Five - She taught you well.

JADE

The man knocked, pushed the door open and entered. Remembering I was here as a slave, I stood at the door, having not being invited into the King's chambers. The man realized this and gestured for me to enter. When I entered I was truly amazed.

I had seen a lot of riches and magnificence but surely nothing could compare to this. A single man's room was bigger than anything I had ever seen before and that was definitely saying something...

Slaves weren't allowed to look around. I stopped and stared at the floor. That was stupid. How could I have allowed myself to be carried away like that? Because of riches? I had seen so much so what's so different now?

I need to get my head into this assignment, finish it and go back to the kids. The man stopped and I halted behind him. I didn't look up because I knew why he stopped. The king was here.

"Your highness", confirmed my thoughts.

"You may leave us, Argar", his rough, oddly sexy and seductive voice said.

Argar bowed and left me standing alone in the room with the king.

"You can raise your head", he said and when I did I met his emerald green eyes on me. I shivered at the intensity.

"What is your name?", he inquired.

Remembering that slaves didn't have names unless they bought and owned by someone who then was responsible for naming them so now I temporarily belonged to this man, I said, "I have none, your highness."

He nodded and then said, "I have a perfect name for you. Iris."

I sucked in a breath at that name. My name. One of my birth name. I bowed my head, a tiny little bit shaken, and said, "Whatever you think is best, your Majesty."

He moved from where he was standing in front of the bed to the silk-covered couch and sat gracefully on it. He looked at me with his green eyes then said,

"Dance for me, Iris."

The musicians who I just realized came into the room began to play. I began moving, sensually, using my movement to tempt. At every single beat of the drum, I sway, turn, spin, twirl or shake along with the rhythm. From slow and sensual to fast and wildly tempting.

My arms moved up to my head and I turned my hand this way and that way. The tiny bells tinkled as my hips moved then abruptly, telling me the king wanted privacy and they were now no longer in the room, I wasn't told to stop moving so I continued dancing.

"Stop. Come here", he ordered and I did what I was told.

I wonder how I'm going to kill this man. Poison him? Stab him? Break his neck? Throw him off his balcony that gave a spectacular view of Yaznak? Or other possibilities?

"Stop there", he said and I stopped.

He got up from the couch, walked to where I was standing and stood right in front of me. All I could do was stay still or I could be suspected. I am not that stupid to get killed off an absurd reason. Like Altair. He raised his hand to my face and removed the veil from my face, all I did was carefully avoid looking into his eyes. He began stroking my hair with a featherlight touch that I almost didn't feel it.

"Tell me, Iris, how did you learn how to dance like that?", he asked as he started twirling a lock of my hair around his finger, slowly and gently.

"My first master."

That wasn't a lie. I was taught how to dance by the one and only, Altair. She taught me how to use it to my advantage.

Then she died.

"A he or she?"

"She."

"She taught you well but I must say, she may have forgotten some details. You played the part perfectly but may have forgotten that some are smarter and quicker than you.

Confused I asked, "What do you mean, your Majesty?"

He gave me a rueful smile and shook his head then I realized I had made a mistake. Slaves never ask questions and don't speak unless spoken to.

"Many assassins are sent to kill me daily but never succeed. You are the most attractive one so far."

I was so confused. For the first time in forever, I felt chills run down my spine. He smiled at me but I could very well see a glint if something in his eyes.

"First fail? Don't worry, I know how it is. But I am very sure you want to leave here alive so all you have to do is tell me who sent you."

"If you are as smart as you say, why don't you guess? You very well know I would never reveal my clients."

"A loyal assassin, as well as tempting."

I jutted my chin forward in defiance and earned a chuckle from him.

"My stepmother Kimaa sent you, didn't she?"

"You know. I am not surprised. You weren't really planning to let me go anyway so what was the point in telling you anyways."

"You know, you are either very brave or very stupid. Talking back to the king can get you executed. It is almost equal to treason. You know that, don't you?"

"I know and I have nothing to lose."

"Very stupid it is."

"Think whatever you want."

"You are standing on the edge of my patience. You could get yourself killed."

"I have nothing to lose but remember, I don't plan to go down easily without a fight."

He was quiet for a moment before he dropped the hatchet and said,

"Work for me."

I was very very very very surprised that for a moment all I did was stare then say,

"Huh?"

"I am offering you a way out. Work for me and I spare your life."

"You mean, tie myself to you and become a servant to you."

"And I spare your life."

"No."

"What?"

"I said no."

"You're testing my patience."

"You've said something like that."

"Argar", he called out.

The said man came in hold someone was struggling in front of him. The person looked strangely familiar. Then it hit me. It was Jamil. I spun around to face the king, who was smirking. The bastard was feeling proud of himself.

"You planned all of this, didn't you?"

"A woman who has been killing most of my kingdom officials and taking gold from their coffers after that. Planned this? Of course, I did."

I clenched my fist in anger and ground my teeth together. I wanted to hit him so much but I could really get killed if I did something that stupid. I can't die without exacting revenge on my enemy.

"Let him go", I gritted out.

"I thought you had nothing to lose."

"Let him go."

"One condition."

"What is it?"

"Work for me."

"No."

"Argar."

A flash of silver caught my eye and I saw a dagger pressed to Jamil's throat. He stopped struggling and froze, staring at me with wide eyes. Fear was clearly written in his eyes. I couldn't be this selfish.

"I'll do it."

He smiled diabolically and said,

"I had a feeling you'd come and see it my way", to Argar, " Take them away. "

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A thousand words! I did it. Nothing to really say except for... Hi

........

Work for the king? This is going to be a heck of a ride. Next chapter coming soon once I shake out the laziness in me. What do you think the next chapter is about, anyway? Hint: Has to do with an important flashback.

.........

Need to sleep

~Sayonara~