The Reborn King (Book Six)

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

Book: The Reborn King (Book Six) by Brian D. Anderson Read Free Book Online
Authors: Brian D. Anderson
Her voice was hard and totally lacking in emotion.
    “Thank you, mother,” she replied, suddenly feeling awkward about her request. Could she live with this? The voice of temperance in the back of her mind was beginning to grow louder.
    “Don’t worry,” said Nahali. “He will talk. Then he will die.”
    “Mother…I’m not sure...”
    Nahali held up her hand. “There is no reason to question your decision. Your reaction was emotional but correct. We must discover who sent the assassin, and there is no better agent to send than me. I will have no pity or compassion.” Her lips trembled with barely contained rage. “They tried to kill my daughter, so I would have insisted on this regardless of your instructions. And from what Ertik tells me, this is part of a much larger plot. One that puts your unorem in grave danger along with Kaylia and her child.” She placed her hands on Dina’s shoulders. “Time is short, and there is no other way. I will get the answers we need.”
    Dina lowered her head, closed her eyes, and nodded almost imperceptibly. She felt the loving kiss of her mother’s lips on her forehead, then listened to her leaving the room. Her eyes remained shut for several minutes longer before she retrieved a bottle of wine from the cupboard and poured herself a glass.
    She considered trying to sleep, but knew it would be useless. As the minutes turned into hours, her mind turned to thoughts of Linis. She could feel him through their bond, yet it was different from how Kaylia or Aaliyah had described it. She could only sense that he lived…and that he loved her. The human blood that ran through her veins dulled the raw power that the elves experienced. There were times when she wondered if Linis longed for a deeper connection, but whenever she tried to mention this to him he'd only laugh and tell her that what they had was far more than he'd ever imagined possible.
    It was dawn before Ertik returned to her room. He appeared shaken and exhausted.
    “What happened?” she asked, trying not to imagine what he had just witnessed. “Did he talk?”
    Ertik nodded. “He talked.” He found a chair near Dina’s bed and sat down heavily.
    She poured him some wine. He took it without looking up and drained the glass before continuing. “He was sent by a group of elf separatists led by a seeker named Tallio. They are planning to kill you, Jayden and Kaylia.”
    A heavy frown creased Dina's forehead. “But why? Why risk the wrath of Darshan? Surely they know he would kill them all if they hurt his wife and child.”
    “They are attempting to sway the elves from across the sea to their cause,” Ertik explained. “With their help they hope to defeat Darshan…or the Reborn King. Whoever arises victorious.”
    Dina's anger began to swell. To kill a half-breed or an elf they considered to have betrayed their people was one thing. But to plot the death of an infant…
    She looked up at Ertik, who appeared still shaken by the interrogation. She leaned forward and took his hand. “I’m sorry you had to see what my mother did.”
    He forced a smile. “I’ll be fine. She only did what she had to do.”
    “Do these elves intend another attack on me?”
    “No. You are safe for now. Their primary target is Kaylia and Jayden. They have fifty elves poised to attack Theopolou’s manor as we speak.”
    Dina jumped up from her chair. “We must send word there at once.”
    “I already have,” he replied. “But it will likely arrive too late.”
    “Then we need to send help.” Her mind raced as thoughts of Linis threatened to shake loose her composure.
    Ertik stood. “There is none to send, I’m afraid. The few knights we have here are needed to defend Valshara. In fact, I am hoping you will consider temporarily making all new visitors leave. At least until this matter is resolved.”
    Dina shook her head. “No. But I do want everyone to be questioned. If these separatists have anyone else amongst us, I want

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