Deciding Skies (Fate's Intent Book 2) Read Free Page B

didn’t look away from it. She landed in a roll and came to a stop while being down on one knee with her head down like she were bowing before my father.
    The crowd cheered with even more excitement.
    “Oh, no. Too good?”
    “Fuck no.” Darius smiled. “It was brilliant. Talk about entertainment.”
    “I’m sad it’s over.” Troy added.
    We shared a laugh to the truth. It really didn’t last that long.
    My father rose to his feet and simply held up his hand. The crowd instantly took notice and settled down so he could speak. “You have indeed proven yourselves worthy. For we have never seen such a show than what you’ve performed for us tonight. We are all honored to be your hosts and bring pity on the Kaluian soldiers you shall encounter.”
    The audience cheered again and the Kalu Assassins bowed to him and waited for him to leave before they left the arena through the door they used to enter.
    It was officially over and no one was hurt, well, no one I wanted to get hurt was. That was a relief and we began to leave with the crowd to congratulate them our own way.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
     
    Lamar
     
    Well, that was quite a show, wasn’t it?
    “You seem disappointed, Lamar. Why is that?” The King walked through the halls of the palace with me following silently a step behind.
    “I am not, your majesty. I thought they should have to prove themselves to you and they have done that.”
    “But—”
    Since he asked, I attempted to speak my thoughts. “I advise you to be cautious about letting in such warriors to your place of living. What if they are not here for what they say?”
    “If the Leccans had another agenda, I assure you, Lamar, Zayden would have picked up on it. He knows how to read those kinds of things.”
    My eyes rolled imaginatively in my head and I was careful not to let it out on my voice. “Yes. I suppose he would have. Yet that does not mean they shouldn’t be watched.”
    “They will be. I’m sure my boys are volunteering to do that as we speak.”
    “I didn’t mean by meaninglessly taking them in their beds. Planning to do so will just leave them distracted to what really is.”
    The King stopped, me stopping after him. He took a breath and turned his head. “I’m aware that my boys have gathered a reputation for such things. They are young, good looking and quite deserving of the life they lead but they also understand when something needs to be done. As future leaders of this country, you must respect their choices and honor me in mine when I say these Leccans are not going to pose a problem to us.”
    I bowed my head, keeping it down through my response. This is the only person I would never show attitude to. “Forgive me, your majesty. I only worry about your protection.”
    “It is not your job to. Now, go. Away with you until I’m in need of negative counsel.”
    “Of course, your majesty.”
    I turned from the King and we started our separate ways.
    I was angry. I did not approve of what the King was allowing.
    “Order me away. How dare you? You need me. I’m the only one who makes any sense around here but I guess if you won’t listen to me, I’ll get someone else that will.”
    I went to my room on the first floor. It was small. Nowhere near as nice as the guest rooms. I was basically a servant to the King and was tired of being treated as such. I grabbed a long hooded cloak from the wardrobe and headed out into the city.
    “Where is the messenger recently used by the King?” I asked the clerk at the messenger post just outside the palace walls.
    “Shaffer? He’s been missing since then. Some soldiers found his horse outside the walls wandering around northeast from here.”
    My heart stopped. “What do you mean? Gone?”
    “It happens when we have to send someone east. Closer to danger and bandit territory. There’s no protection for anyone out there.”
    “Bandits. Yes.” I began to turn. “Always the way.”
    I walked out, my anger