16981 6412777029672238625105b0b5dcd8abb85935ccb94b389cb6a316d399e3484f by Unknown

Author:Unknown
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2020-09-29T12:30:58.345004+00:00

CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT

KADEN

I saw her leave. The evening between us was far from over. I tried to follow, but everyone wanted to gloat with me about my easy victory over the emissary.

Easy.

The thought made my blood boil all over again.

By his third swing, I knew I wasn’t fighting an emissary. By his fifth, I knew he wasn’t even an average soldier. By the tenth strike, I knew I was going to lose. But suddenly his attack softened, and he made stupid mistakes. He didn’t lose. He let me win. Preserving his identity as a foppish emissary was more important to him than parting my head from my shoulders—and I knew that was a prize he very much desired.

I swilled back a last gulp of ale and left Chievdar Dietrik mid-sentence, following after Lia. The corridor echoed with my footsteps. I reached my chamber and threw the door open. She was standing there, ready for me, a practice sword in her hand and battle in her eyes.

“Put it down!” I ordered.

She lifted it high in the air, ready to strike. “Get out!”

I stepped closer and said each word slowly, so there was no mistaking the threat in them. “Put the sword down. Now. ”

Her stance remained defiant. She would kill me before she set it aside.

“So I can serve you?” she sneered.

I wasn’t going to let her off that easy. I was going to let her reel and stew and feel just as shattered as I had been. I took another step, and she swung, barely missing my head. My rage bubbled over, and I lunged at her, catching the wooden blade with my hand as she swung again. We fell to the ground and rolled, grappling for the sword. I finally squeezed her wrist until she cried with pain and dropped it. I tossed it across the room. She lurched to roll away, but I slammed her back down and pinned her.

“Stop it, Lia! Stop it now!”

She stared at me, her breaths heavy and furious.

“Don’t you hurt her, Master Kaden! Let her up! Because I know how to use this!”

Lia and I both looked toward the door. It was Aster, and her eyes were wild with fear.

“Get out!” I yelled. “Before I skin you!”

Aster raised the sword higher, standing her ground. Her arms trembled with the weapon’s weight.

“Listen to you!” Lia said. “Threatening a child. Aren’t you the brave Assassin?”

I let go of her and stood. “Get up!” I ordered, and once she got to her feet, I pointed at Aster. “Now tell her to leave, so I don’t have to skin her.”

Lia glared at me, expecting me to back down. I reached for my dagger.

She grudgingly turned to Aster, her expression softening. “It’s all right. I can handle the Assassin. He’s all bluster, no bite. Go on now.”

The girl still hesitated, her eyes glistening. Lia kissed two fingers and lifted them to the heavens in a silent command to Aster. “Go,” she said quietly, and the girl left reluctantly, shutting the door behind her.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.