Read Oblige for Free Online

below her breasts to the top of her hips.
    Being a member of the Zel family meant that she had been trained in Wralik fashion, and this clothing was definitely traditional.
    She went to the small dressing table and found a hairbrush. She combed her white locks out and braided the front into a coronet that would keep the rest in check.
    When she was dressed, she got to her feet and checked her reflection in a nearby mirror. The knock on the door had perfect timing.
    She was about to turn to answer the door when it swung open.
    “You know, I didn’t think you would make it that long. You cost me quite a bit of money.”
    The younger Almoss was staring at her, and he stepped into her room and locked the door behind him.
    Lilia knew what that meant, and she reached behind her to grip the hairbrush.
    “It is not your money. You are draining your family accounts.”
    He snorted and swaggered toward her. His green-grey skin was darkened with emotion, and he appeared to be working himself up to something.
    “There is always more money. Is that why you let him capture you? Did Xeric promise you money if you would open your thighs for him?” He leaned in and leered. “I guarantee I can double his offer.”
    When he grabbed her arm, he pulled at wounded skin. She hissed and pain guided her.
    Two things happened at the same time. She struck him in the throat with the hairbrush and the door exploded.
    Lemko dropped to the ground a moment before Xeric hauled him back and slammed him into the wall.
    Lilia took a seat at the dressing table again and checked to make sure that she hadn’t reopened her wound. The area was red, but not bleeding.
    Xeric didn’t ask her what had happened; he merely grabbed his brother and hauled him out of the room.
    Since there was now nothing to bar her way, Lilia followed him.
    There was really nothing else for her to do.
     

Chapter Six
     
     
    The Almosses looked a little startled to have Xeric hauling Lemko by the back of his neck. Lilia stayed back in the shadows and watched.
    “I am calling the peacekeepers. Lemko assaulted Lilia Zel under our roof.” Xeric growled.
    Madame Almoss looked shocked. “You can’t be serious. Why would he want that alien? She is so pale and pasty.”
    Lilia winced. Ouch.
    “She has his handprint on her arm, over a recently healed wound. There is no way she invited that touch; it would have been agony.”
    Lemko sneered. “That is what she likes.”
    Xeric looked down. “Why were you in her quarters?”
    “I was greeting our guest, and she threw herself at me.”
    Madame Almoss frowned. “Lemko, what is wrong with your voice?”
    Xeric coughed a laugh. “She was so hot for him, she defended herself with a hairbrush to his throat. He was on the ground when I came in.”
    Xeric’s father cleared his throat. “Darling, I am fairly sure that Xeric knows what he saw. You know that Lemko has a tendency to leap first.”
    Madame scowled. “She must have enticed him.”
    Lilia stepped forward. “Not through a closed door I didn’t. By Wralik standards, your treatment of me as a representative of the Zel family is sadly lacking. If it were not for Xeric’s care of my wounds, I would be calling the peacekeepers myself.”
    Madame Almoss flinched. “Miss Zel, I did not know you were there.”
    Xeric muttered, “I did.”
    “I realise that, but do you also realise that Lemko was trying to bribe me into his bed before he tried force? It might explain the financial issues that you are facing. If that is the only way he can get laid, it must be expensive to have him as a son.”
    Madame’s skin darkened to a charcoal grey. “I apologize for the insult to you under our roof. You will be safe here for the next three days.”
    She chuckled. “I doubt it. I have no door and the look in his eyes is indicating that he will deal with me when I am alone. If he is here, I am not safe.”
    Lemko grovelled, “Mother, please. I promise to mend my ways.”
    His father put