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doubted that it was good. She didn't speak and instead
waited for the emperor to lead the conversation.
Passion's Escape Ashlynn Monroe Page 88
"My son doesn't know it, but the whole time he was on
your home world I had a spy watching over him. Places
like your Freedom Port think that they are not under my
control, but they are wrong. You have to give your animals
a little leash to make them think they are in control.
Nothing is what it seems in the world, Passion. I control it
all. Here try this you will like it."
He shoved a round bread lathered in a thick cream onto
her plate. Sniffing it delicately, she decided to take a bit. It
was good. She nodded her approval. Still, she did not
speak. Her silence encouraged her host to continue.
"I have been watching you. I know that you know it,
but I thought I would tell you before I caused my poor boy
a lover's spat. He really should have you watched himself.
Ah, young love, foolish but sweet. You are a surprise. I
find myself regretting that I like you. I think you are
planning an escape. Are you going to run away, Passion?"
The food stuck in her throat and she started to choke. A
servant ran up to her and started to pat her on the back. She
tried to drink some water but she just choked on that too.
When she had recovered, Passion decided that she had
better talk.
"If I am going to run away it is not because I don't care
about Dragon. If I wanted a man to control me, I would be
delighted to live like this forever. I want a real life. This
Passion's Escape Ashlynn Monroe Page 89
just does not feel real. I am sure you understand. I am a
simple woman with simple desires. I just want freedom. It
is so little to ask for, and yet I have never had it. Yes, I will
run away, someday. Please don't tell Dragon it will only
hurt him."
"Don't you think it will hurt him when you leave?" His
question surprised her.
"I care about him, but I can't just give up on my one
dream. I want to find a way to support myself and chose
where I live. I want be able to go when I want to go and
stay when I want to stay. If Dragon is hurt it will be the one
thing that will cloud my joy that day, but I have to do this
for myself. If that is selfish, then I am selfish. I do not agree
with many of your rules, but I am no anarchist. The world
will go on as you chose, but I want to control my little
piece of that world. As a man you will never understand."
He smiled and it was a genuine smile.
"Passion, I was not always emperor. I fought a battle to
overthrow my uncle because I too wanted to control my
piece of the world. I risked my life for my dream. Others
might not agree with my dream but I happily live it. I
understand you girl. You are foolish, but usually the foolish
are the dreamers. I will say nothing to Dragon. If he can't
hold you that will be between the two of you, I will not
have you followed again."
Passion's Escape Ashlynn Monroe Page 90
"Thank you."
After her one word reply, they ate in silence. A strange
understanding had passed between them.
* * * *
Several days later when she was in the market, she
realized no one followed her. Dragon had left that morning
on business that would keep him away for several days.
Before she left her room she had taken her money and a
picture of her brothers along with a carved animal her
father had given her as a child and her mother's hair clip.
She also had a jeweled necklace that Dragon had given her
in memory of a particularly special night of passion.
Nothing else was irreplaceable.
She had worn as many layers of clothing as she could
without looking conspicuous. Passion was ready for her
escape. It was a long time in coming but freedom was
finally at hand. A quick look behind her assured her that no
one followed. With her new identification, recently
purchased, she used all but a few coins on the ticket.
Her last look goodbye left Passion feeling a little
choked up. She was finally on her own, but she would miss
the men she had come to care for. Their memory would
always be special in her heart.
Passion's Escape Ashlynn Monroe Page 91
Eight
Running left her exhausted.
Looking over her shoulder, she saw the tall man who'd
been on the last two transports smile at her sinisterly. Fear
made her pant. Was he an agent of the emperor or just a
random sicko? In the week since leaving Desmenia, and
Dragon and Hawk, she'd had very little sleep and even less
to eat. Those kinds of conditions could cause hallucinations
but she knew her feeling about the slimy man was not just
paranoia.
Casually, Passion got up and left the section of the
transport where she was sitting. The good thing about not
having luggage was that it made switching destinations
quick and she was able to board without paying. Each day
she felt a little safer. Maybe she thought too much of
herself. Maybe Hawk and Dragon would not go looking for
her. Certainly, they could choose any woman in the galaxy.
When the transport stopped in a small, out of the way
mineral mining town for the night Passion got off the to
explore. It seemed that the transport was going to be
Passion's Escape Ashlynn Monroe Page 92
staying for the night. She decided to see if this was to be
her home. She would know her fated home when she saw
it. Destiny had set aside a place for her; she just had to find
it. Walking through the cold night, she saw poor beggars
and the dirtiness of the mines. Shuddering, she knew that
this was not home.
Sighing wearily, Passion counted the few credits that
she had left. Not even enough for a little room of
questionable cleanliness. Turning she began to re-board the
transport.
She never made it.
Suddenly rude hands had her and she was unable to
break their hold. Her mouth was held completely shut, she
couldn't even scream. Struggling, angry tears began to fall.
Did the creepy man from the transport have her? Whoever
had her was not letting go! After a few more minutes of
struggling, she found herself dragged up the stairs of the
transport station's tavern inn. Her attacker had obviously
already gotten a room. That meant he was not from the
transport.
She tried to bite his hand and kick his legs, but it was no
use. In a very short time with minimal effort on his part he
had her inside a room. All the rooms opened from the
outside. No one noticed her struggle. When he let her go
Passion's Escape Ashlynn Monroe Page 93
Passion would have called for help, but his face caught her
off-guard. The scream wedged in her throat.
Hawk?
"You are a hard woman to catch! Great job covering
your tracks, but I did have the entire empire at my disposal.
Dragon is in a very foul mood and so am I. What were you
thinking?"
"Hawk, let me go. Walk away and say you didn't find
me. I just want peace and freedom. Please Hawk, be my
friend and let me be on my own."
"I can't do that Passion. I care about you too much. You
have no money, and nowhere to go. If I let you walk away
you could be killed or worse. I can't just let you go off [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]