Grief by Krista D. Ball

Grief by Krista D. Ball

Author:Krista D. Ball [Ball, Krista D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Krista D. Ball
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00


CHAPTER 20

The Viper will come.

—Prophecy of the Diamond, First Tablet

“Majesty, it takes time to gather the souls for the final ritual,” Sarissa said in the most contrite voice she could muster. She pretended she was speaking to Jovan’s parents, or Father Torius, or Mother Aneese. Contrite and humble was the correct tone, even if cutting open the man’s entrails was what she wanted to do. “You must exercise patience.”

King Daniel snorted. “I don’t need to exercise anything, least of all patience. I certainly don’t need a whore of an elf telling me what to do.”

Sarissa remained silent long enough to control the desire to encase him in ice. “Majesty, we have only begun the invasion of the Rygent Islands. Their resistance is much stronger than anticipated—”

“That isn’t my concern,” he snapped.

“Of course not, Majesty,” Sarissa said through gritted teeth. I will not slaughter the king, I will not slaughter the king. “You should know, however, that the rumors of elven troops approaching Taftlin is encouraging resistance.” She held up her hands. “Even with the boundary up…”

Daniel scowled. “I don’t see why you can’t just bring it down so that I can return home.”

Sarissa took a steadying breath. She needed Daniel’s support. He’d given her resources to continue her work, in exchange for protection. She needed to stroke his ego. “Majesty, you would not be safe on the mainland. Your castle on King’s Mountain Isle is the most protected place for you.”

He held his head high. “Yes, yes, but I wish to be on the battlefield with my men, of course.”

Sarissa did not roll her eyes. That would get her shackled, a very inconvenient fate. “Of course, Majesty. What leader would not want to stand by his men in a time of war? However, you must be cautious. Without you, Taftlin will fall.”

Daniel huffed and walked ahead of her a few steps. He was a blurry mess of rich purple and orange. She struggled to catch up, the blindingly bright snow making her vision worse. She tripped and fell face-first into the snow.

She seethed when he laughed at her.

“You know, your sister might be a whore but she was quick on her feet.”

Sarissa clenched her fists before using them to push herself back up. She considered all of the ways she would torture him when she had no more need of him. Just a while longer and then you can kill him.

“You aren’t angry at me for laughing, now are you?” He stopped and waited for her to catch up. “Temper sure runs in your family.”

“I got snow in my boots. Now…what is that?” Waves of nausea washed over her.

Daniel turned to face her. “What is what? You seeing things?”

Sarissa could feel the barrier around Taftlin shaking, shifting, seizing. “Bitch.”

“What are you talking about? Are you crazy again? My father told me how you used to be all muffled up in the brain.”

“Shut up,” she growled. “Majesty.”

Sarissa closed her eyes and focused on Bethany’s spirit. “The bitch is taking down the barrier.



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