Read Online Warrior Queen (Skeleton Key) by Shona Husk, Skeleton Key - Free Book Online
Authors: Shona Husk, Skeleton Key
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the wall would be able to see what she could. The magic that let her change form gifted her with the ability to see great distances when she needed to.
“Surrender, step aside so that I may rule. There need not be a battle.” Nadri smiled up at her as though there was nothing amiss between the two of them.
For how long had her cousin been plotting with these people?
Keleti kept her face as still as stone, knowing Nadri would be watching every muscle twitch, the same way she was watching her cousin. “No, I will not step aside. But you are right there is no need for there to be a battle. You wanted the magic and now you have it. Take my cousin and return to your lands.”
“For your insult, we will take the city,” the soldier said, puffing out his chest. His metal chest plate glinted.
“And what do I claim for the insult you gave me for assuming that I would give up my right to rule to you, a man with no magic? We are even. We are done.” She stepped back.
“You risk the city and your people for your pride,” Nadri called
“You betrayed your family and your city and your people for power, Nadri. We will not forget.” But now the invaders had a Heavenly. If they were smart, they would learn to use that magic. She hoped that they weren’t.
“You could kill them both now,” Bryce muttered behind her.
Her cousin’s gaze narrowed on Bryce, but there was only surprise there.
“Then they would seek retribution,” she said softly. “They have come here to prove a point. They cannot back down without loss of face. All they can do is fight. There was never going to be a peaceful resolution.”
She saw that now. The moment she’d refused him and his offer, and then refused to hand over her daughter. All those times she’d confided in Nadri, her cousin had been plotting her own way to power.
“Your last chance to surrender and end this peacefully,” the soldier shouted.
“And hand my city to a traitor and a man who thinks women should obey, not hold equal voice? No. You would kill me and enslave my children.” She glanced at Bryce.
His eyes were narrowed as he took in the army at her walls. Was he wondering when he could use the key to get home? She wished he did have a magic that would give her allies.
“You have burned other cities on your way here, but you will find this one does not break so easily. Enjoy your new life, Nadri.” Keleti stepped back. She had nothing more to say, only a war to win.
“Who stands with you?” Nadri stepped closer.
Keleti looked at her cousin. She didn’t owe her a reply.
Bryce leaned on the wall and stared down. Then he smiled. “The Ambassador from Australia. A place so far away, I had to use a most powerful magic to get here.”
The soldier pulled Nadri back, and there was some conversation. Nadri touched her ear. Keleti had seen the gold in Nadri’s eyes as she’d used her magic to get a good look at Bryce. If the city fell, they would want him and his magic. Keleti couldn’t allow that to happen either.
The soldier looked decidedly annoyed. His forehead furrowed and he squinted up. He wouldn’t be able to make out the details, though. “You will regret choosing Australia over Vertaland.”
“I doubt it,” Keleti muttered.
“I will be Queen.” Nadri called over her shoulder as the small group rejoined the army.
In a voice that she knew was too soft for Nadri to hear, Keleti responded. “No one will ever bow to you. If this city falls, another Heavenly will be queen before you. They will all know what you have done. I will spread the word.” Keleti tuned away. Her cousin didn’t need to hear the words. She would already know her fate should this fail.
Bryce lingered for a moment as if transfixed, then followed.
Seven
E very time Bryce blinked he saw the sun glinting on the shields. There had to be over a thousand of them lined up like ants waiting to attack. This was no snatch and grab, this was a planned battle. He’d see documentaries
“Surrender, step aside so that I may rule. There need not be a battle.” Nadri smiled up at her as though there was nothing amiss between the two of them.
For how long had her cousin been plotting with these people?
Keleti kept her face as still as stone, knowing Nadri would be watching every muscle twitch, the same way she was watching her cousin. “No, I will not step aside. But you are right there is no need for there to be a battle. You wanted the magic and now you have it. Take my cousin and return to your lands.”
“For your insult, we will take the city,” the soldier said, puffing out his chest. His metal chest plate glinted.
“And what do I claim for the insult you gave me for assuming that I would give up my right to rule to you, a man with no magic? We are even. We are done.” She stepped back.
“You risk the city and your people for your pride,” Nadri called
“You betrayed your family and your city and your people for power, Nadri. We will not forget.” But now the invaders had a Heavenly. If they were smart, they would learn to use that magic. She hoped that they weren’t.
“You could kill them both now,” Bryce muttered behind her.
Her cousin’s gaze narrowed on Bryce, but there was only surprise there.
“Then they would seek retribution,” she said softly. “They have come here to prove a point. They cannot back down without loss of face. All they can do is fight. There was never going to be a peaceful resolution.”
She saw that now. The moment she’d refused him and his offer, and then refused to hand over her daughter. All those times she’d confided in Nadri, her cousin had been plotting her own way to power.
“Your last chance to surrender and end this peacefully,” the soldier shouted.
“And hand my city to a traitor and a man who thinks women should obey, not hold equal voice? No. You would kill me and enslave my children.” She glanced at Bryce.
His eyes were narrowed as he took in the army at her walls. Was he wondering when he could use the key to get home? She wished he did have a magic that would give her allies.
“You have burned other cities on your way here, but you will find this one does not break so easily. Enjoy your new life, Nadri.” Keleti stepped back. She had nothing more to say, only a war to win.
“Who stands with you?” Nadri stepped closer.
Keleti looked at her cousin. She didn’t owe her a reply.
Bryce leaned on the wall and stared down. Then he smiled. “The Ambassador from Australia. A place so far away, I had to use a most powerful magic to get here.”
The soldier pulled Nadri back, and there was some conversation. Nadri touched her ear. Keleti had seen the gold in Nadri’s eyes as she’d used her magic to get a good look at Bryce. If the city fell, they would want him and his magic. Keleti couldn’t allow that to happen either.
The soldier looked decidedly annoyed. His forehead furrowed and he squinted up. He wouldn’t be able to make out the details, though. “You will regret choosing Australia over Vertaland.”
“I doubt it,” Keleti muttered.
“I will be Queen.” Nadri called over her shoulder as the small group rejoined the army.
In a voice that she knew was too soft for Nadri to hear, Keleti responded. “No one will ever bow to you. If this city falls, another Heavenly will be queen before you. They will all know what you have done. I will spread the word.” Keleti tuned away. Her cousin didn’t need to hear the words. She would already know her fate should this fail.
Bryce lingered for a moment as if transfixed, then followed.
Seven
E very time Bryce blinked he saw the sun glinting on the shields. There had to be over a thousand of them lined up like ants waiting to attack. This was no snatch and grab, this was a planned battle. He’d see documentaries
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