Read Knight of Wands (A Steampunk Fantasy Adventure Novel) (Devices of War Book 2) for Free Online Page B

pulled herself from the shadows of one of the many square columns and joined Carilyn and I.
    Drawing closer, it became apparent that Queen Dyna was far from upset. A smile curved her lips and her blue eyes almost twinkled.
    I felt like a fly in a web. This whole thing had been a grand trap. I glanced at the priestess walking beside me. Her scarves swished and jingled with each hip-swaying step. Had she betrayed me, the secrets I kept? Had she endangered the Great Families?
    Dyna’s fingers pressed and released, pressed and released the arms of her muted silver throne until we stopped.
    Carilyn and Aiyanna bowed their heads, their hands fisted over their hearts.
    I owed this woman nothing, no loyalty, no service. No respect. I remained where I stood.
    Queen Dyna descended the three steps until she stood in front of me. She was a tall woman, taller than Nix, but without nearly the presence of the other queen.
    I heard rustling behind her and saw the other two queens step around Dyna’s throne.
    The Queen of Coins’ round figure was draped in folds of dark green velvet, her fading red hair wrapped in gold. She watched me through grey eyes, her thick fingers folded before her.
    The Queen of Cups stared at me with sharp dark eyes, her brown hair severely pulled back. She hid her figure in full turquoise robes. The only thing that distinguished her as a queen, other than her carriage, was the circlet of gold around her head.
    “You have done well, Synn El’Asim,” Queen Dyna said as her sisters joined her.
    I stared at them confused.
    Dyna lowered her chin. “I hear everything that occurs in this city.”
    I watched them all warily. “So you know what I told Nix.”
    She nodded.
    “I thought you wanted me to be her knight.”
    “And I did.” The Queen of Swords bowed her head, revealing a complex knotwork of blond hair. “But I was wrong, and I am glad you discovered it. Had you attempted to follow my instructions, we would most likely be in a much graver situation.”
    I shook my head, a frown furrowed in my forehead so deep, it hurt. “I don’t understand.”
    She smiled. “You don’t have to.” She turned to the Queen of Cups. “You can provide safe transport—”
    “You called a council of the queens and didn’t invite me?” Nix’s voice was cool. Her metal heels sounded on the stone tile in a slow cadence. “How rude, sisters.”
    The Queen of Cups snarled and opened her mouth.
    Dyna rested a hand on the other woman’s arm. “This is not an official council.”
    “Official or not,” Nix said, pushing Aiyanna out of the way to stand beside me, “you are convening with my knight.”
    “I’m not your knight.” I ground my teeth and stepped toward Carilyn.
    Nix turned an icy stare to Dyna. “Were you taking him from me?”
    “I am leaving,” I said. “As I already told you.”
    “And she is assisting?”
    “Since you weren’t.” For the love of Sky, I was a man, not a shoe to be fought over. “I don’t need your permission.”
    She turned her angry gaze on me. Gone was the woman I’d shocked into silence. Here stood the queen I’d grown to loathe and despise. “You would do well to seek it.”
    “I don’t care what you do.” I took a step closer, my Mark heating with a sizzle. “I am leaving .”
    She closed the gap, tipping her head slightly to look up at me. “I will blow you out of the sky or the water.”
    “You’d really risk killing me?”
    “If I can’t have you.”
    My eyes flared. I didn’t know how to respond.
    Her expression softened.
    My shoulders tensed and I looked away.
    “Give me one night.” She opened her hands. “One night to change your mind.”
    “I’m not sleeping with you, Nix.”
    She let out a breath, tossing her head gently one way then the other. “I don’t need you to sleep with me.”
    “Then what do you hope to accomplish in one night?”
    Her gaze latched onto mine. “To gain your trust.”
    “You will never have that.”
    She huffed.