Read Online King by R. J. Larson - Free Book Online Page A

build on other land! Don’t drag me into your schemes—your religion!
    Don’t bring this disaster upon us! Please . . .
    Caitria gasped as her lord-father shoved her inside the chamber and then swore softly and dug his fingers hard into the back of her neck. “Wretched, rebellious creature! If you have ruined my plans, I will throttle you!”
    Pain-dazed, unable to speak, Caitria stared up at her father, her senses fading beneath his agonizing grip.

 7 
    A kabe stared at Parne’s chief priest, unable to believe what he’d just heard. “You refuse my request?”
    Though Ishvah Nesac paled, he shook his head. “Majesty, she’s an Atean! You, as one of the Infinite’s faithful, cannot—must not!—marry an Atean!”
    â€œDo you not wish to see the Infinite’s Holy House rebuilt?”
    â€œIt is my dream, Majesty. Yet if this dream cannot be, I will mourn its loss, as I mourn Parne—until I draw my last breath in this fallen world.” Nesac lifted his thin, scholarly hands, an imploring gesture. “Majesty, consider—I beg you!—an Atean wife could very well lead your heart away from the Infinite.”
    â€œOr I might lead her heart to the Infinite,” Akabe argued. Did everyone consider him to be so weak?
    The chief priest pressed a hand to his forehead, as if thinking were suddenly difficult. “Have you consulted Siphra’s prophets? Have you sought the Infinite’s will?”
    â€œYes. He has been silent. However,” Akabe changed tactics, “if my decisions dishonor my Creator, won’t He then tell His prophets to rebuke me? Yet how can rebuilding the temple displease the Infinite? Help me fulfill this work for Him, Nesac. I beg you! Otherwise . . .” Akabe leaned forward, meaning every word, “I will search Siphra for a priest who sees, as I see—that Siphra needs its temple, its strength, and its faith restored!”
    Nesac closed his eyes, undoubtedly praying. After a long instant, he sighed and looked at Akabe. “I will continue to pray, Majesty. For you and your wife. And for me, that I will never regret blessing this marriage.”
    His words fell on Akabe’s spirit so heavily that Akabe couldn’t rejoice. Not that he wanted to rejoice. Thaenfall had set a snare, and Akabe had stepped into it, eyes open.
    There was no other way. None!
    He must complete this task he’d begun—this pledge he’d given his people for their temple. He would deal with his priests’ opinions and his counselors’ arguments as they cropped up. As for Caitria and her family . . . may the Infinite protect him!
    He managed to smile at the unhappy priest. “Thank you.”

    Formally attired and standing in the palace’s ceremonial hall before his council and invited witnesses, Akabe sighed inwardly, feeling condemned.
    He was about to marry an Atean.
    Akabe hoped his people would understand. Their king certainly didn’t.
    Even so . . . Infinite . . . be with us. Akabe fastened a gold armband about Caitria Thaenfall’s slender bicep, then clasped her cold hand. She stared straight ahead as Ishvah Nesac pronounced hesitant blessings upon the royal marriage. The blessings sounded more like a death sentence.
    For consecrated land, chosen by the Infinite at Siphra’s beginning.
    As Ishvah’s blessing ended, Akabe glanced down at his wife again. Caitria hesitantly looked up, wincing under Akabe’s scrutiny. At least it was clear she didn’t aspire to be a queen. Standing beside Caitria, Cyril obviously noticed her expression. He gave his sister a ferocious scowl that warned her to behave. Caitria glared at him.
    Adjacent to the siblings, Cyan Thaenfall, Lord of the Plidian Estates, studied Akabe as if seeing an oddity that shouldnot exist. And perhaps he was correct. As Siphra’s king, Akabe certainly felt like a