'Fuck.' The word somehow sounded twice as ugly in the beautiful surroundings. 'And bear children. I will give the Countess seven days in the darkness, unmolested. If, at the end of that time, I do not hear that you have set the king's cock on fire every night, I will introduce her to my Practicals. Poor fellows. They get so little exercise. Ten minutes each should do the trick, but there are plenty of them, in the House of Questions. I daresay we can keep your childhood friend quite busy night and day.'

A spasm of horror passed over Terez' face. And why not? This is a low chapter even for me. 'If I do as you ask?'

'Then the Countess will be kept quite safe and sound. Once you are verifiably with child, I will return her to you. Things can be as they are now, during the period of your confinement. Two boys, as heirs, two girls, to marry off, and we can be done with one another. The king can find his entertainment elsewhere.'

'But, that will take years!'

'You could get it done in three or four, if you really ride him hard. And you might find it makes everyone's lives easier if you at least pretend to enjoy it.'

'Pretend?' she breathed.

'The more you seem to like it, the quicker it will be over. The cheapest whore on the docks can squeal for her coppers when the sailors stick her. Are you telling me you cannot squeal for the king of the Union? You offend my patriotic sensibilities! Uh!' he gasped, rolling his eyes in a parody of ecstasy. 'Ah! Yes! Just there! Don't stop!' He curled his lip at her. 'You see? Even I can do it! A liar of your experience should have no difficulty.'

Her teary eyes darted round the room, as though she were looking for some way out. But there is none. The noble Arch Lector Glokta, protector of the Union, great heart of the Closed Council, paragon of the gentlemanly virtues, displays his flair for politics and diplomacy. He felt some tiny stirring within him as he watched her wretched desperation, some negligible flutter in his guts. Guilt, perhaps? Or indigestion? It hardly matters which, I have learned my lesson. Pity never works for me.

He took one more slow step forward. 'Your Majesty, I hope you fully understand the alternative.'

She nodded, and wiped her eyes. Then she proudly raised up her chin. 'I will do as you ask. Please, I beg of you, do not hurt her… please…'

Please, please, please. Many congratulations, your Eminence. 'You have my word. I will see the Countess has only the best of treatment.' He licked gently at the sour gaps in his teeth. 'And you will do the same with your husband.'