Read Online The Crow King's Wife by Melissa Myers - Free Book Online Page B

many people into fools though, and no matter how
much I regret it I can’t take it back. I kept you prisoner here for
the same reason, because I feared you, and as you say it is likely
my fault they are dead because of that.”
    “If you are truly going to lead here Onvalla
you can’t be governed by fear.” Caleb spoke calmly and for the
first time since he had entered the room there was no anger in his
voice.
    “Hatred and anger are my counselors now. Fear
is an old friend that has been put aside. Make them bleed Caleb,
not for any love you have for me, but to salve our mutual pain.
Rivasa must fall. It was my intention to move against Rivasa
myself, but I can’t with the Morcaillo still dominating my people.
I have to break the hold they have over us first, and then I will
finish what you start.” Onvalla’s words rang with promise and she
smiled bitterly. “It’s the whole reason I fought so hard for
leadership here. I never intended to attack Arovan, and I had to
ensure my people didn’t either. Their bloodlust will be channeled
to the ones that deserve the pain. First Rivasa, and then whatever
remains of Morcaillo.”
    “Please don’t take any steps down that path
until after we speak again Lady Onvalla. I understand your pain and
hatred, but revenge is a one way path. You are leading your people.
You have to look at the broader picture if they are going to have
any future at all.” Shade said with a note of pleading in his
voice. If the Blights attacked Rivasa all hell would break loose
again, and the world was in too delicate of a balance to risk
that.
    “I make no promises of that. I have people
hunting the Morcaillo now and if they finish before you return I
will move against my enemies.” Onvalla replied coldly. She let out
a deep breath as her eyes locked onto his. “Now tell me where to
find my son if you truly know where he is.”
    “The last time I spoke with him he was living
safely with High Lady Jala Merrodin. I will warn you though she has
another Blight living with her as well. If you send your people
there to take your son back with force, they will be found and they
will likely die. If you want to speak with the boy I would highly
suggest you approach Jala directly and politely rather than attempt
to trick her. She has a temper to match your own Lady Onvalla, and
she holds grudges for a very long time.” Shade answered with a
faint smile.
    He could feel Caleb’s eyes on him as well and
he knew by the expression on the man’s face his words had held just
as much interest for Caleb as they had for Onvalla. He just wasn’t
certain what interest Caleb held in the boy though. It was possible
he had just endangered Dray’s life with his words. There was a
chance Caleb would want Dray dead to ensure Micah’s secret remained
buried, but he didn’t think that was the sort of man Caleb was, and
he was praying he was right on that matter.
     
    * * *
     
    “If you had a Spell Hawk in storage the
entire time, may I ask why exactly we just walked three hours
before you chose to use it?” Caleb asked in a weary voice.
    Shade glanced back from his ship and smiled
weakly at Caleb as he pried the goblin off his leg for the fifth
time. He had chosen a clearing several miles from the Blight
village to unveil his ship, and no doubt Caleb was thinking it was
a splendid waste of time to walk when they could have simply flown.
Considering his constant wrestling match with the goblin during
their walk, Shade supposed it had wasted more time than he had
intended. The creature had been frantic when it had been brought to
him by Granger, and it seemed to think Shade would disappear if it
wasn’t clinging directly to him.
    With a sigh Shade looked around the forest
and wondered how many sets of eyes Onvalla had watching them. “On
the ship and I will explain.” He promised as he drew a pair of dark
glasses from his coat pocket and scanned the trees around them.
There was no way he was letting a Blight