Well of Tears (Empath Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

own mental fortitude. Others, like Ross,
simply recalled, through seeing the girl so often, that she existed
in some form. If Quinn could resist Neyv, then she might go from
being an asset to being a challenge.
    He had the throne. Shiver was a threat, but
could be controlled. If Shiver tried to use Quinn against him,
Sammah would have to kill her next.
    Neyv trotted back into the room carrying a
plain wooden jug full of water. She placed it on the table and went
to move away, but within seconds Vance was bawling at the girl
again, “Put it in a glass, girl. What’s wrong with you? Are you new
here? What’s happened to my page?”
    Neyv dropped the king a curtsey. “Apologies
your highness, the kitchens are a mess and I was sent up here so we
didn’t keep you waiting.”
    “Yes, yes some things must be a state.
Sammah, you were talking about our preparations—what word from the
borders. Is Shiver showing any sign of attack?”
    “ I don ’t think it
will come to that, not yet.” Sammah waved his hands dismissively.
“Shiver might have gathered a decent force, but I don’t believe he
has the balls to attack us directly. No, he’s already shown how
brave his is by trying to poison you. He is going to try and win
this from a distance. That’s why we have to keep you isolated, and
away from anyone that might cause you harm.”
    “ You said …” Vance
waved at Sammah, who threw the vial across the room. Vance caught
it with a desperate snatch, dropping a couple of splashes of his
special tincture into a glass of water. “Including those with
abilities, like Maertn. Tell me why I should trust you again?”
    “Because sire," Sammah said with a laugh, “I
was born plain, remember? I have no ability. I come from a
reputable house, but compared to my elder brother I am nothing.
Therefore he sought to make use of me politically. Hopefully sire,
after all this time spent in your court, you can see the benefits
that has brought.”
    “Yes, I…” Vance shook his head, trying to
clear his mind as Sammah’s story wedged its way in. “I still find
it hard that Shiver has gone to such lengths to try and take the
throne. I knew he was callous, but this? Forgive my rambling, I
don’ t feel well. ”
    Sammah’s tale for Vance had been simple, and
repeatedly reinforced to not only the king, but those that might
encounter him. The royal guards all believed the same. Shiver was
the one to blame for the attacks. Shiver had killed Alec, and been
behind the plot to dethrone the king. Shiver had framed Sammah for
it all, using the baron’s position in court as the reason he could
get so close to the king and his family. The beauty of the story
was its simplicity: it had been easy to convince most, that this
was the new truth.
    The king guzzled down the glass of water in
one go, shuddering only slightly at the bitter aftertaste. “We have
our grain stores, and what remains of the harvest to bring in from
the fields. We can preserve much, as well as the meats. We have
meagre water provisions, according to my notes, but we can dip into
the waters of the springs as a last resort.”
    “Of course sire, I can review those for you.
Now sire, if I can implore you to please get some rest? You’ve
exhausted yourself. Look at you, your skin is flushed. Do you have
a headache? Are you feverish?”
    Sammah shuffled over to the king, cushioning
him gently by the elbow and leading him to the bed. On hearing the
baron’s words, Vance lifted a shaking hand to his forehead.
“ I do, I do feel hot , now that you’ve
mentioned it. Please, close the curtains. I cannot be dealing with
that bright light— I don ’t know what
possessed me to open them. Leave me. Keep me abreast of the
preparations, but do not tire me with the small details. If Erran
and Calvin get out of line then just send them to me. I am still
the king; you, Sammah, are my vessel.”
    Sammah bowed, “Anything for you, your
Highness.” Some advanced in the government