Read Online Ferris Braden [Beyond the Marius Brothers 6] by Joyee Flynn - Free Book Online Page A

that had to be handled immediately. Paolo stared at me and his lower lip quivered. “Take Paolo. He’s feeling my distress and I’m not sure I won’t pass out right now.” Onah took my little brother and instead of taking a second to breathe, I kept moving. If I kept moving, it wouldn’t overwhelm me.
    First thing, we needed to get everyone out of this palace in case more demons came.
I raced back to the ballroom, not even waiting for my mates. All eyes were on me, every single one filled with sadness and/or tears.
“Everyone pack a bag. We need to leave.”
“What? You would abandon the palace?” Benjio asked me with angry eyes. He was one of the men who agreed with my father. But he thought I was an idealistic twerp or so he said at the last formal dinner a few months ago. “You should not be King.”
“But I am!” I bellowed as I stormed over to him. “I am the King now because we weren’t prepared. This didn’t have to happen! And I’ve lost my family because of it. My father called me to warn me to stay away, but no, I brought help to save your asses. He said he had faith in me even if he didn’t agree with me always. We’re not safe here. How do you know there won’t be more demons coming?”
“There can’t be more than all the ones we saw,” he argued, his voice losing some of its conviction though.
“And what are you going to do if there are? You couldn’t buy your way out of this !” I gestured around the room to the destruction and chaos. “You want to stay, fine. I can’t make you leave.” I turned to everyone else. “As your King I am ordering you to pack only what you need for the next few days and be ready to leave immediately. I won’t lose any more of our people.”
“Yes, your highness,” a friend of mine, Bevin, said firmly. “All hail King Rylan!” The chorus rang out and it brought tears to my eyes.
“Thank you. I appreciate the support but I can’t handle it yet,” I whispered as I shook my head. “I’m still processing. Right now, we need to get to safety.”
“Where will we go?” another friend of mine, Cynthia, asked.
“I don’t know yet, but I will make arrangements. Will you please also take my mate to Paolo’s room so he can pack some things for my brother?”
“Of course, your highness. I am very sorry for your loss. They will be missed.”
“Thank you.” I reached out and squeezed her hand tightly and led her over to my mates. “Cynthia, these are my mates, Onah and Ferris. You’ll be safe with them. Pack what you and Paolo need, okay? I’ll find somewhere for us to stay.”
“Your highness, how many do you have that need sanctuary?” Queen Magdalena asked.
“I have no idea. There were over a hundred who lived in the palace.” I glanced around and saw about half that number and it was like a knife to my chest. “Fifty to sixty maybe?”
“I suggest you call Elena Marius. She’s on the High Council with my grandson. She would be able to figure out where you can stay for the night.”
“Thank you, Queen Magdalena. The fae are lucky to have you as their ruler.” She gave me a nod, letting me know she understood what I was doing. I’d just labeled her as royalty so my people treated her accordingly.
“You seek help from another species?” Benjio practically spat. “Your father would be—” He didn’t get to finish. I turned and punched him in the face. He went flying, sprawled on the floor.
“Don’t you dare speak of my father to support your insults,” I growled as I stood over him. “He shouldn’t be dead. A true supporter of his would have formed a barricade around the royal family to protect them. But I bet you cowered behind him, didn’t you?” He didn’t answer, but his eyes said it all. I wanted to hear the words. “ Didn’t you ?”
“Yes, he was our best fighter.”
“He was your King ! You should have been willing to lay down your life for him. Instead I’ve lost my parents and we’ve all lost probably the best