Tadraem turned from where he'd leaned against the door. He'd heard enough to affirm his suspicions. Michael's sister. He rushed to Aiden's chambers and entered without knocking.
Aiden lay back against the headboard of his bed, his new bride sitting naked, rubbing his feet with oil. She had a bloodied lip and a newly swollen eye.
Tadraem sat on the bed and let his eyes wander over her. "Her name is Sara?"
Aiden nodded.
His mouth watered at the site of her. It had been months since he'd visited the temple and taken care of his physical needs. Still, those vessels were worn out – used. They were nothing like this human, whose innocence was so strong he could almost taste it. He touched the slender column of her neck and then massaged one breast, flicking her nipple with his thumb. Having lost her soul so recently, he could almost feel the fear radiating from her. It pleased him.
"Jules and twenty-one of his men have been slain," Tadraem shifted to rearrange himself, uncomfortable from his erection. "They encountered Adorian forces upon return from Ruiari."
Aiden leaned forward as Tadraem spoke, not the least bit bothered by Tadraem's attentiveness to his new plaything.
"Now is the time for the revenge of yours that I spoke of. I'm sending the remainder of Jules' men, through what will appear to be your authority, into the outer regions with instructions to slay every human that resides in the lesser provinces. We've more than enough of them in the main cities to make up our forces against Adoria, the rest are of little use to us."
Aiden grabbed a piece of paper and a pen from his bedside table, handing it to Tadraem when he'd finished with it.
How is this revenge?
Tadraem tore the paper, letting it float in pieces to the floor. "Your allegiance is to me now, which means you must unquestionably follow what I say. Upon waking tomorrow, you'll find that speech will flow freely past your lips again. Once those who already question Garren's abilities hear of Jules and Garren's failure to avenge him, it will be enough to secure their faith in your commands. Tell no one of this. Garren's forces at large mustn't be aware until after the humans are dead. Then we'll see where Garren's loyalties lie. I believe it to be only a matter of time before his own men turn on him and you will be there waiting to claim their loyalty, having already avenged our fallen by power of the Goddess, your miraculously recovered speech as the proof of it."
Aiden smiled as Tadraem made his way to the door.
"And Aiden… try not to break your new toy. It would be a shame."