The Reborn King (Book Six) by Brian D. Anderson Read Free Book Online Page A

all right, High Lady.”
    “If you don’t eat it, it will only go to waste,” Dina insisted. “I’m not at all hungry. In fact, I was calling to have it taken away.”
    Dina walked over and took the girl’s hand. Unable to resist the High Lady, Wimolia allowed herself to be sat in the chair. Dina gave her a motherly smile, and after a long pause the girl began eating.
    Satisfied that good food would not be tossed out, Dina took the seat opposite her.
    Barely had Wimolia taken her first bite when her back suddenly stiffened and her face became ghostly pale. Seconds later, a thin trickle of blood began dribbling from her nose.
    Dina leapt to her feet. “Wimolia!”
    She was just able to catch the girl before she fell from her chair to the floor. The slight body jerked and thrashed in her arms.
    Laying her down for a moment, Dina raced to the door. “Help! Please, help me!” she called out at the top of her voice. She then returned to Wimolia and cradled her head in her arms. “Stay with me,” she pleaded frantically. 
    In less than a minute, two guards burst in.
    “Take her to the healing chambers immediately,” Dina ordered.
    The men lifted Wimol ia’s now still body and hurried to the healers with Dina following close behind. Ertik arrived just as the girl was being laid on a bed.
    “What happened?” he asked.
    It took a moment for Dina to speak. “She was…poisoned.”
    Ertik’s eyes shot wide. “Are you sure?”
    Dina nodded. “She took merely a bite of a meal meant for me. A meal I insisted she take…”
    Her voice trailed off.
    Ertik spun around to face the two guards. “Do not leave the High Lady,” he commanded. He then turned back to Dina. “And you. Please stay in this room until I return.” With that, he raced out of the chamber.
    The healers worked frantically to save Wimolia’s life, but it wasn’t long before they knew it was hopeless. She had been doomed from the moment the food touched her lips.
    Dina could feel her sorrow and guilt slowly being replaced by rage. She walked over to Wimolia's bedside and whispered a prayer. 
    This done, she spoke aloud in a strong, clear voice. “Whoever is responsible for this will pay.” Her words were an oath.
    Long before Ertik returned, six more guards arrived inside the chamber, with several more positioned outside watching the door and hallway. When he finally appeared, his face was grave.
    “We found your attacker,” he reported. “He was caught trying to flee the temple grounds.”
    “Where is he now?” she demanded.
    “Being brought to the cellar,” Ertik replied. “And you should know…he’s an elf.”
    Dina paused for a moment, trying to think through her fury. “Then it seems Kaylia and Jayden are not the only ones being plotted against. Discover what he knows. I’ll be in my quarters.”
    Ertik turned to leave, but Dina caught his arm. “Find my mother,” she said. “I want her to interrogate him.”
    A horrified expression appeared fleetingly on Ertik's face. He knew Nahali would undoubtedly cut the prisoner to pieces once she learned of the attempt on her daughter’s life. After only an instant's hesitation, he gave a sharp nod and hurried off.
    Though there was a part of Dina that knew setting her mother loose on her would-be assassin was morally wrong, she could not get the vision of Wimolia out of her mind. So much promise had been wasted. Even after watching her city being invaded by Angrääl and losing her father, the girl still only wanted to do good, and honor her father’s memory. If ever there was a cause for retribution, this was it. Justice…harsh, unrelenting, righteous justice, would be served.
    She had only been back in her chambers for a few minutes when her mother came to see her. The fire in her eyes told Dina that Ertik had already relayed the details of what had happened.
    Nahali embraced Dina tightly for a full minute before speaking. “I am on my way to see the animal who tried to kill you.”