Read Online Abuse of Power (Rise of the Mages 1) by Brian W. Foster - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Brian W. Foster
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to or to share a smile or laugh with.
If only she could find another companion.
Alaina sighed. Who was she kidding? It wasn’t just “another companion” that she wanted. She missed August.
As a soldier and a noble and a duke’s son, he’d actually provided real protection against catchers. And he wasn’t afraid to stand up for her. She had felt safe with him, and she hadn’t felt safe for a long time.
But in all honesty, it wasn’t just the security he provided. August was a good man, and she’d found those to be few and far between. With his wealth, he could take advantage of a lot of people in a lot of ways, yet he resisted those temptations. It was a rare sort who didn’t let that kind of power go to his head.
She had openly mocked him and, alternately, berated him. What other noble would stand for that treatment from a peasant? By the Holy One, what had she been thinking? She was lucky he hadn’t had her executed that first night. Instead, he’d rescued her, and she’d repaid his kindness by being horrid to him.
Nothing she could do about it, though. Her life was to survive on the run. Best to forget him entirely. Not to even think about the life she could have had—squirreled away in some cushy apartment somewhere.
Instead, what did she have to look forward to? Never being able to get close to anyone. Even if she did fall in love with someone, she couldn’t keep her secret from him. And what were the odds that he would react like August?
No. It was a life of solitude for her. August’s money would help her get away. Maybe go to Eagleton. The town, after all, was named after a wizard. Perhaps they were more accepting of mages there. If not, maybe the tribal lands beyond.
She changed her route to head southwest. Leaves and bushes rustled in the woods behind her. Alaina squinted, but the foliage was too dense. Probably just an animal anyway.
Her fate wasn’t that bad. She’d already survived on her own, and she could do it again. The fact that she would never have kids was the toughie. Thomas had just gotten married before she took off, and she’d been so looking forward to being an aunt. And she really could have seen herself as a mother.
But it wasn’t to be. Even if she married someone, she couldn’t risk passing along whatever had made her into a monster. Though August, at least, didn’t see her that way. She smiled. Better to have the memories of him than nothing at all. Right?
More noises behind her. If it was an animal, it was a large one. Maybe she’d better get away from it.
She sped her pace despite the rocky, treacherous terrain. One fall would finish her but so would a bear. The sounds grew louder and closer despite her best efforts. A murmur reached her ears. What was that?
Voices! The catcher had found her!
What was she going to do? There was no way to escape if they could follow her tracks that easily. Or hide.
Feet scraped rock and gravel behind her. Low voices. She could almost make out words.
Alaina searched the ground for a weapon and hefted a rock the size of her hand. Her heart pounded. A figure broke from behind a tree.
“August!” Oops. “I meant, milord.”
He grinned at her.
“You big …” She’d been about to call him an idiot. Was she insane? “You scared me, milord.” Her lips burst unbidden into a smile despite her being so nervous. It was good to see him. Really good.
But why was he there? It was too good to be true. The only possible reason was that he’d changed his mind. Alaina was to be executed after all. Tears welled in her eyes. She’d accept his judgment.
13.
Auggie raised his hands in what he hoped was a calming gesture. Exactly how much of an idiot was he?
Alaina looked terrified and, then, sad. Who would have thunk that coming up behind a woman alone in the forest would scare her? You don’t say! And what must she have assumed when she saw it was him?
“It’s not what you think,” he said.
“And what is it that I
If only she could find another companion.
Alaina sighed. Who was she kidding? It wasn’t just “another companion” that she wanted. She missed August.
As a soldier and a noble and a duke’s son, he’d actually provided real protection against catchers. And he wasn’t afraid to stand up for her. She had felt safe with him, and she hadn’t felt safe for a long time.
But in all honesty, it wasn’t just the security he provided. August was a good man, and she’d found those to be few and far between. With his wealth, he could take advantage of a lot of people in a lot of ways, yet he resisted those temptations. It was a rare sort who didn’t let that kind of power go to his head.
She had openly mocked him and, alternately, berated him. What other noble would stand for that treatment from a peasant? By the Holy One, what had she been thinking? She was lucky he hadn’t had her executed that first night. Instead, he’d rescued her, and she’d repaid his kindness by being horrid to him.
Nothing she could do about it, though. Her life was to survive on the run. Best to forget him entirely. Not to even think about the life she could have had—squirreled away in some cushy apartment somewhere.
Instead, what did she have to look forward to? Never being able to get close to anyone. Even if she did fall in love with someone, she couldn’t keep her secret from him. And what were the odds that he would react like August?
No. It was a life of solitude for her. August’s money would help her get away. Maybe go to Eagleton. The town, after all, was named after a wizard. Perhaps they were more accepting of mages there. If not, maybe the tribal lands beyond.
She changed her route to head southwest. Leaves and bushes rustled in the woods behind her. Alaina squinted, but the foliage was too dense. Probably just an animal anyway.
Her fate wasn’t that bad. She’d already survived on her own, and she could do it again. The fact that she would never have kids was the toughie. Thomas had just gotten married before she took off, and she’d been so looking forward to being an aunt. And she really could have seen herself as a mother.
But it wasn’t to be. Even if she married someone, she couldn’t risk passing along whatever had made her into a monster. Though August, at least, didn’t see her that way. She smiled. Better to have the memories of him than nothing at all. Right?
More noises behind her. If it was an animal, it was a large one. Maybe she’d better get away from it.
She sped her pace despite the rocky, treacherous terrain. One fall would finish her but so would a bear. The sounds grew louder and closer despite her best efforts. A murmur reached her ears. What was that?
Voices! The catcher had found her!
What was she going to do? There was no way to escape if they could follow her tracks that easily. Or hide.
Feet scraped rock and gravel behind her. Low voices. She could almost make out words.
Alaina searched the ground for a weapon and hefted a rock the size of her hand. Her heart pounded. A figure broke from behind a tree.
“August!” Oops. “I meant, milord.”
He grinned at her.
“You big …” She’d been about to call him an idiot. Was she insane? “You scared me, milord.” Her lips burst unbidden into a smile despite her being so nervous. It was good to see him. Really good.
But why was he there? It was too good to be true. The only possible reason was that he’d changed his mind. Alaina was to be executed after all. Tears welled in her eyes. She’d accept his judgment.
13.
Auggie raised his hands in what he hoped was a calming gesture. Exactly how much of an idiot was he?
Alaina looked terrified and, then, sad. Who would have thunk that coming up behind a woman alone in the forest would scare her? You don’t say! And what must she have assumed when she saw it was him?
“It’s not what you think,” he said.
“And what is it that I
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