Read Ajacii and Demons: The Ingenairii Series for Free Online Page A

if’ game is meaningless,” Perry answered. “Stick to being a soldier. You’re dismissed,” he told Alec.
    The sun had set, and the passages around the castle were dimly lit by torches as Alec left the office. He stopped at a corner and debated what to do. He had to go to Vincennes to recover the gold that sat in the banks there, he knew, and he had to deliver it to Menard as fast as possible. The banks in Vincennes were already closed for the night, but there was no reason for him to wait until morning to return; he could leave now, spend the night in Vincennes, then withdraw the money at the earliest moment. With that decision clear in his mind, Alec began the series of jumps his Traveler powers needed to manage his return to Vincennes.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 3 – A Jagine in the Palace
     
    Minutes later Alec was back in the apartment he shared with Bethany and Rahm. Bethany was alone, sitting at the table, contemplatively eating a bowl of soup, when Alec appeared before her, causing her to shriek.
    “ Alec? Welcome home! I’m so glad you’re back,” she shrieked loudly as she raced around the table and leaped into his arms. They exchanged a hearty hug.
    “ How have you been? I’m so glad you’re back; it will be a relief to have you back in the court; you can’t imagine how pompous and overbearing Stocker is without you around to scare him. When were you called back?” Bethany asked.
    “ I haven’t been called back,” Alec admitted, watching her face sag at the admission. “The countess of Krimshelm needs a lot of money to pay her troops. I was going to give her a big share of the money we took from Krimshelm, since it was hers to begin with. So I came back to go to the bank tomorrow; I wanted to see some friendly faces for a change, so I came back tonight.”
    “ So the Princess didn’t recall you? You’re not officially welcome back?” Bethany clarified. “I wish you were. I knew I hadn’t heard you were returning, but I hoped maybe I missed it somehow.”
    “ How is she doing?” Alec asked. It was the only question that mattered to him, and it showed in his face.
    “ She’s doing well as the Princess. She takes charge and gives sensible orders and usually cuts off the longwinded bores before they waste the whole day talking. Everything she’s been through has changed her; you’ve changed her by acting decisively when you had to, and by showing her you could avoid action when you needed to – she told me that herself. She grows better as a ruler all the time,” Bethany said, as they both sat down at the table. “But as a person, I know she misses you. Even though she has been lauded by the court for your departure from the city, she misses you in her heart. You should go see her tonight after everyone else is gone. Rahm is on guard duty tonight; you could get in without a problem.”
    Alec closed his eyes, tempted by the idea, a germ of which had been rooted in his mind when he decided to return to Vincennes. He knew though that he had left Vincennes resolved to go away and stay away; he’d understood the reasoning of his banishment to Krimshelm, but his feelings had been bruised nonetheless. Going away had seemed like it might allow him to grow used to his estrangement.
    But now, hearing Bethany talk about Caitlen had forced him to face the reality of how much he missed being with the girl, missed seeing her walk, her face, her unconscious habit of running her fingers through her hair when she was trying to concentrate, even watching her handle the mechanics of governing. There was a way to visit her he realized, one that would minimize the damage she would face if his visit was known. “What would people say if the Princess took a Jagine to her room with her?” he delicately asked Bethany.
    She looked at him, her head tilted, studying him. “I think most would say good for her, a few would say it’s about time, and a few would say it’s a terrible thing,” she