Expatria: The Box Set by Keith Brooke Read Free Book Online

they do to you?'
    Mathias did not like the news. Sala deserting him—going with the flow, as she liked to say—Edward's rapid rise and, worst of all, Greta's doubts and the fact that she chose to comfort Lucilla and not him. 'Just believe in me. Even if only a little. When I'm out of this mess everything else will fall into place. Remember our plans: I will be free again.'
    'There have been other changes, too, Matti.' Something in Greta's face made Mathias feel terribly small and vulnerable. 'When father pledged my troth in your name, he did so to bind our two families more closely together. You were going to be Prime one day. He has told me of his own doubts and fears and now he has changed his pledge.
    'Matti, I'm so sorry.' She buried her face in her hands as if she wanted to stop the words coming out. 'He has pledged me in the name of Edward Olfarssen-Hanrahan. He signed settlement with Edward's mother this morning. Matti, I'm sorry.'
    Mathias was not as surprised as he should have been. In his gut he had known something like this must happen, compounding his loss. He knelt before Greta and took her hand, releasing it in response to their chaperone's soft cough. 'Greta,' he said. 'If I could leave, would you join me?'
    'Matti, don't,' she snapped. Then, more softly, she continued, 'My father... he has so much to lose. Matti, you are talking ahead of yourself. You must face the Court: innocence wins through. And guilt...'
    She didn't need to finish. Finally Mathias saw that he had lost everything. He should have seen it sooner and saved Greta from having to go through such an ordeal. He rocked back on his heels, then stood. He walked to the window and watched another gull sliding through the darkening sky.
    Behind him, he heard Greta rising to her feet, stepping away from the bed. 'Matti,' she said. 'You're very sweet.' He wanted to jump from the window, but it was locked and he doubted he had the strength left in him to break it. 'Matti, I have to go now. I told Edward to meet me at sunset, we have details to discuss. Matti,'—he turned to face her—'goodbye.'
    ~
    Edward. Smiling, laughing, pawing at Greta's breasts. Pulling heavy-duty cables tight around her delicate neck. Pulling them tighter, making her face turn blue and her eyes bug out but she was enjoying it, Mathias knew she was enjoying it and that this was what she had wanted all along. He wanted to get to them, to pull them apart, to carry Greta away from his half-brother, convince her that she wanted only him . He struggled to move, but hands gripped his arms, pulled at him, shook him as he watched his love slipping away, strangled by those ancient black leads. Still the hands gripped him, shook him and a voice came across the grey wastes: 'Mathias. Please . We have little time.'
    He woke and rolled on to his back. He opened his eyes and there was a faint light in the room and the face of Sala Pedralis floating close to his own. 'Sala. What is it?'
    He shrugged off the last vestiges of sleep and realised that he had suddenly left everything behind. His grief, his anger, it was all gone. From now onwards he had to look out for himself.
    'Come on, Mathias. We have little time.'
    He remembered Greta's summary of events beyond the guest-room walls and said, 'So it's your turn to question me now, is it? I have no more to tell.'
    Sala looked hurt and he added, 'I was told you had changed your allegiance. I was told you were helping Edward secure his throne.'
    'I am securing Newest Delhi , not Olfarssen. Violent currents have been flowing since the loss of the Prime. Sects and clans fight openly in the streets. If they are not controlled then everything will be chaos. I can only do what I can . But that does not mean I like it. Come on. I have transport arranged.' She opened the door. 'Or will you stay here and let Olfarssen take it all?'
    Mathias followed her out of the room, pulling the door closed behind him. Two guards stood in the corridor, both staring