Kiss of the Betrayer by Boone Brux

Author:Boone Brux [Brux, Boone]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance
ISBN: 9781620610350
Publisher: Entangled Select
Published: 2012-11-19T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

They were on the road within the hour. Not used to riding, let alone sitting sidesaddle, it took a good mile before Jade felt confident in her seat. She ignored the ache in her back caused by the horse’s gait and concentrated on the beautiful day.

The crisp morning air bit at her nose and steam rolled from the horse’s nostrils. Sunlight illuminated the leaves, rimming them in yellow light. Wood smoke from the chimneys of the cottages filled the air, bringing with it a sense of home. All harbingers of the impending winter.

Conversation was light and the road uncommonly busy. Shortly after noon, they turned off the main road and passed beneath the iron arch of Illuma Grand.

Posh carriages, single riders and throngs of walking people clogged the roadway.

“What is going on?” Luc said.

“Damn fool.” Jacob pulled his horse to a stop. “Bagita has opened Illuma Grand to the masses.”

“Aren’t the Bringers to remain anonymous?” Ravyn asked.

“Yes.” He lowered his voice so only their small group could hear. “The Council voted against this proposal at the last meeting, but it appears Fromme doesn’t need Council permission any longer.”

“He grows bold indeed,” Rhys said. “But to what end? Is he vying for control of Illuma Grand?”

“I think it’s bigger than that.” Jacob glanced around them. “At first his actions were confined to the Council, then the Bringers who lived here.” He shifted in his saddle and leaned in. “I’ve heard rumors that Fromme has formed an alliance with the Order of the Saints.”

“Rumors?” Luc asked.

Jacob shrugged. “From a reliable source.” He lifted his head in the direction of the crowds. “Now he throws open the gates as if Illuma Grand were his own home. I can only assume the rumors are true.”

“It sounds like he’s positioning himself politically,” Luc said.

“But why?” Ravyn asked. “He’s not part of the Order and the royal seat has been empty for…”

Jade watched the quiet exchange between Jacob and Ravyn, comprehension dawning. Unable to resist, she whispered, “Do you think he means to be king? To claim the throne?”

She stared at Luc’s father until he slowly nodded his head. “Of course, he’s going to reinstate the crown.”

The caravan rolled forward a few feet and stopped again. Rhys sat straight in his saddle, his expression set hard. “The repercussions of his success would be disastrous.”

Jade only knew Fromme Bagita by reputation, but what she had heard was disturbing. Overbearing, ruthless determination and an elitist, somebody she had no wish of running into. The crown had been decommissioned by the Order of the Saints more than a hundred years ago. Most believed the Order did it to solidify their control. What did they gain by putting a puppet on the throne again?

As if reading her mind, Luc said, “What kind of deal could he have possibly struck that would be beneficial to the Order?”

“Certainly one that does not serve the people,” Jacob said.

A sneer pulled at Luc’s top lip. “One that betrays the Bringers to the church.”

Nobody spoke as their retinue crept forward, each lost in their thoughts.

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.