. She wasn’t a seductress in any way, shape or form.

And you definitely did not think about what it might be like to seduce him...

Anna whirled away from the door, going over to the heavy wooden bed. Her battered suitcase sat on the thick white linen quilt and she flung it open, digging