Free Scorched Treachery by Rebecca Ethington Page A

Ryland,” Sain said, his voice a calming beacon that Ryland didn’t seem to respond to.
    “He has his hands all over her!”
    “No, Ryland, don’t give in to Cail’s games. You know he is lying,” Sain pleaded as he moved us toward him. Ryland stepped forward, squaring his shoulders, but Sain didn’t back down.
    “How do I know?” Ryland spat, his anger fuming as he moved and paced.
    “Remember what I told you?” Sain’s voice was calm as he placed his hand on Ryland’s shoulder, the touch once again triggering a calm in him.
    “Only Joclyn can stop my father.” Ryland’s voice was tight as he spoke, his eyes unfocused on something far beyond us.
    “Yes, and who is the only one that can help her with that?”
    The temporary calm that Ryland had found faded away as fast as a slap. His breathing picked up, and his chest heaved, his eyes darkening into a deep icy blue.
    “I can do it.”
    “Ryland, I…” Sain tried to interrupt him, but Ryland exploded, and I jumped away from him.
    “I am strong too, stronger than him . The sight was wrong, Sain! It is me that can help her! I need Jos’s power to stop him.”
    “No, Ryland!” Sain roared, causing Ryland to stop in his tracks. “You must not take her power. That was your first mistake – when you foo lishly sealed yourself to her. At that moment you were more in love with Joclyn’s power than with her.”
    “Don’t judge what you don’t know! I love her!”
    I was not one to hide by any means, but the volatility of Ryland’s emotions was terrifying. I looked around for somewhere out of the way, but all I could see was forest.
    “You did, Ryland, you loved her. But when you found out who she was, your love changed…”
    “No…” Ryland interrupted, his voice airy and desperate.
    I took a step back instinctively, not liking the fiery sheen that was taking over Ryland’s eyes.
    “You loved her magic more than her,” Sain said, his voice calm and level. “You loved what her magic could do for you.”
    “No, I need her magic.” Ryland sighed and shook his head as if clearing the though t from his mind. “I love her.”
    “That may be,” Sain said, his voice still low and comforting, “but this bond has only caused her pain. We have talked about this; you are not helping her now. You must trust in the sight if you wish her to end this.”
    “ You just want Jos to be with a King, not a worthless Prince.” Ryland spun to face Sain as he spoke, the anger deep in his voice as he hissed at the old man, his face only inches from Sain’s.
    “I want her to live up to her true potential.”
    “And that is not with me?” Ryland asked, the deep root of his voice struggling to keep steady. Sain only shook his head.
    “How do you know, Sain?” Ryland spat, “Have you seen something new?”
    “You know I have no control over my sights anymore, Ryland. I see only what he would have me see,” Sain said, his voice a whisper against Ryland’s outburst.
    Ryland howled at Sain’s words, moving away from us to smash his fist through several more trees that turned to mist at the impact. Ryland stood still after disintegrating his eighth tree, his chest heaving as he watched the white mist float toward the empty expanse of sky above us.
    “Don’t give in to Cail’s taunts, Ryland,” Sain counseled. “If you give in, then he has won. Use this time to clear your mind. It’s the only time you are in control of yourself. Don’t let Cail’s words cloud you here.”
    Ryland stood with his back to us, his head bobbing once in understanding before he turned, his strides taking him right into Sain’s arms. The older man embraced him, his hands wrapping around him tightly. They said nothing, the embrace enough to convey all that was needed. Ryland moved away and came right over to me, his giant arms sweeping me up as he squeezed me against him.
    “I’m sorry, Wyn,” he whispered in my ear. “I’m sorry, I got so mad. I just can’t see the lies