The Shadow & the Sun by Monica Enderle Pierce

Author:Monica Enderle Pierce
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Romance, Fantasy, Witches & Wizards, Paranormal
Publisher: Stalking Fiction
Published: 2016-04-21T14:00:00+00:00

“The margrave took Idris, thankfully,” Magod said as Noni slammed down a meager meal before Gethen. “But even he’ll struggle; those snow drifts reach my chest, Master. Insisted upon leaving. Said she needed to warn the king about the Rime Witch.” Magod’s expression was grave. “What could I do?”

Gethen scowled at the bowl of cold, curdled porridge, the crusted cheese, and the shriveled apple on his plate. “What’s this?”

“Supper,” Noni said. “I’ll not waste effort on a fool.” She stomped from the great hall before he could complain, and returned a moment later with a glass of pale, vinegary mead.

“I loath oxymel,” Gethen grumbled but the look of disgust Noni turned on him shut his mouth. Halina may not have stabbed him, but his housekeeper seemed determined to poison him. He sighed and shoved the food away as she disappeared back to the kitchen.

Magod slid a stack of coins across the table. “Insisted on paying for the replacement cloak, tunic, and trouzes.”

Gethen gritted his teeth. “Tell your mother I did what I must. I face a fight with my own demon. It’s better that I draw the witch’s attention away from Ursinum’s troops and keep her battle with me. That’s the only way I can aid the militess.”

Magod stood. “Dumbest thing you’ve ever said, Master.” He rested both hands upon the table, and leaned over Gethen. “I said not to fight that woman. Guess battling those mages addled your brain last night.”

Gethen massaged the back of his neck; his head pounded and the weakness that had started after he’d left the mausoleum hadn’t improved with the day’s passage. “I couldn’t accept the terms she put forth in our negotiations. No one should trade their freedom for my pitiful sorcery.”

Magod shook his head. “She can help you battle the witch. You need her protection. Mummin and I see how weak you’ve become, but we can’t help. The militess can; she did. Bring her back to Ranith, Master. Let her help you beat your enemy.”

It was tempting, but that way only led to their deaths. “No. Let the militess return to her king.”

“She protected you against the the dead shadow mages,” Magod insisted. “Now she’s alone in Kharayan. Something wild lurks in those woods; even the wolves sense it.”

Gethen slammed his fists upon the table. The cutlery and coins jumped. “Enough! You forget that she was born with a sword in her hand. Don’t underestimate her; she can handle a few errant beasts in that forest.” He was at his wit’s end, and his servants’ censure wasn’t helping. “I’ll hear no more of Margrave Khara.”

He stood and the groundsman stepped back. “You and your mother have served me well, but I can’t guarantee your safety in Ranith anymore. Take the animals to Etherias. When all of this is over return here. If the citadel still stands, Kharayan will be yours.”

With those orders he strode from the room, ignoring Magod’s open-mouthed astonishment. He couldn’t think through the pounding in his head and the aching of the muscles in his shoulders and back.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.