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

remain tightlipped.
Vance rolled over, digging himself deeper into his luxurious
failings, forgetting they existed. Sammah waved Neyv out of the
room, and closed the door on the king behind him. This was the way
everyone in Sammah’s life should serve—with unquestioning
obedience.

3
     
    “What King Shiver
expects is unwavering obedience.”
    Quinn rolled her eyes, and Eden saw it,
failing to hide a smirk in response. They were seated together on a
horse at the head of Harn’s small caravan of soldiers and wagons.
They’d passed through Port Kahnel without incident, although they
managed to draw quite a crowd, slowing down their progress. Quinn
had been scared that they would be mobbed, but most had recognised
the soldiers’ garb in the green and gold of Sevenspells and called
out in support. The people of the port knew that war was coming,
and their lord had pledged his loyalty to Sevenspells. Harn had
declared they would ride for as long as it took to stay for the
night in the same place they’d broken camp that morning. He had
left a handful of guardsmen to hold the spot, which was tactically
easy to retain, he claimed.
    Quinn hadn’t been interested in the details,
though Eden had. So had Ross, eager to know that they’d be safe
overnight in the hands of strange men. Harn had been telling the
truth, or at least Quinn knew that he believed they would be
safe, so she had let the soldiers get on with their chatter. With
that one quick gesture in Kahnel, Quinn picked up the faint thread
of so many nerves, and so much fear, that she hadn’t felt safe to
read anyone else until they were a long distance clear of the
harbour and its crowds.
    In isolation, Quinn had quickly checked on
Eden and Ross. Eden was almost bouncing with tense anxiety and,
more worryingly, excitement. Ross was oozing calm, as he always
did. The man’s patience was infuriating. Quinn wished he could
teach her how to keep such a cool head, no matter how much seemed
to be going wrong around him. Quinn leaned back in the saddle,
closing her eyes. She hadn’t rested enough since the Sighs. Eden
was guiding their horse. She let him take her weight, and let her
mind drift away.
     
    * * *
     
    “How was your stay in Farn, my lord?”
    Quinn opened her eyes slightly, waiting for
Eden’s answer. Harn didn’t seem like the kind of man taken with
small talk, so Quinn could only think that there were more subtle
reasons for the inquiry. Eden’s answer sounded cagey.
    “It was as you might expect, given what we’ve
heard about the place. The city was a chaotic mess. I’m glad I
left.”
    Quinn pressed her lips together quietly,
moistening them. The air was suddenly dry.
    “I have heard some positive things about the
islands my lord, especially from Lynton over there. I hear the
ladies are quite beautiful, and their entertainment excellent. Were
you able to see any of that before you had to return?”
    “ I don ’t recall any
ladies of note, though I was blessed to hear a gifted singer by the
name of Rhi. It would be disappointing indeed if I have to live the
rest of my life without hearing her voice again.”
    “I find it difficult to believe there was no one there that caught your fancy, Eden, though I admire
your attempt to spare the feelings of the empath. All in vain, by
the way. King Shiver has been arranging a match for you, and you
will be introduced to your betrothed when we get back to
Sevenspells."
    Quinn was jolted in the saddle as Eden
shifted in his seat. She couldn’t see it, but she imagined the
cruel vicious grin spreading now across Harn’s ugly face. She felt
like drawing Eden’s sword and throwing it in the man’s conniving
back.
    “Father can’t do that! He can’t arrange a
marriage without my say-so!”
    Harn didn’t change tone, as if this was a
completely normal conversation to be holding. “Of course he can,
especially when the royal succession is at stake. Do you think he’s
going to allow you to marry a