Read Online The Pages of the Mind by Jeffe Kennedy - Free Book Online

Twelve plus Annfwn, it went in every direction, sweeping up Nahanau also.”
    She closed her eyes briefly, perhaps offering a prayer to Danu. “You want me to tell Kral that I not only attacked Nahanau, but I annexed it?”
    â€œIt would be interesting to watch his face,” Harlan remarked in some satisfaction.
    â€œOh, yes, laugh. Keep laughing when he brings down the might of Dasnaria on our heads for it.”
    â€œWait.” A thought occurred to me. “If our theory is correct and the barrier didn’t collapse, but expanded, how did Kral sail through it to get here?”
    They stared back at me with expressions of dawning comprehension. “They didn’t,” Harlan said. “The ship was already inside, probably in the Nahanau islands. Kral has long been fascinated by the place.”
    Ursula nodded slowly. “That has to be it. So Kral is bluffing about being sent by Hestar. He’s here on his own, with all the men he has.”
    â€œIt is very much in character for him to bluff like this, yes.”
    â€œThen we have an advantage over him and I intend to use it. Perhaps we can knock down his bravado enough for him to let me make amends without him seeing me as weak.”
    â€œSo, what is this gold that’s mentioned?” I frowned at the document and checked my notes. “He said that in his initial accusation, too—‘a valuable treasure horde.’ ”
    â€œOne way to find out. Let’s have him summoned. Bring him here to talk privately. See if you can convince him to leave the muscle behind.”
    Harlan stood and kissed her on the top of the head. “Yes, Your Majesty. Remember to put your crown back on.”
    She glared at it balefully. “I already hate the thing.”
    Letting her stew, I went to arrange for food. Perhaps food and wine would soothe some of Kral’s savagery.

    Kral glared as balefully at the food as Ursula had at her crown, then shoved it away. “How do I know you don’t seek to poison me?”
    Ursula stiffened in offense—she might slit his throat, but a warrior of Danu would never stoop to poison—so, with a sigh, I took a slice of meat from his plate and ate it. “It’s not poisoned.”
    â€œIt could be poisoned with a substance you’ve developed a tolerance for,” he said, his gaze going to Harlan and Ursula. Kral looked different without the armor. Taller than Harlan, yes, but not as heavily built. A leaner, somewhat darker, sharper version. The shark.
    He’d brought his guards but agreed to leave them outside the room. He wore his sword, however, so Harlan did also. Ursula had convinced Harlan that he couldn’t stand behind her as he preferred, because it would look like protective hovering and Kral would interpret that as weakness on her part. Harlan conceded the point, sitting at the table to translate. Instead of translating that last for Ursula, he spoke directly to his brother.
    â€œKral. I know we have anger between us and this incident has started badly. However, the High Queen is interested only in protecting her realm. She has no need to kill you if your problems can be resolved diplomatically. Besides,” he said with a malicious grin, “she is a highly trained fighter such as you’ve never seen. She moves faster than a snake heated by the sun. If she decided to kill you, it would be with a blade, not poison.”
    Kral listened, not looking at Ursula. “She has seduced you. Are you certain there’s no black magic at hand? Tell me now and I’ll free you.” He glanced at me. “The nyrri understands, I know, but she is no warrior. I can silence her easily if she attempts to speak.”
    â€œI have given Ursula the Elskastholrr ,” Harlan told him, then nodded at Kral’s astonishment.
    Ursula looked between them, gaze sharp. She’d recognize that word if nothing else, along with her name, and she returned