The Way of the Blade by Stuart Jaffe

town — no, the entire country of Carsite would have no choice but to make him their ruler. Long before they completed the Waypoint system, he would be like a king. And when they did finish the Waypoint, it would usher in a peacetime prosperity never before seen amongst his people.
    “What is going on in that brain of yours?” Druzane said, crawling to edge of the bed.
    Javery noticed her for the first time. Her sultry beauty caused a pulse in him that he knew would be difficult to deny. But he had to show some restraint — at least until he had figured things out.
    “I have a problem,” he said, speaking out loud to hear his own thoughts. “While Malja would be a fantastic weapon against the Scarites, she refuses to help us.”
    “Then change her mind.”
    “She doesn’t think like we do. Diplomacy, politics — they require that you understand your adversary. I don’t know what she values, what I can use to sway her.”
    Sliding out of bed, Druzane allowed her robe to ride up her smooth legs. Javery’s eyes lingered on the lovely sight, his body hardening with thoughts he had to push away for a bit longer. She sauntered towards him, her shoulders rolling in a way that pulled his eyes from one luscious curve to another.
    “Foolish boy,” she said. “A great man like you only succeeds with a great woman behind him.” With a simple motion, her robe dropped to the floor. She stepped behind him and pressed her naked body against him, kissing the back of his neck. Then she reached down, grabbed hold of him, and stroked him steady and sure.
    “Oh. Please. I have to fix this first. Please, stop.”
    She moved her hand faster. “Let me fix it all. I can get Malja on our side. Do you believe me?”
    “Oh, yes. You can do so much.”
    Druzane let go and walked around to face him. She lowered to her knees. “Think of how strong we could be together. You, a great mind. Me, a great woman. I’m exactly the kind of woman you need to become your fullest.” She licked him once.
    “What will you do?” he asked though heavy breaths.
    “You don’t have to worry about that. See, that’s how it would work. I get things done for you so that you can relax your mind from such worries and focus on the things you need to pay attention to.” She licked him again, and he moaned. “But,” she said, rising to look him in the eyes, “I cannot continue the way we’ve been going. If I do, then you won’t gain anything with me.”
    Javery’s skin flushed with desire. “Don’t stop. You feel so good.”
    “I may have taken too much blood from your brain. You’re not thinking anymore.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Marriage, of course. The only way I can be the woman behind you, the one helping you succeed is if I am your wife. Otherwise, I’ll be seen as a mere whore, your plaything, a worthless trinket to be discarded when convenient. Nobody will care what I say or do. They won’t accept me with seriousness. And without that, I cannot get Malja to work for you.”
    “But as my wife, you can?”
    “Oh yes. And much more.” She lowered again and took him in her mouth for several seconds.
    When she stopped and gazed up at him, he nodded. “You are more than I deserve. I should have asked for your hand long ago.”
    “Then we’ll announce our engagement tomorrow night at the wedding.”
    Javery paused. “But that’s my sister’s wedding.”
    “It’s also Canto’s big moment. Do you really want him to shine any brighter? I don’t want to be mean to your sister, but if you want to rule these people, they need to start thinking of you instead of Canto.” She licked him more. “Trust me. I’ll take care of everything. Remember, that’s what a great woman is for.”
    Javery wanted to understand what she meant by all of this, but he wanted her mouth more. Soon, his mind fell into carnal bliss, and the idea of having this incredibly lustful woman in his bed every night flooded over him. If marriage meant