Read Online Bloodfeud (The Scarlet Star Trilogy Book 3) by Ben Galley - Free Book Online

the last; perhaps because it had a few dubious holes in it. Maybe because it was messy, rushed, already fraying at the edges. Calidae had seen the lies printed between the lines of the newspaper stories, and he spun her the same now. She was not ready for the whole truth, it seemed.
    ‘Some of the more loyal Emerald Lords and I went to read her the terms we had devised for her new state of rule. We were refused entry at first, but upon reaching her throne room, we discovered she was holding a secret meeting with a Rosiyan envoy, and colluding to divide up the Ottoman Empire between our two realms. Our own allies, might I add! We arrested the envoy and had Victorious placed under lock and key in her own palace, until such time as we could pass sentence.’
    Dizali hummed for a moment, as if deciding whether to go any further. Calidae was glad he did.
    ‘The Order has finally decided to imprison her.’
    Calidae could barely hide her shock. This was a move no Order in Europe had ever made. She masked her expression with a long sip of brandy, practically chasing it to the bottom of the glass.
    ‘As all criminals in the Empire should be,’ she said quietly.
    ‘Hear, hear,’ muttered the Brother.
    ‘Be silent, man!’ Dizali snapped. ‘Well, Lady Serped, I believe that is enough deep conversation and politics for today. It is time to show you to your rooms. I shall keep you here for the time being, until we can ensure no filthy fingers are busy groping your father’s estate.’
    ‘What a delightful image, my Lord,’ Calidae remarked. Dizali pulled an unamused face.
    ‘Slickharbour Spit will be returned to you in time. But you must be patient. We will go about this carefully.’
    Calidae was not fooled for an instant. Dizali’s words could have fertilised a field. There was no need for care. She was the rightful heir and that was that. Her father had been wise to explain the process to her, on first leaving for the Endless Land. But she would let Dizali play his games while she played hers, and made her sacrifices. She nodded graciously.
    Clovenhall was mightier than Slickharbour, and that rankled Calidae even more. The ceilings soared and the marble shone. Butlers hovered in every doorway, ready and waiting to bow and scrape. The afternoon sunlight streamed down in thick shafts, painting the granite walls a glowing orange. Dizali didn’t deserve this sort of finery; he was owed a pit full of spikes and rats.
    She was led up a curving river of steps and into the opulent upper corridors. Corner after corner they turned, their route tangled like twisted knitting. Her mind ached as she tried to remember her steps.
    She heard a peculiar noise coming from ahead. Banging. Thudding of some sort. It sounded like fists on a locked door.
    Calidae halted at the door in question as another it was shaken by another cluster of poundings.
    ‘Dizali!’ came a shout, muffled by the silver-inlaid panels. ‘Dizali!’ It was clear from the foul expression on Dizali’s face that this was definitely not welcome.
    ‘Deal with him, Hanister.’
    ‘Milord.’ The Brother produced a key from his breast pocket. The door was unlocked and shoved inwards, eliciting a cry, and swiftly shut again. The corridor fell silent, except for the thudding of their feet.
    ‘How peculiar,’ Calidae remarked, testing whether Dizali would talk.
    Dizali spoke over his shoulder. ‘A disgruntled former business associate of mine. One who is currently struggling to learn the meaning of patience.’
    ‘I see.’ She took the opportunity to glance out of a passing window, trying to gauge where exactly they were in this monstrous house. It turned out they had already reached her rooms.
    ‘And here we are, Lady Calidae. My finest guest quarter. Decorated by my late wife, many years ago, and untouched, as she would have wanted. It was one of her many projects. I trust you’ll find it to your liking,’ He unlocked the door and swept into the