The
King’s Virgin
Adriana
Hunter
Copyright © 2012 Adriana Hunter
Published
by Sweet Dreams Publishing
Smashwords Edition
This
ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may
not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to
share this book with another person, please purchase an additional
copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not
purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please
return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for
respecting the hard work of this author.
Cordova jumped at the loud, insistent knock at her door, nearly dropping the brush she’d been running through her long curtain of black hair. Setting it carefully on the vanity, she rose from her chair. She thought briefly about taking a moment to tuck her hair underneath her cap, but she knew that if it were her employer she would be scolded for keeping her waiting so she dutifully rushed out.
Taking a deep breath, she crossed the room and opened the door to see Lady Alice Grey, lady-in-waiting to King Lyon and her employer, waiting, flanked by two royal guards. Cordova’s eyes immediately jumped to the envelope fisted in the Lady’s skeletally thin hand, and her heart hammered against her chest.
“How may I be of service, my Lady?” she asked, struggling to keep her voice steady. She started to bow, but her head snapped back as Lady Grey’s free hand shot out, cracking against her face.
“You stupid wench,” she snapped, black eyes cold in contrast to the spots of color in her bony cheeks. “Did you really think you could get away with this?”
“I-I-I don’t know what you mean,” Cordova stammered, clutching her stinging cheek even as her eyes darted back to the envelope. She knew very well what the Lady meant, but that didn’t mean she was going to give in right away. Even if she couldn’t see a way out of this predicament.
Lady Grey ripped the letter out of the envelope and waved it in front of her face. “One of my secretaries intercepted this letter yesterday. In it you write of unspeakable accusations against the King—outlandish tales of high taxes, poverty, unfair justice systems.”
Cordova lifted her chin. “They are not outlandish tales. The King overtaxes his people, fattens the rich and starves the poor, and beheads or imprisons anyone who dares to question his command. He is nothing more than a barbarian and a tyrant.”