Read Online The Last Witch (Incenaga Trilogy) by Debbie Dee - Free Book Online Page A

her and dug his heels into the flanks of the horse. Before she could take a breath they were galloping toward the palace with an entire unit of men trailing behind.
    Mahlon hissed in her ear as they rode. “I told you not to leave the palace. While the Crown Prince is away, you will obey my commands. Your life depends on it! No one can know you are here. Do you understand me?”
    Mahlon ’s iron grip squeezed her against his chest, taking the breath out of her. She squirmed in the saddle but doubted Mahlon cared about her comfort. She curled in on herself, not only to distance herself from Mahlon, but to hold herself together. She had been ripped from the only thing that had brought her happiness in weeks and she wondered if she would ever see Erick or the horses again. Fearing what Mahlon might do if he found her outside the palace again, her plans for eluding the guards no longer seemed a laughing matter.
    The galloping horse carried them toward the palace. Emmeline had longed to ride a horse again but not in such a way. Mahlon pulled her from the horse and she glared at him with all her strength.
    Mahlon growled. “I don’t think I have made myself clear.” He snatched her arm and pulled her into his chest. “I don’t want to harm you, but you leave me no choice.”
    He bent her wrist at an odd angle and twisted her arm behind her back. Emmeline screamed in pain, hating the show of weakness.
    “Does this hurt? ” Mahlon said. “This is nothing compared to what the noblemen will do if they find you, or what someone may do if they discovered your power. Dolmerti needs you. Pamizak needs you. And they need you alive.”
    Mahlon released her arm and strode into the palace, leaving Emmeline on the palace steps. Several guards stood near, some with smirks, some with wide eyes trained to the ground.
    Emmeline rubbed her sore arm and shivered. She glared at the mahogany doors left open to her—open to take her prisoner. The guard nearest her stepped next to her and took her arm.
    “Come, Your Highness,” he said a little too loud. “Back to your chambers you go.”
    Emmeline tried to resist his hold but he gave a nearly imperceptible shake of his head and glanced toward her with pleading eyes, his gaze near her shoulder.
    “Up you go,” he shouted as if she weren’t right next to him. He pulled her up the stairs much faster than necessary and they were through the doors before the other guards reached the bottom step.
    “Don’t worry, Your Highness,” he whispered quickly. “This will be over soon.”
    Emmeline glanced up at him, confused.
    “They can’t contain your power much longer. You’ll make this right. I know it.”
    He spoke with such confidence that she was embarrassed to admit she had no idea what her power was or how to use it, let alone how to make everything right again.
    The other guards caught up with them and nothing more was said between them. She wanted to ask him what he meant, how he knew her power wouldn’t be contained, or if he knew how she could use it. Turning to look up at him, she tried to catch his gaze. But he looked straight on and pulled her toward the stair tower with an unnecessary amount of force.
    “Soon,” he whispered. “Soon.”

     
     
     

Chapter 8. Trust
     
    Adelia rushed to Emmeline the moment she entered her chambers, tear streaks staining her face. “My Lady! I have been so worried about you!”
    She stared into Emmeline’s shoulder and a flash of annoyance gripped Emmeline. How could Adelia still refuse to look at her, even after all their time together?
    “ You had no reason to worry,” Emmeline said. She slumped into a chair feeling more trapped than ever before.
    “You disappeared, My Lady. I searched for you, but you were nowhere to be found.”
    “ I merely needed a moment of fresh air.”
    “It isn’t safe! I had to tell Mahlon you were gone. I was so afraid you were hurt or captured."
    Emmeline’s lips tightened. “You were the one to tell