War of the Princes 02: Dragoon by A. R. Ivanovich Read Free Book Online Page B

now.”
    The guards obeyed. When they were free, Kyle wrung his wrists, whistling, and Ste rling took up a position closer to Ruby, eyeing the guards with blatant distrust.
    Ruby sighed audibly. “Thank you, sir.”
    “Don’t thank me just yet.” Brendon traced a finger over a document on his table. “I will allow you to pass through Breakwater to resume your search.”
    “Will you give me Florian?” I asked, half joking.
    Brendon looked at me quizzically. “Who is Florian?”
    “My horse. A tall, grey gelding from the keep stables.”
    “Yes, fine,” he waved dismissively. “But I’ll do more than return your horse. I will sponsor the provisions for your journey overseas and the money to hire a ship.”
    Brendon was being far more supportive than I would have ever expected. There had to be a hitch.
    “W ith one condition.”
    Knew it.
    “What's the condition?” I asked, wondering whether I should be worried.
    “ My brother.”
    “Bad idea,” Kyle piped up , earning a hard look from Brendon.
    “Dylan? He’s still alive?” I blurted. Lord Brendon nodded to me.
    “ Alive and living in a dark cell of our deepest dungeon,” Brendon frowned. “He betrayed me. Dylan allied with the psychopath that destroyed our city, murdered our people, and provoked the capture of our children.” His voice shook with anger, and he breathed it out. “He was barely clinging to life when we found him. He was wrapped in ropes of metal, head to foot, and he’d been,” Brendon choked on his words. “…dragged by a horse. His back was rent. It took four doctors, three with healing Abilities, to smooth the damage.”
    It was difficult for me to feel pity for Dylan after what he’d done, but it moved me to see Lord Brendon Axton showing his emotions.
    He steeled his gazed and worked his jaw. “When we cut him free and cleaned him up, we saw that he was a Commander. It wasn’t enough for that cruel bastard, Stakes, to murder my people and drive my city to ruin, he had to corrupt my brother too. If that man wasn’t dead, I’d kill him twice.”
    I cast my eyes down to the floor.
    Brendon pressed on. “He didn’t respond well to the healing process. His pride and quick temper have always been his downfall. He began to use the Lift and his Ability to command recklessly, and he’s been in and out of a dungeon cell ever since.”
    “Oh.” What else could I say?
    “What he did was wrong. But he is my brother.” His next words came out as a whisper. “And Breakwater has suffered enough loss. I cannot leave him locked away like an animal to the end of his days. I need to know if he's changed, if I can trust him again. He needs to be tested. That's where you come in. I'd like him to join your mission.”
    “ Are you crazy?” was my diplomatic response. “Sorry, no disrespect... sir. But no. Not a chance.”
    “ Think it over.”
    “ There's nothing to think about! He handed me over to Stakes, I was lucky I lived! If that’s not enough, you’re telling me, right now, that he’s been nothing but trouble for you. I know I can't trust him, and you shouldn't either.”
    “You were very important to him. You may have more success in reaching him than I have.”
    “I really doubt that!”
    “ It is my choice to test him. You need my help and these are my terms.”
    “ What if he turns on me again?”
    “He was made a Commander illegally. If the military finds him out, he’ll be executed. He knows that. Dylan has no place in this world but Breakwater.”
    “ I get it. Great test. You send him with me, he plants a knife right in the middle of my back, and you don't lose anything.”
    “ You're wrong. If he does that, I lose a brother. I need to know what he'll do. It's a gamble, to be certain, but not a hopeless one. You receive the aid of a highly educated noble. That can go a long way, especially considering you have no other guide through our kingdom. Will your friends from home teach you our customs? Are you more