The Thorn Queen by Elise Holland

Author:Elise Holland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SparkPress
Published: 2018-10-09T16:00:00+00:00

14

The Bargain

MEYLYNE’S INSIDES TURNED TO ICE AND SHE GAPED AT Grimorex. What was he playing at? Part of her wanted to snort with laughter but she was painfully aware that the queen was staring at her. Blood rushed to her face making her skin prickle as she forced herself to smile.

“You are an alchemist?” Queen Scarlet growled, her eyes narrowed.

Not trusting herself to speak, Meylyne just nodded. But not a very good one, she wanted to add.

There was a pause while Queen Scarlet regarded her. Now she seemed anything but bored.

“You must forgive me if I seem surprised. Long have I wanted to meet someone from our frozen neighbor to the east—shrouded in secrecy as you are—and now I find myself in the presence of one of its alchemists, no less. I thought your sort had all died, but one.”

“No, not quite,” Meylyne murmured, blushing.

“Not quite,” Queen Scarlet echoed. “And are you fully fledged or still an apprentice?”

“Oh I’m—”

“Of course she is fully fledged!” Grimorex interrupted. “Trust me—I would never bring an amateur into your home.”

Meylyne cringed. Amateur was the perfect description for her. This was going from bad to worse.

“I do trust you Grimorex, although you suffer from misplaced optimism at times.”

Queen Scarlet rose to her feet and stretched. Strolling over to Corkk, she exchanged a few words and then returned to the center of the room.

“You must forgive my bluntness but I need to ask what it is you want in return for such a gift. This sort of generosity rarely comes without strings attached.”

Grimorex blinked. He had clearly not been expecting this. Meylyne guessed it was a huge breach of the lions’ code to ask such a thing. An uncomfortable silence settled upon the room as Queen Scarlet waited for him to answer. When he remained quiet, her gaze shifted to Meylyne, and then Blue.

“We need a feather from the oldest eagle alive—the one descended from Trisdyan. Grimorex said you’d know where he was. Do you?” Blue asked.

He obviously felt no need to ask forgiveness for his bluntness. Meylyne held her breath, wondering what the queen would say. Part of her was scared but another part was relieved to have everything out in the open.

“I see.” Queen Scarlet did not seem surprised by the question. She gave Meylyne a calculated look. “You must be a mighty sorceress indeed if you believe you can handle an instrument of such power.”

Meylyne groaned inwardly. Not everything was out in the open yet.

“Oh she is!” Grimorex said brightly. “You must excuse her modesty. As you know, in Glendoch’s New Order, the alchemical profession is no longer held in high esteem. She has learned to downplay her talents.”

“Hmmmm.” Queen Scarlet exchanged a look with Corkk. “Well in that case I thank you for your offer and gladly accept your gift now that I know the terms that come with it. Please, follow me.”

Rising to her feet, Queen Scarlet padded from the room with Corkk at her heels. As soon as she was

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.