Read Online Master of the Dance by T C Southwell - Free Book Online Page B

eyes. "As you know, your brother Dravis has been accused of killing Trelath."
    "He did not do it," Jovan spluttered.
    "I know."
    Jovan's jaw dropped. "What are you saying?"
    "Trelath was killed by an extremely skilled assassin, one who has earned a considerable reputation from his talents. I trust you have all heard of the Queen's Blade, who killed our father and now seven of our brothers?"
    "Then why is Dravis being accused of it?" Jovan demanded.
    "Because it was made to look like he did it, so he would be imprisoned. Dravis plotted against me with Trelath and Endor, so he is lucky to be alive. If he causes any more trouble, he could be the next target. The assassin has been hired by an anonymous benefactor, who wishes to see changes made in Cotti. I would also like to see those changes made, and this person has now made it possible, with the threat of this assassin. You see, I require your support to pass various laws that I have in mind, and you are going to give it to me."
    A shocked silence followed his statement, then the princes erupted with shouts of anger and defiance. Kerrion waited for the tumult to subside, and Jovan emerged as the spokesman.
    He glared at Kerrion. "In other words, you have hired this Jashimari assassin to kill anyone who does not do as you want."
    "That would be treason. He does not work for me. He will not work for a Cotti."
    "Then why is he interfering in Cotti affairs?"
    "Because his former queen is my wife, as you all know."
    Jovan growled, "So it is she who -"
    "No. Let me make this quite clear. As you have seen from Chaymin and Trelath's deaths, the Queen's Blade can kill any of you at any time. He will not, if you do as I instruct. You will support all the laws and changes I put before the courts, and you will tell no one of this conversation, nor will you accuse anyone apart from Dravis. If you fail to heed me in this, you will die."
    "That is blackmail!" Jovan shouted.
    "That is right. Just as Trelath and Endor blackmailed me."
    "We had nothing to do with that!"
    "I do not care whether or not you did. None of you have ever supported me in anything, or tried to extend a hand of friendship. Those of you who have plotted against me have paid the price, except for Dravis and Endor. The rest of you were content to merely oppose every proposal I put forward, without taking the slightest interest in whether or not it would be good for the kingdom. Shandor got rid of his brothers by sending them to war, but I do not have that luxury. I am tired of you all sitting back in the galleries and waving limp hands whenever the nay vote is called. All you have to do is vote yes in future, and you will be safe."
    "What about Dravis?" Jovan demanded.
    "He will be banished for treason. He may not have killed Trelath, but he helped to plan my wife's kidnapping."
    "Is this how you plan to elevate the status of your Jashimari tart?" a new voice demanded, and Kerrion's eyes found the speaker, Prince Marek.
    Marek was the third son of Shandor's fourth wife, brother of Armin and Trelath. A mop of dark blond hair framed his scowling, square-jawed face, and his well-built physique owed much to his active lifestyle. His familiar was a massive grey stallion, and he ran the palace stables and stud farm, breeding and training the finest horses for the army and royal family. His devotion to this duty gave him no time to plot against the throne, although he had the potential to be devious, if not dangerous.
    "Yes," Kerrion replied. "I intend to make my wife the Cotti Queen, as she was once the Queen of Jashimari, until she stepped down in favour of our daughter, Queen Kerra-Manu. I also mean to improve the lives of women by giving them more freedom. No longer will they be chattel and slaves. They will have the right to decide their fates, and crimes against them will be punishable."
    "That is ridiculous," Jovan scoffed. "They do not have the brains to decide their fates."
    "They do. I have been to Jashimari, and seen how