Kathir's Redemption (Book 6) by Kristian Alva Read Free Book Online

her gaze upward and tapped her chin with her forefinger. “ And what of Civodous? What happened to him? ”
    The High Priest looked confused for a moment. “ Civodous? Why, Civodous was my great-grandfather. He died many years ago. ”
    The elf queen clucked her tongue. “ So soon? Ah, you mortals. Your lives are so short. You don ’ t live very long at all. ”
    “ I don't understand, ” said the priest. “ What do you want from me? ”
    “ In due time, my dear. Be patient. For right now, I just want you to be quiet. ” Xiiltharra paused and looked around. “ Where is the daughter of Carnes î r? I know that she is here. ”
    “ That ’ s her, ” said Tallin, pointing in Skera-Kina ’ s direction. “ She ’ s badly injured. ” Skera-Kina was lying on the ground, her breathing was shallow and uneven.
    Xiiltharra walked over to where Skera-Kina lay unconscious. She reached down and touched Skera-Kina on the cheek. “ Good. She is still alive. ”
    Xiiltharra drew a small vial of white liquid from her bosom and poured several drops into Skera-Kina ’ s mouth. “ Rise, forgotten daughter of Carnes î r, elfling child. ”
    At that moment, F ë anor rushed up the stairs. He looked alarmed. “ Your Royal Highness! Stop! This woman is a murderer. She ’ s the one who killed Carnes î r! ”
    Xiiltharra shot him a withering look. “ I know what I ’ m doing, F ë anor. Are you questioning my judgment? ”
    “ Uh … no, ” said F ë anor, looking confused. “ It is just that I do not want you to make a mistake."
    The elf queen smiled. “ I do not make mistakes. This female is an elfling, a product of an elf mating. She carries our blood, even though she is tainted … with the blood of a dwarf. I warned Carnes î r countless times about his little indiscretions. He made the choice to lie with mortal women. And worse, he did it under a magical glamour. I warned him not to trifle with mortal women, and this is why. ”
    “ But why would you save her life? ” F ë anor sputtered. “ She ’ s a danger to us all! ”
    Xiiltharra continued as if she hadn ’ t heard him. “ I ’ ve decided that Skera-Kina shall live. She will be a living reminder for all of you. Carnes î r ’ s actions had consequences. He did not understand the price of his recklessness until it was too late. It seems fitting that Carnes î r ’ s coquetries cost him his life. Carnes î r ’ s child will live a very long life … and remain a constant reminder of his foolishness. That is Carnes î r ’ s legacy and his eternal shame. ”
    F ë anor nodded and lowered his head. “ I — I understand, My Lady. If I may ask, how did you learn of Carnes î r ’ s death? ”
    “ Carnes î r ’ s dragon, Poth, felt his partner ’ s death from afar. Poth collapsed and died in Brighthollow from the shock. That ’ s when I decided to intervene. I called the dragons to me, and we crossed the sea. We passed through Balbor ’ s wards with the shadowkey. ”
    F ë anor stepped back and said nothing more. Behind them, the moon was rising over the top of a jagged cliff, its light turning the sky a creamy blue.
    Skera-Kina ’ s eyes fluttered open. “ Where am I? What happened? ” Her voice was barely a whisper, hoarse from the grip of the noose.
    “ You were hanged, ” said Tallin. “ Your neck was broken. The elf queen saved your life. ”
    Xiiltharra smiled. “ Nonsense! Don ’ t scare the poor girl. It wasn ’ t as bad as all that. ” Gently, the queen put her hand on Skera-Kina ’ s back and guided her to an upright position. “ There now, my pet, let ’ s sit you up. ”
    Skera-Kina stared at the queen with disbelief. “ Who are you? Why did you save my life? ”
    Xiiltharra smiled in a way that was probably intended to be motherly, but which only looked frightening. “ I am Queen Xiiltharra, monarch of Brighthollow and the northern lands, descendant of Llewellenir. I am also your sovereign leader, by the terms of the