King's Folly (Book 2) by Sabrina Flynn Read Free Book Online Page B

end.” Shame-faced, he pulled his dark green robe over his head. “I’m sorry.”
    “What you told Tharios about the tomb, it’s not good, is it?”
    “No, it is not good. If it had been anyone else—” A shudder stopped his tongue. He sighed wearily, running a hand over his face. “Not you.”
    “Why me?”
    Warmth and wonder softened his features. “Because, my dear, I’m a love struck fool.”
    “You love me?”
    “With all that is left of me, yes.”
    To hide the rising heat in her cheeks, she began lacing up his sleeves. When she cinched the last tie, she said, “I love what is left, but will miss this.” She tugged on his scruffy goatee.
    Marsais grinned. “Hmm, that reminds me. Would you be so kind as to remove the coins in my trouser pocket and weave them in as they were?”
    Without hesitation, she retrieved the coins, and studied them in the palm of her hand. The little round coins with a hole in their center appeared ancient, their etchings obscured by time. They were cool as ice, and yet familiar.
    She quickly wove three short braids, threading a coin onto each end. When the coins were attached, they warmed and chimed a single note. Marsais looked a proper scoundrel.
    Isiilde tilted her head. “One of these days you will tell me what these do.”
    “Far faster to tell you what they don’t do.”
    “What don’t they do this time?”
    “They don’t stop lunatics from butchering my goatee.”
    Isiilde rolled her eyes.

Six

    ISIILDE AND MARSAIS joined Oenghus by the fire. The captain was awake, sitting on a log that had been dragged across the entrance, eating and conversing with Lucas as they stared into the shifting mist.
    “We’ve scouted the immediate area. Plenty of wildlife, which is always a good sign.” Oenghus handed Marsais a rabbit on a stick, who pressed it awkwardly between his bandaged hands. “I figured we’d rest up a bit until the sky clears. No use hiking to the top in this weather.”
    Isiilde squeezed between the two men, laying her head on Marsais’ shoulder as he ate. Words passed over her ears, but she did not hear. She sat and stared numbly at the flames, drifting in a haze. Eventually, she blinked. Sometime during her sightless stare, the paladins, Acacia and Lucas, had joined them at the fire.
    “Any idea where we are?” Acacia was asking.
    “Somewhere north.” Oenghus shrugged. The captain looked to Marsais, but he was busy staring at a rock.
    “There’s enough for you, Nymph.” Acacia offered her a rabbit leg.
    She recoiled from the flesh. “I don’t like meat.”
    “You can’t be picky out here or you’ll starve.” But Isiilde felt like she was already starving.
    “She’s not being fussy,” Oenghus defended. “The flesh of a living thing is like poison to her. I gave her a piece of bacon when she was young and it nearly killed her.”
    The paladins looked at the nymph as if she had done something wrong. However, Acacia made no further comment, until Marsais cleared his throat returning to the present.
    “Archlord, I’d like a few answers.”
    “Hmm, I sincerely doubt I still hold that title. Marsais will do, and by all means, ask.”
    “I have orders from Iilenshar to follow you without question.” This, she stated more for Lucas and Rivan’s benefit. The former scowled, and the latter’s eyes went wide. “You said the man who came through the portal was an Unspoken, a Disciple of Karbonek. I assume Tharios is as well?”
    Marsais inclined his head.
    “Tharios spoke of a tomb, of something unknown beneath the Isle. I would like to know what’s at stake.”
    “It’s of a delicate nature, Captain, but rest assured, the entire realm is in danger.”
    “I want details, not vagueness,” Acacia replied. Marsais pressed his lips together, clearly reluctant to share. “I have Iilenshar’s full confidence,” she continued. “Lucas has my trust and Rivan is too terrified of me to utter a word. We’re neck deep in this already, Seer,