Chapter 33 #2
Dravic barely held onto his rage, but he had Adira to protect. Once this was done, he would kill Ernach himself.
Dravic spoke with a calm he didn’t feel. “You turned him against my parents.”
“I helped him see what he already feared.”
“You fed him lies.”
“I may have fed him lies, but he greedily devoured them, not even investigating himself if they were true.”
“My grandfather ordered my parents’ deaths because of you,” he said, wanting to hear Ernach admit it.
“Aye, it was my doing.”
The truth struck hard, but Dravic finally had the truth about his parents’ deaths. And he would see them avenged.
Adira felt his pain as if it were her own and she gave his hand a gentle squeeze, reminding him she was there beside him.
He felt it. That small touch kept him where he stood when every instinct demanded he cross the distance between himself and Ernach and kill him.
“You murdered my parents,” Dravic said, his words condemning him.
“Halric had them murdered. I merely made certain he believed it necessary.”
Dravic’s voice dropped dangerously low. “There is no difference.”
Ernach smiled. “There is to me.”
Tharne listened to the exchange closely but kept his eyes on his daughter.
“And afterward?” Dravic demanded. “You betrayed Halric.”
“I made him believe I had.”
“Why, when your plan was working?”
“Because I was one man with a few loyal men. I needed an army to return when the time was right.”
“You went to Drogath.”
“Aye.” Ernach glanced toward Tharne. “I found something there I hadn’t expected. A warlord searching for someone who had been taken from him. A promise to him was all it took to get his help. Get him into Scotara without being seen and help find his daughter.”
“And in return,” Dravic said, understanding that part at last, “Tharne would help you take the crown.”
Ernach smiled. “He promised me Scotara.”
Tharne laughed. “You fool.”
Ernach’s smile vanished.
“You think I ever intended to put you on Scotara’s throne? This land was my clan’s home far before your ancestors ever laid claim to it.”
“You gave your word,” Ernach said, anger in his every word.
“He is right. You are a fool,” Dravic said, “for believing Tharne is an honorable man.”
“And you claim to be one?” Tharne said with a laugh that barely reached his mouth.
Adira watched more than listened to the exchange, reading the three men more easily through their gestures and facial movements.
When honor was mentioned, she saw and felt the change.
Dravic’s honor was not in question to her.
She saw that Tharne’s honor was questionable, and Ernach had not an ounce of honor in him.
And that troubled her the most, for it made him the most dangerous.
“So, it was all a lie about falling in love with a woman from Driochmor?” Dravic asked.
“She was paid well enough until she was no longer necessary, then I disposed of her like I do when a person, man or woman, no longer benefits me.”
Adira sensed a sudden change in the hall and saw that Dravic had sensed it as well, but too late.
“Now!” Ernach commanded.
The men lining the wall drew their weapons.
Dravic immediately shoved Adira behind him, realizing the men were faithful to Ernach not Tharne.
Ernach smiled. “I gained wealth as well while in Drogath and coins buy men willing to fight. By tomorrow, Scotara will learn that the Warlord of Drogath secretly invaded the kingdom. King Dravic, the brave king that he was, confronted him here.” His smile broadened.
“Neither survived the battle neither did his men.”
Tharne’s hand lay ready on his sword.
“And you believe anyone will accept you as king?” Dravic asked, his mind churning with ways to escape this mess.
“I do not care. I will take it by force and kill anyone who steps in my way.”
Dravic could see the warriors were anxious to see the task done and he reached for the sword that was no longer at his side.
Bloody hell.
Ernach’s gaze shifted to Adira, then he moved.
Dravic saw him coming and went to block him, but two warriors attacked at once. Dravic caught the first man’s sword arm, drove his fist into his face, and wrenched the weapon free.
He swerved around to Adira.
Ernach had his arm locked around her and the edge of a dagger pressed against her throat.
Fear like Dravic had never felt in his life froze him. “Let her go.”
Ernach backed away with Adira. “Drop the sword.”
Dravic didn’t move.
Ernach grinned and a little blood dripped down Adira’s neck. “A deeper and slower slice and you will watch her suffer and die before your eyes.”
“Why take her?” Dravic asked as his sword hit the floor.
“Your family took everything from me. I am going to make sure I do the same to you.” He grinned, giving a quick glance at Tharne.
“And as for you, consider it revenge for not honoring your word.” He looked from one man to the other.
“But don’t worry, I won’t kill her. She can live and provide entertainment for my men. ”
Fear and fury mixed in Dravic, but one thing was certain, he would make Ernach suffer before he killed him.
Dravic’s gaze locked on Adira, and he caught her slight smile. She trusted him. She knew he would survive and come for her. He would find her.
Ernach dragged her toward a doorway beside the dais, his voice ringing out. “Kill them both.”
The warriors surged forward.
Dravic grabbed the sword off the ground, his glance darting to the doorway.
Adira was gone, but following through the door was a small ball of golden light.
“FIORA!” he roared with fury and swung his sword alongside his enemy.
No one would keep him from going after the woman he loved.