The Traitor Queen by Trudi Canavan Read Free Book Online Page A

repeated, apologetically but firmly, his refusal to answer. He did not want to get chatty, and risk inadvertently
     giving them any information they could use against the Traitors. Eventually he decided his refusals were only going to be
     ignored, so he stuck to saying nothing. It wasn’t as easy as he’d thought it would be, but he only had to think about how
     much harder it would be to resist torture and his resolve hardened. Still, they hadn’t tried to read his mind yet, so they
     didn’t know it wouldn’t work – so long, that is, as the Traitors’ mind-read-blocking gem lying under the skin of his palm
     did its job. Perhaps King Amakira remained reluctant to harmrelations with the Allied Lands by doing so. Perhaps he hoped Lorkin would give in to questioning and threats.
    Reaching the gate to the cell Lorkin had been locked in previously, the interrogator waved him inside. The gate closed. Lorkin
     turned back to see that the Ashaki in the sombre garb had approached them.
    “Done?” he asked.
    “For now,” the interrogator replied.
    “He wants you to report.”
    The interrogator nodded, then led his companion away.
    The newcomer looked through the gate at Lorkin, his eyes narrowing, then moved away. Lorkin watched him glance around the
     room, his gaze resting on a simple wooden chair. The chair rose in the air and floated to a position in front of Lorkin’s
     cell, then settled upon its legs.
    The well-dressed man sat down and proceeded to watch Lorkin.
    Being stared at was not something Lorkin particularly relished, but he figured he would have to get used to it. He looked
     around the cell. It was empty but for a bucket for excrement in one corner. He hadn’t eaten or drunk anything all day, so
     he felt no need to relieve himself strong enough to draw him into using the bucket while being watched.
    Eventually I’ll have to. Better get used to that idea, as well
.
    With no other choice, Lorkin sat down on the dusty floor and rested his back against the rough wall. He’d probably have to
     sleep on the floor, too. The stone was hard and cold. At least it was sufficiently cool here for his robes no longer to feel
     uncomfortably hot. It was easy to warm the air with magic, but cooling it involved stirring the air, preferably past water.
    He thought back to the moment he had donned robes again after months living as a Traitor. It had been a relief at first. He’d
     appreciated the generous style of garment and the soft, richly dyed fabric. As the Sachakan spring brought hotter days, he’d
     begun to find the robes heavy and impractical. When he was alone, in his room at the Guild House, he’d taken off the outer
     robe and worn only the trousers. He’d begun to long for simple, economical Traitor clothes.
    That longing was probably as much to do with wishing he was back in Sanctuary. Immediately memories of Tyvara rose and he
     felt his heart lighten. The most recent recollection, of the last night they were together, with her naked and smiling as
     she taught him how lovers used black magic, set his pulse racing. Then older memories rose. Like the way she moved when in
     Sanctuary, secure and confident – taking for granted the power her society granted her. Like the direct stare that was both
     playful and intelligent.
    He also remembered her before then, as she’d led him across the Sachakan plains toward the mountains, protecting him from
     Traitor assassins and them both from capture by the Ashaki. She’d been tired and difficult to talk to, yet had impressed him
     with her determination and resourcefulness.
    He sent his mind further back to a memory of her in her guise as a slave of the Guild House. Shoulders hunched and eyes downcast,
     confused by his attempts to befriend her. He’d been attracted to her even then, though he’d told himself he was only fascinated
     by her exotic looks. But no other Sachakan woman had drawn his eyes in the same way, and he’d seen plenty of beautiful