Reluctant Prince by Dani-Lyn Alexander Read Free Book Online Page A

He tightened his grip on Ryleigh’s shoulder, took her chin in his other hand. “Ah…but there’s no reason to toughen you up now, is there? You see, my young friend, your father might be too weak to impose the proper punishment on you, but be assured, I am not.” He forced Ryleigh’s head to the side, twisted her neck, slowly, drawing out the drama of the moment. Reveling in it. “I could escort the girl to Cymmera and properly enslave her then return for you.” A vicious grin lit Kai’s face. “What do you say, boy?”
    A movement in his peripheral vision drew Jackson’s attention. He forced his gaze to remain fixed on his adversary. The weight of the dagger in his sleeve called to him. There would be no second chance. He inhaled deeply. Held his breath. Waited.
    Mia sprang from the darkness, swinging a large, dead branch as she pounced. She couldn’t move quickly enough to land a damaging blow, but forced Kai to release Ryleigh’s chin to block the impact.
    Ryleigh flung her body to the side, revealing just enough of Kai’s chest to make a target.
    Jackson attacked. He plunged the knife deep, but avoided Kai’s heart. Maybe the crazy bastard didn’t have one. Jackson pulled back.
    Kai swung his arm, flinging Ryleigh aside.
    “You would dare attack me?” Spit flew from the warrior’s mouth as he screamed. Rage colored his face. “Over a girl? A human? Do you forget I taught you everything you know? This is how you repay me for all the years I’ve spent training you? For that I will see you tortured before you’re executed.”
    Jackson let him rant. He tried to keep track of the girls from the corner of his eye as he and Kai circled one another.
    Ryleigh grabbed Mia and dragged her beneath the cover of the bushes.
    Kai and Jackson circled around.
    With Ryleigh and Mia out of the way, Jackson turned his full attention on his mentor.
    “Why would you kill me, Kai?” Jackson tilted his head, teased his tormentor. “As punishment for my sins? Or, perhaps…” His voice and expression hardened. “You are not willing to relinquish your position as second in command.”
    “Don’t be a fool. I’ve been training you for that role since you were a child, but I should have realized your cowardice before now.” Kai appeared thoughtful, but Jackson knew him too well to be fooled. “Hmm…Perhaps your brother would be better suited to stand beside your father.”
    Jackson stepped forward, dagger raised.
    A bolt of pure energy exploded from Kai’s fingers.
    The fireball slammed into Jackson’s chest and catapulted him into the wall. His head smashed into the bricks. Hard.
     
     

Chapter 3
     
    The sisters crouched beneath the bushes, submerging themselves deep in the shadows. Mia buried her face in Ryleigh’s back.
    Ryleigh didn’t dare breathe. Tremors surged through her body, and she fought to suppress them, praying fervently the younger girl’s teeth would stop chattering so loudly.
    Jackson lay in a heap on the concrete walkway. He didn’t move.
    His attacker stood perfectly still, his back to her, head cocked to the side. He waited an eternity before he lifted his hands over his head, fisted them together then ripped them apart, tearing an enormous hole in the darkness.
    The world as she knew it ended. For just an instant, another world existed. A barren world, filled with shadows. Then the darkness swallowed both the killer and the universe he’d unveiled.
    Holy crap. She had to get out of there. Now. But no amount of coaxing would move her feet from the spot where they’d rooted. What had happened? Where did he go? Was he still out there? Would he find them? Her heart pounded hard enough to rock her back and forth. Bile gushed toward her throat. The blood rushing through her ears drowned out all other sound.
    Mia gripped her arm tighter, nails digging into her skin, and sobbed.
    Clamping her mouth shut, Ryleigh lifted a finger to her lips.
    Mia nodded.
    Ryleigh gestured for her to slip out