Read Online Talan's Treasure by Amber Kell - Free Book Online Page B

had died during Chalice’s birth, her powers as a seer were legendary. Knowing she would die during labour, she’d chronicled advice to her unborn son and uploaded it into the royal archives. Her encryption key died with her so no one would be able to alter them or read ahead. Once a week, the device would chime and advice from beyond the grave would appear on the screen. Not once had she steered him wrong. When Chalice was younger, he’d thought of her as his imaginary friend—always there when he needed help. Now he wished she could advise him in person.
    When he’d first announced plans to join the outbound pets on the next starship, Odwill had immediately looked for ways to help. They both knew there was no future for Chalice as long as he lived beneath his father’s roof. His father loved Chalice in his own way, but he www.total-e-bound.com
    refused to acknowledge his son’s problem. In his father’s mind, a planetary ruler couldn’t have a submissive for a son.
    To protect his identity, he’d first needed to cover the tattoos revealing him as a four elemental mage. No one would take a man on board who could destroy their ship with a single thought. Wide bands of coppery metal on his biceps gave the impression of bondage as well as covering up his signs of power.
    Chalice fidgeted with his armbands a moment before turning to face his servant. “You’d best make yourself scarce after I leave. I don’t want you to get into trouble. I doubt father will discover my absence for a few days, but when he does, he’s likely to come to you for questioning. Wait to announce your retirement until they discover I’m missing. Don’t give him any reason to think you were responsible for my disappearance.” Odwill nodded. Not a strand of his white hair moved. Chalice had always wondered how the man stayed perfectly groomed no matter what the conditions.
    “I will wait until they announce you missing, then go stay with my sister in Collinsville.
    Your father shouldn’t object since I will no longer have a charge.” Chalice went to his dresser and pulled out a small velvet bag from the top drawer.
    “This is for you, Odwill. A small thanks for all of your help.” He clasped the servant’s shoulder, handed the bag over then turned to away finish packing. He wasn’t going to cry.
    According to his father, princes didn’t cry and Chalice didn’t plan to start now.
    “My lord!” Odwill gasped behind him. “This is more gold than I’ve ever had in my life.”
    Chalice took a deep breath but didn’t turn around. He was too close to an emotional breakdown over leaving the man who’d been more like a father to him than his own.
    “I can’t repay you for all you’ve done for me over the years, but I can make sure your remaining years are comfortable.”
    “Thank you, my lord. I want you to know that it has always been a pleasure to serve you despite your handicap. You’ve never been a bit of trouble. If I could go with you to your new home I would.”
    Chalice smiled. “I know you would, Odwill, and you’re the only one who calls it a handicap. Everyone else calls it a curse.”
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    Despite having the strongest magical ability in his family, without a counterpart to balance out his powers, Chalice’s magic wobbled out of control. Most magic users, like his two brothers, were masters who kept a submissive to help smooth out their ability. Chalice, however, was a submissive. And as a rare four elemental mage, if he bonded with another magic user he would burn the other man out with the sheer force of his abilities.
    He’d heard of other planets where non-magical creatures could bond with and balance the magical. However, his father refused to admit a child of his had a problem. Chalice couldn’t hope for help from that direction, so he needed to find his own solution. Now, at nineteen years of age, Chalice had reached adulthood and was ready to leave his home planet and look for his