Read Online A Soul for Vengeance by Crista McHugh - Free Book Online Page A

his side. “You mean Bynn didn’t organize this?”
    Parros nodded and began slicing an onion into a pot. “Lord Bynn thought it was a huge gamble, but Lady Zara insisted on going. Said she had enough evidence to know you were still alive and was willing to risk her life on it.”
    Kell sat back down, letting the knight’s words sink in. “What kind of world have I come home to where women are expected to risk their lives to rescue me?”
    “Don’t talk about me like I’m some helpless female,” Zara said from behind him. She slung her crossbow over her shoulder and crouched beside the fire, warming her hands. “I’m a border lord’s daughter, Kell. I was trained more for battle than for batting my eyelashes.”
    The frankness of her words reminded him this was a different Ranello than the one he’d left behind nearly eight months ago. How many other women were forced to take up arms to defend themselves and their homeland? The question stuck in his throat like a lump of bitter truth. “You’re still a woman and deserve to be protected.”
    She stared into the fire for a long moment before turning to him. “Then be the prince we need you to be.”
    That was a challenge that seemed far more difficult than the one she’d given him earlier. His body grew stronger every day, and soon, he’d be able to take his place in battle. But would he ever be ready to lead his people?
    Zara ambled over to the cart and rummaged through the contents of the false bottoms until she pulled out a sword. She brought it to him. “This is how I knew you were still alive, that the rumors of you hiding in Gravaria were false.”
    The firelight flashed on the mark made by the swordsmith, Foresco. Kell took the sword from her, its weight as familiar as an old friend. He wrapped his hands around the hilt and let the power of the magnificent weapon seep through his skin. This sword had been forged with magic and was meant for only him.
    And now that he had it back, he felt more like a prince and less like a prisoner.
    “Where did you find it?” he asked.
    “In a shop in Boznac. I recognized it immediately.” She sat next to him, admiring the weapon. “No one has a sword like that.”
    “How did you get it back?”
    Zara and Parros exchanged glances before the knight cracked a grin and replied, “Let’s just say Lady Zara is used to getting what she wants.”
    Bynn’s sister grinned and looked away. Somehow, he didn’t think she used her feminine wiles to procure the sword, not based on her response to his kiss years ago.
    “Once I had it, I was able to figure out what ship you were on after questioning the merchant. Then, it was just making sure we could get you off of it.”
    “Don’t make it sounds so simple.” Parros finished slicing up the last of the onion and started peeling a potato. “You worked very hard to set up this mission.”
    “Including choosing the best men for the job.” Her face grew sober, making her appear years older than she really was. “But we’re still not finished. Once we have the prince safely within our camp, I’ll consider this mission a success. Until then, we need to be more cautious than ever.”
    They ate their meal in silence and huddled under the thin blankets stored in one of the coffins. Snores filled the otherwise silent night, but sleep eluded Kell. Something about tonight’s conversation nagged him to the point where he wouldn’t be able to shut his mind off until he had the answer. Thankfully, the one person who might be able to answer that question was still awake.
    He joined Parros by the dwindling fire. “May I ask you what you meant about Zara earning the right to give orders?”
    The old knight stared into the fire, his posture relaxed. But from underneath his cloak, his sword shifted. “Lady Zara was at home when Thallus invaded.”
    He didn’t need to say anything else. Cordello sat on the border between Ranello and Thallus and would’ve been the first duchy