A Forest of Wolves Read Online Free PDF

“According to my mother’s letter, a royal decree declaring my lineage is hidden somewhere in the castle’s Treasury keep.”
    A grin spread across his face. “Well, hell, Mila. That changes everything.”
    * * *
    â€œShe shouldn’t be here.” Igor drank deeply before slamming the empty mug onto the wet table. “I’m telling you all, but no one wants to listen to me. Mark my words. We will regret this later.”
    â€œDrink your ale, Brother,” Petr said.
    I sat at the end of the table beside Marc, but I heard Igor’s accusations. I dismissed his words as the rambling of an old drunken man, but I worried about the consequences of people overhearing him. This was our third day in Kladno and I didn’t want to be labeled a spy or a traitor. I had enough people after me; I didn’t need to add to my list of enemies.
    The tavern was filled to capacity, people squeezed onto the benches as more and more of the townsfolk poured into the room. The stifling air reeked of sour beer and unwashed bodies.
    Ruzena sat close to Ivan, one of the men who had helped with Marc’s escape. Her hand rested lightly on his arm. Ivan wore a smug smile; it was clear he thought the other men in the room envied him because Ruzena was showing him attention. Did she know all the rebels? Did they all desire her?
    Ruzena.
    With her long blond hair and heart-shaped face. Ruzena—who was in love with my Marc. My jaw clenched, but I swallowed back the vile feelings I held toward the former castle servant.
    I would never forget the day I first met her. She’d tumbled down the stairs arm in arm with Marc when I stopped by the blacksmith’s shop unannounced to give him an invitation to the revealing of the crown jewels. Afterward, Marc had claimed nothing had happened between them the night before, but if that was the case, it wasn’t because Ruzena didn’t want it to. She clearly was in love with him.
    She wanted Marc more than anything....
    Stop.
    I was being petty.
    Ruzena had risked her life to help Marc escape from Daliborka Tower. She’d smuggled my dragon dagger outside the castle to Henrik. I’d suspected he would need the jewels for bribes. I wasn’t certain if she’d do it, but she had. I wasn’t stupid enough to believe she’d helped me out of the goodness of her heart. She’d done it because she loved Marc and wanted him out of prison. And she’d assumed I’d be married to Radek by now.
    Which, arguably, I was . . .
    â€œYou’re thinking hard.” Marc pushed the hair from my face. “What’s turning around in your pretty little head?”
    Jealousy?
    â€œNothing. What are we waiting for?” I whispered.
    â€œFor everyone to get here. Then the meeting will start.”
    I couldn’t imagine more people fitting into the tavern, but a never-ending stream of rebels proceeded to pour inside. The entire town of Kladno was in attendance.
    Finally, after another half an hour of waiting, Petr climbed on top of the bar.
    â€œWhat is he doing?” I asked.
    â€œGetting the room’s attention,” Henrik answered.
    Henrik was right. As Petr stood high on the bar, the room grew quiet. He stepped over a plate of goulash and between a row of beer mugs. “People of Kladno and our visitors from Prague, welcome!”
    The room applauded.
    Petr lifted his arm and the crowd quieted. A black string was tied around his left wrist. Marc and Henrik wore the same band. It was the symbol of the Protestant revolution. All the rebels in the room wore the same symbolic string around their wrists.
    â€œI am happy to announce the safe arrival of my sons, Marc and Henrik.” Petr paced on top of the bar.
    Igor stood on wobbly legs and raised his mug in the air. “To Jiri, may he drink with the angels in Heaven. We will avenge my nephew’s murder.”
    A hundred or so mugs rose in the air.
    Marc swallowed and