Uleni's Gamble by D.R. Rosier Read Free Book Online Page A

see him. Not if he still considered her cast from the family. She snorted, it would be ironic if they put her in the dungeon for returning.
    Anton cleared his throat and she turned. “What are you doing here Nicci?”
    She said softly, “I have bad news, the Flame of Cytherea is no more,” then she broke down crying.
    Anton narrowed his eyes for a moment, she could summon up tears easily, but her brother had always seen through her crocodile tears when they were younger. He waved the guards out and took her in his arms. When the doors were closed and enough time had passed, he pushed her out to arms length.
    “It’s good to see you sister, I’ve been working on dad but he is a stubborn old mule. Now tell me what this is really about.”
    She spoke low and let him in on their plan. Told him to let them know through a note to her when they should show up to assist the army.
    They made plans over the next few hours, they decided to start the fight at the border, then run a retreat to several traps, including the Flame of Cytherea where they would turn and wipe out the invaders. Assuming of course all went to plan, which they knew it never did. But they had the outline of a promising plan before she left and went to the temple.
    It was strange for her to act as if she mourned. As she was led through the temple she saw most of the acolytes and priests looked shocked and sad. It seemed almost cruel to her, to fool people like that, but she saw the necessity of it. Shortly, she was back with her family, in the high priestess’s personal quarters. Celia and the priest in charge of internments were the only ones aware of the ruse as far as she knew.
    *
    The moment Riese heard the news, he started giving orders. He thought with annoyance about how he would shortly have to report to the whelp. He had seen how uncomfortable the boy had gotten when he laid out his plans to wipe out all the witches in the two conquered kingdoms.
    He was sure Talmon was behind getting more power and uncontested control of the land, but he had his doubts the king would have the stomach to do what was necessary to hold it. It was frustrating, all his plans and some young fool would benefit. He had been considering running one of the kingdoms in Talmon’s name, but he was starting to change his mind.
    He was the one putting forth all the effort and plans, why should he not reap the rewards? As he dismissed Ross and Lian, and sure the invasion was in good hands, he started devising ways to remove the annoyance. He was born to rule, and he deserved it. He just needed to find a way to do so that would leave him in charge…
    *
    Nora watched Trina suspiciously. Trina had been spending a lot of time over the last couple of days talking to Sara. It made sense, sort of, they both came from similar backgrounds, abused by men. She wouldn’t say the assassin was well balanced, but she seemed to act without fear and never flinched like Sara did. It seemed like Trina was trying to help Sara through it, or at least learn how to deal with it better, and she thought that was a good thing, she was just suspicious about why.
    Maybe she just wasn’t giving the woman enough credit as a human being. It was hard to, considering what her profession had been, and only a day ago. So she hoped for the best, that didn’t mean she couldn’t keep watch over it. She was very protective of Justin and the rest of her family.
    She had figured out Trina’s talent. Amazingly enough, all she had was enhanced spatial recognition through her magical talent. She knew where everything and everyone was at all times within the aura of her magic. The flips and fighting… all training. Which she hated to admit impressed the hell out of her, the woman was beyond deadly.
    It was one thing to know exactly where air, fire and a dagger was coming from, and quite another to dodge two, catch a third and kill with it. She felt like she was on the edge of paranoia, always vigilant by trying not to