Free War (The True Reign Series) by Jennifer Anne Davis Page B

family. It symbolizes the true heir.”
    Nathenek ’s eyes narrowed. “For Greenwood Island?”
    “Yes, now give it to me.” If Nathenek showed it to the emperor, he would know she was the rightful heir of Greenwood Island, thus making her the true heir to Emperion. He would kill her at once. Although, if he knew about the secret tattoo on her shoulder, all he had to do was look at that and she ’d be condemned to death.
    “The emperor wants to see me beheaded so he can verify my identity,” Rema said.
    Nathenek nodded, his fingers curling around the key.
    “Your loyalty lies with the Emperion line? Or with the emperor?” Rema asked.
    Nathenek’s head jerked up. He took a step toward her, coming too close for comfort. “They are one in the same,” he snapped.
    “Are you sure about that?
    Nathenek cursed under his breath.
    “ What?” Rema asked. Was he finally starting to understand her true heritage?
    He shook his head.
    “I want my necklace.”
    “ I’m sorry,” he said, putting it in his pocket. “I can’t give this to you right now.” He took a step back, rubbing his face with his hands.
    “Why not?” she demanded. “It ’s mine.”
    Quick as a blink of an eye, Nathenek came at her, grabbing her upper arms. “Listen to me,” he said , in a voice that was cold and hard, sending chills through her body. “Keep your mouth shut about the key, or I’ll kill you.”
    She felt something pierce her side. Glancing down, Nathenek had let go of her arm, unsheathed his dagger, and dug it into her side just under her ribs. She never even saw him move. Rema nodded, afraid to say anything at all.
    He let go, putting his knife away. “Now listen closely,” he spoke. “When we arrive, we’ll be disguised as merchants as we travel through the city to the palace. Then I will take you in through the servants’ entrance and inform the emperor you’re there.”
    Rema wondered why he told her his plan. “And then I’ll be executed?” Rema whispered.
    “ Yes.”
    “ By you?” she asked.
    Nathenek ’s eyes darkened. “I’m an assassin, not an executioner. He’ll either have me kill you immediately and, if that’s the case, I promise to do it swiftly and as painlessly as possible. Or, he’ll have you publicly executed before the city. That occurs the first day of every new week.”
    There was a knock on the door. “Captain told me to tell you we’re coming into port.”
    “ Thanks,” Nathenek yelled, loud enough for the sailor to hear through the closed door. “We don’t have much time,” he said to Rema.
    She was well aware how little time she had to escape. Could she jump off the boat and swim to shore? Or should she wait until they were on the dock to get away?
    Nathenek pulled out a brown cape. “Put this on,” he instructed.
    The air was hot and sticky—unlike anything she’d ever experienced before. The last thing she felt like doing was putting on a heavy, warm cloak. Besides, this would make it impossible for her to swim.
    “ Trust me,” Nathenek said. “Not only is the sun hot, burning exposed skin, especially white skin like yours, but the sand is severe. You’ll need it for your protection.”
    Rema reluctantly took the cape, draping it over her shoulders. There was fabric around her neck and she pulled it out, thinking it was a hood, but the material was too long.
    “ That’s for your face,” Nathenek said as he put on his own cloak. “If a sandstorm picks up, wrap the fabric around your head to protect your ears, nose, and eyes.”
    A sandstorm? As frightened as she was with the need to escape, she was equally intrigued by the fact that she was about to step foot on foreign soil.
    “ Fix your cap so your hair is completely concealed.”
    While Rema adjusted her hat, Nathenek closed and locked his footlocker. He picked it up, lifting it above his head. “Let’s go.”
    Rema followed him to the top deck , where a flurry of activity was going on. The sails were being