Scholar of Magic (Art of the Adept #3) - Michael G. Manning Page 0,37

Will. “I see your habits haven’t changed in recent months, William. Have you no knee for your monarch?”

Will’s brain had finally settled on muted terror for the emotional backdrop of his mind, and consequently his common sense began to suffer for it. The last time he had met the king in person had been when he had confronted the man about his daughter. As the months had passed peacefully, he had begun to secretly hope that perhaps he wouldn’t ever have to meet Lognion again. Rationally he had known that wouldn’t really be possible—he had pledged to kill the man, after all—but even so, he wasn’t mentally prepared to face Selene’s father again.

Naturally, he said something stupid, “I thought perhaps family weren’t required to do that sort of thing.”

A faint quirk appeared at the corner of Lognion’s mouth then vanished quickly. “Only in private, assuming I choose to allow you such freedoms, and only if you’re prepared to speak to me in a familial manner. Are you suggesting you’d like to call me Father?”

Several awkward seconds passed as Will tried to figure out a response. Apparently he had two options, but he certainly didn’t feel like calling the devil in front of him Father. He bowed instead. “Your Majesty, I didn’t expect to encounter you here.”

“Nor I you, William.” He glanced at the paralyzed commander once again. “Would you mind releasing my man?”

“Oh!” Will had forgotten. He dropped the source-link spell a second later.

Meanwhile, Lognion’s attention had turned to Laina, who still had her head down and knees bent as she maintained her curtsey. “Miss Nerrow, be at ease. I trust you are safe and sound?” Before she could answer, the commander finished standing and the king held up one hand. “One moment before you answer that.” He turned to the commander, and without warning his arm lashed out, backhanding the soldier and sending him tumbling to the ground. “Your idiocy almost cost my daughter a husband. Get back on your feet.” The king’s face shifted from rage to utmost calm as he faced Laina once again. “Where were we?”

Will’s half-sister seemed disturbed by what she had seen. Swallowing to clear her throat, she answered, “I’m unhurt, Your Majesty. Thank you for asking.”

“Glad to hear it.” Lognion addressed the commander again. “The one on fire was our target wasn’t it?”

“Yes, Sire.”

The monarch sighed with obvious irritation. “An interrogation is unlikely now, but perhaps the body will give us some answers. Detail one of the men to see that the remains are recovered.” Then Lognion’s focus shifted. “Is this the one you mentioned before?” He waved a hand in the direction of Laina’s fallen bodyguard. The woman’s wounds had finished healing, but she hadn’t risen to her feet yet.

The commander stiffened. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Seize her,” ordered the king. It happened so quickly that Laina barely had time to yelp as the two soldiers on either side stepped forward and grabbed Darla. The woman offered no resistance as they pulled her to her feet and dragged her to stand in front of the King of Terabinia.

Lognion’s eyes lit with excitement and he drew a poniard from his belt. “Hold her.”

“Your Majesty!” protested Laina. Will started to step forward, but Lognion turned his gaze on them and he froze.

“I merely wish to confirm the lady’s identity,” said the king with a sneer. Then he whistled and four more men stepped into the light near the street corner. They were dressed identically to the other soldiers. The men joined them, and the commander detailed two of the newcomers to keep an eye on the burning remains while the others stayed alert in case trouble broke out.

Laina deflated and Will stepped back, unsure what to do. Starting a fight now would only endanger his sister.

The king brought the dagger up and inserted the blade into the collar of the woman’s tunic then pulled downward. It cut for only an inch before meeting a hidden layer of mail. A chain vest was sandwiched between layers of linen. Undeterred, Lognion kept working, moving the blade to either side and cutting away the fabric. After a moment only the mail vest and the padding