The Shadowed Throne by K. J. Taylor Read Free Book Online Page B

half-breed? A bloody Southerner?”
    â€œIt doesn’t matter,” said Torc. “She’s Arenadd’s daughter, and she’s our Queen, and if you keep on trying to get in her way, then it’s only a matter of time—”
    â€œShe’s not his daughter!” Saeddryn shouted, so suddenly that he started. “Are ye insane, Torc? Him, with a Southerner? He couldn’t have children—ye saw what happened when he tried! She’s an imposter. A liar.”
    â€œNo, Saeddryn,” said Torc. “She’s real. And even if she weren’t, he adopted her. You saw the documents proving it. He wanted her to rule after him, and that’s all there is to it. And I for one still care about Arenadd’s wishes, even if you don’t.”
    â€œArenadd’s wishes?” Saeddryn repeated. “Don’t be stupid, Torc. I know he set ye free, but the man was a drunk and half-mad by the end. He was the Shadow That Walks—the Night God’s avatar—but he wouldn’t even come in here for any of the rituals. That Laela’s not his true heir. He put her on that throne to spite us, Torc. That’s all.”
    â€œHe trained her,” said Torc. “She proved her worth more than enough in Amoran—making the alliance with the Emperor, bringing the slaves home. She did just as Arenadd would have done. What’s wrong with that?”
    â€œNo, Torc,” said Saeddryn. “She’s a ursurper. Our son should be King. He was born for it, trained for it.”
    Torc looked troubled. “I know that, but after what he did—”
    â€œOh, it was Arenadd’s own fault,” Saeddryn growled. “The pair of them, falling out like that over a
woman
, for gods’ sakes. Ye’d think they were a pair of boys.”
    â€œStop it,” said Torc. “That’s enough, Saeddryn. I did what I could to protect Caedmon, and you, but if you keep this up, then there won’t be much more I can do. Push the Queen too far, and she’ll have you arrested.”
    â€œAn’ how will she do that?” said Saeddryn. “Send ye after me? Master of Law? Don’t make me laugh.”
    â€œThen she’ll have you killed,” said Torc.
    â€œShe doesn’t have it in her,” said Saeddryn. “I’m not arguing about this any more, Torc. That girl is in our way. She’s in Caedmon’s way, an’ the Night God’s way, an’ she’ll die for it. If I can’t get her ousted by the people, then I’ll kill her myself. That’s a promise.”
    â€œAnd what if she strikes first?” asked Torc, showing no surprise over his wife’s declaration. “Have you thought of that?”
    â€œIf she does, I’ll leave,” said Saeddryn. “Caedmon will need me, an’ Arddryn as well.”
    â€œAnd me?” said Torc. “What will
I
do? You know I never wanted to get involved in this, but if you do anything, they’ll come after me, too.”
    â€œRun, then,” Saeddryn shrugged. “If ye can. Ye are Master of Law, aren’t ye? The guards will look the other way. Make a plan, but don’t tell me what it is. It’s better if I don’t know where ye go to hide.”
    â€œFine,” said Torc. “But Saeddryn . . .”
    She glared at him. “What?”
    â€œIt doesn’t have to be this way. You know it doesn’t.”
    â€œIt does,” said Saeddryn. “Arenadd’s gone, so now it’s up to us to do the Night God’s will, and she doesn’t want that little bitch on the throne. An’ if ye won’t do this for the Night God’s sake, then do it for yer children. What sort of future will they have, with that half-breed ruling here?”
    Torc looked away. “I wish . . . gods, I wish Arenadd were still here. If we could only talk to him, find out what he was really