War (The True Reign Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

him, jumping to his feet. He reached down to help him up. Savenek clasped his forearm, springing to his feet.
    “ I’ve never been beaten before,” he said, wiggling his jaw and placing his palm to his face.
    “ I know,” Darmik said. “Emperion is going to change all that.”
    Savenek smiled grimly. “I’m starting to get that impression.”
    “ You two done?” Neco asked.
    Darmik looked at Savenek, who nodded. Excellent , Darmik thought, he is already keeping his mouth shut .
    Vesha ran over to Savenek, b ut he waved her away. Audek pouted, handing Neco a few coins.
    Neco smiled. “Never bet against Darmik. He wins every time.”
    Darmik surveyed all five faces. They had a lot of work to do before they set foot on the mainland.
    The hot sun beat overhead.
    “ Everyone below deck,” Darmik ordered. “It’s time to formalize the plan and prepare. You’re all are going to play a vital role in recovering Rema.”

    Rema
     
    Rema ’s head smacked the corner of the footlocker, awakening her. She sat up, her back stiff and hip throbbing with pain from sleeping on the hard floor. She spent most of the night thinking about Darmik. Her heart ached. They had finally figured things out, and a relationship was forming between them. He even revealed that he loved her—and she loved him. Now, she’d never see him again, nor would she ever see Aunt Maya and Uncle Kar. Even if she managed to escape the assassin, how would she get back to Greenwood Island?
    There had to be a way out of this mess. Could she feasibly fake her own death? Make everyone think she jumped overboard, while secretly hiding on the ship somewhere?
    “ I’ll tie you up,” Nathenek said, making Rema jump.
    She g lanced over at him lying in bed, and noticed his cold, blue eyes staring at her. A chill ran through her body.
    Pushing back the covers, his legs slid to the ground. He sat there, watching her. “If you give me any trouble at all, I’ll put you back in the storage room.”
    “ I understand,” she said, trying to placate him.
    “ I don’t think you do.” He stood, wearing only his cotton sleep pants and undershirt. “I’m very good at reading people and understanding their intentions. If I see you plotting or thinking about escaping, that’s it. There won’t be a second chance.”
    Rema nodded, mentally kicking herself for being so transparent.
    He pulled on his tunic, making himself presentable.
    “ Excuse me,” he said, coming to stand before her. She slid out of the way, and Nathenek opened the footlocker, removing some clothes. “Here.” He handed them to her. “They’ll be big on you, but better than that thin nightdress you’re wearing.”
    After spending time in the frigid Middle Mountains, Rema was actually warm. Still, she took the items, grateful for the more practical clothing.
    “ I’ll be back in a few moments.” He left, closing and locking the door behind him.
    Rema hurried and yanked on the rough, wool pants. She slipped off her nightdress, putting on the undershirt and tunic. The clothes were huge, so she rolled up the sleeves and pants. She suddenly realized she no longer felt nauseous or queasy.
    S tretching, she wondered what she would do all day. Hopefully, Nathenek would return with food because her stomach kept growling from hunger. He claimed he needed her alive and well for the execution, so he should feed her. However, if she was indeed stuck in this small berth all day, then she needed to find a way to maintain her strength. When the opportunity presented itself, and Rema was certain it would, she wanted to be fully prepared and able to escape.
    Standing in the center of the tiny room, Rema started doing jumping jacks. After one hundred, she stretched her legs and arms. It felt great to move her body around.
    The door latch rattled , and Nathenek entered. Rema quickly sat on the ground, hoping he wouldn’t question what she’d been doing while he was gone.
    Nathenek squatted, handing Rema a