Read Online Sultana's Legacy by Lisa J. Yarde - Free Book Online Page B

stare. Cold rage glittered in his master’s eyes.
    “You do not even try?”
    The Sultan’s hand swung in a wide arc. Faraj stumbled and nearly fell from the force of the backhanded blow. He staggered before righting himself. All the arguments and pleas he had prepared on the swift journey to Gharnatah melted before his master’s hot fury.
    How was it possible? How could the Sultan already know what had transpired at Tarif? A heavy weight like stones settled in Faraj’s stomach. Someone had divulged his intent. His heart rebelled against the likelihood of it, for there was only one person with motive and opportunity who could have betrayed him. It would seem he had been a fool, after all.
    The Sultan turned to his guards. “Arrest the Raïs of Malaka. Bind his companion and take their weapons.”
    Six men, a third of the Sultan’s bodyguards, surged forward and surrounded Faraj. One drew manacles and tugged Faraj’s hands behind his back. He removed Faraj’s sword and dagger from their sheaths. The other guardsmen glowered at him, their daggers in hand, prepared for his resistance. Faraj offered none, even though Khalid’s furious gaze burned into his. Yet like Faraj, he stood still while the Sultan’s men removed his weapons.
    Then, Faraj’s brother Muhammad stepped out from behind the Sultan’s guards and waddled toward him. As he bowed at their master’s side, Faraj clamped his jaw tight and swallowed back the bile filling his gorge.
    Muhammad eyed him. “I was right about you, Faraj. You have never deserved my loyalty. For years, I have watched you prosper from the generosity of others. Our father named you his heir though scant days separated the dates of our births. I was his son too, but you were his beloved heir. After his murder, when we came to Gharnatah, you ingratiated yourself with the old Sultan. Your reward was his trust, his granddaughter and Malaka, which was my home, too. I have languished in your shadow, but no more. I have learned the lessons you taught, brother. I shall use them to gain as you have.”
    Faraj collapsed into raucous laughter, though as he bent, the movement strained the sinews along his arms. The Sultan’s guards forced him upright again.
    “You think the Sultan shall give you Malaka now? You forget I have sired a son who shall soon achieve his manhood. He has claim, not you.”
    Muhammad glanced at the Sultan, who turned his dark glower on him. “Is that why you came here in all haste with news of your brother’s betrayal? You thought I would give the governorship to you, instead of allowing Ismail to inherit it?”
    Muhammad blanched. Perspiration dotted his brow. “I…but, he is just a boy and his father is a traitor!”
    “Ismail is my grandson. Malaka is his birthright.” The icy precision of the Sultan’s voice matched his frigid stare.
    Muhammad sputtered and waved his hand at Faraj, “My Sultan, I have told you everything he did at Tarif, how he counseled the abandonment of the siege. He met with the Ashqilula, your enemies. He let them escape again. You cannot do this….”
    When the Sultan’s face colored a reddened mask of ferocity, Muhammad pleaded, “I have risked everything to bring you this news. I deserve a reward.”
    The Sultan clasped his hands together. “You shall have it. Not Malaka.”
    Faraj chuckled. “You took too long to learn those lessons, Muhammad. Mark me, for I shall see you again in the hellfire of Jahannam . We shall wear the garments of fire and be bound in boiling water for eternity, together.”
    “You shall meet your end there first!” Muhammad’s guttural scream preceded his lurch toward Faraj.
    ”Stop him!” The Sultan’s order rang through the chamber.
    Two of his bodyguards turned. Their curved daggers plunged into Muhammad’s stomach.
    Faraj’s own belly twisted as the Damascene steel sank beneath silk and flesh. Muhammad gurgled and his eyes widened. A froth of spittle and blood bubbled at the corner of his