AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She allowed the shadows to slip from them, and the laughter and chatter tapered off as the others in the room realized they had entered. Acheron rose, his eyes swirling as he noted the changes in Tehdra.
Ajali blinked as she appeared by the countess’ side. He frowned. The House of Assia was loyal to the realm.
Tehdra drew Sascha from her chair, slamming her onto the table, scattering dishes and food.
The room leapt to t
heir feet on a collective gasp.
“What is the meaning of this, Ajali?” Uriah snapped.
“Ajali!” his high chancellor barked as the many countesses, earls, and dukes received their first look at his Darkan consort.
Her darkness was contained, but there was no doubt she was…more.
Tehdra inhaled from Sascha’s neck as chakra pulsed from her, roiling with menace. “This is the hand that poisoned my food.”
“What?” Lady Shae exclaimed, disbelief heavy in her tone. “Uriah, this…this…thing lies.”
The gaze that Tehdra swung her way was filled with such malevolence that Lady Shae flinched and moved behind Uriah.
Gavyn flashed from the room, and within seconds, returned with Ruxia.
“Ajali,” Lady Sascha gasped, anger distorting her features. “Why are you allowing this barbarian to touch me, a high countess of the realm?”
Sascha surged, gathering fire that lived a short death as Tehdra lifted her with one hand and crashed her into the table once more. Shadowy tentacles gripped her by the throat and held her immobile.
“Stop her, Ajali!” Xian yelled as she drew her swords.
“You draw a weapon to attack my consort, Xian?” he asked with such menace, her eyes widened, and she paled.
He strode further into the room, and ignored Acheron’s pointed stare at his bare feet.
“She speaks madness, Ajali. Jealously has clouded her thinking. She threatened my life because I slept in your bed, and now she plants foul lies against my house. I demand justice,” Lady Sascha shrieked, anger shaking her voice and body.
“Ruxia?” Ajali commanded. He had no doubt of Tehdra’s skill, but with the Serangite’s aid, Lady Sascha’s accusation would hold no sway with the other peers of his realm. They would not be inclined to believe a Darkan over one of their own.
“Truth. She demands justice for the Darkan placing its hands on her.”
“Is there anything else?”
“No, my King. Her barriers are fortified. I cannot access them.” The Serangite sounded surprised.
Claws sprouted from Tehdra’s hands, and she plunged them into Lady Sascha’s thighs, ripping through flesh to bones, then she twisted. Blood gushed, and the countess screamed. Tehdra hummed in apparent pleasure, and a visiting high duchess fainted.
“Her barriers should be weakened now, Serangite.” The menace in his consort’s voice had Ajali smiling.
Ruxia’s eyes flickered as she read Sascha’s thoughts.
“The House of Assia holds no loyalty to the House of Haddin. The Assias’ work with Mevians. As fulfillment of their bargain they are promised rule of the throne. The Assias, Sascha and Ceran, are traitors to the crown.”
Painful silence descended, punctuated by the countess’ pained gasps.
She will die by my hands. Tehdra’s voice was implacable.
“Impossible!” the high chancellor snapped, marching towards Ajali. “Ceran was attacked by traitors.”
Ajali suppressed the burn of betrayal as he sifted through their strategy. “No, he battled with the spy of Nuria I had embedded in Mevia. My spy would have discovered Ceran was a traitor and hastened to tell me. They fought, and he killed our informant. He was badly wounded and crawled to us with his tale. Arrest all in the House of Assia,” Ajali intoned as betrayal sliced through him.
