Man Who Should be King Read Online Free

and
heiress to the throne.
    Syranna jerked her hand away, breaking the gaze when those
thoughts were revealed to her. She knew now that she had to leave as soon as
possible. This would not do at all. Her life was planned, as far as she was
concerned, and it did not include staying on Vikalla for the rest of her days.
She hurriedly stood, feeling panic rising within herself. But as she turned,
she found her way blocked by Sir William.
    “Ah, there you two are. Your liege lord would like you to
join him, Lady Syranna, in his private chambers. He has some important matters
he would like to discuss with you.”
    Syranna stepped away from William, trying to hide the rising
sense of panic and the growing need to escape. “I’ve changed my mind. I need to
leave tonight. Now, in fact.”
    William caught her arm in his hand as she was turning to
flee the kitchen. “It is much too late for you to be riding across the marshlands
at this time of evening. It can be quite dangerous if one doesn’t know the way.
Lord Marcus is waiting.”
    Syranna stiffened at his tone. It said that his liege lord
was waiting, but also that no one kept him waiting, certainly not for
long, and never more than once. William indicated that Stancia should follow
them. He quickly escorted the ladies to the private meeting chambers of the
liege lord. Syranna recognized the room instantly. She had often played on the
lush carpet while her father had held his meetings with leaders from other
parts of their world. Even royalty from other worlds had watched the little
black-haired girl who had played quietly while her father discussed weighty
matters.
    * * * * *
    Marcus stood as they entered. He motioned for Syranna to be
seated next to him, then for William and Stancia to sit as well. He wasn’t sure
how to proceed with this delicate subject. Before he could decide, though,
Syranna surprised them all.
    “I won’t marry you, Lord Marcus. So you need not bother
asking. I am going to leave as soon as possible. You need not worry that I will
return; I promise you I won’t. This throne, all of it, is yours. From what I
have learned, you have earned it and you deserve it. Do with it as you will.”
Syranna stood as she finished talking.
    “How did you—” Both men turned to Stancia angrily. Syranna’s
words stopped their protest, though.
    “Lady Stancia said nothing to me. She didn’t have to. There
are many things about me that you don’t know; just accept that I am leaving.”
    Marcus stood facing the small woman. “It isn’t that simple,
milady. The fact that you are here, and now many people have seen you…word will
spread. The die is cast, so to speak. There can be no turning back now.”
    Syranna shook her head. “No one has recognized me. It was
just a fluke that you did before you read the message. If you had not, I would
have been long-gone and easily forgotten.”
    Marcus shook his head this time. “I can assume that you did
not know what the message contained. It was from your father to me, in fact.
Interesting that he seemed to know how things would turn out. Anyway, in the
message, he told me of your existence and how I was to find you. Even if you
leave now, I will find you.”
     
    Syranna quickly walked away from the others in the room,
gazing out the window to the green grass below. She considered pushing the
window open and jumping out. She was pretty sure she could make the two-story
jump, and once she reached the cover of the forest, she was confident that she
could make it back to Kalledane. It might take a little longer than she had
planned, but she was skilled at many things that others wouldn’t expect from a
royal princess.
     
    In the glass of the window, Marcus’ reflection appeared with
hers. Almost instantly, she started to move away from him. His hands caught her
shoulders and held her fast in front of him. The moment Syranna looked up into
his eyes he felt the connection she could make into people’s minds. In