Read Online A Crimson Frost by Marcia Lynn McClure - Free Book Online

crowd was silent, and the herald continued, “Good people! My lord, my ladies! Kings and queens! Sir Broderick Dougray…Son of Kendrick Nathair…First Knight of Karvana…Favored Warrior of King Dacian…Commander of the First Legion…Commander of the Second Legion…Slayer of a Thousand Enemies…Blood Warrior of Ballist…Protector of the Kingdom…Guardian of the Scarlet Princess. For your favor I offer…the Crimson Knight!”
    Monet’s heart leapt as Sir Broderick’s charger pranced into the arena. The charger reared thrice, powerful hooves beating the ground with each stance. Monet watched as the charger performed a side-stepping prance toward the stands, the crowd roaring with approval as it did so.
    She could not help but smile, for it was in that moment she realized the profound wisdom of Sir Broderick. In entering the arena in such a dramatic manner, he not only won the love of the crowd but likewise used the fact to heap intimidation on his opponents.
    His black charger reared once more as he paused before the stands—before Monet and her father.
    “Your Majesty,” came the low echo of Sir Broderick Dougray’s voice as he addressed Monet’s father.
    “Sir Broderick?” King Dacian asked.
    “I beg permission to address Princess Monet,” Sir Broderick said. The low intonation of his voice sent gooseflesh rippling over Monet’s arms and legs.
    “Of course, sir,” King Dacian said.
    Monet felt her bosom might burst, so breathless was she as he raised his visor—his blue eyes boring through her.
    “How would you have me conquer this opponent, Princess?” the Crimson Knight asked.
    Monet was immediately out of countenance!
    He seemed to sense her uncertainty as to how to answer. Thus he added, “Three lances? Two?” His eyes narrowed, and though she knew not how, somehow she read his thoughts—knew what answer he required of her.
    “One,” she stated. The crowd roared as the Crimson Knight nodded.
    “One?” King Rudolph exclaimed. “Your arrogance is matched only by your absurdity, Sir Broderick! It must needs be you unhorse Sir Fredrick to win with one lance! Unhorse him or kill him. Ha! He has never been unhorsed. It cannot be done!”
    “I will unhorse him or kill him,” Sir Broderick growled. “And though your daughter may have cause to thank me for doing so, it is not for her, nor in defense of her virtue, that I will do this…but for my king, for the Kingdom of Karvana …and for the Scarlet Princess Monet.”
    “My daughter’s virtue?” King Rudolph growled. King Rudolph’s eyes narrowed as he studied the Crimson Knight for a moment. King Rudolph’s chest rose as he drew a deep breath. It seemed, for a moment, he would unleash his tongue at the Crimson Knight. Instead, he slowly looked to Anais.
    As King Rudolph glared at his daughter, Monet could not keep herself from looking to Anais.
    “Anais?” King Rudolph inquired.
    Yet Anais only straightened her posture, looking away from her father and to Sir Fredrick waiting at one end of the arena.
    “One lance,” King Dacian said.
    Monet looked to the Crimson Knight. His eyes narrowed a moment before he reached up, pulling his visor down over his face.
    “Unhorse him or kill him. I leave the choice to you, Crimson Knight,” King Dacian said.
    The Crimson Knight nodded. His charger reared, beating the ground several times with powerful hooves. The Crimson Knight rode to the far end of the arena, and the banner bearer stepped to the center of it.
    The crowd was silent. It seemed no person drew breath, apprehension hanging thick as porridge.
    Monet watched the bearer drop the banner. The Crimson Knight charged forward, leveling his lance. The thunder of hooves coupled the strain of leather. As the two knights bore down in assured devastation, Monet did not draw breath. Sir Fredrick’s lance was leveled and steady—as was the Crimson Knight’s. And then, the brutal crash as the Crimson Knight’s lance struck