The Queen of All Magick: Elizabeth by Kathi S. Barton Read Free Book Online

I cannot get young Logan to do what I need for him to do. And then there is the added fact that I don’t understand this world at all. You had that man arrested. He was skimming money. I have no idea what that term means.”
    Aaron sat down across from him and smiled. He had several smiles , Rythen noticed, and each of them had a different meaning. This one, Rythen thought, said “you’re not a very bright man so I’ll explain things to you so you can understand.” Rythen thought that this one irritated him the most.
    “I can have my grandson get you a copy of the urban dictionary. Some of the things we say have a great many definitions and a few that are off the wall funny.” Rythen doubted it would help and told him so. “Your loss then. Why is it important that Logan sign off on the contract?”
    That was another thing he didn’t like…the rapid change of subject. Could these people not wait until one conversation was finished before starting another? Apparently not. Rythen looked at the men in the room still there and wondered how such a group of men, most of them older by far than Logan, could get along so well.
    “He is the Keeper of Secrets. And as such he cannot tell anyone what the contract says.” He looked at Aaron when he didn’t say anything. “It is his job to do such, yet he tells me no as if he has a choice.”
    “He does. Elizabeth and Phillip granted him and my daughter that title, and with it they gave him free will. With that, they can tell you to fuck off or not.” Rythen had been told to fuck off too. Several times just today. Aaron laughed as he continued. “I love my new son-in-law, and more so because he’s shit in your oatmeal so soundly.”
    Rythen didn’t even ask. What would be the point? Aaron would make fun of him and he’d be upset more than he was now. Rythen thought of another tactic to get the younger man to sign off. But before he could think it through, Sara moved into the room as silent as a breath.
    “You do and I will tear you apart.” Aaron stood up and took his wife into his arms. Rythen wanted to believe it was because he loved her, but he had a feeling he was saving his life.
    “I was only thinking it. I would never have… .” She glared at him, and Rythen flushed. “It would work. I would only hold them captive until he put his name on the lines where I need them. The young man would think it an adventure.”
    “ You’ll still be in a world of hurt.” Aaron watched him as Sara continued. “He thought to take them hostage until Logan did as he wants. And his idea of hostage would be holding them apart and telling them that the other was dead. He is no longer welcome in our home.”
    “You would have done that?” Rythen shook his head, then nodded at Aaron. “You worthless piece of shit. I should run you through for such a thought. To think that you would make them suffer to get what you want. What sort of man are you?”
    “A being that is used to getting what he wants.” Rythen stood up. “I’m going to the castle. You people are not what I expected when I came here. I thought you’d be well and truly ready to get rid of her. She was supposed to keep everyone in line, not be their friend.”
    “And that makes her a bad person in your eyes?” Rythen looked back at the man he’d been introduced to. Bradley Wolff, alpha and leader of the largest pack of wolves in the world, stood waiting for him to answer.
    “I’ve seen what a person who has no authority can do to a realm. She has let things slide.” He flushed when Aaron snorted at him. There had been nothing showing that she’d been anything but an outstanding ruler, and her children were just like her. “You’ve no idea what will happen when there is no one to stand up to the bad as well as the good.”
    “ Ah. So you think you have the market cornered on seeing what happens when rulers don’t do their job. I see. And how is it that I run such a successful pack? Do you suppose it’s