Reluctant Prince Read Free Page B

boy.”
    “I don’t exactly know, Your Majesty.” He finally lowered his gaze to the floor. “I saw her. She was cloaked in shadow and smoke, sheltering a younger child. Her eyes met mine, and they spoke to me. I can’t explain it, sir, but I don’t think this is the way.” How could he possibly explain the wave of feeling that surged over him at the sight of her to men who’d been without emotions for hundreds of years?
    “Permission to speak, sir.” Kai interrupted King Maynard’s silent contemplation.
    “Yes, Kai.”
    “With all due respect, Your Majesty, Jackson has proven himself not only to be weak, but disloyal as well. He was given a direct order, and he disobeyed it. It’s not as if something prevented him from completing his assigned task, he simply chose to ignore the directive of this kingdom. Unfortunately, his actions warrant the most severe penalty. It is my suggestion that he be condemned to death.” Kai clutched his staff in a two fisted grip.
    Ouch. Jackson flinched. That was a bit harsh, but not completely out of line. The punishment for disobeying a direct order was execution.
    “You will have to explain yourself further, Jackson.”
    “Sir.” Kai spat the word. “There is no excuse for disobedience. The ability to follow orders is one of the most fundamental qualities in a soldier. Without obedience he is useless to us. And what of loyalty? Has he none?”
    Jackson spared the warrior a glare, but what could he say? Kai was right. Their laws were quite clearly defined. Jackson disobeyed a direct order from the King. The penalty for his crime was exile or execution. There was no grey area. How was he going to worm his way out of this?
    “I understand that, Kai, and will take your argument into consideration, but one of the most fundamental qualities in a future king is the ability to make decisions. I would like to understand Jackson’s reasoning before condemning him.” His father’s tone left no room for argument.
    A small surge of satisfaction shot through Jackson.
    Kai snapped his mouth shut and settled the frown back into place.
    King Maynard returned his attention to Jackson, effectively dismissing his advisor. “Do you understand the position you are in?”
    “Yes, Father, I do.”
    “You were included in the council with the seer. He has foretold of the girl existing in this kingdom, has seen her surrounded by light. Are you questioning the prophecy?”
    Hmm. He hadn’t thought of that. “Perhaps I am. Is it possible Elijah was mistaken?”
    Kai huffed.
    King Maynard glared at him. “Send for Elijah.”
    Kai gritted his teeth, went to the door, and sent a guard to retrieve the seer.
    “Father, I’m sure this is not what’s meant to be. When I saw her, every instinct I had screamed at me not to take her. I respect your orders, and the visions of the prophet, but you’ve always taught me to respect my instincts as well.”
    His father fingered the small, jeweled sheath at his waist. The razor sharp dagger it held had been the death of more than one traitor. “We’ll see what Elijah has to say.”
    Jackson waited impatiently for the man who now controlled his destiny. Could he make them understand that force wasn’t always the way? They had lived in shadow for too long. Violence had become the answer to everything. Maybe it was time to change.
    “Your Majesty.” Elijah bowed in the traditional greeting. “Has something happened?” He turned his piercing, ice blue eyes on Jackson. “Was the girl not where I told you she’d be?”
    “She was there, sir.”
    “Did the earth not shake?” His delicate hand fluttered to his chest.
    “It shook. There was much destruction.”
    Being a powerful sorcerer, Elijah had sustained the tremors much longer than they’d intended. “Then where is the girl? Has something happened to her?”
    “No, sir.” He was tired of tiptoeing around. He squared his shoulders. “I mean no disrespect, Elijah.” He bowed his head in