Summoned and Stolen (Summoned Series Romances) Read Online Free Page A

servan t to bring over another goblet.
    “Lily, would you like something to drink?” Camford asked, his fat fingers stroking each other slowly, caressing his ring encrusted hands.
    “Yes, master. I would,” she replied, each word falling like music from her soft lips. Lily’s voice was as ethereal and lovely as the rest of her, and Kel couldn’t deny he wanted her. She was everything he loved about women. Soft, sweet-smelling, and beautiful enough to make a man forget the bloody trials of war, for a little while at least.
    Camford’s smile lips twisted into a sly grin and he cocked his head to one side. “But you have done nothing to earn food or drink yet, my lovely. Everyone in my court earns their keep in one way or another. Tell me, what will you do to claim yours?”
    Kel felt the tiny tremor that passed through Lily’s frame at the Duke’s words, though it was too slight for anyone else to notice. She had courage , that much was plain. He knew veteran soldiers who could not hide their fear as well as she was.
    “If it pleases my master, I could sing for him, and his guests,” Lily offered.
    The Duke nodded. “Sing for us then, lovely Lily. I shall let my guests judge what your reward should be.”
    “Yes, master.” Lily wriggled out of Kel’s lap, inadvertently connecting with the hard ridge of his cock. No one but her caught the low groan of need that rumbled up from the warrior’s chest as she moved against him so intimately, yet when he gripped her hips and helped her stand there was no hint of desire in the way he touched her. He was masking his interest, just as she was masking her fear.
    Lily let her wings unfurl and then wrapped them around her body, forming a gossamer gown that gave her a small measure of protection against the lustful stares of the Duke and his men. Part of her yearned to return to the relative safety of the mercenary’s arms, but that would do neither of them any good. Lily already knew that Camford was a man who fed on weakness and fear, so she would show him neither.
    She walked to an unoccupied corner and turned to face her audience, trying to ignore the fact several of them were already enjoying themselves at the expense of some of the Duke’s other slaves. She drew in several slow breaths to help ease the tightness in her throat, and then Lily began to sing. Her first few notes wavered slightly, but as she lost herself in the music, her voice gained strength.
    Soon Lily’s song filled the room and every soul present, from Duke to servant, was listening intently. It happened without her even being aware of it. Her natural instinct to heal and comfort caused her to begin weaving elements of magic into her singing. Soothing notes intended to bring comfort, gentling tones to calm and soften the listener’s mood.
    The magic was not for the Duke or his guests. Lily sang for her fellow captives, offering what little solace she could to those who suffered the same fate as she. The mood in the room grew calmer as Lily’s song weaved its magic around the room. A low, throbbing pain started to build behind Lily’s eyes, but she didn’t stop. The torc was punishing her for using magic without her master's permission, but she would not give into the pain. This was the only rebellion she could manage, and so she continued to sing.
    The pain grew worse with every note, but still she kept on until her vision went gray. Her voice cracked and broke, ending the song. Despite her best efforts to hide her pain, a soft, agonized sob escaped her lips and she hung her head.
    Kel had spent his life reading people, and he felt the emotional shift in the room as clearly as if a breeze had blown in from outside. When he caught himself relaxing deeper into his chair, Kel forced himself to sit up straighter. When that didn’t work he bit the inside of his cheek, using the pain to clear his mind and regain his edge.
    He scanned the room, noting that he seemed to be the only one who had shaken