Schism: The Battle for Darracia (Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page A

rested on the antics of his sons. He shrugged. “I see what you are saying. Do you want me to stop them?”
    “ Sometimes we must let nature do what it must.” Reminda faced him. “It is not easy, but we must let him find himself.”
    “ He is young. I thought to introduce him to the delights of manhood sometime in the fourth moon phase.” Drakko frowned. “Should I send a detail to follow him?”
    Reminda raised her finely arched brow s. “If he sees them, Tulani will never have a chance. V’sair is exceedingly private.” She saw her husband’s dark lips purse. He was struggling with the whole idea. “He wants to learn the Fireblade,” Reminda told him in a soft voice.
    “ It will kill him.”
    “I agree, but he does not feel like a man.”
    Drakko grunted. “I was afraid of this. I cannot let him do it, Reminda. He is your only son. There are many who would take this opportunity—”
    “ Tosh, tosh, my husband. You have made the kingdom safe. You have set the stage for a great future. V’sair will bring in a new age to this planet—one of peace and unity. Quyroos, Darracians, and Plantas will have an equal say in the Moon Council.”
    “ In that order, my love?” he asked her with a charming smile. He was so rakishly handsome that her eyes never tired of drinking in his strength and masculine beauty.
    Drakko held her hands in his giant ones. “You are cold?” His face appeared concerned. He looked up and called to one of the many attendants, “A wrap for my lady!” Then he looked at the two Quyroos who fed the constant fire in the enormous fireplace. “Build up the fire!”
    They turned the lever that added fuel , and he watched the flames roar, the heat bathing Reminda’s face. Many of the Darracians hurriedly moved away from the warmth; Countess Beatha scowled and tossed off one of her jackets. She snapped for a servant to bring her fan, opened it, and made a great display of her growing discomfort with the heat. Drakko snorted and told the servants to make it hotter. He motioned for an attendant to bring a steaming cup of chay for his wife. When it was delivered to her, she sipped it with a satisfied smile.
    Reminda had worked hard to tame this wild race. Darracian men were quick to temper, and Drakko ’s father had ruled this planet in a totalitarian way. Though she came from another world, Darracians did not take well to anyone who looked different. It was only after the birth of their child that she had seen a change in her husband. A smile touched her lips when she thought of the first time she had placed the soft, mewing newborn into his iron-like embrace. The steel had melted, replaced with a bond of love. That day the great warrior king had changed forever.
    Drakko threw back his great head and roared with laughter. “So it is finally time?” he asked Reminda, his face full of mirth. “You know I would have arranged it.” He looked at the servant girl appreciatively. “It is late for him to be traveling to the Desa.”
    “ I know, but we have to let him do something…Oh, I can’t believe this!”
    “ What?” Drakko started to turn.
    “ No, no. Don’t look at them.” She pulled his arm so that he faced her. “Zayden has just given him another a drink.” She laughed lightly. “Poor V’sair. He has such a stupid look on his face.”
    Drakko smiled . “Should I call Zayden?”
    “ I need to speak to Tulani. He should be fine by then. Make sure this is his last one.”
    “ Of course. Do you need me to talk to V’sair?”
    “ There is no need. Mo’mo has it all handled. One moment, m’aore,” she said affectionately, as she caressed his rugged face. Reminda held up an elegant finger and motioned for Tulani to follow her to an alcove in the room.
     
    ***
     
    V’sair stood in the center of the room, nodding to various guests. He spied a group of unmarried daughters of noble birth gathered close to a water-filled structure with fish from around the planet. It was a