Blackfrost (Wytch Kings, Book 2) by Jaye McKenna

Author:Jaye McKenna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy, magic, dragon, gay romance, abuse, prince, shifters, healer, dragon shifter, nobility
Publisher: Jaye McKenna

* * *

Ambris studied the game board after Kian left to check his supplies. He already had his next half dozen moves and several contingency plans sorted out, and he could see at least four very different strategies he could use to win. He loved playing Castles, and was impatient for Kian to return. Not that Kian was a particularly challenging opponent, but Ambris intended to change that. Kian was bright enough; he just needed a bit of practice.

The sun slipped behind a cloud, darkening the room, and Ambris frowned. Kian had been gone far longer than it would take to go to his room and then report to Master Taretha in the kitchen.

Maybe he wasn’t enjoying the game, and had only said he needed to check his supplies so he could stop playing. It wouldn’t surprise Ambris, but the thought was a bit disappointing. He’d hoped Kian might take to the game; it would keep Ambris’s mind sharp and fill many empty hours.

He got to his feet and peered out the window. The wagon hadn’t left yet, and—

—Ambris’s heart stuttered in his chest as he caught sight of movement in the courtyard below. Kian was edging along the hedge that grew along the iron fence. He had a bundle of sack cloth draped over his arm, and he was moving stealthily toward the wagon.

In a sickening flash, Ambris understood what Kian intended. He was planning to sneak to market with Malik and Taretha, and see if he could get a message to his master in Altan.

“Oh, Kian,” Ambris murmured. “You mustn’t. If she catches you…”

Trembling with dread, Ambris watched as Kian climbed into the back of the open wagon and covered himself with the sack cloth. The wagon bed was already filled with miscellaneous bits of sacking and straw, and once Kian had covered himself, Ambris wouldn’t have been able to tell he was hiding there.

“Stupid, stupid…” Ambris muttered. The thought of what Malik would do to Kian when he was discovered was more than Ambris could bear. If he was quick about it, perhaps there was still time to stop him.

Ambris was unlocking the door when he heard a muffled shout through the closed window. His heart sank and he darted back to the window and peered out in time to see Malik drag Kian out of the wagon. He barked an order that Ambris couldn’t quite make out through the glass, and a few moments later, two guardsmen appeared from around the side of the house and took hold of Kian. The healer struggled briefly until Malik clouted him on the head and he went limp. The guardsmen dragged him off around the side of the house.

Ambris felt sick. Malik had killed men for less. He wouldn’t kill Kian, would he? Kian was the healer… Surely Taretha wouldn’t allow Malik to kill him. She’d only have to find another, and she’d made such a fuss about how inconvenient Cyrith’s death had been, almost as if the old man had chosen his moment just to spite her.

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