It's just the aftermath of relief at avoiding death,
her reason told her turbulent emotions.
Her emotions guffawed and told her reason to kindly fuck off.
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| Available at Amazon.com |
The Ippos King
Grace Draven
Wraith Kings, book three
Kindle Edition, 437 pages
First published October 6, 2020
ISBN 9781641972246
The demonic horde that threatened to devour the world has been defeated, but at great cost. Plagued by guilt and nightmares, Serovek Pangion sets out to deliver the soulless body of the monk Megiddo to the heretical Jeden Order for safekeeping. Accompanying him is sha-Anhuset, the Kai woman he admires and desires most--a woman barely tolerant of him.
Devoted to her regent, Anhuset reluctantly agrees to act as a Kai ambassador on the trip, even though the bold margrave known as the Beladine Stallion gets under her skin like no other, and Anhuset fears he'll worm his way into her armored heart as well.
But guilt and unwelcome attraction are the least of their problems. The demons thought vanquished are stirring again, and a warlord with blood-soaked ambition turns a journey of compassion into a fight for survival. When the Beladine king brands Serovek a traitor, Anhuset must choose between sacrificing the life of a man she's grown to love and abandoning lifelong fealty to the Kai people.
A tale of loyalty and acceptance.
I was delighted to find that book three in the Wraith Kings series takes a sidestep and focuses on Serovek, the noble, human ally that all but sacrificed himself to aid Brishen in the quest against the demon horde, and Anhuset, Brishen's bastard, female cousin and second in command. I love me some Anhuset.
Serovek? He's in awe of her. Her mind. Her skills. And yes, her body.
While she, true of her kind, finds him abhorrent. His eyes are like bugs about to pop out of his skull... But his hair? His hair she likes. And his strength. His compassion. His courage. His wit. And yes, she might have ogled his arse a time or two.
Girl has it bad and she's at constant war with herself. And when she's not telling her inner, lustful demons to kindly fuck off, she's being the master, er mistress, of mixed signals. You're ugly. Are you married? You're an annoyance. Why haven't you remarried?
And when she plucked the ribbon from the mud.. awe... Our girl's a softie inside.
“Ah gods,” he said in a rough voice. “We made love, didn't we? And I don't remember any of it.” He shifted position, cursing from the pain it caused him. “You weren't jesting when you said I wouldn't survive you.”
...
Serovak regarded her, trading his frown for a half smile. “Battered and pissed on, you're still beautiful.”
“And I didn't think you could get any uglier.”
His smile grew, accompanied by a wince. “Does this mean I can't coax you under me?”
“The beating has made you delirious. I doubt you can even stand at the moment.” Her mind recognized his jesting, but her body reacted otherwise, sending a hot blush flowing under her skin. Her heart, barely slowed after the climb, resumed its previous heavy beat.
Serovek waved a hand in a careless motion. “Some bruises, a few cracked ribs. They didn't geld me.”
“Don't think the idea didn't occur to them. And you didn't mention the black eyes. Your nose is broken too. You're in no shape for a swiving.”
He snorted. “I'm beaten, not dead. I'd suggest you be on top, but you weigh as much as my horse. You'll break the rest of my bones those shit maggots didn't get to.” A chuff of laughter escaped her. “Ah, there it is,” he marveled, as if he'd turned back a threadbare cloth to reveal a valuable jewel.
...
Serovak regarded her, trading his frown for a half smile. “Battered and pissed on, you're still beautiful.”
“And I didn't think you could get any uglier.”
His smile grew, accompanied by a wince. “Does this mean I can't coax you under me?”
“The beating has made you delirious. I doubt you can even stand at the moment.” Her mind recognized his jesting, but her body reacted otherwise, sending a hot blush flowing under her skin. Her heart, barely slowed after the climb, resumed its previous heavy beat.
Serovek waved a hand in a careless motion. “Some bruises, a few cracked ribs. They didn't geld me.”
“Don't think the idea didn't occur to them. And you didn't mention the black eyes. Your nose is broken too. You're in no shape for a swiving.”
He snorted. “I'm beaten, not dead. I'd suggest you be on top, but you weigh as much as my horse. You'll break the rest of my bones those shit maggots didn't get to.” A chuff of laughter escaped her. “Ah, there it is,” he marveled, as if he'd turned back a threadbare cloth to reveal a valuable jewel.
It has action, romance, suspense, banter... Ah, the banter. I laughed till my eyes cried. Bless you, Anhuset. (And I'm still damning you, Feyre.)
She's no longer sha though. Not sure how I feel about that. Margavina just doesn't have the same ring to it. And the Ippos King? Did I miss the part where the title was relevent to the story? A mere reference to the Beladine Stallion perhaps??
4 out of 5 stars.
Available in ebook | paperback | audiobook
Previously in the series:
