just shrugged her shoulders.
“MASON!” Kieran shouted to get his attention. His head snapped toward Kieran. He looked to be on the verge of panic. Kieran spoke in a low voice. “Pull your sword and fight me now.”
Mason looked around the room frantically, desperately seeking help from someone. Anyone. He received nothing back but impassive glances. Mason apparently was not well liked here. He turned once more to Renard. “Please, Renard, stop this madness.”
Renard shook his head sadly. “I’m sorry, Mason. You must fight him. The challenge has been issued.”
Kieran watched with interest as Mason’s face turned a putrid shade of green. For the man to be this scared, he clearly was not a good swordsman. He clearly didn’t have a level head on his shoulders either or he would have insisted they use magic, which Kieran would gladly oblige. But he was glad he didn’t. He wanted to feel his sword pierce through Mason’s cowardly flesh.
Mason turned reluctantly and faced Kieran. He reached down to his sword and pulled it out. Kieran’s adrenaline spiked. He was finally going to get justice for Annika. Kieran raised his sword and prepared to lunge, but Mason threw his sword to the ground. What the fuck?
Mason followed his sword and fell to his knees. He started crawling toward Kieran and tears were running down his face. “Please,” he sobbed. “I am begging your mercy.”
Reaching Kieran’s boot, Mason reached out and grabbed ahold. “Mercy. I beg you.”
Kieran looked down at Mason in disgust and stepped backwards, having to shake his foot to dislodge Mason’s hand. He looked over his shoulder at Carrick and damned if Carrick wasn’t turned away from him, his head hanging down and his shoulders were shaking. The jackass was laughing.
Kieran looked back down at Mason and snarled. “Pick up your sword and fight me.”
Mason continued to cry and then he looked to Renard. “I’m sorry, Renard. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to, but Annika was just so beautiful. I couldn’t help myself. She fought me every step of the way, but I made her. And..and…” Mason let out a hiccup and Kieran rolled his eyes, “I threatened her life and yours if she told. Now please, you have full confession. Stop this madness and don’t let him kill me.”
Kieran glanced at Renard. The man paled substantially and actually clutched a hand over his heart. He gasped. “You lied to me. I took your word over Annika’s.”
“Yes. I lied. I lied about all of it. Now please, call off this mad man.”
Mad man? I’m the mad man? Kieran snorted in disgust and lowered his sword. He looked back at Carrick and he at least had the grace to stop laughing, but his lips were still quirked.
Renard turned to face Keiran. “You have the right to kill him if you want. I will not stop you. Or I will have him arrested to stand trial.”
“I can’t kill a man who is so cowardly he cannot stand up and fight.” Disgusted, Kieran turned his back on both Renard and Mason and walked over to Ava, sheathing his sword as he went. “I’m ready to leave.”
Renard stepped forward to Ava. “Ava, I hope this in no way damages the very good relationship we have had all these years. I can assure you that…”
“Enough, Renard,” Ava said loudly. But then she stepped in closer to whisper so only he and Kieran heard. “You stood by ignorant while your daughter was attacked over and over again. You chose to believe Mason over your own flesh and blood. I can’t imagine the damage you have inflicted on her. You are to consider yourself relieved as an ally to Kestevayne. Furthermore, I am cancelling all import and export contracts between our countries. I will also see to it that every other country will do the same. Then I will sit back and watch while your country withers and dies.”
Renard gasped. “You can’t. You are dooming my people as well.”
“You’re people will be welcome in Kestevayne or any other country. Or perhaps they will revolt. I’m wondering how safe you really will be here in your palace.”
“Ava, please…” Renard begged.
“Goodbye, Renard. Mercy to your soul.”
CHAPTER 27
Kieran sat on his balcony, drinking a beer and watching the sun set. Carrick had just left and had presented a very interesting offer to him. Apparently, Carrick and Ava wanted Kieran to become a traveling ambassador to the other AltVerita. They wanted him to establish contact with other worlds and set up trade