Harvest of Dreams (The Gods' Dream Trilogy) Read Free

dock jumped off, leaving Cihkel to lie where he’d fallen, his blood seeping into the wood.
    His arm suddenly weak, Thaddis lowered the spyglass. He should have felt triumphant, and he waited for the rush of emotion to fill him, but it didn’t come. Instead, Ontarem’s satisfaction ate at his feelings and fed on the emotions from all those who fought, growing in power. In his passionate defense of Seagem, and in his dying, Cihkel had strengthened Ontarem.
    Thaddis took a steadying breath and again raised the spyglass to view the greenstone palace on the cliff above the harbor. Iceros, King of Seagem, stood on a balcony waiting, grim expression, bow in hands, and his helm resting on the railing. As he viewed the reavers overpowering his soldiers, his face remained impassive, but Thaddis knew the sight of his dying city must be tearing out his guts. The king would be busy soon, defending his palace, and all who sheltered within. But to no avail. Thaddis would defeat the older king and conquer Seagem.
    Had Iceros felt his heir’s heartline snap? No . He doubted the king possessed enough power. But his daughter….
    Thaddis focused the spyglass to the right, to the balcony next to the king’s. Princess Daria came in sight. Unlike her father, she paced the space, her long blond braid swinging like the twitch of an angry cat’s tail. She, too, carried a bow ready to shoot when the first wave of invaders reached the courtyard in front of the palace.
    He smiled at his quarry. Soon you will be mine, princess….
    Thaddis turned his attention back to the harbor. The seadogs cleared the docks of defenders, leaving crumpled, bloodied bodies all around them. Here and there, citizens and soldiers waged solitary battles.
    Thaddis raised his hand and made a forward motion.
    A horn blared. The sound echoed from the other two ships. Sailors rushed to the longboats. The black-uniformed soldiers climbed in. The sailors lowered the boats over the sides of the Vengeance and rowed them to the quay.
    Thaddis nodded at the captain of his private guard and strode to his longboat, bigger and more luxurious than the others. His guard settled around him, and, with a jerk that had him grasping the bench, the boat was swung over the side and lowered into the water.
    As the boat cut through the turquoise water, Thaddis ignored the mangled bodies and other debris floating in the brine. Nor did he pay attention as the final fights sputtered to an end. His attention focused on the palace—on his goal.
    Once they’d disembarked, the group tramped up the wide road leading to the castle. Thaddis spared a thought of annoyance that he didn’t have a carriage. Not that he hadn’t run through these streets enough as a lad… For a second, a memory flashed— he and Indaran scampering through alleys, dodging an irate watchman who’d fallen victim to one of their pranks…hiding in a dark corner and covering each other’s mouths lest their laughter give them away.
    From a side street, a group of soldiers in green uniforms rushed into the main thoroughfare. One shouted his name and pointed. The soldiers converged on his guard. They fought for their city, their people, their families, their king with the wild strength of hopeless men.
    A burly fellow broke through the royal guard and with a growl leapt at Thaddis, jabbing with his sword. Anger convulsed his ruddy face. The soldier had some skill, forcing Thaddis to defend himself. He fought with cold necessity, his movements automatic. He slashed across the man’s arm.
    The soldier’s arm bled and his block slipped.
    Thaddis ran him through. He shook the soldier off his sword and stepped over the body. His remaining guards surrounded him, forming a wedge that blasted through any defenders the seadogs had left alive. Bloody sword in hand, Thaddis began to jog toward the castle, eager to claim his bride.

 
    CHAPTER TWO
     
    EARTH, ISRAEL
    PRESENT DAY
     
    The beeping of a machine jerked Sadie Isaacson awake.