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

unfamiliar man entering her quarters. She wondered why her guards hadn’t stopped him. Her heart quickened, but she resisted the urge to scream. Not only had Commander Benshi assured them no army was within a fortnight’s march of Dolmerti, but dozens of foreign dignitaries had arrived for the wedding and she had yet to meet all of them. There was no reason to panic. He had probably taken a wrong turn on the way to his quarters.
    “ Hello,” she said. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I am Princess Emmeline Durandi of Pamizak.”
    T he man stepped forward and smiled. “I know who you are,” he said.
    “Oh? ” Emmeline rose from her seated position at the window and walked toward the man. “May I help you?” Her eyes flicked to the corridor behind him, curious again where her guards were.
    “Yes, you can. My name is Tiergan and I have come a great distance for you.” His smile spread until it left a wicked glint in his eyes.
    Emmeline took a step back, her chest tightening. She glanced at the fireplace. Why had she insisted it remain unlit? All feelings of joy and calm vanished, abandoning her to the cold terror of truth. She was alone and she was powerless. Her chest constricted further, leaving no room for air.
    Tiergan smirked. “The Dolmertian thought you might not have a fire in your room.”
    “What Dolmertian?” Her eyes narrowed. Who, beside Erick, would know of her aversion to the flames, of her fear of being controlled again?
    “The same one who said I’d find the last Incenaga witch here.”
    Emmeline stopped breathing. Erick didn’t allow anyone to refer to her as an Incenaga, nor did he permit anyone to speak of it. Not many knew what she was, but those who did, kept quiet.
    “ There is no Incenaga here,” she said, but her voice failed and she choked on the last word.
    “Don’t fool me, girl,” Tiergan snapped as he closed the door behind him. “I know who you are.”
    Emmeline took another step back. The man standing before her looked like the sort of man who would use her for death and destruction. If she let him take her she would follow the same fate as the Incenagas before her. She would be drained of her power until she withered and died.
    His bloodshot eyes bore into hers, challenging her. She wanted to run, but he blocked the only exit. She glanced at the window and considered jumping, but the opening was too small and he would be able to stop her before she could open it any further. Seeing her options disappear before ever becoming tangible, she knew she would have to face him.
    “How did you get past Dolmerti’s army?” she asked.
    “ Simple.” Tiergan laughed. “They weren’t looking for a small band of men, were they?”
    Emm eline’s eyes grew wide. “It was you. You sent the letter.” She balled her hands into fists, remembering all the sleepless nights she had spent because of his letter.
    “That’s right. I sent the letter. I needed your commander distracted by the search of large masses of soldiers, not a handful of travelers.”
    “Well, congratulations,” she said with an iciness that would have chilled any fire within her. “You are here. What do you want?”
    “Isn’t it obvious? ”
    Emmeline said nothing.
    “You,” he said. “ I want you to come with me.”
    “Never.”
    “Never? You speak with such conviction for someone who knows so little.”
    Emmeline bristled. “Volarcus is not far from here. Dolmerti’s army will overtake you in a matter of days.”
    Tiergan roared with laughter . “We won’t be going anywhere near Volarcus. Have you heard of Griet?”
    “But the letter said someone would come from Volarcus to claim me.”
    “And it also said I would be followed by a great army . You are wasting my time with ignorant questions. It does not matter where I am from or how I got here. What matters is that I am here and you will come with me. Now. I am the King of Griet and you are my newest slave. You will serve me from this day