Read WINDREAPER for Free Online Page A

it got Conar's attention," Shalu admitted. "The guard said the Darkwind ought not to be fighting for the likes of the royal family. He said the lady wasn't truly married to Legion A'Lex because Legion was bastard-born. He said she was still the property of King Galen and shouldn't have joined with A'Lex."
    "And he said as much to Conar?" Brelan asked, now understanding how the man had signed his own death warrant with Conar.
    "Well, that and a bit more," Thom added.
    "How much more?"
    When no one answered, a lengthy silence ground to a stop when Conar's slurred speech shot over the still room. "He said, 'The bitch should have been slain with her first treasonous husband years ago so no brats, legal or otherwise, would have slid from between her whoring thighs!'"
    Brelan flinched. "I understand now."
    "Do you?" Conar shouted, coming to his elbows in the bed. He turned a hateful smirk to his brother. "Then how about explaining it to me! Why the hell should I care what is said about that faithless slut? Tell me why I risked my life to defend her so-called honor?"
    "Because you still lov…" Sentian couldn't finish, for he found himself in Conar's hard grasp, pinned to the wall. He hadn't seen the man leap from the bed and reach for him. Drunk or not, power emanated apparently from those muscled arms.
    "Be careful, very careful, what you say," Conar hissed, shaking Heil as though he were a rag doll.
    "Leave off, Coni," Brelan warned. "You know why you did what you did. Let it go. It isn't important now. I have news from Boreas Keep."
    Conar grunted his disinterest, let Sentian go, then stumbled to the bed. He plopped down with enough force to rattle the headboard.
    "Has something happened?" Roget asked.
    "I couldn't get in, that's what happened!" Brelan snapped. "They've increased the guard four times over. Something has made them cautious. From what I have learned from Rylan's men, Legion and the rest of his court are under what can only be termed 'house arrest.' I think someone has gotten wind of the fact that he's aiding us."
    "So?" There was contempt in Conar's voice.
    Exasperated with his brother, Brelan glared. " So, they could all be in grave danger. Tohre suspects something."
    "Aye, but he can't prove it," Zeb said. "He doesn't know exactly what His Highness has been doing."
    "His Highness!" Conar mimicked. His upper lip raised in scorn. "His Royal Highness, King Legion, the Bastard!"
    Brelan ignored the outburst. "If Tohre thinks Legion and Liza are behind this rebellion, he might—"
    "It doesn't matter why Kaileel thinks!" Conar snapped. "There's nothing he can do to stop us. He won't harm A'Lex or his whoring wife because he needs them. He knows how the people would feel if their precious monarchy was harmed. They'd revolt. He'll not harm the bastard offspring, either. The slut is in no—"
    Brelan leapt across the distance between them and slammed his brother against the headboard. "I won't have you speaking of her like that!" He thudded Conar's head against the wall. "If you can't keep a civil tongue in your mouth regarding her, don't say anything at all!"
    Steel glints came from the dark blue eyes as they narrowed. Conar's smile was lethal. "I forgot she was your whore once, too."
    One moment Conar was sitting with his back to the wall, the next he was sliding sideways down it, due to the hard, vicious punch Brelan administered. He sat where he landed and glared up at Brelan.
    "If you ever, ever, open your mouth and call her that in my presence again, brother or not, I'll beat the shit out of you!"
    As if finally realizing he was drunk and that his recent words were things he would not ordinarily say, Conar kept his mouth shut. Standing up against the wall, he put a hand to his jaw and continued to stare at Brelan.
    "I'm returning to Boreas," Brelan told Roget. "Maybe if I can get word to Teal, I can find a way into the keep." He looked at Thom. "Take Zeb to Gull's place. Make sure he stays healthy on the way,