Salamaine's Curse by V. L. Burgess Read Free Book Online

them,” Porter said.
    â€œWith
my
map,” Keegan countered. His lips twisted in a smile of dark satisfaction. “My people need me.”
    â€œYour people despise you,” retorted Willa.
    â€œAre you so certain of that?”
    Willa brought up her chin. “Yes.”
    Keegan shook his head. “How painfully naïve. Permit me to enlighten you as to the way the world works. The good people of Divino may cringe in their homes as my army marches triumphantly through the streets, but they allow it. Why? Because everyone has food on the table and the wagons run on time. They
need
me.”

    A map of the Five Kingdoms filled one entire wall of his cell. Keegan rose and moved to stand beside it, his chain dragging behind him. Divino was at the heart of the map. The remaining four lands were equidistant from the center, spread out like the jagged claws of a crab: Aquat, an island chain bordering the Cursed Souls Sea; Incendia, a land ringed by fiery volcanoes; Terrum, a dense, jungle-like expanse of thick forests; and finally, Ventus, an icy mountain range beset by frosty winds.
    â€œWhat did you think would happen?” Keegan asked. “You’d put a child on the throne, ask everyone to play nice, and all the problems in the Five Kingdoms would magically disappear? I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way.” He drew his hand across the map. “Five kingdoms. Each with its own self-interest. I maintained
order.
There is a delicate balance to it all, of which you know nothing.”
    â€œThen I will learn,” Mudge replied, his voice small but defiant.
    â€œWill you? Tell me then, what makes a good ruler?”
    â€œCourage, honor, integrity, loyalty.”
    Keegan gave a harsh laugh. He brought his fingers against his thumb in what was apparently the international symbol for
yak-yak-yak.
    â€œNo. That is precisely wrong. There are only two kinds of people in the world. Those who inflict pain, and those who suffer it. Allow me to demonstrate.”
    He returned to his seat at the table and leaned back, assuming a posture of cool elegance. It was just an ordinary chair, but something about Keegan’s pose made it seem regal, as though he was sitting on a throne. He turned his focus to the outer guard. A dark, simmering heat burned in his eyes. The guard stiffened, shifting nervously from foot to foot.
    â€œWhy is my glass empty?” Keegan said.
    The guard sprang to action. He rushed to refill Keegan’s glass, apologizing profusely for the delay. He bowed and retreated up the stone staircase and out of the room.
    Satisfied, Keegan took a sip of wine. He turned to Tom and his friends. “Fear. Fear is how one controls.”
    Tom shook his head. “Temporarily, maybe. But not for long.”
    â€œIs that so?” Returning his attention to the table, he reached for a plate of tiny, decadent cakes, drenched in what looked like chocolate glaze, and popped one into his mouth. He chewed and swallowed, then took his time licking the rich glaze from his fingers.
    â€œWhy do you think the citizens of Divino allow me to live in such luxury?” he asked, gesturing around his cell. “Because they dare not displease me, that’s why. I am temporarily inconvenienced, not vanquished. They know it.”
    â€œYour own men have deserted you,” Porter answered flatly. “The Watch has fled.”
    â€œNo. They have not fled. They simply await my command.” He leaned back in his chair, staring in satisfaction at Tom and Porter. “Just as
the mapmaker’s sons
have come to serve me.”
    Tom looked at Umbrey, then shifted his gaze to Porter, Willa, and Mudge. They all looked pale, tense. Defenseless against Keegan. This wasn’t right. They had
defeated
him.
    But they still needed him. The bitterness of it lodged in his throat.
    A cruel smile played about Keegan’s lips. “Ironic, isn’t it? You thought the battle was over when