Read Online The Sentinel Mage by Emily Gee - Free Book Online Page B

bondservant scuttled down them and hurried out of sight. Britta followed more slowly, her hand skimming the balustrade. The marble was smooth and cool beneath her fingers.
    We’ll present Father with a solution that satisfies his greed and his pride: marriage to Prince Tomas of Lundegaard.
    At the foot of the stairs, Britta turned right. The armsman kept pace behind her, his hobnailed boots striking echoes from the marble floor.
    Stand your ground , Harkeld had said. We’ll wear him down. It’s a good match, better than what he’s proposing. And last week, before the arrival of the witches, their father had talked of sending Harkeld to Lundegaard to discuss the subject with King Magnas and Prince Tomas.
    Britta turned another corner. Armsmen lined the corridor outside her father’s apartments, standing to attention in their scarlet tunics and golden breastplates. She halted at the door to the king’s antechamber. Dread squeezed in her belly.
    She looked back at her armsman, seeing curling black hair, dark eyes, brown skin. If she told him to take her back to her rooms, he would.
    “Please knock, Karel.”
     
     
    K AREL FOLLOWED ONE step behind the princess. The antechamber, with its heavy scarlet hangings and gilded mirrors, was empty but for armsmen standing to attention.
    The door to the king’s audience chamber opened. Prince Jaegar stepped through. “Ah, Britta.” The prince scrutinized his half-sister and gave a nod, as if approving of her appearance. He opened the door more widely. “Don’t keep him waiting.”
    Princess Brigitta crossed the room. Karel followed. “You aren’t required,” Prince Jaegar said without looking at him.
    Karel halted.
    “A word of advice, Britta. Don’t cross him. He’s looking for someone to punish. I wouldn’t want it to be you.” A smile glinted in the prince’s eyes.
    He’s enjoying this.
    “Thank you,” Princess Brigitta said. She stepped past her half-brother. Karel watched as she surreptitiously pinched her cheeks, as she lifted her chin.
    Be careful , he told her silently.

 
     

    CHAPTER ELEVEN
     
     
    H ER FATHER SAT on his throne. He was as motionless as the armsmen positioned along the walls. Only his eyes moved, watching her as she walked across the marble floor.
    Britta halted at the foot of his dais. She sank into a low curtsey.
    “Brigitta,” her father said coldly. “What took you so long?” Jewels set in gold glittered on his fingers. Anger glittered in his eyes,
    “Forgive me, Father.” She straightened, biting her tongue to keep from babbling excuses. “I came as quickly as I was able.”
    The king looked her up and down. It was hard not to cringe beneath that scrutiny. With every second that passed, her chest tightened and her heart beat louder.
    “I’ve had enough of this nonsense about your marriage.” There was a harsh edge of anger in her father’s voice. “Duke Rikard is my choice of husband for you. He’s commander of my army. I see no reason why you should object to him.”
    An image of the duke rose in her mind’s eye: fleshy body, cruel mouth, face glistening with sweat. Britta’s stomach clenched in a sick knot.
    “Answer me,” her father demanded. “Will you, or will you not, marry Rikard?”
    Britta swallowed. I’d sooner die than marry Rikard. She looked at her father, saw the rage swelling his face, and knew with absolute certainty that Jaegar was correct: Father would punish her in Harkeld’s stead, if she gave him the chance.
    There was utter silence in the room. Britta heard her heart thudding in her chest. This wasn’t a decision about her marriage; it was about her life.
     
     
    W HEN P RINCESS B RIGITTA emerged from the king’s audience chamber, her face was wax-like, pale and stiff. She didn’t appear to see Karel when he stepped away from the wall.
    He followed her back to her rooms. Yasma emerged hurriedly from the bedchamber. “Princess?”
    “I wish to change.”
    Karel caught Yasma’s eye.