The Reluctant King by Jill Williamson

Author:Jill Williamson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy;FIC042080;FIC009030;FIC009020
ISBN: 9781441230836
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2017-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

Two hours later, when the castle was fully repaired and all had freshened up, dinner was served in the great hall. Jazlyn had taken the seat of honor and placed King Barthel at her right hand. Qoatch stood behind her, keeping a close watch on the great shadir the king had brought with him.

Dendron, or so he was called, looked like a stubby tree with skin like dirt, arms like branches, clothing of leaves, and a waterfall of hair that dissipated before hitting the floor. He stood no taller than an average woman and glided along in a puddle of soft mist. Though he appeared unassuming at first glance, such detail in his appearance, right down to his pale, stone eyes, was proof of his immense power.

He held an air of great importance, as if he considered himself above the physical gratification that obsessed the lives of most shadir. He stood against the back wall like the rest of the servants and did not speak—at least not aloud. Qoatch had no doubt that this creature considered himself superior to everyone in the room. No wonder Gozan had always avoided him.

Jazlyn and King Barthel were speculating over the giants’ motives—the king had claimed to have had no part in the attack, though Qoatch knew Jazlyn did not believe him. She wanted rule of Rurekau, however, and could not afford to make an enemy of this man, though she would not make herself submissive to him either.

Rosârah Thallah came running into the great hall. “Your Highness!” The Armanian queen bustled up the center aisle, skirts hiked up and revealing thick ankles. Her footsteps pattered over the wood floor that no longer showed any signs of the morning’s destruction.

King Barthel’s face broke into a wide smile. “Rosârah Thallah, there you are. I looked for you in the restoration, but it seems you had other responsibilities.”

That King Barthel had expected to see Rosârah Thallah bothered Qoatch. Both had the ability to mind-speak, so the rosârah had likely known the king would visit.

The Armanian queen reached the front, stopped, and swept into a shaky curtsy. “I gave the empress the last of my evenroot,” she said, panting. “So that she could fight the giants.”

“How generous,” the king said. “Empress, are you in need of root?”

“I have a little,” Jazlyn said, watching him warily. “But the bulk of my supply was taken from me during the voyage across the sea.”

“A grievous loss,” King Barthel said. “I could spare some of my own if you would be interested in discussing a trade.”

Jazlyn’s eyes lit with interest. Using it earlier that day had brought about a relapse in both desire and dependency. She craved the return of the power she once wielded, and Qoatch knew that she would ally with this man if she saw a way to do so without giving up her freedom.

“Ahvenrood in exchange for what?” she asked. “I hope you do not intend to conquer us.”

“Goodness, no, Empress. I seek allies to my cause, and Rosârah Thallah suggested Rurekau might be willing.

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