The Forest Witch: Tales of Unara, Book One by Britt Laux

Author:Britt Laux [Laux, Britt]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Magic and Moons Press
Published: 2021-01-31T16:00:00+00:00

She is waiting in my room as ordered, Talor stationed outside my door.

“Karikina,” she says, bowing. “You sent for me?”

“Yes.” I pace around her, and I see her tremble. “I would like to know why you have dishonored me, Silara.”

“D-dishonored you, my lady?”

I stop in front of her, taking the small dagger from my hip and filing away the rough edge of my thumbnail. “I know you have been telling stories about me and Siobhan.”

“I would never!” she insists, eyes watering. “I am loyal to you, Karikina.”

“Loyal to me, or to the Istana?” I ask sharply. “That is your minra, is it not?”

Her chest heaves, and she wrings her hands, eyes pleading. “Karikina…”

“Did Paldir put you up to it?”

She shakes her head, tears spilling over her lashes as she hangs her head. “No, Karikina.”

“Then who?” I demand.

“I cannot say.”

I draw myself up, twirling my dagger in my fingers. “I am ordering you to tell me.”

“I have already been ordered not to,” she says fretfully.

“By someone above me?” I ask, keeping my voice level.

“Please,” she begs. “They will kill me.”

Stopping my dagger, I stare at her. “Do you think I will not do the same?”

“No, my lady,” she says softly, shaking her head. “You are kind. You have always been good to me.”

I step closer and she flinches back as I trace the tip of my blade along her jaw. “You are wrong.”

Closing her eyes, she begins to cry in earnest. “Please…”

Swallowing the bile in my throat, I step back from her. “You are dismissed from this castle. I will inform the Karika myself of what you have done. If I ever see you again, or hear of further treachery, I will not be so forgiving.”

Nodding, she chokes out a ‘thank you’ and flees from the room. I go into the hall, looking over at Talor as he watches her go.

“Follow her,” I tell him. “Report back.”

“Yes, Karikina.”

Sheathing my blade, I go to Siobhan’s door, collecting myself before allowing myself to knock.

There was a dark part of me that thrilled at Silara’s fear. A longing to let the blade leave a trail of blood down her neck for daring to whisper behind my back or vandalize my room. It frightened me, turning my stomach.

Karika Goranala.

Shaking my head, I lift my hand to knock, needing Siobhan’s light to chase away my shadows.

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