Mutual Desire by Donna Grant

Author:Donna Grant
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington Books
Published: 2009-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

6

Falcor scratched his chin as he listened to Eldon. They sat in the great hall, which was empty except for a few servants. His commander began to recount what he had learned while spying in Aldvale.

“You’re right, my king. Usotae is gloating about how Linarra will seduce secrets out of you.”

Falcor sighed. “What did you learn of her? Anything?”

“She was once betrothed to Usotae. She called off the betrothal, but reports conflict as to the reason.”

“Anything else? Why did Usotae send her?”

Eldon smiled, his dark blue eyes full of hate. “Several lords have asked for her hand, but Usotae refused them all. She won’t have him, but he won’t let anyone else have her.”

“Then why send her here?”

“Punishment, I imagine,” Eldon said. He clasped his hands behind his back. “Usotae isn’t in favor with all of his people. I don’t think I’ve seen, or heard, of a king as brutal as he.”

Falcor leaned forward in his chair. “You said he sent Linarra here as punishment. Why? Because she wouldn’t marry him?”

“That is part of the speculation. It is well known in Aldvale that she is here. Many expect her to fail, for Usotae has given her a daunting task, especially given how you’ve discovered the other spies.”

“Only with your help, old friend. Now what happens if she fails?” Falcor had an idea, but he wanted to hear it from Eldon.

His spy let out a long breath. “She has a younger sister that Usotae is holding. She was suspected of murder several years ago, but before the trial could begin, he released her. Now, it is rumored that should Linarra fail, her sister will be tried for that crime and hung in one day.”

“Well before Linarra could return to save her,” Falcor said. He rose and walked the empty hall. “Did the sister commit the murder?”

“Some say nay, others say the evidence doesn’t prove anything.”

“For a man who refuses to allow anyone to have Linarra, I find it extremely odd that he would send her to seduce me.” He turned to Eldon. “Would you send a woman you wanted, a woman that you had kept from everyone else, to sleep with your enemy?”

“Nay,” Eldon said. “But then again, Usotae isn’t a normal man. He wants power. Lots of power. He’s looking to Kellian first, and afterward he plans on using the same strategy as he works his way through Hesione, Pereth, and all the small kingdoms. From what I hear, he even has his sights on Shadowhall.”

Falcor snorted. “He’ll never get Shadowhall.” He paced the hall a few moments, gathering his thoughts before he stopped next to Eldon. “Can you get to Linarra’s sister?”

Eldon’s eyes widened. “You mean take her from Aldvale?”

“Aye. And bring her here?”

A slow smile spread over Eldon’s face. “Aye, my king, I can. I’ve been waiting for an excuse to enter Usotae’s palace.”

“He’ll be expecting you.”

“He won’t be expecting what I have in store for him.”

“If he thinks any Kellians are in Aldvale, he will kill Linarra’s sister.

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