Ahead Full – Snippet 02 of …
Planet Leath
Hours later, the Leath Prime One Intelligence officer watched the interview in the comfort of his own living space. He had paid personally for the intelligence so it didn’t go through the Leath infrastructure, and at the moment he wasn’t sure if he had just damned himself or possibly liberated his people.
He re-watched the video one last time, trying to commit the information to memory. Then he shook his head. Getting up from his seat, he made his way to an old desk on the lowest level in his home. He opened a drawer and extracted an old tablet he had used in his youth before he could afford better tools.
He turned the unit on, surprised to see that it had been charged recently enough to still have power. He would have thought it had lost its charge over the many years since he had last powered it up.
He plugged in the password and was surprised to see a note appear.
“Hello, Jerrleck. This is you, from earlier in your life. If I am correct, you have had your memories modified by the Seven.”
Jerrleck stopped, realizing immediately that if he continued, whatever he learned could possibly be accessed by the Seven. He wasn’t sure how deeply they read minds, but he was positive they scanned his topmost thoughts.
He dared to read another line.
“If you read any farther, realize what I say below may possibly be discovered by the Seven.” Jerrleck smiled. At least the younger him and present him were both intelligent Leath.
“If you are still reading,” the note continued, “I have had plenty of time to realize what must have happened to our people, to me and consequently to you. Think about just how many Leath have been killed in our war against the Etheric Federation, and how many more will die if we continue this attempt to Ascend our people under the direction of the Seven.”
Jerrleck considered the truth of this statement. Only a few years ago he’d helped one of his best friends mourn their only daughter.
All because the Leath had been told to take over a world the Leath had no business or interest in ruling. He had done the numbers…
Jerrleck’s eyes opened and other information started pouring into his mind. He stood up and walked to the opposite wall in the windowless room. Feeling down a line, he found a small indention and pushed it.
The wall opened.
Jerrleck stopped a moment, knowing this was his point of no return. He wasn’t sure just how long ago he had been mind-wiped, but it was apparent that he had. He put the tablet down and walked back up the steps to the main level. It took him only a short amount of time to secure his residence against intrusion and return to the bottom level.
Now it was time to see what his younger self had been into, and what he could do with it now that he was older and hopefully wiser.
An hour later he was in a state of shock. His mind was confused, but in his heart the path was clear.
He needed to revive a rebellion that had been put on hold until he became aware of it. The last leader had been taken away in the middle of the night.
He should know—he had pulled her from her bed and taken her to the Seven himself.
He looked at the monitor in this hidden room and ran a finger across the image on the screen. “Dur’loch, my love,” he whispered. “This will be for you.”
FROM MICHAEL – I’m at about 46,000 words on this book, meaning I have about 24,000 or so words minimum to go. There is a LOT going on in this book, and I really hope the book is enjoyed as we wrap up the last 2 books before Bethany Anne goes back to Earth…
You know… To meet someone?
THANK YOU ALL for supporting these books, these authors and me personally as we build out this Universe. I’ve already written the last scene (nothing else) of book 20 and I have to say…
It made me tear up, but not in a bad way.
Ad Aeternitatem,
Michael
The Bad Company – Snippet 1
The Bad Company: The Age of Expansion Book 1
By Craig Martelle & Michael Anderle
Humanity’s greatest export – Justice. Space is a dangerous place, even for the wary, especially for the unprepared. The aliens have no idea. Here comes the Bad Company.
An explosion sounded and plasma fire flashed before his eyes.
Hidden in a remote corner of the Pan Galaxy, Nathan Lowell sat in his private office looking at the video communication screen. The President of the Bad Company frowned.
His direct action branch was engaged and not in a good way. Nathan shook his head slowly as he watched.
Thirty seven star systems away, General Lance Reynolds saw the same images displayed on his monitor. He chewed vigorously on his cigar. The report wasn’t what he had expected.
Colonel Terry Henry Walton, the man in the image, looked back and forth between the screen and something to his left. Ominous sounds accompanied the image.
“This first mission wasn’t what we contracted for, Nathan,” Terry yelled at the portable console that sat with a sideways tilt. He stared at a point off screen, shook his head, and continued. “My first stop when I get off this rock is that dandy president’s office where I’ll wring his pencil-neck to get our thirty percent bonus and seventy percent kicker. And then I’m leveling his fucking palace!”
“Can you settle this with what you have?” Lance asked.
“Yes, sir,” Terry replied.
“I already told you once, call me, Lance.”
“No can do, General. Can’t have you thinking I’ve grown soft just because I’ve been a pseudo-civilian for over a hundred and fifty years. Hang on,” Terry’s smile evaporated as he looked off screen, his lip curling involuntarily. “SHOOT HIM!” he shouted.
The crack of hand-held railguns answered. Terry stabbed his finger at something neither Nathan nor Lance could see.
“Not that one, the other one,” Terry corrected. More cracks from the hypervelocity weapons. Terry nodded and flipped the bird. “Fuck you, buddy and your stupid looking stalk head!”
Terry turned back to the screen. “Where were we?”
“Something about you intending to level our client’s palace,” Nathan said coldly.
“After we’re paid, that is. Hang on,” Terry looked off screen, flinched with surprise, and started yelling, “Why won’t you die? WOULD SOMEONE KILL THAT THING!”
Terry continued to watch off screen.
A rapid barrage followed, then a brief silence, and finally a blast that nearly threw the colonel off his feet. Laughing, Terry brushed his uniform jacket with his free hand. “Come back from that one, you blue fuck!”
“Sorry, General, Nathan. There’s about a hundred times more of these crawly bastards than we were led to believe. Mano a mano ain’t working. For every one we pop, five more appear in its place. Gotta run. We need to lop the head off this dragon. Have your people call my people and we’ll do lunch.” Terry saluted and ran off screen. Plasma beams cut through the spot where the colonel had just been standing.
“I’ll call our least favorite client right now and tell him to stand the fuck by. I’m coming for a visit,” Nathan growled, eyes flashing yellow as his anger charged his Were form. He tamped down the urge to change into a Pricolici, an upright-walking Werewolf.
He didn’t have the luxury of tearing up the universe. He was in charge and had passed the mantle of Bad Company door-kicker in chief to Terry Henry Walton.
Lance Reynolds stroked his chin as he thought about the man who looked happy to be in the middle of a battle that seemed to be raging out of control.
We Have Contact Audiobook Release!
We Have Contact: The Kurtherian Gambit, Book 12
By Michael Anderle
When you least expect it, expect it.
Bethany Anne has been notified there is a spaceship inside the system…but they can’t find it. Is it Kurtherian, someone else?
The governments have to be told about aliens, which sparks a worldwide effort by Governments to find what TQB has….
Oh, and Eric wants to date Gabrielle but he wants her to know he can protect her if need be. But his idea on how? Well, let’s just say it might not be the best solution.
Etheric Researcher – Snippet 1
Etheric Researcher: A Kurtherian Gambit Series
Unlawful Passage Audiobook Release!
Unlawful Passage: Age of Magic: The Rise of Magic Book One
By CM Raymond, LE Barbant, & Michael Anderle
Even heroes need a vacation.
Unfortunately, Hannah and her friends chose the wrong beach.
The Oracle needs help. She’s dying, and only Ezekiel knows that the world will die along with her.
Hannah and her team take up the call without hesitation.
The only problem? It takes a freaking long time to cross the world.
While putting their quest on hold for a much needed rest stop and resupply, Karl, Hadley, and Laurel get captured by some angry locals, who accuse them of kidnapping their leader’s son.
Hannah and Parker head to the rescue, leaving Gregory alone to guard the airship on a remnant infested hilltop.
What could possibly go wrong?
Awakened Audiobook Release!
Awakened: Age of Expansion, The Ascension Myth Book 1
By Ell Leigh Clarke & Michael Anderle
In the future, even the broken can make a change…
When a nascent AI hacks her holo device, Molly Bates has to think fast and get out of the military before anyone discovers what has happened. The only problem?
The swiftest way out is also the most embarrassing. Mortifyingly embarrassing.
Ever the underdog, Molly refuses to stay down. What follows is a rough and tumble adventure that takes Molly and her team of change makers up against an enemy with power they had not considered.
Regrouping off world, they set up base on an asteroid that has its own mysteries to uncover.
AHEAD FULL – TKG19 – Snippet 01 of …
The QBS Princess Alexandria, In Transit
Franath D’Tzaa, a D’tereth vid-reporter, touched the recording symbol after reviewing her notes.
“Hello, my name is Franath D’Tzaa. I’m aboard the QBS Princess Alexandra, a Nacht Fleet battleship and presently the flagship of Empress Bethany Anne, who is returning with her team from Nodrizen’s World.
“What follows is a continuation of the interview we aired yesterday. In this section I ask the Empress about the Leath and how that relationship has worked for the Etheric Empire over the last few decades. And here she is…”
“Empress, the Etheric Empire has been involved in different arguments—some would say battles or wars—with the Leath for many decades now. Would you tell us why, in your opinion, these two powerful spacefaring races do not get along?”
The Empress leaned back in her chair, her initial smile fading. “Certainly. It has everything to do with the Kurtherians, who claim to be their gods.” She looked at the reporter. “You have seen our videos, correct?”
“Who hasn’t?” Franath replied. “Every few years there has been a battle on some world or another between the Empire and the Leath. Afterwards they spin their story, and your people provide video proof that they’re wrong. Unless someone was present for the altercation, it would be impossible to tell what is truth.”
“I believe quite a few of your audience know the history of the Kurtherians,” Bethany Anne replied. “There were twelve tribes, or clans, who believed they were ready to Ascend. They also believed they should help other alien species Ascend. Unfortunately, seven of the twelve went down a darker road, and their efforts to assist other races has somehow become twisted. Each of the seven clans support their races differently. Some, like the late Yollin king, used his advanced abilities to drive the native Yollins from power. From what we understand, the Kurtherians from the Phraim-‘Eh clan who rule Leath are working to move them up the Ascension path.”
Bethany Anne stopped a moment, pursing her lips in thought. “Well, their version of the Ascension path, anyway. There are many thoughts on that,” she clarified. “However, supposition is that for the Leath to gain the next level in their enlightenment, they must defeat the Etheric Empire.”
Franath looked down at her notes, then back up at the Empress, who was waiting patiently for her. The reporter finally spoke. “I’m sorry, but I can’t find where this has been mentioned before.”
“I understand,” Bethany Anne nodded. “This is supposition by a Kurtherian consultant…”
“’Consultant?’” Franath jumped on Bethany Anne’s statement. “I’ve never heard that term.”
“And I’m not going to explain it to you,” Bethany Anne countered, “so don’t even ask.”
Franath bit her tongue. If she screwed up this interview, she would never get another chance with the enigmatic leader of the Etheric Empire, and probably wouldn’t leave with her interview material intact either. She was completely aware of others who had left with video the Etheric Empire didn’t wish to air, only to find the video damaged by the time the person was in a position to attempt to make a copy.
“Is this a business?” Franath finally asked, trying to find a way to score the contact. “Do they have additional resources I can verify?”
Bethany Anne sent TOM, Do you have additional resources?
I don’t know how to answer your question, Bethany Anne. Are you suggesting I out myself?
Sure, TOM. It’s as easy as saying ‘TOM, come out of the closet’…or in this case, ‘Come out of the human, TOM.’ ‘TOM, come out of the human!’
Ha…ha. Believe it or not, being inside you hasn’t always been bitches and dreams.
What the hell, TOM? Bitches and dreams?
There was a momentary pause before TOM answered, Peaches and cream?
Ha! Bethany Anne barked a laugh in their mental discussion. That is the funniest shit you have said all week.
Ba-dum crash! I’ll be here all week. And next week and the month following and probably the next decade until we can go looking for a mysterious race of creatures who can pull me out of you.
Don’t worry, my friend. Bethany Anne turned her attention back to the reporter. I haven’t forgotten that.
Bethany Anne spoke to Franath. “I imagine this consultant could answer questions. However, he is, as you might imagine, not fond of having others know much about him or his location.” Bethany Anne crossed her legs, then leaned forward in her chair and winked at Franath. “I’ll give you a contact routing through the galactic mail.”
Franath wondered what was wrong with the Empress’ eye.
Bethany Anne leaned back in her chair. “To return to the topic at hand, we have based our strategy on what the Kurtherian ‘gods’ behind the Leath are doing. This is why we have played a longer game.”
“It has been,” Franath agreed, “some time since your last altercation. However, at this point both sides are again enhancing their militaries. In fact,” Franath glanced down at some notes, “this has caused fourteen different spacefaring races to embark upon their own military buildup.” Franath looked Bethany Anne in the eyes. “Do you have any thoughts about this?”
“About which part?” Bethany Anne asked, a glimmer of humor in her eyes. “That we haven’t fought in a while, that others are willing to support their own ability not to be pushed around, or something completely different?”
Franath considered her options, then asked. “The fact that other groups are building up their militaries.”
“I think it is a good thing.”
Franath waited a moment before realizing Bethany Anne wasn’t going to add to her comment. “Why?”
“As I mentioned, if you can put up a good defense then other races pause before trying to take you over.”
Franath continued, “Are there any negatives to other races doing this?”
“Of course,” Bethany Anne responded. “Those with large militaries start looking either inside or outside to see what they can do with that military. A despotic regime could take power and use the military to subjugate their own people, or a particularly aggressive group could come to power and decide to push their luck by attacking others.”
“Is this the reason the Etheric Empire keeps fighting the Leath? Or, at least, this is what you are proposing is the reason?”
“Yes.” Bethany Anne kept her answer short, waiting for the likely follow-up.
“And why is that?” Franath continued.
Bingo, Bethany Anne thought. I love to answer this.
Bethany Anne looked into the camera, allowing the barest bit of red to infuse her eyes. “Because I really, really hate bullies.”
The video clip ended and the reporter finished her piece with, “This is Franath D’Tzaa signing off. I will provide another clip tomorrow from my interview with one of the most intriguing beings of our galaxy.”
FROM MICHAEL ANDERLE >>> WOOHOO! Here we go again…BA’s Back…Back again… And it is TIME the Leath have their final discussion with the Queen Bitch.
Well, at least the Kurtherian’s and those that support them.
We are down to three (3) books left for the first 21 books of The Kurtherian Gambit, Bethany Anne’s First story. I am aware that a lot of fans are concerned about whether there will be any more Bethany Anne books, and I have provided the hint(s) here: http://www.kurtherianbooks.com/timeline .
Right now, this book is above 22k … ish… in words, meaning it is just under 1/3 of the way complete. I’ve written more words this morning and I hope more words today before end of day.
I’m going to do the same thing I did a while back, which is start a ‘Michael has this many words done’ on Facebook, hoping that the interaction keeps me moving ahead through thick and thin. Especially tomorrow and Tuesday with three plane flights as we head from Rio to Miami, Miami to New York and New York to Las Vegas.
When we book these flights, we saved a lot of money routing through New York’s JFK airport vs. doing direct flights. Now, I look longingly at a flight home and think “What would I give to just fly straight to Las Vegas?” Then, I look at all those miles that will get me Platinum Pro status on American Airlines and think “Ok, I’m not willing to give up my chance to be Platinum Pro!”
I’m SUCH a pushover for this fucking American Airlines status. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’ve benefitted HUGELY from the getting upgraded for FREE(!) from my seat in the back to first class over the last year. This was due to my wife’s Executive Platinum status (well, I was moved up to business class some times – but I really don’t know what the difference is between business and first class.)
I’m starting a set of scene’s with Stephen and Baba Yaga / Bethany Anne… But, Jennifer has been working on Stephen to not be such a stick in the mud… Then, it went too far and Jennifer is hoping Bethany Anne will pull Stephen back in line with his snappy comments.
Wonder how that will work out?
Shades of Justice – Snippet 2
Shades of Justice, The Hidden Magic Chronicles Book 4
By Justin Sloan & Michael Anderle
Snippet 2
Unedited
Fires smoldered, sending a steady plume of black smoke over the town supposedly populated by water mages. The sight was enough to give Andreas doubts about their location. How could water mages have let this happen?
Still, given all the fighting he had seen—including the crazy sorcerers—it wasn’t unthinkable. Why nobody had bothered to put out the fires, though, was another question.
“Looks like we’re too late,” Lars said as they came around the bend, now better able to see the town that had been destroyed.
“Wait… There!” Kim was at the wheel of the ship, eyes narrowed, pointing.
Sure enough, someone was moving toward them, and then they saw more than one. A whole group was coming their way.
“Friend or foe?” Lars asked.
“That’s what we’re about to find out,” Andreas replied, staff gripped firmly in his hand. If there was trouble he was ready to get them out of there quickly, with a little help from the waves and wind.
“Would you look at that?” Kim exclaimed. “Horses!”
Andreas couldn’t believe his eyes. When he had found out the woman named Rose had a horse—made to look like a unicorn—he had been amazed. But this? These people had three horses!
The woman at the front of the group stopped on the strand, and the others formed a half-circle around her. She waved her hands and lifted them, and the water in front of the boat surged up and formed what looked like a mighty guardian of the sea. It wore a crown of kelp and its flowing water was pushing toward them, although it looked solid.
It held out both hands in a gesture that seemed to tell them to stop, and at the same time could have been threatening. It looked like the giant water spirit could come crashing down on them at any moment.
Andreas wondered what his stormcalling ability, as limited as it was, could do against this. He could already taste the saltwater in his mouth, as if he were drowning—being cast to the depths of the ocean, never to breathe again.
But the attack didn’t come.
“Announce yourselves!” a woman’s voice called from the shore.
Lars stepped forward and bellowed, “Alastar and Rhona sent us. We are looking for Leila Lockmire.”
“You have found her,” the voice said, and just as quickly as it had appeared, the water spirit vanished. “Approach, but know that if you are not who you claim to be, we will not hesitate for a moment to cast you back into the sea. Understood?”
“With complete clarity,” Lars shouted back, and then turned to Andreas. “Bring us to shore.”
***
Leila waited, watching the small boat unnaturally work its way toward shore. Somehow it was moving against the wind without oars. A water mage, perhaps? The energy it would take to force the water to push a boat, even one that size, seemed unrealistic. So either they had a very powerful water mage, or some other sort of magic user.
If one of the sorcerers were among them, she would find out and destroy him.
She heard the crunch of rocks and dirt under boots and turned to see her son Gregory approach.
“What do you make of it?” he asked. “Maybe we shouldn’t let them land at all.”
She shook her head. “We ate with them, Rhona and her Alastar, had them under our roofs. I trust them. If they sent these three, it’s worth finding out why.”
“But you see what I’m seeing?”
She nodded. “Which is why I’m going to be on full alert, and you’ll tell the rest to do the same.”
Gregory nodded, then moved back to the others to convey the message. While the passengers were unloading from the boat, the group worked their way over to them to get a better look. This trio was clearly not from around here, and each was aged beyond their years. Eyeing them with curiosity was a frail boy—in his late teens, she guessed. He wore robes and held a staff, similar to what she had seen in her brief encounters with Storm Raiders. So that’s how they had moved so fast! But these clearly weren’t Storm Raiders. After giving the Barskall a chance and being betrayed, she might have given the order to attack right then if they had been.
Still tying up the boat was a large man with a scruffy beard and a giant war ax on his back. He paused to help a woman who was arguably not much smaller than him from the boat.
When they approached, Leila held out a cautionary hand. “That’s far enough. We don’t have much to offer. We have only a few spells and swords to our name. Why are you here?”
“I’m Kim,” the woman introduced herself. “This is Lars and Andreas. Honestly, we’re just on our way home, back to the Kaldfell Peninsula, but Alastar and them wanted us to stop by to invite you and yours to join the fight. They’re riding against the goddess and her sorcerers, against the north.”
“We’ve been a bit quick to trust lately,” Gregory said, stepping forward and eyeing them up and down. “Why shouldn’t we put you down where you stand?”
“You could try,” Lars replied with a grunt and frown of disapproval. “And then the good side of this fight would have one less clan boy, and I’d live a life filled with regret.”
“No threats here,” Leila said, then held a hand up to stop Gregory from saying anything further. “We’ve seen enough bloodshed.”
“Well, know this,” Lars replied, “Master Irdin is dead. Some other powerful witch? Dead. The king of Gulanri has come north to join in the fight, and it promises to be a good one.”
Now he had her attention, but she turned aside, mulling this over. If the king of Gulanri had truly come north, that meant a united Lost Isles—and united under the right side. There was no way they could sit this one out.
“Wh-what happened here?” the one called Andreas asked.
“We accepted outsiders into our midst,” Gregory replied, and then spat.
“Barskall, to be precise,” Leila added. “They turned on us. Our so-called victory sure doesn’t feel like one, not with all the lives we’ve lost.”
“It was the same everywhere, but we’ve beaten them back,” Kim said. “Even their goddess is on the run, heading north.”
“They think the northern clans are on her side?” Leila asked.
Kim glanced at Lars, who nodded.
“Well, I know of at least one clan who won’t be.” Leila leaned back with a smile, looking out at the water and imagining it now—her sister, who had moved up north in pursuit of love. If she got her hands on that goddess, the fight that would ensued was bound to be monumental. With a glance at her son, she said, “We’re going.”
“North?”
She nodded. “But first west, to see if we can meet up with Rhona and the rest. If they’re in pursuit, at least some of them would take the pass. That’s where we meet them.”
Gregory beamed, apparently eager for more of a chance to get his revenge, or maybe at the mention of a certain woman?
“Just…remember. She’s spoken for,” Kim added, apparently catching on as well.
“Still with that Donnon chap, then?” Gregory squinted, giving a small shake of his head as if that would affect their answer.
“Keep dreaming, if you have your eyes on her,” Lars replied. “Those two are like carrots and potatoes.”
“I’m sorry, like what?”
“You know, they’d make a great stew. Or, a good one, but throw that girl Kia in there? She’s like the beef. Brings it all together.”
“Don’t call Kia ‘beef,’” Kim said, smacking Lars across the shoulder. “What’s wrong with you?”
“A hell of a lot, I’d wager.” He chuckled. “You knew what I meant.”
Leila smiled and gave him a nod, thinking maybe it wasn’t a bad thing these three were heading… She frowned, realizing she didn’t know where they were going.
“They sent you to give me the message, but then what?”
“We don’t know how far Lady Mowain and her Dark Society have spread,” Andreas answered, his eyes taking on a distant look and moving to the ground. “The people of the Kaldfell Peninsula need to be on the lookout, and we mean to warn them.”
“If it’s not already too late,” Kim added solemnly.
“Well then, you must go,” Leila stuck out her hand and shook with each of them. “And we must be on our way to join forces with the others. I will find my sister and her clan up north, and see if we have any other allies in that direction.”
With that she motioned for the rest of her friends, the only people who had survived the betrayal by the Barskall. They went on their way, and the three strangers on their own.
Storm Warrior RELEASE!
Storm Warrior, Storms of Magic Book 4
By P.T. Hylton & Michael Anderle
The greatest threat to the future comes from the secrets of the past.
Abbey and her friends return home after their long journey west to find Holdgate threatened by both an enemy to the south and a hidden Barskall army to the east.
Lucky for Holdgate, Abbey and the crew of The Foggy Day are more than ready to defend their home.
But there’s an even greater threat to the city… one nobody sees coming.
A man with a mysterious connection to Abbey’s past has arrived, and he wants to see the stormships burn.
He’s about to learn why it’s never a good idea to mess with Abbey’s friends.
Storm Warrior is a fun, swashbuckling romp filled with twists, adventure, and plenty of banter.
Shades of Justice – Snippet 1
Shades of Justice, The Hidden Magic Chronicles Book 4
By Justin Sloan & Michael Anderle
Snippet 1
Unedited
Alastar took an offensive stance and closed his eyes, imagining the goddess, Lady Mowain—his aunt—standing before him. Wind blew against his cheek, warm and gentle like Estair’s nighttime touch. It with it brought the scent of the upcoming palace feast, still cooking while training continued in the yard.
He wasn’t training there, though. He had found a secluded spot to focus on this damned sword.
With a quick thrust he dove forward, focusing his energy on the sword. He tried to pretend the legend was real and pull the power from the Sword of Light.
Nothing.
It didn’t matter how much he practiced or willed it to be so, it was just another sword. How many times had he heard the story of the magical blade and its green glow when blessed? It had the fabled jade-encrusted hilt, to be sure, but that was about the extent of its being true to the legend. When he had fought with it in battle and cast his magic, it had glowed white like any other sword he had ever wielded.
He sighed, holding the sword out with one hand and staring at the fine craftsmanship. Who was he kidding, anyway? Hope that it was the magical Sword of Light meant he was still grasping at a lost cause, at the idea that there had been any truth to be had in the Order of Rodrick.
Instead, it had all been a lie. His entire life, or most of the part that he could remember, had been a lie. His aunt had killed his mother, taken him and his sister away from their father, and left them with the madman he had grown up thinking was his mentor. His spiritual leader, Sir Gildon of the Order of Rodrick.
And then he had killed that son of a bitch. And his sister Rhona had taken out Lady Mowain’s daughter, and little Kia had done a pretty number on Master Irdin. All in all, they were doing quite well.
Hell, he was even a prince, and his sister was a princess!
Somehow, all of that still didn’t make up for a lifetime of lies. A mother taken before her time, one he would never know.
But he knew what would make up what he had gone through so far. He thrust the sword into the ground and made a vow. He would stop this so-called goddess and reveal her for the fraud she was for all Roneland and beyond to see. She would never hurt another person. Never again tear a family apart. Not after he was done with her.
He glanced back at the sword and considered leaving it, but just then a door opened and a beam of light fell across him and the sword. It seemed to shine in that moment, to call out to him. As much as he wanted to leave his old superstitions and beliefs behind, he turned back the sword and wrapped his hand around the hilt with a glance at the person in the doorway. He recognized her by her shadow.
“You’re not with the others,” Estair noted, exiting and letting the door close behind her. “Why aren’t you training with them?”
“I had other matters to consider.”
She looked at the sword, pried his hand off the hilt, and held the hand to her lips. Her kiss was gentle, producing a smooth, tender sensation as those pouting lips brushed his skin.
“Playing with your sword all by yourself?” She smiled teasingly. “Have I neglected you so?”
He shook his head, appreciating her ability to always find humor in a moment, but it wasn’t the time for him.
Apparently catching onto this, she pulled his hand so that it wrapped around her waist, then leaned into him and put her head on his chest. “You have your father again. You should be happy.”
“For that and so many other reasons, I am,” he replied.
“And yet?”
“As long as She is still out there, my thoughts will be troubled.” He held her tightly, watching as men passed the window in an upstairs corridor, visible for a moment as they laughed in merriment. “Laird Summers promised to be part of the march north to find Her, but he keeps stalling.”
“Stalling…” She pulled back, looking into his eyes. “We’re marching to war, essentially. Whether it’s war with the north or a larger force, we don’t know. You can’t expect that to happen without preparation, planning.”
“I expect to move on her before she has a chance to hurt more innocents,” he replied. “Before she can pull some more magical forces out of her arse and escape this unscathed.”
“Well, if we have to fight magical forces from her arse we’ll do so, dammit.” Estair couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Will they stink? You can bet all the saints and spirits in the world they will! But we’ll persevere, cram those evil magic forces so far back up her arse that—”
“Will you stop messing around?” he demanded. “I’m serious. Father said we would leave the next morning, and here we are still! We can’t’ sit around here waiting, not with what she’s capable of.”
Estair nodded, her expression now stern. “I’m sorry. You’re right.”
“I am?”
“Let’s go kill that bitch.” She stepped past him, pulled the sword from the ground, and handed it over. “Don’t forget your sword, my prince.”
He couldn’t help but smile at that, but mostly because of the way she bowed when passing him the sword.
“Stop it,” he said as he took the sword and sheathed it. “If I become King someday, you realize what that will make you?”
She frowned. “Your mistress? Concubine? Don’t forget, we’re not…” Her voice caught as he pulled her in for a kiss.
“Not yet,” he said, laying a finger to her lips as they pulled apart. “But when this is all over, maybe that’s a discussion we should have?”
Her cheeks reddened and she shrugged. “Maybe it is.”
They turned, heading off hand in hand to find Laird Summers. No more waiting around—whether the troops were coming or not, Alastar meant to see this completed.