Free Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes Page A

crest, which featured a hawk and the credo O UR T RUE G OLD I S O UR P EOPLE .
    Felix guessed this room must not be used often since it still displayed a relic of the former royal family.
    After what felt like a small eternity, a man came to the archway and peered in at him. He had a sharp nose and black hair that was graying at the temples.
    â€œYou are the one who has asked for an audience with his majesty?”
    Felix straightened his shoulders and tried to look all official. “I am.”
    â€œAnd you say you are . . .” He looked down at a piece of parchment in his hands. “Felix Graebas.”
    â€œThat’s right.”
    The man pursed his lips. “What business do you have with the king?”
    â€œThat’s something I need to address privately, with only him.” He crossed his arms. “Who are you? His valet?”
    At this, he received a rather unpleasant smile. “I am Lord Gareth Cirillo, grand kingsliege and high advisor to the king.”
    Felix whistled. “That sounds fancy.”
    He’d never personally met Lord Gareth before, but he was well aware of his name, and that he was the wealthiest man in Limeros, apart from the king himself.
    Lord Gareth blinked slowly. “Guards, take this boy into custody immediately.”
    â€œWait . . . what?” Felix was barely able to move a muscle before several guards approached from behind the archway and grabbed hold of him.
    â€œThere is a warrant out for your arrest.”
    â€œWhat? On what charges?”
    â€œMurder. And treason. It was so kind of you to turn yourself in today.” Lord Gareth gestured toward the archway. “Take him to the dungeon.”
    Felix refused to walk at the guards’ violent prompting, so they dragged him. His stolen shoes squeaked and scraped against the decadent floor.
    â€œTreason? No, wait! I have to see the king. He—he’ll want tosee me. I have something he wants. Something of great value.” Felix hesitated, not wanting to show his hand so soon but finding he had no other choice. “I have a piece of the Kindred.”
    Lord Gareth halted the guards and regarded Felix for a moment of contemplative silence. Then he began to laugh. “The Kindred is only a legend.”
    â€œAre you sure about that? If I’m lying, I’ll end up in the dungeon anyway. But if I’m telling the truth, and you don’t inform the king about it, you’ll end up holding your own severed head in your hands.”
    â€œIf you are lying,” Lord Gareth said, narrowing his gaze, “you won’t even make it to the dungeon.”
    With a nod from the grand kingsliege, a guard brought the heavy hilt of his sword down against Felix’s head, and everything went black.
    â€¢Â â€¢Â â€¢
    When Felix came to, he had only one thought: The dungeon didn’t smell nearly as bad as he would have expected it to. As he pried open his eyes, he realized that was for a very good reason. He wasn’t in the dungeon.
    He was in the throne room, lying flat on his back at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at the royal dais. And there was the king seated upon the golden throne he’d stolen.
    Or won, depending on what side one was on.
    This throne room was nearly identical to the one in the north, only where the Limerian one was dark and gray and hard, this one was gold and bright and . . . hard.
    Felix pushed himself up to his feet and bowed deeply, ignoring the pounding pain in his head.
    â€œYour majesty.”
    Standing to the right of King Gaius was Lord Gareth. His armswere crossed, and his lined expression was dour as he peered down his sharp nose at Felix.
    â€œFelix Graebas,” the king addressed him. “I’ve been very disappointed not to receive word from you in all this time. Many believed you to be dead, which would have been a loss for both the Clan and for Limeros. But here you are, alive and