Read Online Conspiracy by Kate Gordon - Free Book Online Page B

five thousand years.
    In the six-thousandth year of the dynasty, Pandelante’s third great-grandson sat upon the throne. He was attacked and overwhelmed by three of the noble families, thereby creating the Southern, Eastern, and Western Realms. The Northern Realm had no actual ruler, but was comprised of the descendants of the original rebels from the Cryptic Realm.
    In another three thousand years, disputes between those realms brought each to withdraw from contact with the other. After several generations, fueled by a desire to avoid the Southern Realm which saw itself as superior, only the Eastern and Western Realms maintained contact.
    The rulers of the Southern Realm knew the full history, but had avoided all contact until five hundred years earlier, when the dispute between the Sidhe Maith and Sidhe Olc spilled over into the human world. Hearing of the growing dispute and open battle between the Eastern and Western Realms, Gregor’s father, King Orleon, decided it was time to intervene and perhaps to reunite the kingdoms. Gregor’s mission to the Eastern Realm was the result.
     
    As Gregor sat in a familiar spot in front of the Southern Realm portal, he allowed the memories of his homeland to encompass him. After nearly an hour, he sensed Haslane’s approach before he heard or saw him. His younger twin by minutes, Haslane differed from his older brother only in the clothes they wore. Even after years of separation, their hair was cut identically. Gregor turned and faced his brother as he approached, then stopped three feet away. Both men appraised the other, then simultaneously took a step forward into an embrace. Gregor spoke first.
    “How I have longed for your counsel, brother. And our parents? They are well?”
    Haslane stepped back a couple of paces, turning and sitting on a well-worn rock ledge. Gregor moved to join him. It was familiar territory to both.
    “Father is ill, Gregor. The healers have done what they can, but his time is close.”
    Instantly angered, Gregor snapped his head around. “Why was I not summoned?”
    “Father forbade anyone to call you sooner. I’m sorry, truly. I should have disobeyed, but…”
    Gregor’s anger left as quickly as it had come. “And Mother?”
    Haslane’s face lit up. “She grieves for Father, but she is well. She awaits your arrival. She is in her chambers … with Camille, preparing for the wedding.”
    “The wedding ?” Gregor asked. “But—” Haslane’s broad smile told him everything Gregor needed to know.
    “Much has changed in your absence, brother. With Father’s failing health, Camille and I...” Haslane hesitated momentarily, looking down at the ground. He was the only other person who had known that the betrothal of his brother to Camille had been a private joke. “It seems Camille is destined to marry one of Father’s sons, but not the heir. She shall marry the unworthy, but handsomer prince.”
    Gregor instantly pulled Haslane into his arms. “You have fallen in love with the flower of our Realm. The finest woman in the kingdom, but how did she ever see through your shenanigans? How did she see the brother I have always loved?”
    “She is brilliant, of course.”
    “And I shall have the sister I have always loved.”
    “So it seems,” Haslane replied. “We told our parents, and they arranged our marriage quickly before Father … before our father dies.”
    “And is that the reason for my summons?” Gregor asked.
    “Partly, but Father continues to desire the realms to unite once again. He knows he will not see it in his lifetime, but he desires you to fulfill his dream for one Elven kingdom. He awaits your report.”
    “There is war brewing to the north, Haslane,” Gregor stated. “Eastern and Western Elven cannot reach accord. There is conspiracy, treachery, and deception. As we speak, I have hidden the royal families from both realms in the human world.”
    “The human world—why? How can they be safe without the