Souls of Aredyrah 1 - The Fire and the Light by Tracy A. Akers Read Free Book Online Page A

he
deserved.”
    “It is not just the issue of Crymm, Ruairi.
It is the fact that you allowed yourself to be touched by a Jecta,
and the wretch is to have his hand cut off for it.”
    Ruairi rolled his eyes. “What concern is that
of mine?”
    “You should be at least concerned for the
fact that your precious skin could have been damaged.”
    “But it was not.”
    “But it could have been. And you know a
damaged prince cannot be prince at all.”
    “What are you implying, Whyn? That if I was
marked I could no longer be prince? Father would never allow that
to happen.”
    “Father would have little say in it, brother.
It would be the decision of the Priestess. You know the law
requires Tearians to keep their bodies as pure as possible. It is
the will of the Goddess and is written as commandment. You know
what the consequences are for one who blatantly disregards it.”
    “Well, what do you expect me to do about it
now? What is done is done.” Ruairi turned from Whyn’s icy stare,
then strolled over to the desk and ran his fingers along its smooth
surface.
    “I heard Father talking,” Whyn continued. “It
seems the Priestess is most unhappy about your behavior. One of the
priests said she does not think you are suited as a prince, much
less a king. I fear the Temple will work against you if you do not
change your ways. Father has been listening, Ruairi. And I think he
is beginning to agree.”
    Ruairi scoffed and eyed the wall of scrolls
and parchments. Whyn was surely overreacting and his paranoia had
begun to bore him. Perhaps a distraction was needed. He pulled out
a large scroll and unrolled it, then scanned its contents with
pretended interest.
    “What are you doing?” Whyn cried.
    “These scrolls must be really important,”
Ruairi said. “Probably some invaluable record of Labhras’s business
dealings.”
    “Put that back!” Whyn demanded, taking a
threatening step in his brother’s direction. He glanced over his
shoulder at the door they had closed behind them. “You know
Father’s temper. If he catches you . . .”
    But Ruairi ignored him, caught up in the
adventure of the moment. He stepped toward the desk and lifted the
oil lamp. “You know, these lamps are a hazard. I cannot believe
Labhras would keep this thing lit unattended in a room full of
documents.” He squinted his eyes at the parchment. “I can barely
make out these words. Perhaps if I were to bring the flame a bit
closer.” He glanced up at Whyn, whose face had turned a ghostly
white, and grinned, delighted by the sudden horror he saw
there.
    Whyn took a step forward and reached out a
hand. “I said put that down,” he said between gritted teeth. “This
is not the least bit amusing.”
    “Oh, you worry too much.”
    Whyn took an unexpected leap and grabbed for
the scroll. Ruairi jerked it out of his reach and laughed. “Do you
want it?” he said. He circled the table, keeping it between him and
Whyn, who was still struggling to reach him.
    Whyn leapt again and threw himself across the
table, knocking inkwells, quills, and documents to the floor.
Ruairi jumped back, but his thigh rammed into the arm of the chair,
sending his feet out from under him. He flipped and rolled off the
chair toward the floor, his arms flailing as he fought his descent.
The lamp flew from his grasp and into the drape, and oil and flame
spilled down the beautiful fabric.
    Ruairi gaped at the burning drape as flames
raced toward the ceiling and the cubby of scrolls nearby. He pushed
himself up and reached for the curtain, intent on pulling it down,
but Whyn grabbed him and yanked him back.
    “Do not touch it, fool!” Whyn screamed,
shoving him aside. “You could get hurt!” Whyn rushed toward the
door. “I will get help,” he called back as he ran from the room.
“Do not do anything stupid!”
    Ruairi nodded in silence, his lips unable to
form a single syllable. As he watched his brother disappear into
the hallway, he felt his limbs begin to