The Reign of Trees Read Online Free PDF

lady’s wishes. But when the maid straightened her shoulders, Illianah could see that the maid had gained courage to stand her ground. “I am sorry My Lady, but you must wear the pink.”
    “I insist that you fetch me a yellow gown at once.”
    “We must obey the prince,” the maid said as she backed out of the room.
    The maid left the room, only to be replaced by the same behemoth who had carried Illianah into the tower yesterday. He held his hand out. “Would you like to try walking today?” he asked. She was surprised that such a human monstrosity had even been taught to speak. She spoke that harsh thought to the soldier, but he did not flinch. “Shall I carry you then?” She hated that his voice sounded like he was laughing at her—like she was the untamed one.
    “I will walk, thank you,” she said, trying to sound stately.
    Illianah was taken to the throne room, where Prince Henrick sat upon an intricately carved wooden chair that was unmatched in craftsmanship. Sitting at the prince’s left was his father, King Henrick of Deltegra. The king’s hair and beard were gray; she had remembered him being dark like his son when she last saw him. He had seemed to age fiercely within the last few years.
    The brute held her by the arm, his thumb and his fingertips meeting as her entire upper arm was engulfed in his grasp. His hand tightened when she did not do that which was expected of her. “You are to bow to His Majesty, King Henrick,” the soldier said.
    “He is not my king. I will not bow to him,” Illianah said. She did not turn to address the soldier, but rather kept her eyes steadfast on the king.
    “Very well,” King Henrick said, and with a wave of his hand, he dismissed the soldier. She quickly looked around the room and counted at least eight more soldiers; each looked as big as the brute who had just let go of her arm. There was no chance for her to run. She would be captured faster than a rabbit being chased by a fox. “Princess Illianah, I do wish you could have been introduced to our court under different circumstances.”
    She looked at the prince. He was looking away, pretending as if he had no interest in this conversation, but the way that he held his mouth indicated his jaw was clenched. Was this conversation just as uncomfortable for him?
    “You mean to say that you never envisioned me being brought here against my will? Because there was never a time I would have come to Deltegra by choice. Your country has always been—and will always be—the last place in the Western Corridor I would ever desire to call home.”  
    The king looked slightly amused by her comment; however, his son did not. Prince Henrick turned his head and glared at the princess, his eyes full of black hatred.
    “I see that your mouth is still an unruly member. I had imagined that you would have been fitted with a muzzle by now. But do not worry Princess: you will not have to call Deltegra home for long. We have sent word of your capture to your father and given him the conditions for your release. We fully expect him to comply. You will likely be home within a matter of days.”
    “And the conditions of my release?”
    “That is none of your concern.”
    “I beg your pardon, sir , but it is my concern.” Illianah deliberately disrespected the king by calling him “sir,” knowing full-well he would not punish her for this slight. She was not one of his citizens. He had no power over her. She went on to say, “You are hoping to make your kingdom rich by ransoming me against the wealth of Burchess.”
    “I do no such thing. I only ask for the truth; and possibly some of your father’s pride.”
    “I hardly know what you mean, sir.”
    “Precisely.”
    She again looked to Prince Henrick, hoping he would give her some explanation of this peculiar ransom, but he stared through her as if this room was unoccupied by a princess who not so long ago was sought by every eligible royal throughout the region,