Frozen Tides Read Free

whenever he wished, especially after barely escaping death at the hands of Amara’s henchmen.
    Still, he couldn’t ignore the looming possibility that a message demanding his arrest had been sent to the castle by raven. But when the guards opened the doors without any argument, he let out the breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
    He took a moment to compose himself as he entered the grand foyer, sweeping his gaze around and settling on the spiral stairway chiseled into the stone walls, as if checking for flaws. “Who is in command here with Lord Gareth still in Auranos? I assume he hasn’t yet returned from his daughter’s wedding celebration.”
    â€œLord Gareth isn’t expected to return for several weeks. In his absence, Lord Kurtis was appointed grand kingsliege.”
    Magnus found he did not have an immediate reply, and that perhaps he’d misheard the guard. “Lord Kurtis Cirillo has been appointed grand kingsliege?” he said after a moment.
    â€œYes, your highness.”
    Kurtis Cirillo, Lord Gareth’s eldest son, was currently in charge of Limeros. This came as a great surprise, as Magnus had heard a rumor several months ago that Kurtis had drowned while traveling abroad.
    He was disappointed to learn that that rumor had now been proven false.
    â€œI met you during my last visit here,” Cleo said to the guard as she pushed back the hood of her cloak. “Enzo, isn’t it?”
    â€œThat’s right.” The guard eyed with distress her ripped cloak and the dried blood staining her blond hair. “Your highness, do you need me to summon the palace physician?”
    She absently touched the small but angry wound on her forehead, given to her by one of Amara’s guards. “No, that’s not necessary. Thank you.” She smiled, brightening her features. “You’re very kind. I remember that from last time.”
    Enzo’s face quickly turned as red as his uniform. “You make it very easy to be kind, your grace.”
    Magnus fought the urge to roll his eyes. It seemed that the princess had captured another hapless fly in her web.
    â€œEnzo,” he said, voice low and commanding. The guard’s gazeimmediately snapped to his. “Have Lord Kurtis meet me in the throne room immediately.”
    Another bow. “Yes, your highness.” He scurried away without another word.
    â€œCome,” Magnus said to Cleo and Nic, then turned on his boot heels and followed the familiar route through the castle to his destination.
    â€œ
Come
,” Nic sneered. “He orders us about like we’re trained dogs.”
    â€œI’m not sure the prince was ever taught the polite way to speak to people,” Cleo replied.
    â€œAnd yet,” Magnus said, “you’re still following me, aren’t you?”
    â€œFor now. But you should remember that charm opens far more doors than harsh words do.”
    â€œAnd a sharp ax will open every door.”
    The entrance to the throne room was also stationed with several guards who bowed at the sight of Magnus. No ax was required as they pushed open the doors so quickly that he didn’t even have to slow down.
    Once inside, he scanned the cavernous room. His father’s black throne of iron and leather sat at the top of a dais on one end, a long wooden table and chairs for council meetings at the other. The walls were draped in Limerian tapestries and banners, and several torches peppered the molding, bringing some light to the corners of the room where the sun shining through the large windows didn’t reach.
    The throne room was host to many official gatherings. It was where the king would grant audience to Limerian citizens and their various requests for financial assistance or justice against wrongdoings. It was where he would sentence prisoners for their crimes and perform ceremonies during which both the worthy and unworthy were given official