Page 117 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

Elijah bared his own teeth.

Do not do it, Mason!The prince muttered though he knew Mason could not hear.

“He wants the siren; that’s all I know,” he continued. “He needed your ship.” Mason stammered. “I did not mean to betray you, sir. I wanted to survive.”

That was the guard’s last plea to save his life.

You have been a naughty boy, my son,the king said in his mind.

“Shameful, Mason,” the king said to his guard as he stood tall, staring down at him, then signaled to his second in command. “Theodor?” he called.

Do not do it, Father,Elijah screamed to his thoughts. He was only doing what he was ordered to do.

He knew those words were not enough.

I used my powers on him, Father. He had no choice.

Elijah held little hope those last words would stop him from killing another one of his men who did not deserve it. But he had to try.

“Give him lashes until he passes out,” his father ordered. “Let him suffer for a few days; then sever his head from his body, won’t you?”

“No!” Elijah screamed out loud that time, feeling a sudden rush of dizziness—the evil king was fighting against his power.

A few moments later, Matthias paced around to his bedroom mirror and looked back at his reflection so Elijah would see his face. As the gleaming sparkle of the jewels on his crown shined bright, he ran his calloused fingers over the center emerald. A cynical smile flashed over his lips.

Elijah had no doubt his father considered him a bastard son. An accident which was never supposed to be. The look he gave the prince as he stared back at him was a warning.

“You believe yourself to be clever, boy?” his father said bitterly. “Bah! Even miles away, you cannot bring yourself to part from me. You believe you are strong enough to defeat me and take my crown?”

King Matthias took a step closer to the mirror, his forehead creasing and his eyes turning red.

“I’m coming for you, Elijah,” Matthias said.“I will take the northern route through the raging storms in order to reach you in only a few days’ time.”

The threat turned the prince’s blood ice cold.

Then, his sunken eyes darkened before adding, “...and then my bloodline will end with you joining your brother at the bottom of the Portland Sea.”

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