Read Online Grace of the Goddess (The Death Dealer Book 3) by Katie Roman - Free Book Online

She turned her steely gray eyes on them, making them flee at the sight of her icy stare.
                  Leon held Calvin firmly by the shoulders, his knuckles turning white from holding too tightly. Calvin tried to hold his nose still, while at the same time trying to wriggle out of his father’s grasp. George held Grace by the elbow on one side and Donald by the collar on his other.
                  “ Sir Calvin,” George snapped. “You act beneath your station!”
                  “And you two,” Leon growled, “forget your places.”
                  “Forget my place ?” Grace managed a strangled whisper. “By rights I should be heir to Arganis, not Sir Calvin. It is only an accident of birth, as you say, Uncle, that I was born a girl and not a boy.” Being passed over because of her gender was one thing, but the way her uncle now spoke to her made her insides burn with a white-hot rage.
                  “A disgraced girl; a girl who threw away the chance at a good marriage and a title when she brought dishonor on this house. You are not a lady anymore, Grace. You are a guard here, and you will address me as your commander.” Leon released his son and glared down at Grace.
                  Grace squared her shoulders, moved her feet shoulder width apart, and assumed the guards’ rest pose, her hands clasped behind her back. Her body shook with rage, but she remained where she was. It would only make matters worse if she argued now. “I await your punishment, my Lord George, Sir Leon.”
                  She cut her eyes sideways. Donald shook his head and lowered his gaze.
                  “By your leave, my lord,” Leon said. He was only a knight. George was the lord of the house, and without his say-so, Leon could do nothing.
                  “Remember we are family here, brother.” George squeezed Grace’s elbow once before walking to stand next to his brother.
                  “Calvin, you are to report to midnight duty at the gatehouse. Maybe the cold night air will cool that temper of yours. Donald?” He took a few steps forward to stand before Donald and used his fist to raise the young man’s eyes to his. “You are no longer in service here, but you were once a valued servant. You have a choice: muck out the stables in the morning and see to every saddle, bridle, and other piece of equipment, or spend tomorrow morning in the stocks for speaking out of turn to a knight of the realm.”
                  “I’ll clean the stables, Sir Leon.”
                  “Smart lad.” Leon let his hand drop away from Donald’s chin.
    Donald didn’t lower his eyes this time, he just looked to Grace. She stood, shaking where she stood, trying not to lash out at her uncle.
    “And you.” Leon planted himself firmly before Grace. He put his hands on his hips and pursed his lips. “You’re too much like your father; reckless, needing to be knocked down a peg. You will report to the armory at dawn. Polish every piece of armor, sharpen every blade, take inventory of everything you find, and give your report to Master Broyles. Off with you.”
    Donald and Grace bowed, leaving the rest to their now cold broth.
    ~*~*~
                  Grace didn’t bother with dinner. Donald, being in no mood to speak, only grunted a farewell when she retreated to her rooms after leaving the castle proper. Her pride smarted from the evening’s event. Calvin’s anger came at them from nowhere, and Leon had never talked to her as though she was less than his niece. Her own temper caught her by surprise. She’d never raised her fists in anger to her family before. To her surprise, George sent her a tray of food and a note of apology. It was the closest to a hug she’d get from him.
                  She didn’t bother with the food. Instead, she insisted the