Deadly Intentions (Blood Feud - Volume 2) by David Temrick

to
return to the front lines and drive both Princes back deep into
Vallius territory. Using Kenting as his new forward command post he
would continue his conquest until he watched Metao burn down around
King Dion.
     
    ~
     
    Be cautious my sister. Her
brother-in-arms warned by way of the communication fire between
them. The dragons have their powers back; you must not reveal
our involvement.
    I am aware of that my brother. She
replied a little too sharply. Cyrisa regained her composure before
continuing. Apologies my brother, I am irritated at the dragon
spawns progress. She sent.
    I understand. Came his stoic reply. Control, my sister; you must master yourself. He
instructed.
    I had the pavilion created as a
diversion. She admitted. I needed the vantage point from
which to see what the boy had planned.
    She felt him laugh with general amusement. Got a little more than you anticipated? He asked
rhetorically.
    Quite. She replied with thinly veiled
sarcasm. But now we know what the dragons look like in their
human forms. Cyrisa offered.
    True. He admitted. This is the only
reason you’re not a smoking pile of ash. He warned.
    I will be more cautious. She
offered.
    Then you’ll do. He replied with a
smirk. Someone approaches. Good fortune to you sister.
    And you. She sent as the flames died
down.
    Cyrisa looked over her shoulder in irritation
as King Boris entered the room. Instantly she smoothed her face
into a welcoming smile. She stood and motioned for him to assume
his seat at the head of the table.
    “How fare you this morning my King?” She
asked smoothly.
    She felt his contempt, though he tried to
mask his thoughts from her. She allowed him to think he was
succeeding. In his arrogance he was quickly becoming her puppet,
though he thought otherwise. How cute. She thought
venomously. He thinks I can’t hear him anymore.
    “I didn’t sleep well.” He replied a little
too stiffly.
    She smiled warmly, hiding her growing
impatience with the irritating peacock and replied; “I could make
you a tonic, to help you sleep soundly.” She offered. Immediately
she felt his suspicions and changed tactics, hoping that it wasn’t
too late to appear flippant.
    “No need, I’ll sleep better tonight.” He said
stiffly.
    Cyrisa cursed in her mind. He was definitely
on to her machinations; she was going to have to accelerate her
plan. She began reviewing his commanders, wondering which one would
be easiest to influence to depose the King and become her willing
puppet. Cyrisa hoped she wouldn’t have to use her body to influence
the fool; lovemaking was such a waste of valuable energy.
    “Oh?” She asked as though she was
interested.
    The sorceress felt his growing frustration,
knowing full well that she would need to either kill him or
outright posses the King. Either task could prove to be fatal if
she was caught.
    “I’m riding east to check on the forward
positions today.” He replied in a guarded tone.
    The King was slowly fighting his way free of
her control and there were moments when he could shield his
intentions from her thoughts. She reached out and touched the mind
of her brother she had just been speaking to in the fire. Cyrisa
concentrated as hard as she could, drawing her power in around her
as she sent three words; Come to me. She hid her smile
behind the loaf of rye bread as she felt his acceptance.
     
    ~
     
    “No chance in hell.” Tristan said with
conviction. “It’s one thing to fly on your backs from one location
to the other. It’s quite another to fly into battle on your back.”
He shot in alarm.
    Eurydice was beside herself with excitement,
but Tristan’s growing trepidation was beginning to visibly upset
her. Otis had sprung the news on him with sadistic glee that only
the old man in white could have done. Ruth and Lesa were equally
amused, it seemed only Drake shared his concerns.
    The old man had grabbed Tristan by the arm
and frog marched him over to Bethia who was laying down