Warrior's Ransom (The First Argentines #2) - Jeff Wheeler Page 0,71

met his gaze and gave him a nod of recognition.

“Of all the formidable qualities our neighbors from Ceredigion possess,” said King Estian with a cunning smile, “perhaps the most pronounced is rudeness.”

Ransom heard a scuffle break out behind him, but he didn’t turn around.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Ransom demanded, glaring at Estian, but he nodded toward Benedict.

“Is it not fitting and proper that the lords of Occitania should assemble to advise their king and do his bidding?” said Estian. “Sit, Sir Ransom. There’s a chair here for you as well.”

“I am not your vassal,” said Ransom.

“He’s too pompous to do what’s best for him,” said Benedict boldly. “He will not serve you.”

“Will he serve you when you are king, I wonder?” asked Estian, leaning forward. “I know you came bearing a threat, Sir Ransom. I’m weary of Devon’s intrigues, so I thought I might try some of my own. The duchy of Vexin is now part of the kingdom of Occitania. Benedict has knelt and sworn fealty to me. That puts him under the protection of the treaty that you so recently forced me to sign. A two years’ truce, if you remember. Bayree belongs to Devon if he still wants it. I care not. But you must cross my lands to get to it or otherwise take a ship. I don’t really care.” He scratched the wooden armrest of the throne with his fingernail.

A sense of betrayal roiled inside Ransom’s chest. He glared at the nobles of Occitania, feeling their rancor in return. His gaze fixed on Benedict. Had Alix known all along that Estian intended to pursue an alliance with Prince Benedict?

She’d never intended to switch sides. Her sole purpose had been to get him to do so . . . or to distract him from what was unfolding.

“What did he promise you?”

“More than I ever got from my father,” said Benedict. “Including his latest offer, which a courier brought to me just yesterday. It’s time to alter the game. Instead of taking Father’s bribe, I’ve agreed to give the King of Occitania the duchy of La Marche. In return, I’ll get to keep the Vexin, Bayree, Brythonica, and the rest once I become king. I never liked Westmarch anyway. When you go back to Kingfountain, be a good man, and tell Father I’m coming.” He looked confident and aloof. “And when I do, I’ll take it all away from him.”

It was a blow to Ransom’s heart. “Don’t do this,” he said.

Benedict took another sip. “He’s done it to himself. He may say he’ll share his power, but I know better. He’ll never give it up unless forced. The money he offered is an insult. Did he truly think I’d accept so little so late?”

“The last time you rebelled against him, you failed. Do not expect his forgiveness this time.”

“I’ll take your words to heart, Sir Ransom. It’s not too late for you, you know. Join my side. Swear fealty to me as the rightful king of Ceredigion, and it will end with less pain and suffering.”

Ransom hung his head. “You’ll break his heart.”

“I intend to break more than that,” said Benedict coldly.

Alix had left the palace. She was going to Kingfountain to murder King Devon. The certainty of that blazed in his mind. He turned to leave and saw guards had come and disarmed the knights who’d accompanied him. One stood out from the rest: Sir Robert Tregoss in the black tunic of the king’s knights. The recognition of the man who had helped destroy Devon the Younger jolted him. The danger he was in was immense.

“You broke the peace when you stormed your way in here,” said Estian in a mocking tone. “I’ll have these twenty as punishment for your discourtesy.”

The rush of the falls filled Ransom’s ears, as loud as he was angry. Benedict’s betrayal would injure the realm. Alone, he could not face his father and win. But with help from Estian and his mysterious Wizr set, he would likely prevail. Assuming the king survived long enough for there to be a war.

He reached for the hilt of his bastard sword and drew it from the sheath in a single fluid movement. He lunged forward and held the tip at Estian’s throat, pushing him back into the throne with his other hand.

Shocked cries of outrage came from the throne room.

“Stay seated or he dies,” Ransom threatened.

Estian’s eyes widened with surprise. He swallowed once, and the bulge made his throat brush against the tip