The wound didn't kill him but it had to be devastatingly painful. He dropped his weapon and fell to his knees in pain as he clutched his face, gargling out bloody sounds. Not caring to make him suffer I pulled my dagger from his injury, yanked his head back and sliced his throat causing blood to pour over my waist. It may have appeared cruel, but I also didn't want everyone else to know I'd been wounded. Richie wouldn't let me hear the end of it and I just couldn't look weak in front of the soldiers.
Looking up at the rest of the surrounding men, I said calmly, "No one is to harm or force these ladies to do anything they don't consent to. Anyone else who questions my authority can speak now."
After a brief amount of silence, the Tyslantavian envoy grabbed their fallen comrade and quickly left. The remaining soldiers began to disperse, no one saying a word.
"You okay luv?" Richie pulled me by the arm. He seemed worried as he looked me up and down, "I could've sworn I saw him strike you. Did you step back in time?"
"I'm fine Rich. Stop worrying so much." I patted his cheek as an exotic raven haired beauty came forward walking with one arm around the injured cute ebony girl, "Thank you. We would very much like to show our appreciation by offering you our services. Whatever you need, you have but to ask."
Giving a small smile I replied, "I'm all set, thanks."
I was nudged on the left by Richie whose mood did a three-sixty as he looked extremely excited giving off a small wave, "Hey ladies, my name's Richie. It's so nice to have you all with us this evening and please don't let this small upset make you think ill of the whole army. We've got some pretty good guys amongst the few bad ones. What were ya'll initially planning for this evening, hmm?"
The raven haired belle smiled slightly, "We were going to offer a feast for your fine army along with some revelry."
"Well I don't see why that has to change! Ezzie here has done her part to make sure no one does you any harm. Surely we can still make this night enjoyable?" Richie's bright blue eyes twinkled merrily and he gave a flirtatious smile to each of the ladies. I saw a few of them blush slightly; he truly was a charmer.
"I don't see any harm. Please, show us the way." The raven beauty looked sensually at Richie and I could feel his hand tighten around my arm in eagerness. Nevertheless, Rich looked back down at me and asked, "You want to come with hun? Should be fun, and lots of it." He waggled his eyebrows.
I shook my head with a smile, "I think I'd like to rest. It's been a long day."
The women nodded their heads understandingly and Richie said, "Give me one sec ladies and we can get this party started. Just gotta bring the lady back to her tent."
I'm not sure where Kovin and the demon had run off to, but I didn't see them as we walked away from the group heading to our tent. As we entered, Richie's smile vanished and he asked worriedly, "You sure you���re okay? I can stay here with you if you'd rather . . ."
"Rich GO. Have some fun - I'll be fine really. I could use a night to myself and you definitely need a night to blow off some steam."
Richie giggled, "Girl did you see those ladies. I will be blowing off a LOOOTTT of steam, I guarantee."
I smiled slightly disgusted, "Okay okay I don't need to hear about it, though I'm sure you'll tell me all about it tomorrow. Get out of here." I waved him out and could hear him laughing as he walked back to the women.
As soon as he was gone I swayed a little to the side. I could feel the blood pouring from my wound; I was just glad that no one had noticed. My cape covered the gash in my side and with the other blood all over me it just seemed like I was a messy killer.
I couldn't believe I had to kill that guy in front of everyone - but I HAD to right? He would have compromised my authority, and he did lash out at me first. I shook my head, ridding myself from regret; what's done is done. Taking off my cape, I went behind the dressing partition to strip from the dress. I guess the Zantarkans won't be getting their sacred attire back. I had a pair of tights on under the dress but my top was bare once I removed the corset. Blood gushed out of the wound which covered my side including the small of my back. Wincing, I didn't think I'd be able to do much other than cauterize the wound since I couldn't very well reach my back with stitches.
Distracted from the pain I almost didn't make out the sound of footsteps. Thinking it was Richie back to check on me once more, I grabbed a big black tunic and threw it over my top so he wouldn't see the wound. Walking around the partition I called out, "Rich I told you to go have some fun -"
Looking up I abruptly stopped because it wasn't Richie. Instead I was met with the cold violet eyes of the demon prince.