Read The King's Blood for Free Online

got it open, but if they caught her she'd be as exposed as she could bloody well get.  
    Slipping her hand beneath her skirt, her palm found a familiar leather hilt and she drew out the dagger her father insisted she keep on her at all times. It was a sharp blade but she feared it would do little against dragons. But if they were coming for her, she'd make them work for it.
    The door frame rattled, kicking more dust up and obscuring what little light reflected off her dagger. She scrunched in tighter at the sound of stretching wood. Hinges popped, falling to the floor with a clank.
    "Ee..." her hand flew to her mouth before another 'e' could escape.
    One final grunt and the door burst from its frame, sending unbidden light cascading amongst the disturbed remains. A shadow entered. She tried to shield her eyes but they refused to focus as the shadow raised a torch ripped from the wall into the penetrating darkness.
    As the shadow stepped forward, the light from its arm bounded about the room, hunting. Ciara steadied herself, ready to launch to her feet the moment it walked close enough. Another shadow appeared behind it, much smaller than the first and hung about the door frame, but her eyes were only upon this one.
    While torchlight swung to the far side of the room, lingering on the bed now resting comfortably between floors, she sprung. Or she tried to. Her skirts caught on her boot and she rolled, crashing into the shadow.
    It rocked back on its feet but remained upright, thrusting the torch instead of its sword towards the intruder. Ciara looked up into what she feared would be the eyes of her murder and screamed.
    "Father!"
    "Cia?" the man dropped to his knees and scooped the girl into his arms, letting his sword clatter to the ground. "Oh, thank the pantheon you're alive."  
    "I heard the screaming and the kitchens were full of servants all babbling. I thought I could help by making it through the apartments, but the way was blocked and..."
    He kissed her head, the way he'd always done after a scary bedtime story to help ward off any monsters. If only it could work this time.
    "Cia," he tried to pull her face to his. "Cia, you have to listen to me. They've killed the..." he turned to look at the shadow still clinging to the door frame, "they've killed a lot of people."
    "Who has?" as far as she knew it was still dragons with swords for arms.
    "The Emperor's men. The gate was opened; by whom I know not. I fear there is a snake amongst the grass. Cia, I need you to do something for me."
    She nodded, the tears finally falling free of her eyes no longer overburdened in terror, "Anything, whatever you want." Just don't leave me.
    Asim sighed and motioned to the shadow by the door. As it inched closer Ciara realized it was a young boy, one who had his fancy clothes blotted in blood, "You must get him to the north of the pass. To Tumbler's End. The northern army rests there, they will take charge of the boy after that."
    She wiped her face with the back of her hand, coating her sleeve in snot, "Okay, but you'll come with us, won't you?"
    Again he hugged her tight, "I must get to Albrant. Things are very dire."
    Ciara broke free of his hug and glared at him. "You can't get rid of me on some pointless errand, this is my home. I'll defend it to the death!"
    His mouth slackened as the battle warrior slid away to become a mournful father, "I know you would, but what I request of you is vital. What I am asking is because I can trust only you. Please, my Cia," he picked up the boy's slack hand and placed it inside of hers, "take him to Tumbler's End, to the army's camp."
    She looked into a small face, almost as black as hers in the hopeless room. The boy refused to make eye contact, keeping his head low and not uttering a sound as strangers decided his fate.  
    "I'll do it."
    Her father stood then, helping his daughter rise, "Good. I see you still have your dagger, I only pray you will not need it. Keep off the roads and as much