His portly guard wheezed his reply. “Yes, sire.”
Murduk stopped and glared at his companion with his fists on his hips. “My toys are available, yes?” He took in a deep, satisfied breath. “Since I wasn’t able to battle, I must purge myself in other ways.”
Shouts from down the golden corridor caught his attention. Murduk glanced at the guard next to him. “See what that’s about.”
The man clicked his heels with a slight bow. “At once, my liege.” Gripping his laser spear, the young guard stomped with a quickened gait to a group of sentries blocking someone trying to get near him.
“Eminence! I have pressing information that needs your immediate attention!” A female’s shrill voice rose to an ear-bleeding level.
Murduk scowled as his covert spy among the nobles, Damkina, struggled to attract his attention. Good thing she proved her worth when she’d given him the key information that ended up in capturing the traitor Sychar.
“Let her through.” No reason to mask his growl.
She rushed toward him. Her white noble’s gown with its gold piping fluttered behind her. Before she stumbled into him, she skidded to a stop, put a hand to her throat, and gave a regal bow. Straightening, she looked him in the eyes.
Impertinent female. Whenever in his presence, her eyes should be lowered. She never had been, nor would she ever be, his equal. Glancing around at the guards watching them with wide eyes, Murduk folded his arms over his chest.
“Female—” His other personal guard, Uruk, stood in front of her, his grip on the laser spear prominent. ”—when in the presence of the sub-Prince, you will lower your eyes and maintain a respectful demeanor.”
With a gasp, she dropped her gaze as she clasped her shaking hands in front of her. “I mean no disrespect, sire. But the information I have is urgent and cannot wait.”
He studied her trembling form and made a quick decision. “Attend me.” He stomped off to a nearby drawing room.
Several people were laughing and lounging around as if they didn’t have a care in the world.
“Get out.” Damn fools were at least smart enough not to argue as they scrambled away. He turned to Uruk. “Have everyone else wait outside while I speak with his female. Make sure the playroom is in full swing. I’d hate to have to wait to warm things up.”
Uruk slapped a fist over his heart with a slight bow. “Sire.” He stepped back until he stood in the open doorway to protect Murduk’s privacy.
Murduk didn’t bother to watch the male communicate his instructions.
This had better be worth the interruption. Glaring at the woman, he didn’t sit, nor did he offer her a seat. His needs were scrambling inside him, tearing through him. With an ironclad control, he stifled the urge to tremble.
“My Lord, I have irrefutable proof there is a hidden city near FarDeep Base on Earth’s moon. I suspect it has existed for as long as the base has.”
Murduk’s face tensed. The next words came through hard lips. “Show me this proof.”
Opening her palm, Damkina activated the video display floating above her skin.
At first, he didn’t understand what he saw, but all too soon, it was clear Damkina was in the throes of a passionate embrace with a male he didn’t recognize.
Between gasps of pleasure, their conversation was sporadic but clear enough to understand.
The male boasted about how he worked with the WOTA in a hidden city under the noses of the military on FarDeep Base. He even bragged how Princess Inanna and her sons were part of the rebel group, determined to wrestle the monarchy from Murduk. He promised she’d be his lead consort if she agreed to work with him.
Damkina answered the male by filling her mouth with his cock.
Clever female avoided making any sort of promise. The video ended.
“I fail to see how that’s irrefutable proof. You only bring me a story that some idiot boasts about while you fuck him.”
“I agree, sire. That is why I conducted research on my own. If I may, I’d like to send a file to you showing a possibility of where this city is.” Her bluebell eyes narrowed with fanatical intent. “The city must be filled with those who oppose you, Eminence. We must exterminate them.” She stepped to him and gripped his forearm. “If I turn this rebel around to work for us, will you grant me the titles and property you promised?”
Murduk fought the condescending sneer threatening to escape. “We shall see.” He motioned Uruk to join him, then patted the female’s shoulder. “You must use this traitor to our advantage. Have him report to you all movements they make. Unmask those that follow the rebellion. If you succeed, we can then discuss your rewards.”
Damkina clasped her hands together and beamed. “Oh, thank you, sire! I am ever at your disposal.” With a flirtatious glance, she flicked her long hair over her shoulder. She left with the two guards Uruk assigned to her.
“Get me Commander Kud now.” His nostrils flared as his vision tunneled. The urge to scream made his face heat. His fingers clenched with the need to choke the incompetent man.