King’s Wrath Read Free Page B

what you’re dealing with.’
    Leo was not to be dissuaded by the disdain in his friend’s voice or the low threat that underpinned his words. ‘That’s the point I’m making. We don’t have any idea and so we wish to understand. I know what an aegis does, what he or she is born for. I’ll be honest, I’ve never felt mine present.’ He gave a hollowgrin. ‘But, my understanding is that as a Valisar I should feel that person and only that person who was born for me.’
    Kilt sighed. ‘That’s right. The Valisars are only aware of their own aegis,’ he lied, grateful for Leo’s obviously weak powers. ‘However, an aegis who comes too close would be aware of all the Valisars, which is why it’s so dangerous.’ He felt bad for lying, but knew it was necessary. ‘The magic inside me recognises you even though I am not your aegis. Your presence sickens me, Leo.’
    Leo looked at him, open-mouthed.
    ‘That came out the wrong way,’ Kilt backtracked. ‘What I’m trying to say is that what you saw me experience with Loethar is, to some degree, how I feel around you.’
    ‘I make you feel ill?’
    Kilt nodded. ‘I have worked very, very hard to overcome it. But it is always there. Your father did the same to me. The first time I saw the king from a distance my magic responded to him; that’s how I knew what I was. That’s why I made my home up here in the highlands, so I could avoid the towns and city, live as an outlaw, keep to myself and only have people around me I could utterly trust.’
    ‘And that’s why you’ve been avoiding me.’ Kilt watched the young king throw a glance at Jewd.
    ‘I have kept my distance, Leo, but I have
not
avoided you. Apart from your dealing with Freath, I am proud of you and what you have become. I just find it hard to be around you for long periods.’
    ‘And it’s different with Loethar?’ Jewd asked.
    Kilt gave a snort of despair. ‘Wildly different. I lose control. He nearly undid me back there,’ he admitted. ‘And he knew it. If he has another attempt at me, I won’t win. I was only able to resist this time because all of you came to my aid.’ Kilt shook his head with disgust. ‘Loethar’s a Valisar!’ he spat. ‘Incredible! He murdered his own brother.’
    ‘Half-brother,’ Leo corrected. ‘And he would take you to task over that. My father killed himself to prevent Loethar having the satisfaction.’
    Kilt shrugged. ‘Half-brother, full brother. Did your father know they were related, do you think?’
    Leo shook his head wearily. ‘I don’t know the answer to that. My heart says no, but Loethar seems to think my father was aware of him. My father was a man of secrets. It’s possible he could have known — that might explain why he went to such lengths to have the plan in place for me should Loethar overrun the Set.’
    Kilt agreed. ‘I didn’t know Brennus in the way that many did but my instincts combined with what I’ve learned over the anni suggest that he was perfectly capable of having this information and acting upon it.’
    ‘Why didn’t he just send an army in and kill Loethar if he knew?’ Jewd wondered.
    Leo shook his head. ‘That would not be his way. My father was not a coward but confronting Loethar on his territory, with nowhere for an army to take him by surprise, no familiarity of the lay of the land or helpful knowledge of what the enemy was capable of, would have definitely made him reluctant to take that approach. And perhaps he wasn’t completely sure of Loethar’s birthright, so he waited for Loethar to come to him.’
    ‘Very costly,’ Jewd remarked.
    ‘In hindsight, yes. Too costly,’ Leo admitted. He frowned and turned back to Kilt. ‘So in Loethar’s presence you will always feel nauseous and without control?’
    ‘In his presence I will be at his mercy. I will be made well again, of course, but only when he’s bonded me.’
    Leo nodded and looked at Jewd, who wore a quizzical expression. ‘The Valisar