Read Online Abuse of Power (Rise of the Mages 1) by Brian W. Foster - Free Book Online Page B

think?” she said, her tone hopeful but cautious.
    “That I changed my mind. That I’m going to … you know …”
    She cocked her head to the side. “You haven’t? Then why are you here?”
    “Because I did change my mind but not like that.” Auggie let out a frustrated breath. “Wow, this isn’t going well.” He paused. “I know of a better solution to your—our—problem than you just running away and hiding.”
    She stared at him expectantly, but words wouldn’t come to him. Voicing his idea would make it real. Better to face a battalion of catchers than that.
    Wow. He really was an idiot. A child. The solution was right. It solved so many problems with one decisive blow. He just had to find the courage.
    “And …” she finally said.
    “I can protect you.” Auggie’s voice barely rose above the level of a whisper.
    “We discussed this already,” she said. “If you get caught hiding me … I will not put you in jeopardy.”
    Auggie met her eyes. “Being a mage doesn’t matter if you’re a high noble.”
    She looked confused. “But I’m not—”
    “When I fell,” Auggie said, “I thought my life was over. I cursed myself as a fool for not fulfilling my duty to produce an heir for Vierna.”
    “What does that have to do with anything?” she said
    “Nobles aren’t subject to the same laws as commoners. The catchers can’t execute us.”
    “But I’ve heard about—”
    “You’ve heard of scions of minor houses or those who refused to abandon their power.”
    Alaina pressed her fists against her hips. “That’s outrageous! You execute commoners but not nobles!”
    “Magic isn’t evil; it’s a threat to our rule.” Auggie shrugged. “When a single peasant can destroy a whole village or army, he can’t be allowed to live. As long as a noble agrees to play by the rules, he’s allowed to continue as before.”
    Alaina sank to the ground. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m not of noble birth. My father, Holy One preserve his soul, was a baker.”
    “You don’t understand,” Auggie said. “My w-wife would be considered a noble. A high noble.”
    She stared at him with wide eyes. Her mouth opened and closed, but no words came out.
    Auggie took her hand. “This is the perfect solution for both of us. I gain a bride who can bear me ch-children. You gain protection from the catcher. We both win.”
    Alaina’s face clouded, but she didn’t speak.
    “Surely, there’s a tender in the village we saw from the cliff top. If we hurry, we can reach it in a couple of hours.” Auggie gripped Alaina’s hand. “Will you do me the honor of m-marrying me?” He stared at her waiting for her response. Was he more scared she’d say “yes” or “no?”
    “N—” She shook her head. “Does what I feel play any part in this?”
    What could he say to that? “Of course—”
    “Don’t,” she said. “Just don’t. My answer is yes.”

14.
    Alaina’s mind spun as she followed August through the forest.
    She was engaged. To the son of a duke. How the blast did that happen? One simply did not go from peasant to fugitive to noblewoman.
    How was she supposed to feel? Grateful? Relieved?
    Was that any way to enter a marriage? Beholden to the man who swooped in to save you? Bringing nothing of value into the union? But what choice did she have? Marry him or die. Okay. Marriage it was.
    She stared at his back. He was well-built. Powerful. Not classically handsome, but easy on the eyes. Hmmm. What would he look like with a beard?
    Auggie turned and smiled at her. “The village is just over that rise.” He thrust something at her.
    Without thinking, she grabbed it. Coins. Lots of coins.
    “Find a dress and meet me in the square,” he said. “And hurry. No telling if Emar might show. We need to get this thing done quickly.”
    She gawked at the pile of silver and gold filling her hands. “Milord, this is too much.”
    “My money is your money, now. Or will be soon enough.” He turned to