The Reluctant King Read online

  © 2017 by Jill Williamson

  Published by Bethany House Publishers

  11400 Hampshire Avenue South

  Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

  www.bethanyhouse.com

  Bethany House Publishers is a division of

  Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan

  www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

  Ebook edition created 2017

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

  ISBN 978-1-4412-3083-6

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Cover design by LOOK Design Studio

  Author is represented by MacGregor Literary, Inc.

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Map of Er’Rets

  Key Players

  Trevn

  Oli

  Trevn

  Hinck

  Grayson

  Qoatch

  Onika

  Trevn

  Mielle

  Qoatch

  Charlon

  Trevn

  Oli

  Trevn

  Grayson

  Charlon

  Qoatch

  Mielle

  Onika

  About the Author

  THE KINSMAN CHRONICLES

  Back Ads

  Key Players

  ARMANIA

  House Hadar

  Trevn-Rosâr Hadar, king of Armania

  Hawley, Trevn’s onesent

  Ottee, Trevn’s honor man

  Sir Cadoc Wyser, Trevn’s High Shield

  Rzasa, Trevn’s backman

  Nietz, a guard

  Bonds, a guard

  Jhorn, Master of Requests

  Grayson, a spy

  Mielle-Rosârah, Trevn’s wife

  Tonis, Mielle’s onesent

  Pia, Mielle’s High Shield

  Bero, a guard

  Abree, Mielle’s honor maiden

  Onika [ON-ik-ah], the True Prophet, a blind woman

  Kempe [KEM-pay], Onika’s personal maid

  Rustian, Onika’s dune cat

  Zeroah Barta-Hadar, the dowager queen

  Doth, Zeroah’s guard

  Ephec, Zeroah’s guard

  Brelenah-Rosârah, the dowager queen mother

  Hrettah-Sârah Hadar, Trevn’s half sister

  Rashah-Sârah Hadar, Trevn’s half sister

  Enetta, Hrettah and Rashah’s nurse

  Inolah-Sârah Orsona-Hadar, Trevn’s half sister, mother of Emperor Ulrik and Prince Ferro

  Princess Vallah Orsona, Inolah’s daughter, Emperor Ulrik’s sister

  Princess Tinyah Orsona, Inolah’s daughter, Emperor Ulrik’s sister

  Sir Doran, Inolah’s High Shield

  Kreah, Tinyah’s nursemaid

  Other Armanians

  Oli Agoros, Duke of Canden

  Kipp, Oli’s honor man

  Danek Faluk, Duke of Highcliff

  Zura, Danek’s wife

  Hinckdan Faluk, Earl of Dacre, a spy, a seer

  Barek Hadar, Duke of Odarka

  Arzah, Barek’s wife

  Lady Brisa, daughter of Barek and Arzah

  Lady Trista, daughter of Barek and Arzah

  Joret Vohan, Earl of Idez

  Cabena, Johan’s wife

  Sir Ransen, son of Joret and Cabena

  Enko, son of Joret and Cabena

  Madara, daughter of Joret and Cabena

  Rennik, son of Madara and Jarmyn Koll

  Tace Edekk, Duke of Raine

  Gitla, Tace’s wife

  Lady Imara, daughter of Tace and Gitla

  Lander Leevy, husband to Lady Imara

  Captain Korvoh, captain of Tace’s private army

  Natod, Tace’s onesent

  Gunrik Koll, Earl of Blackpool

  Sabin, Gunrik’s wife

  Sir Jarmyn, son of Gunrik and Sabin

  Dendrelle, Sir Jarmyn’s wife, Tace and Gitla Edekk’s daughter

  Finbar Wallington, Duke of Everton, brother of Mahat

  Gia, Finbar’s wife

  Finnel, son of Finbar and Gia

  Hirth, son of Finbar and Gia

  Allain Ortropp, a nobleman

  Irlond Hearn, sheriff

  Rayim Veralla, captain of the King’s Guard

  Sir Keshton, Rayim’s son, an officer in the army

  Zanre, Rayim’s son, drillmaster

  Father Burl Mathal, medial priest of the Arman church

  Admiral Aldair Livina, admiral of the king’s fleet

  Norgam Bussie, captain of the Seffynaw

  Novan Heln, a guard

  The Omatta Clan

  Rand, leader of the Omatta

  Meelo, Rand’s son

  Zahara, Rand’s daughter

  BARTHIA

  Barthel Rogedoth (also known as Prince Mergest III), self-titled king, a mantic

  Timmons, Barthel’s onesent

  Dendron, a great shadir, bonded to Barthel Rogedoth

  Paliki, a slight shadir in Dendron’s swarm

  Agmado Harton/Harton Sonber, general of Barthia, a mantic

  Yobatha, a common shadir, bonded to Harton

  Captain Orbay, captain of Barthel’s guard

  Laviel-Rosârah, former queen of Armania, Barthel’s daughter

  Iamos, a common shadir, bonded to Laviel

  Sârah Jemesha, Trevn’s aunt, Oli and Eudora’s mother

  Zeteo Agoros, Jemesha’s husband, Oli and Eudora’s father, former Armanian general

  Sir Briden, captain of Zeteo’s army

  Eudora Agoros, daughter of Jemesha and Zeteo, Oli’s sister, Barthel’s wife

  Daliza, a slight shadir, bonded to Jemesha

  Filkin Yohthehreth, Rôb prophet, a mantic

  Mikray, a common shadir, bonded to Filkin

  Zithel Lau, Rôb priest, a mantic

  Shama, a slight shadir, bonded to Zithel

  Zenobia, a mantic

  Kabada, a common shadir, bonded to Zenobia

  Mattenelle, called Nellie, a mantic

  Hwuum, a slight shadir, bonded to Mattenelle

  Lilou Caridod, a malleant

  Mahat Wallington, a malleant

  Burk, a soldier

  SARIKAR

  House Pitney

  Princess Saria Pitney, daughter of the late King Loran

  Sir Menel, Saria’s guardsman

  Sir Oris, Saria’s guardsman

  Princess Nolia, Saria’s aunt, sister of the late King Loran

  Finnel Wallington, Nolia’s husband

  General Norcott, general of Sarikar

  Wolbair, a prophet of Arman

  RUREKAU

  House Orsona

  Emperor Ulrik Orsona, emperor of Rurekau

  Sir Iamot, Ulrik’s High Shield

  Taleeb, Ulrik’s onesent

  Jazlyn, Ulrik’s wife, empress of Rurekau, former High Queen of Tenma

  Qoatch [KO-ach], Jazlyn’s eunuch slav, a seer

  Niklee, an acolyte

  Prince Jael (Adir), son of Ulrik and Jazlyn

  Princess Jahleeah (Noyah), daughter of Ulrik and Jazlyn

  Zinetha, nursemaid to Ulrik and Jazlyn’s children
/>   Prince Ferro Orsona, Ulrik’s younger brother

  Thallah-Rosârah Orsona, former queen of Armania, Trevn’s mother, Ulrik’s great-aunt

  General Balat, head of the Igote guard

  Kakeeo, Rurekan sheriff

  MAGOSIA

  Ruling Clan

  Charlon, Magosian Chieftess

  Shanek, Charlon’s son

  Rurek (Gozan), a great shadir, bonded to Charlon

  Masi, a common shadir in Gozan’s swarm

  Sir Kalenek Veroth, protector of Shanek, number One of Charlon’s Five Men

  Kateen, First of Charlon’s Five Maidens

  Astaa, Second of Charlon’s Five Maidens

  Roya, Third of Charlon’s Five Maidens

  Rone, number Two of Charlon’s Five Men

  Nuel, number Three of Charlon’s Five Men

  Vald, number Four of Charlon’s Five Men

  Gullik, number Five of Charlon’s Five Men

  Amala, Kalenek’s ward, Mielle’s little sister

  NATIVE CLANS

  Ahj-Yeke Giants

  Bolad mi Aru, headman of Ahj-Yeke

  Uhl-Yeke Giants

  Ulagan, Bolad’s nephew

  Jiir-Yeke Giants

  Abaqa mi Niseh, headman of Jiir-Yeke

  Duu Ovdog, a kholoi priest

  Puru

  Muna, a matriarch

  Conaw, Muna’s grandson

  Trevn

  The kings were dead.

  The ambush, led by Fonu Edekk, had nearly destroyed the veteran armies of Armania and Sarikar and had taken out both kings, leaving Trevn to defend his people from the threat of takeover.

  He had no idea how to do that.

  As the Seffynaw anchored off the eastern coast of Er’Rets, he stood with Mielle at the starboard rail of the quarterdeck and observed the caravan that had assembled on the yellowed plains. It seemed like Barek Hadar had brought every wagon in Armanguard to safely transport Trevn and his party back to the castle stronghold.

  “That’s a lot of wagons,” Mielle said, fingering the seashell on the cord around her neck. “I’m nervous.”

  Trevn felt it. The soul-binding allowed them to share each other’s emotions, and right now Mielle’s apprehension was distracting him from making plans. “Nervous about wagons?” he asked, taking hold of her chilled hand.

  “About needing so many.” She met his gaze. “You have always been a prince—been carted around in fancy carriages—but I know nothing about being a princess, let alone a queen.”

  Sweet Mouse. Trevn lifted their joined hands and kissed the back of hers. The trip south had given Trevn plenty of time to consider his new role in the realm of Armania. For years Wilek had trained for the position, while Trevn had been climbing buildings and drawing maps. Still, his life had given him plenty of perspective, while Mielle’s sole experience had been her short stint as Zeroah’s honor maiden.

  She didn’t want to fail him.

  “Father Tomek used to say that leadership is about taking responsibility, not making excuses,” he told her.

  She frowned and looked back to the procession of wagons. “That sounds wise.”

  “He was wise,” Trevn said, wishing he were here now. Wilek too. Though if Wilek were here, Trevn wouldn’t be in this position. Wouldn’t be king of Armania.

  Cadoc approached and bowed to Trevn. “We’re ready, Your Highness.”

  Trevn nodded and steered his wife toward the boat fall. The sounds of their footsteps on the wooden deck combined with those of his ever-growing retinue and became a jumbled sound with no rhythm. Some two dozen people were already waiting in the longboat. Nietz, Rzasa, and Bonds sat on the back bench, talking and laughing, with Maleen looking on. Cadoc’s parents sat beside Kempe, who was speaking to Grayson and Ottee about the tides. Then came Princess Saria and her guards. The next bench had been left open for Trevn, Mielle, and Cadoc. Trevn helped Mielle in, and Cadoc’s father rose to receive her. Trevn vaulted himself over the railing and settled beside Mielle. He grasped her hand and squeezed.

  She was trembling.

  “It will be all right,” he voiced, sending all of his comfort with his thoughts.

  She returned his warm feelings, but Trevn knew better. The magic of the soul-binding between them made it possible to trick each other, but Trevn’s false comfort would not relieve Mielle’s anxiety.

  The sailors still on board started cranking the pulleys, and the longboat lowered into the water. Trevn took a deep breath of chilled air and exhaled slowly.

  Why had this happened?

  Such a question had no answer, he knew. One choice had led to another and another. Choices Trevn himself might have made had he been in Wilek’s boots. After all they had been through—surviving the destruction of their homeland, the harrowing journey across the Northsea, and a myriad of attacks by traitors—it seemed a grossly unfair end to such a man as Wilek Hadar. Why had Arman let him die? Brave, intelligent, strong, and willing to fight for truth and goodness and righteousness, Trevn’s brother had been the perfect man to rule Armania.

  Trevn hadn’t even been able to return in time for the burial—the first in more than two hundred years for the realm of Armania, which usually practiced shipping their dead. Trevn had given permission for rosârahs Zeroah and Brelenah to take charge of the ceremony. The women had given his brother a traditional funeral of an Armanite believer and buried Wilek in a tomb they had commissioned beneath Castle Armanguard.

  “I’m sorry, Trevn,” Mielle voiced. “I’ve pulled you in again, haven’t I?”

  She had, but he would not admit it. “I am perfectly well.”

  He shook his head clear and forced his thoughts back to his top concerns: determine the size of his army, build defensive outposts, and, once Hinck succeeded in his mission to sabotage Rogedoth’s evenroot supply, plan an attack.

  “I feel your mind spinning,” Mielle voiced. “Arman will guide us, as I’m sure you know. Plus, we’re alive and healthy. We’re safe. And the sun is out.”

  He glanced her way and found her smiling. “I couldn’t do this without you.”

  “Of course you could. Trevn, you can do anything you set your mind to. It’s a little annoying, actually.”

  His heart swelled with affection, and he leaned in and kissed his wife.

  She turned her head away. “Trevn . . . people are watching.”

  He sat back, discouraged that his new position would interfere with his relationship with Mielle. They’d been married less than a week when they’d been separated, and Trevn had spent the last year trying to get her back. In that time he’d been captured by giants, rescued Princess Saria, located the root child Grayson, and now Trevn was king. “Get used to it, Mouse. From now on, people will always be watching.”

  He was thankful for the soul-binding, which allowed Trevn and Mielle to speak to each other’s minds when they were close, and the mind-speak magic, which enabled Trevn to initiate similar conversations over distances. It gave them a small amount of privacy they might not otherwise have.

  The longboat slipped across the water to a low bank where several King’s Guards helped Trevn and Mielle ashore. His own men—Cadoc, Maleen, Nietz, Bonds, and Rzasa—quickly replaced the King’s Guards and ushered Trevn and Mielle up a steep hill. The grass had yellowed since Trevn had left. The seasons were changing. Winter would return soon.

  At the top of the hill they backtracked until they reached the wagons. Grayson, Ottee, Saria and her guards, Kempe, Cadoc’s parents, and the rest of Trevn’s party followed behind.

  Trevn approached the plain carriage in the center of the procession. It had been parked directly behind the fancy decoy with gold-leaf trim. The door to the plain carriage was already opened, and Barek Hadar, the Duke of Odarka, stood waiting.

  The duke had a flat face and a receding hairline, though his gray hair had been worked into slender coils that hung thick to his shoulders. Relief washed over Trevn at the sight of a man he could trust to help him na
vigate all that he was about to encounter. Not only was Barek a longtime member of the Wisean Council, he had helped Trevn during the Five Woes and was Father Tomek’s son. Trevn saw a hint of his old mentor in the man’s eyes. See? Mielle had no cause to worry. All would be well.

  The duke bowed. “Your Highness, welcome back.”

  It should be a welcome time of celebration, but the loss of Wilek and so many others overshadowed any achievements.

  “Thank you for coming to meet us, Your Grace.” Trevn helped Mielle into the carriage, then climbed in beside her. Cadoc entered last and sat opposite them.

  Mielle’s apprehension thrummed through Trevn. “What is it?” he asked.

  “I feel strange being parted from Madames Wyser and Stockton.”

  The two women had been her companions for many months. “Did you see the number of guards here to escort us?” Trevn said. “They’ll be all right.”

  “I’m simply used to traveling with them.” Her eyes shifted to Barek Hadar, who settled onto the bench seat beside Cadoc, directly across from Mielle.

  “We are ready to depart,” the duke told a guard outside.

  “Yes, lord.” The guard shut the carriage door and walked away. “Move out!”

  “No problems on the journey back?” the duke asked Trevn.

  “None,” Trevn said. The carriage jolted and began to roll over the uneven terrain.

  “We need to increase your guard,” the duke said. “No offense, Sir Cadoc, but one shield is not enough to protect a king.”

  “I agree, Your Grace,” Cadoc said, “which is why we have already increased Sâr Trevn’s security detail to four.”

  “He is Rosâr Trevn now,” the duke said. “Even though he has not been crowned, the title is his. And surely you don’t mean those grimy sailors? They are not even soldiers.”

  His tone not only stung, his words shocked Trevn. While he did not know Barek Hadar well, he hadn’t expected him to be so pompous. “Those sailors fight as good as any soldier. I chose them myself and trust each with my life—better, with Mielle’s life.”

  “If you say so,” the duke said. “Make one of them your backman, then, and I’ll see if I can find a few more. You should have a squadron of ten at all times.”

  Ten men following him everywhere. How had Wilek remained sane?

  They were rumbling over the yellowed grass at a good clip now, but the ride to Castle Armanguard would still take about an hour.

  “You must also have a onesent,” Barek said. “Onesent to a king is a grand responsibility. Not just anyone can be trusted with so much power and sensitive information. I fear young Ottee is not up to the task.”