Rogue Powers by Stern Phil

Author:Stern, Phil [Stern, Phil]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Phil Stern
Published: 2012-03-20T22:00:00+00:00

***

That evening Lydia was led into the King’s private chambers, the heavy doors closing behind her with a foreboding thud.

Lounging in his customary chair, the elderly monarch studied his young relative. Such a pretty girl, yet possessing the same stubborn defiance as her mother. Then again, the King had never much liked his far younger half-sibling, even before Aprina’s active plotting had been brought to his attention.

“Your mother is a traitor,” he gravely announced, wearily wiggling his stockinged toes. “Were you aware of her designs on my life?”

“That’s absurd!” Lydia exploded. “My mother would never...”

“Silence!” the monarch bellowed. A vase mentally whipped across the room, crashing against the wall. “You will show respect, young lady! As it stands, you’re lucky not to be in my dungeon this very instant!”

Choking back her rage, Lydia forced herself to relax. “I meant no disrespect, my liege.”

“Good.” Eyeing her for several moments, he then continued. “I ask you again. Were you aware of Aprina’s seditious, murderous intentions?”

“No, my liege.” Calmly, she matched the monarch’s gaze. “And I tell you plainly, I believe those are all lies.”

“Then how do you explain the three Royal Guards she capriciously attacked and viciously murdered?” the King persisted.

This, the King well knew, was a gross distortion of events. Two of the “guards” in question had actually been the sleep-Demon and the stone crushing-Demon, who had died from a broken neck following his tumble down the stairs. The other guard had indeed been slain by Aprina’s throwing knife.

More difficult to explain, however, was the wild attack of the second guard on reinforcements dispatched once things went haywire. An hour later, seemingly normal, the man could only say Aprina had told him to do so.

His own spymaster had a disturbingly similar story. Perno had no explanation for what had occurred in the stables, other than Aprina had somehow compelled his cooperation.

It was all very unsettling, to say the least.

Might Aprina have some secondary power they’d known nothing about? As if her time-shifting ability wasn’t potent enough, could Lydia’s mother also command obedience in others, albeit for a short while? It was a frightening thought.

For several minutes the monarch listened to Lydia’s impassioned denials of her mother’s wrongdoing, finally waving her into silence.

“Enough!” he commanded. “Your mother is a traitor. You, I’m not so sure about.”

Taking a deep breath, Lydia drew herself up. “And what might that mean, my Lord?”

“Prince Tenen has asked for permission to take your hand in marriage.” Grimly, the king smiled. “I have granted it.”

“No!” Eyes growing wide, she stamped her foot. “I will not have it!”

“You are betrothed. It is done.”

“But even if I wanted him, my Lord...” Stunned, Lydia forgot herself, causing several nearby objects to glow. “I’m only sixteen, my Lord. I turn seventeen in two months!”

“You are betrothed,” he repeated. “Your wedding day will be on your 18th birthday.”

“But...”

“Listen, young lady.” Rising to his feet, the King came to stand before her. “Prince Tenen will make a fine husband. He led the final attack that scattered the Karden army on campaign, after Prince Garob had been slain.

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