Read Here She Rules: The Chronicles of Erla: Book 1 for Free Online

graceful competency. The tables were piled high with foods which emitted succulent aromas which had Cassie’s stomach growling in anticipation.
    A hush had fallen over the assembly at her appearance, and it was followed by the muted whisperings of many voices.
    Nera rose and banged a jeweled staff on the floor, calling for silence.
    “Tonight, we welcome the Lady Cassandra to our world and into our hearts. She has accepted my appointments to the posts of Commander of my Private Guard as well as that of the Commander of the Erlan Army. Her word is second only to mine from this moment forward. Hail Lady Cassandra, Defender of Erla!” A deafening roar sounded throughout the room as the warriors stood and shouted their approval. The Ladies of the Court clapped, and the slaves made their obeisance.
    After kneeling before the Queen and being bid to rise, Cassie took her seat next to Nera. Accepting a cut crystal goblet filled with an innocuous-looking pink liquid, she sniffed it cautiously and was delighted to find it smelled of fresh strawberries.
    The beverage was called Jul, the Queen explained. It tasted as good as it smelled, and it went down so smoothly that Cassie was certain it was not alcoholic; it lacked the distinctive taste and burn of an inebriating drink.
    She had downed two glasses before she realized how wrong she was. A delicious feeling of languor came over her, and she was suddenly very happy. She felt so happy in fact that a giggle escaped her, causing the Queen to look at her closely.
    “Have a care with Jul, Cassandra. It is quite potent, and the effects are . . . well . . . Let me just say that it will heighten ALL of your senses.” She grinned wickedly and winked at Cassie, who raised one eyebrow questioningly. In the next moment, she became acutely aware of Mika, who had appeared at her elbow with a plate of food.
    She was seized by a sudden heat and a desire to have him now—on the table in front of her and before all of these people. Her body throbbed with need, and she squirmed in her seat as a look of comprehension covered her face.
    “Ohh . . . I get it now,” Cassie said thickly, and the Queen laughed out loud.
    “Perhaps, you should eat something before you ravish every slave in this room,” Nera said with a grin on her face.
    “I think you’re right,” Cassie replied, squeezing her thighs together to ease the throbbing in her loins.
    Cassie found the food delectable. The flavors were so intense and delicious; she couldn’t remember ever having enjoying a meal quite so much. Apparently, the Jul had heightened more than just her sexual appetite.
    Finally, she was so full she couldn’t swallow another morsel, and she set down her fork. The fork had barely hit the plate before Kai appeared to remove the soiled dish, smiling into her eyes as he moved around her.
    Arn placed a fresh goblet of Jul and another of water before her and was delighted when her hand ran up the inside of his thigh.
    Throughout their dinner conversation, Cassie found herself liking the Queen more and more on a personal level. Nera was well-loved by her people; of that, Cassie had been sure. Now, she could see why. The woman was intelligent and witty, strong and decisive, and yet, she was also approachable at the same time. Nera told her she was the only child of the last monarch and that she had ascended the throne when she was fifteen years old after her mother died in battle.
    Cassie was fascinated to learn that the Queens of this world fought shoulder to shoulder with their warriors. They did not stay behind in safety, but met danger head-on. Nera then told her of the troubles they had been having with the Trevians.
    “They are a nomadic band of barbaric females who are constantly on the move. They despoil whatever they touch, wherever they go. We in Erla make a point of trying to live peacefully with our neighboring countries, but the Trevians have no regard for peace. They are a race of savages