Adrian Read Online Free PDF

but Glayer Felsteppe lived.
    â€œWhat does this woman want us to do?” Roman asked hesitantly. “If Felsteppe is not to return to her land until spring, that is a long time to wait.”
    â€œShe wishes assistance in locating the Wyldonian fortune,” Victor said, releasing Constantine’s forearm with a sigh. Whatever reaction the abbot had been looking for from the general was not forthcoming. “The queen has no choice but to pay the price Felsteppe demands, else her people will be massacred.”
    â€œUnless we take care of Glayer Felsteppe once and for all when he returns to collect his spoils,” Roman guessed.
    Victor nodded. “That was my thought.”
    Adrian had felt the blackness growing in him since hearing Felsteppe’s name spoken aloud. It was taking all his concentration to keep the rage under control.
    â€œWhat would you have us do, Victor?” he bit out. “Go about some scraggly Scot rock, overturning stones in search of a tiny coin chest?”
    â€œThe legend of Wyldonna speaks of a great fortune hidden somewhere within the castle itself, perhaps protected by an enchantment.”
    Adrian sighed in disgust and replaced his cup on the sill as he gained his feet. He’d had quite enough. If he listened to much more, his temper would get the better of him.
    Victor continued as Adrian shelved the manuscript. “I thought Roman might go, because he is most familiar with the northern hemisphere. Lady Maisie says that the castle itself is something of an enchantment—with rooms that seem to disappear at will, corridors that continue endlessly, hidden trapdoors that lead to inaccessible dungeons.”
    â€œRidiculous,” Adrian muttered and walked toward the stone doorway.
    â€œOf course I will go,” Roman said from the room behind Adrian. “If I must, I will tear the stones from the walls.”
    Adrian came to a halt and spun on the room. “There won’t be any need for that, Roman. It’s simple building design—you of anyone else here should realize that. An interior wall always has something behind it. An inaccessible dungeon must have a ceiling . Corridors lead somewhere , even if it’s to a solid wall. Which, referencing my first point, has something behind it!” He was nearly shouting his arguments now.
    â€œBut . . . it’s enchanted,” Victor said.
    â€œI’ll go,” Roman repeated firmly, turning his face toward the abbot. “I know the legends. Perhaps I can—”
    Adrian snorted. “Perhaps you can be stung by this paltry queen’s illusions? What will you do when she insists the enchantment requires a blood sacrifice?” He waggled his fingers in the air.
    â€œI’m no fool, Adrian,” Roman said with his formidable brows lowering.
    Constantine’s declaration cut into a ready rejoinder that Adrian would later be glad was never spoken.
    â€œI will go.”
    All eyes turned to the general, who still regarded the smooth oiled wood of the table.
    â€œIf Glayer Felsteppe lives, he owes me a great, great debt. One that is not payable with his pathetic life, but I would take it all the same.”
    â€œIf it is even Glayer Felsteppe who threatens this . . . this woman!” Adrian insisted. “Her mythical kingdom could be a hovel outside Edinburgh. Her fantastic fortune a plated spoon one of Felsteppe’s deserters stole from her. It’s a goose hunt. Or a trap.” Adrian paused. “And, forgive me for saying so, but you are in no condition to be placed in a position requiring clear judgment.”
    Stan’s head rose, and his deep, pained eyes warned Adrian. “Explain to me why I have not the right to exact my revenge on the man who murdered my son. My little boy, who was not quite six years.”
    â€œI didn’t say you hadn’t the right ,” Adrian defended. “Of course you have the right . Nay, above anyone else in