Read Online By Blood Betrayed (The Kingsblood Chronicles) by David Houpt - Free Book Online

if you choose to be my agent, Lian Evanson, you cannot be a king,” she explained. “ I must always be of primary importance, not Dunshor.” He found her gaze unnerving, for her eyes were not those of a human being, although they had appeared so at first glance. They were infinitely deeper.
    “So my people suffer the annihilation of the entire family line, and there will be no king?” he asked.
    “No. Someone will be king, Highness. You may be allowed to contribute to his selection. Furthermore, you may even gain the support of the majority of the nobles for your choice,” she broke off, not finishing the thought.
    Lian picked up where she left off, falling naturally into the statement-and-reply teaching mode that Elowyn had used. “But there will be those who are unhappy with the choice, and will always maintain that their candidate had the better claim. They’ll eventually revolt, maybe with the support of a bordering nation, and the result will be civil war.”
    She nodded approvingly. “You impress me, Highness. Yes. The most probable outcome will be that your people will in the end be conquered by one of your neighbors, and eventually all that was Dunshor will fade from memory.
    “So you will have vengeance, but your people will not have justice. You are now the ruler, and as such you have to ask yourself what comes first: your desire, or their needs.”
    “I can see only one alternative, Lady,” he said after a short consideration. “I’d be betraying my family’s memory and honor if I choose you. Um, no offense, goddess.” For a moment, he looked like the scared child that he was.
    She sighed and smiled. “I am not offended, young prince. In fact, though I would have welcomed you into my priesthood, I am glad you have declined. Remember always that I never said that you cannot still have your revenge, Highness. You’ve simply chosen to make it secondary to restoring your throne,” she said.
    He nodded, finally drinking some of the second round of ale. It was very good. “A question, Lady?”
    She raised an eyebrow and nodded.
    “Why did you bring me here to this land?” he asked. It still made no sense to him.
    “Ah,” she said, her intense eyes glinting slightly with amusement. “I knew you’d be cold, so I picked somewhere warm.” Her eyes seemed to expand, as his surroundings darkened. “Fare thee well, Prince Lian. I wish you good fortune on your journey.”
    He tried to respond, but his voice made no sound. The darkness of her eyes surrounded him, and then all was black.
    ***
    Gem’s powers were strained to their limit. The wraith had begun driving the spectral rats into the barrier she was maintaining, and she could sense other entities approaching, attracted to the conflict. When her energy was depleted and her charge was killed, it wouldn’t finish her, for she was protected from the Undead within her body of alloyed lashthirin and steel.
    But Lian would be dead, and she would be stranded in the Tower until a brave explorer found and appropriated her. She had no doubt that one of Rishak’s men would be the person to do so, and her fate would be sealed.
    Her relief nearly provoked a fatal hesitation when she sensed Lian’s returning consciousness. Lian ! she shouted mentally. Lian, wake up now! We’re almost out of time! I can’t protect you much longer.
    He replied, mental tone clear and unwavering despite his recent ordeal, I’m awake, Gem, but blind and deaf. Can you sustain the wards for a little longer?
    Possibly, or maybe I can enable you to see through my senses. It won’t be sight like you’re used to, but . . .
    No, I can’t stand yet; everything is still numb. It’ll fade in a bit, don’t worry , he replied, confident that he was right.
    She mentally shook her head, hoping that he was correct in his assumption. The wraith hadn’t yet sensed Lian’s return to consciousness, and was occupied with coercing a pair of the rats into the blue flames. These two had