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Secrets of Socendor Collection – Katherine Cook
All three Secrets of Socendor books in one volume!
Join General Kalen Ysindroc and elven mage Micheil Thierauf as they fight for their homes against a dark force hellbent on destroying everyone they love.
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EXCERPT from Heretic:
“The king is dead.”
The pronouncement echoed over the crowd below, and then the chatter began. Even from his vantage point on the balcony, Vakis Izreih could hear the prince’s name roll through the crowd. Most of the people seemed apprehensive about the prospect of the prince taking the crown, but there were some who had been vocal throughout the last days of the king’s life about Prince Breasal presenting a much stronger force in Socendor. Vakis dutifully kept his own misgivings to himself. King Amreth had been a kind and fair ruler. His son, however, had a reputation for cruelty and wielding an iron fist in every dealing that involved him – and several that did not.
It didn’t matter. Vakis had served King Amreth faithfully, and he would do the same for the man’s son.
Leaving the masses to their rumors, Vakis returned to the throne room. A part of him wasn’t surprised to find Prince Breasal happily seated in the throne. Vakis bowed.
“So, my father is dead,” Breasal said. He rubbed the polished wooden arms of what was now his “Bury him beside his wife. Conduct whatever rituals you feel necessary.”
“As you wish, Your Highness.” The words tasted like ash, and speaking them aloud only increased the uneasiness in Vakis’ mind. He bowed once more and left the room, wanting to put as much distance between them as he could.
Braen, Breasal’s illegitimate son, fell into step beside him. The man had a habit of appearing out of nowhere. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Your father ordered the burial as soon as possible. Where is Vamir?”
Braen gestured in the direction of the servants’ wing of the keep. “Last I saw him, he was grumbling about protocol.”
“Tell him those protocols are in place for his – and your – protection. Your father would not tolerate your fraternizing with a commoner.”
“I’m surprised my father even remembers I exist,” Braen said.
Vakis sighed and stopped, as did Braen. “Regardless of how things are between you and King Breasal, you are his only heir. Keep up appearances no matter what happens. He will expect children from you, Braen.”
One black eyebrow lifted, and Braen snorted. “Somehow, I don’t think he’s going to get any, unless your son’s anatomy has changed within the past few hours.”
Vakis immediately pressed a hand over Braen’s mouth. “Hush! I don’t care that you are sleeping with my son, but, rest assured, your father will. For all our sakes, keep your relationship with Vamir a secret. Do you understand?”
Braen nodded.
“Good.” Vakis moved his hand. “I need to make preparations for the burial. Send Vamir to the burial grounds.”
He left the young bastard princeling to it and continued to the front doors of the main keep. Before he reached them, the right one swung open. Vakis bit back what he truly wanted to say to the newcomer. Instead, he bowed. Lyvis, his brother, was a snake in Koleri clothing. Vakis didn’t trust the man with a twig, much less anything of importance. Lyvis had always coveted Vakis’ position in Amreth’s court. That position, however, was now in contention. There was no guarantee Breasal would keep him on as advisor.
“Ah, just the man I wanted to see.”
“What is it, Lyvis?”
Lyvis flipped a single silver coin, and Vakis caught it. “A token toward the good king’s burial.”
Despite his leeriness, Vakis nodded. “I will see that the priests make good use of it.”
“Yes, yes.” Lyvis waved him away. “I must speak with my king. Farewell.”
Vakis watched him go, uneasiness filling the air. Lyvis was up to no good, as usual. Right now, though, Vakis just wanted to bury his king in honor. He feared the days of peace were at an end.
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