leo4life/algoml_bookcorpus_10p · Datasets at Hugging Face

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the gray jewel glowed softly as he pulled the covers back to let her in .
he studied the bruises , brushing them gently with his fingers .
`` i hurt you .
i 'm sorry . ''
`` professional hazard , '' surreal replied with sweet venom .
he deserved a short knife in the ribs .
philip settled her head on his shoulder and tucked the covers around them once again .
she knew he was looking for a way to get back on familiar ground , to take back the pain he 'd caused .
she let the silence stretch and strain , making no effort to help him .
she was a whore now because it was the easiest way to get close to males , learn their habits , and make a kill .
since philip was in only one of her two books , and unlikely to be in the other , she did n't care if he ever came back .
sadi was a different problem .
she had to find a way to meet him that would n't arouse suspicion .
that , however , was something she would consider after some sleep .
`` you did n't get anything to eat , '' philip said quietly .
surreal waited for a couple of heartbeats before accepting the peace offering .
`` true , and i 'm ravenous . ''
she sent an order to the kitchen for two prime ribs with the works and another bottle of wine .
the hefty tab deje was going to hand him would disconcert him , but it would also alleviate some of his guilt for hurting her .
`` i would n't worry about sadi , '' surreal said as she slipped out of bed and wrapped a dressing gown around her slim body .
`` although '' -how nice to see that immediate flicker of worry in his eyes- '' a lover who requires his silent participation and discretion would do well to understand that sadi remembers courtesies just as he remembers slights . ''
she smiled as the obelisk on the table chimed and the two meals appeared on the table.let him chew on that , she thought , as she cut into the prime rib .
5-terreille daemon glided into the breakfast room but stopped just inside the door when he saw leland and philip engrossed in quiet conversation .
philip 's back was to the door , and as he talked , his hand moved gently up and down leland 's arm .
leland 's eyes , as she listened to him , were lit with the fire of a woman in love .
she was dressed in riding clothes , her hair pulled back from her face in a simple , becoming style .
yes , underneath the frills and fripperies she wore for the society ladies beat the heart of a witch .
as leland smiled at something philip said , she looked over his shoulder and saw daemon .
her eyes became chilly .
stepping away from philip , she went to the buffet table and began to fill her plate .
philip 's eyes became hard when he noticed daemon , but he managed a smile and a courteous greeting .
well , well , well , daemon thought as he filled his own plate .
something was in the wind .
he was supposed to go riding with leland that morning , but he noticed philip was also dressed to ride .
breakfast was over and leland had left for the stables before philip spoke directly to daemon .
he sounded like a polite host dealing with a not-quite-welcome guest .
`` there 's no reason for you to go out , unless you want to , of course .
since i 'd planned to ride this morning , lady benedict does n't require another escort . ''
or a chaperon , daemon thought as he sipped his coffee .
overnight philip 's attitude had changed from terse and jealous to this attempt at courtesy .
why ?
not that it mattered .
he knew exactly what he would do with a free morning-and it would be free with leland and philip out of the house .
alexandra was visiting a friend and would n't be back until after lunch , and robert , always so occupied with his all-consuming `` business , '' spent as little time as possible at the estate .
in fact , as that delicious dark scent once again permeated the walls of the angelline mansion , robert seemed more and more uncomfortable about staying there .
it had reached the point that daemon always knew when robert came back even if he did n't see him because , in the front hallway and on the stairs leading up to the family 's living quarters , there was always the slight stink of fear .
daemon poured another cup of coffee and shrugged in response to philip 's suggestion .
`` i do n't mind not riding this morning , '' he said in his bored court voice .
`` most likely you 're a more enthusiastic rider and would therefore be a more suitable companion . ''
philip 's eyes narrowed , but there was nothing in daemon 's silky , bored voice that gave any indication of an intended double meaning .
daemon smiled and reached for another piece of toast .
`` you should n't keep the lady waiting , prince alexander . ''
philip hesitated at the doorway .
daemon buttered his toast with slow , sensuous strokes , knowing that philip was watching him and uneasily imagining something other than toast beneath his hand .
well , if philip actually believed someone like leland could make a black-jeweled warlord prince pant , the fool deserved to sweat .
the moment philip was gone , daemon went to his room and swiftly changed his clothes .
wilhelmina was with graff having her lessons ; cook was in the kitchen , sipping a cup of tea and starting to plan the lunch menu ; and the servants were bustling about doing their various chores .
there was only one person left .
daemon whistled a cheery little tune as he headed for the private alcove to spend a pleasant morning with his lady .
he had prowled the gardens , prowled the house , slipped in and out of the stable yard , checked the craft library , and finally stood in the nursery wing feeling frustrated and concerned .
he simply could n't find her .
he had even checked her room , tapping quietly on the door in case she was resting or wanted some privacy .
when there 'd been no answer , he had slipped into the room for a cursory look .
daemon caught his lower lip between his teeth and listened to graff scolding wilhelmina .
he 'd wondered why that harsh and not terribly educated woman was teaching craft to a young witch from such a powerful family until he 'd learned that robert benedict had hired her .
since wilhelmina was n't directly related to leland and alexandra , robert 's preference had overruled their objections .
daemon conceded that graff was a good choice if a man 's intention was to have a girl 's sensibilities about what she was and the power she contained mangled to such an extent that she would never find any joy in the craft or in herself .
yes , graff was an excellent choice to bruise a young girl 's ego and make her susceptible to more intimate brutality when she got a little older .
daemon approached the classroom to see if jaenelle might possibly be there at the same time graff yelled , `` you 're worthless this morning .
absolutely worthless .
you call that craft ?
go on .
the lesson 's over .
go do something useless.that you can manage.go ! ''
wilhelmina flew out the door and barreled into him .
daemon caught her by the shoulders , planting his feet to keep them both upright .
she gave him a shaky smile of thanks .
`` so , you 're free , '' daemon said , smiling in return .
`` where's- '' `` oh , good , you 're here , '' wilhelmina said in a loud , commanding voice .
`` help me practice my duet . ''
she turned toward the music room .
`` first tell me where- '' wilhelmina stepped back and planted her heel squarely on daemon 's toes .
hard .
he grunted from the pain but said nothing because graff was now standing in the doorway , watching them closely .
wilhelmina stepped aside .
`` oh , i 'm sorry .
did i hurt you ? ''
without waiting for an answer , she hauled him toward the music room .
`` come on , i want to practice . ''
once they reached the music room , she went to the piano and started digging through the music for the duet she was learning .
`` you can play the bass part , '' she said as she placed her hands on the keys .
daemon limped to the bench and sat down .
`` miss wil- '' wilhelmina hit the keys , drowning him out .
she continued for a few bars and then turned to him and said accusingly , `` you 're not playing . ''
it was such a perfect imitation of graff 's scolding voice that daemon 's lips curled in a snarl as he twisted around to face her , but the look on her face was a plea for understanding and her eyes were glazed with fear .
grinding his teeth , he placed his hands on the keys .
`` one , two , three , four . ''
they began to play .
she was badly frightened , and it had something to do with him .
as they stumbled through the duet , he noticed graff standing in the music room doorway , listening , observing , spying .

the gray jewel glowed softly as he pulled the covers back to let her in .

he studied the bruises , brushing them gently with his fingers .

`` i hurt you .

i 'm sorry . ''

`` professional hazard , '' surreal replied with sweet venom .

he deserved a short knife in the ribs .

philip settled her head on his shoulder and tucked the covers around them once again .

she knew he was looking for a way to get back on familiar ground , to take back the pain he 'd caused .

she let the silence stretch and strain , making no effort to help him .

she was a whore now because it was the easiest way to get close to males , learn their habits , and make a kill .

since philip was in only one of her two books , and unlikely to be in the other , she did n't care if he ever came back .

sadi was a different problem .

she had to find a way to meet him that would n't arouse suspicion .

that , however , was something she would consider after some sleep .

`` you did n't get anything to eat , '' philip said quietly .

surreal waited for a couple of heartbeats before accepting the peace offering .

`` true , and i 'm ravenous . ''

she sent an order to the kitchen for two prime ribs with the works and another bottle of wine .

the hefty tab deje was going to hand him would disconcert him , but it would also alleviate some of his guilt for hurting her .

`` i would n't worry about sadi , '' surreal said as she slipped out of bed and wrapped a dressing gown around her slim body .

`` although '' -how nice to see that immediate flicker of worry in his eyes- '' a lover who requires his silent participation and discretion would do well to understand that sadi remembers courtesies just as he remembers slights . ''

she smiled as the obelisk on the table chimed and the two meals appeared on the table.let him chew on that , she thought , as she cut into the prime rib .

5-terreille daemon glided into the breakfast room but stopped just inside the door when he saw leland and philip engrossed in quiet conversation .

philip 's back was to the door , and as he talked , his hand moved gently up and down leland 's arm .

leland 's eyes , as she listened to him , were lit with the fire of a woman in love .

she was dressed in riding clothes , her hair pulled back from her face in a simple , becoming style .

yes , underneath the frills and fripperies she wore for the society ladies beat the heart of a witch .

as leland smiled at something philip said , she looked over his shoulder and saw daemon .

her eyes became chilly .

stepping away from philip , she went to the buffet table and began to fill her plate .

philip 's eyes became hard when he noticed daemon , but he managed a smile and a courteous greeting .

well , well , well , daemon thought as he filled his own plate .

something was in the wind .

he was supposed to go riding with leland that morning , but he noticed philip was also dressed to ride .

breakfast was over and leland had left for the stables before philip spoke directly to daemon .

he sounded like a polite host dealing with a not-quite-welcome guest .

`` there 's no reason for you to go out , unless you want to , of course .

since i 'd planned to ride this morning , lady benedict does n't require another escort . ''

or a chaperon , daemon thought as he sipped his coffee .

overnight philip 's attitude had changed from terse and jealous to this attempt at courtesy .

why ?

not that it mattered .

he knew exactly what he would do with a free morning-and it would be free with leland and philip out of the house .

alexandra was visiting a friend and would n't be back until after lunch , and robert , always so occupied with his all-consuming `` business , '' spent as little time as possible at the estate .

in fact , as that delicious dark scent once again permeated the walls of the angelline mansion , robert seemed more and more uncomfortable about staying there .

it had reached the point that daemon always knew when robert came back even if he did n't see him because , in the front hallway and on the stairs leading up to the family 's living quarters , there was always the slight stink of fear .

daemon poured another cup of coffee and shrugged in response to philip 's suggestion .

`` i do n't mind not riding this morning , '' he said in his bored court voice .

`` most likely you 're a more enthusiastic rider and would therefore be a more suitable companion . ''

philip 's eyes narrowed , but there was nothing in daemon 's silky , bored voice that gave any indication of an intended double meaning .

daemon smiled and reached for another piece of toast .

`` you should n't keep the lady waiting , prince alexander . ''

philip hesitated at the doorway .

daemon buttered his toast with slow , sensuous strokes , knowing that philip was watching him and uneasily imagining something other than toast beneath his hand .

well , if philip actually believed someone like leland could make a black-jeweled warlord prince pant , the fool deserved to sweat .

the moment philip was gone , daemon went to his room and swiftly changed his clothes .

wilhelmina was with graff having her lessons ; cook was in the kitchen , sipping a cup of tea and starting to plan the lunch menu ; and the servants were bustling about doing their various chores .

there was only one person left .

daemon whistled a cheery little tune as he headed for the private alcove to spend a pleasant morning with his lady .

he had prowled the gardens , prowled the house , slipped in and out of the stable yard , checked the craft library , and finally stood in the nursery wing feeling frustrated and concerned .

he simply could n't find her .

he had even checked her room , tapping quietly on the door in case she was resting or wanted some privacy .

when there 'd been no answer , he had slipped into the room for a cursory look .

daemon caught his lower lip between his teeth and listened to graff scolding wilhelmina .

he 'd wondered why that harsh and not terribly educated woman was teaching craft to a young witch from such a powerful family until he 'd learned that robert benedict had hired her .

since wilhelmina was n't directly related to leland and alexandra , robert 's preference had overruled their objections .

daemon conceded that graff was a good choice if a man 's intention was to have a girl 's sensibilities about what she was and the power she contained mangled to such an extent that she would never find any joy in the craft or in herself .

yes , graff was an excellent choice to bruise a young girl 's ego and make her susceptible to more intimate brutality when she got a little older .

daemon approached the classroom to see if jaenelle might possibly be there at the same time graff yelled , `` you 're worthless this morning .

absolutely worthless .

you call that craft ?

go on .

the lesson 's over .

go do something useless.that you can manage.go ! ''

wilhelmina flew out the door and barreled into him .

daemon caught her by the shoulders , planting his feet to keep them both upright .

she gave him a shaky smile of thanks .

`` so , you 're free , '' daemon said , smiling in return .

`` where's- '' `` oh , good , you 're here , '' wilhelmina said in a loud , commanding voice .

`` help me practice my duet . ''

she turned toward the music room .

`` first tell me where- '' wilhelmina stepped back and planted her heel squarely on daemon 's toes .

hard .

he grunted from the pain but said nothing because graff was now standing in the doorway , watching them closely .

wilhelmina stepped aside .

`` oh , i 'm sorry .

did i hurt you ? ''

without waiting for an answer , she hauled him toward the music room .

`` come on , i want to practice . ''

once they reached the music room , she went to the piano and started digging through the music for the duet she was learning .

`` you can play the bass part , '' she said as she placed her hands on the keys .

daemon limped to the bench and sat down .

`` miss wil- '' wilhelmina hit the keys , drowning him out .

she continued for a few bars and then turned to him and said accusingly , `` you 're not playing . ''

it was such a perfect imitation of graff 's scolding voice that daemon 's lips curled in a snarl as he twisted around to face her , but the look on her face was a plea for understanding and her eyes were glazed with fear .

grinding his teeth , he placed his hands on the keys .

`` one , two , three , four . ''

they began to play .

she was badly frightened , and it had something to do with him .

as they stumbled through the duet , he noticed graff standing in the music room doorway , listening , observing , spying .