Heir of Fire Read Online Free PDF Page B

cracked, rounded horn. Such a simple, plain sword for one of the greatest warriors in Erilea.
    â€œ Th e Sword of Orynth,” Aedion drawled. “A gi ft from His Majesty upon my fi rst victory.”
    Everyone knew that sword. It had been an heirloom of Terrasen’s royal family, passed from ruler to ruler. By right, it was Celaena’s. It had belonged to her father. For Aedion to possess it, considering what that sword now did, the lives it took, was a slap in the face to Celaena and to her family.
    â€œI’m surprised you bother with such sentimentality,” Dorian said.
    â€œSymbols have power, Prince,” Aedion said, pinning him with a stare. Celaena’s stare—­unyielding and alive with challenge. “You’d be surprised by the power this still wields in the North—­what it does to convince people not to pursue foolhardy plans.”
    Perhaps Celaena’s skills and cunning ­weren’t unusual in her bloodline. But Aedion was an Ashryver, not a Galathynius—­which meant that his great-­grandmother had been Mab, one of the three Fae-­Queens, in recent generations crowned a goddess and renamed Deanna, Lady of the Hunt. Chaol swallowed hard.
    Silence fell, taut as a bowstring. “Trouble between you two?” Aedion asked, biting into his meat. “Let me guess: a woman. Th e King’s Champion, perhaps? Rumor has it she’s . . . interesting. Is that why you’ve moved on from my sort of fun, princeling?” He scanned the hall. “I’d like to meet her, I think.”
    Chaol fought the urge to grip his sword. “She’s away.”
    Aedion instead gave Dorian a cruel smile. “Pity. Perhaps she might have convinced me to move on as well.”
    â€œMind your mouth,” Chaol snarled. He might have laughed had he not wanted to strangle the general so badly. Dorian merely drummed his fi ngers on the table. “And show some respect.”
    Aedion chuckled, fi nishing o ff the lamb. “I am His Majesty’s faithful servant, as I have always been.” Th ose Ashryver eyes once more settled on Dorian. “Perhaps I’ll be your whore someday, too.”
    â€œIf you’re still alive by then,” Dorian purred.
    Aedion went on eating, but Chaol could still feel his relentless focus pinned on them. “Rumor has it a Matron of a witch clan was killed on the premises not too long ago,” Aedion said casually. “She vanished, though her quarters indicated she’d put up a hell of a fi ght.”
    Dorian said sharply, “What’s your interest in that?”
    â€œI make it my business to know when the power brokers of the realm meet their end.”
    A shiver spider-­walked down Chaol’s spine. He knew little about the witches. Celaena had told him a few stories—­and he’d always prayed they ­were exaggerated. But something like dread fl ickered across Dorian’s face.
    Chaol leaned forward. “It’s none of your concern.”
    Aedion again ignored him and winked at the prince. Dorian’s nostrils fl ared, the only sign of the rage that was rising to the surface. Th at, and the air in the room shi ft ed—­brisker. Magic.
    Chaol put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “We’re going to be late,” he lied, but Dorian caught it. He had to get Dorian out—­away from Aedion—­and try to leash the disastrous storm that was brewing between the two men. “Rest well, Aedion.” Dorian didn’t bother saying anything, his sapphire eyes frozen.
    Aedion smirked. “ Th e party’s tomorrow in Ri ft hold if you feel like reliving the good old days, Prince.” Oh, the general knew exactly what buttons to push, and he didn’t give a damn what a mess it made. It made him dangerous—­deadly.
    Especially where Dorian and his magic ­were concerned. Chaol forced himself to say good night to some of his men,