Suriax by Amanda Young Read Free Book Online Page B

conspired to kill her. Few people knew
the entire story as to why she killed her parents. Veritan was a
suspicious man. He grew to fear she would follow the example of her
half siblings and have him overthrown. Her mother did not believe
him at first, but he sowed the seeds of doubt and led her to seek a
divination to learn if she would ever betray them. The answer was a
simple “yes.” Instantly, she made plans to have Maerishka murdered
on her daily ride to the country. What she did not know was that a
maid overheard her plans and warned Maerishka. Ironically, it was
their plans to kill her that led to her betrayal. She never
considered it before, but as much as she loved her parents, self
preservation won out. So, she poisoned their drinks and took the
throne at a mere fifty years of age. Her method of attaining the
throne was enough to help her keep it at first. No one wanted to
cross someone cold enough to kill her own parents for power. No one
else needed to know it was really out of self defense. To keep the
throne, she had to become the conniving, calculating, power hungry
woman they all believed her to be. It was exhausting, but she grew
used to it. Now, she would stop at nothing to keep her throne.
Anything less was not an option.
    Kneeling by the alter, she made her customary
sacrifice and prayed for guidance and blessings. Her stomach
churned. Who dare think they could take her throne? She made Suriax
what it was today. She pushed everyone to innovate, to be their
best. Every job was important. The farmers created more efficient
means to grow and harvest food. The architects were challenged to
design creative and impossible buildings to withstand weather and
push the envelope artistically. The magi were pushed to develop
more powerful spells. Despite Suriax’s reputation for its
questionable laws, her people were respected for their skills and
often sought after for jobs all across the continent. She would not
allow anyone to take what she built away from her.
    “My Lord, hear my prayers. I have served you
faithfully and will continue to do so until my dying breath. I
shaped this kingdom and all her citizens to honor you. Everything I
do is to honor you. This city belongs to you and you alone. Take
her and all Suriaxians. I ask only that I am allowed to lead them,
to spread your glory. Use us, bless us, allow us. . . allow me the
tools to succeed.” She felt a burning in her belly and continued.
“I am yours. Suriax is yours. Do with us what you will.” She looked
up at the statue of Venerith that sat behind the altar. It was
older than the city, brought in with the Flame Guard when they
moved to Suriax shortly after its founding. Impressive in size,
even though it showed him seated, the statue measured over six foot
in height and showed him holding a large scroll. It was said if one
put his or her hand on the scroll and swore an oath or made a
bargain with Venerith, it became a binding agreement, not something
to be entered into lightly. Your name was forever etched into the
stone in the language of the gods. There were only three other
names there. She approached the statue and felt the pressure in the
room grow heavy. The candle flames turned to blue, casting an eerie
glow over the room. The burning inside her spread to her chest.
Before she could change her mind, she slapped her hand on to the
stone scroll. “I give you Suriax and all her citizens in exchange
for the power to keep my throne.” Her hand burned hot enough to
make her scream, but she could not lift if from the stone. She
watched in horror as blue flames rose from the scroll and ran up
her arm, licking at the sides of her neck and face. She struggled
to breath. The room behind the statue disappeared into darkness,
ethereal eyes staring at her from either side of the statue’s head.
A deep voice, soft, yet menacing echoed through the room,
“Accepted.” A white hot agony seared through her skin and body. In
a flash, the flames pulled