Extol of Agnatic Dreams (The Extol Series Book 1) Read Free

leave. His grip was like death so she was forced to sit and remain silent under his judgement. “I suppose there are some limits.”
    Thea was answering carefully and Barret knew it. “Do you trust me to protect you and our family?” Barret asked and Thea nodded. “That my prize I am offering is the high one we must make to ensure survival?”
    “Barret, what is your prize?” She whispered afraid to speak louder as if it might somehow provoke his madness. He had never acted so tense before. She did not know what had struck such a rushed flurry of questions to pass his lips and Thea was afraid to ask.
    Barret swept his hair back, rising from the stoop as he did. Thea let him go but did not rise from her chair. Instead, she watched him pace, his hand behind his back as he collected his thoughts. Finally, he faced her again. Secretly he valued his plan and congratulated himself of a real method for ridding his home of the small child who was currently four years of age and with no clues on her true parentage. Thea pleaded her innocence to adultery but Barret found it hard to believe the story of the Dryad. Barret knew Thea would not share the same relief. “I will offer Evangeline to the Kingdom of Braykith in exchange for immediate protection.”
    Thea was glad she was sitting because all of her wills could not bring her to hold her weight. She slumped in her chair and Barret was frozen in mid-pace, awaiting her judgement on his decision.
    “You are not asking for my permission.” The relationship between Barret and Evangeline was tense and he did not treat her with the adoration he always showed upon his unborn child, even before it came to this world and unleash a single cry to the heavens. Never had Thea imagined he would call for this. Thea spoke slowly feeling dizzy and light headed at his announcement.
    Barret shook his head firmly. “No, I am not.”
    Thea nodded looking down at her lap and seeing nothing to focus on she struggled with digesting the new development still. Her hands rubbed at the curve of the chairs arm, adding her worries to the already abused wood. “Must we?” She looked up to Barret. “The things you hear of that Kingdom.”
    “I would not send my daughter to a mad man.” Barret defended himself, choosing his words carefully to manipulate his wife into thinking nothing but honourable things about his proposition. He watched as her body told him that she believed it and Thea were quick to sit up straighter. He knew how to manipulate Thea without her realising it and his immediate defence had forced her to reconsider her tactics just as he thought it would. Thea was right to believe that Barret was a passionate man and Thea knew it was her responsibility as his wife to take in his emotions and allow him to see the trust she still had for him. His plan was messy and demanding and so Thea struggled but she fought to find acceptance in the proposal.
    “The messenger has already gone to Braykith.” Thea realised. Barret crossed the room in three quick strides and stopped abruptly before her. Barret offered his wife his hand and she was tentative to give him anything he asked of her right now. Finally, she took his hand and allowed her husband to raise her to her feet. “She is just a baby herself.” She continued to struggle against his declaration although it was clearly too late.
    Barret nodded and wiped her cheek lightly with only the pad of his thumb as he cradled her jaw. He would never wish such grief on Thea in her current condition but this would rid them of the child who tainted his heart and hallways. Thea would not want to hear him say that and so Barret approached her differently with the excuse that would be more pleasant for a mother to hear. “That she is, but we knew this would happen. A suitable husband must be found for her and we need to secure our borders from those who mean us harm.”
    “Is there no other way?” Thea made one last attempt to sway her husband, or at