Prince of Scales by KJ Burrage

Author:KJ Burrage [KJ Burrage]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Valiant Heart Publications
Published: 2022-12-31T00:00:00+00:00

It felt like Illeanah had only just closed her eyes when she was awoken by yelling. She shot up from where she lay on the soft grass.

“On your knees!”

Illeanah shook her head. The voice was familiar. Her stomach plummeted, recognising it belonging to Will’s eldest brother, Tomas. She had only met him on a handful of occasions, none of them pleasant.

“Did you finally father a child on a whore, Willyrd?”

“Let me go, Tomas!” Will’s voice cried.

Illeanah scrambled to her feet, the movement catching Tomas’ eye. He was holding Will against his broad chest, a sword under his chin. Will looked weary, like he would welcome the sword to slice his throat.

Tomas’ keen eyes pierced Illeanah, then the queen, and a cruel smile twisted on his thin lips.

“My, my, my, what trouble have you got into, brother? Taking your little group to the place where you betrayed your family to Kieryn Pallarus.”

Will struggled against his brother’s grip. Tomas was a decade older and stockier. Illeanah had heard tales of Tomas’ quick temper and brawling. The rumours of his brutality were well known at court. She shivered, wondering if Will had suffered his brother’s love of violence.

“If you recall, Tomas,” Will gasped, his hands fluttering by his sides, betraying how nervous he was. “You never paid for your crimes. I pleaded for mercy on your behalf, and is this how you would repay me, brother?”

“Ha! You should have got your revenge while you had a chance,” Tomas barked. He leered down at Will, his eyes alight with his victory. “Shame you didn’t maim yourself the way you intended that day.”

Will gave a strangled cry and reared back, loosening his brother’s hold. He punched his nose. Snarling, Tomas reached out for Will, picked him up, and slammed him into the ground. Illeanah could hear the distinct sound of a winded grunt as Will’s body lay limp.

“You’re pathetic.”

“Leave him!” Queen Odelle cried, unable to contain her outrage.

In comparison to Will’s talents, Illeanah’s powers were paltry. They were almost worthless. She buried down her deep-rooted fear of her talents and tried to call the power forward. What could her power of rejuvenating plants do?

Pressing the point of his sword into the back of Will’s neck, Tomas forced his younger brother to lie prostrated on the ground. He leered up at the queen. “I know who you are … You’re going to die a terrible death, Odelle Pallarus. Perhaps we should wait until we have your precious prince and let you watch as we tear the little imp into pieces.”

Will tried to get up, but Tomas kicked him in the side.

“Roots …” Will grunted as he lay panting on the ground. He might be a perplexing puzzle, but he had gotten them out of the citadel alive. Will didn’t deserve to die by his brother’s sword. “Illeanah … please.”

Will’s suggestion had merit. Once more, Illeanah reached forward to the little power that she possessed. She swallowed, concentrating her efforts on the root systems below their feet. In her veins, she felt the old familiar warming in her insides.

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