Read Online Ristèard Unwilling Empress by S.E. Smith - Free Book Online

systems and that Jarmen would be leaving soon.
    “Yes, I spoke briefly with Ristèard,” Ajaska whispered, watching with amusement as Torak became distracted when River entered the room. He had always hoped that his sons would find their mate. There was no denying Torak had found his in River. For a moment, the image of a dark haired, fire-breathing hellcat flashed through his mind. His fingers moved absently to the long, narrow slits in his shirt even as a grin curved his lips. “He admitted that he kidnapped Ricki.”
    Jazin frowned at his father’s amusement. “Well, did you tell him he needed to bring her back? You know that we offered protection to all the humans. Manota warned him when he was here that Ricki was under the protection of the royal family.”
    “Ristèard may be a cold, brutal bastard, but he is also a fair one,” Ajaska murmured. “He won’t hurt her.”
    “So, you are just going to let him take her?” Jazin asked in disbelief.
    “Of course not,” Ajaska replied with a grin, listening as Walter demanded Torak to do something about his daughter’s kidnapping.
    “What about my daughter?” Walter demanded, standing up and waving his short arms in the air in aggravation. “What are you going to do?”
    Ajaska shook his head and grinned at Jazin. “Kidnap her back,” he replied loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. “Right from under his royal blue nose.”
    *.*.*
    Ristèard stared at the elderly councilman in frustration. Manderlin had come to warn him that another plot was underway to kill him. He turned to stare out the viewport, his mind churning with fury. It had been dangerous for him to leave Elipdios at this volatile time, but his hands had been tied.
    He was scheduled to meet with the rest of the council in less than two hours. Manderlin had come to warn him that several of the councilmen were pushing to have him and his elite security guard arrested for treason. Treason!
    “Who is pushing it?” Ristèard demanded, not turning around.
    A tired sigh escaped Manderlin. “Texla and Raomlin,” the elderly councilman replied. “But, I do not think they are the ones who started it. There is someone else influencing them. You said that the Kassisan traitor was killed almost a month ago, did you not? I fear he is not the only one.”
    Ristèard turned at Manderlin’s softly spoken words. He could tell the man didn’t realize that he had spoken aloud. His eyes narrowed on the wrinkled face, noting the lines of fatigue and stress.
    “What are you not telling me?” He demanded in a cold voice. “Why do you think the council is working with someone else?”
    Ristèard took a step toward where Manderlin had sunk down in the chair at the table in the command room. He was determined to get to the bottom of the constant threats that had increased over the past six months. Turning, he looked over his shoulder with an irritated scowl when the door to the room suddenly opened. Harald stood in the entrance, staring at him with a resigned expression.
    “What is it now?” Ristèard demanded in frustration.
    He saw Harald grimace at the sharp tone in his voice. It took a moment to realize why Harald had interrupted him after he had instructed him not to let anyone in. There was a shimmer of sunlight colored hair barely visible over Harald’s right shoulder, testament to why his trusted guard had ignored his order.
    “She demanded to see you,” Harald replied, stepping to the side with an apologetic glance.
    Ristèard turned his scowl on Ricki. The dark look deepened when all she did was raise one delicate eyebrow at him and stepped past Harald with a polite murmur of thanks. What the hell was she doing out of his cabin? He would have the heads of the two men he had assigned to keep her there.
    “What are you doing here?” He snapped. Almost immediately, he regretted his harsh tone. He shifted uneasily when she continued into the room, looking him in the eye while pressing her lips