Blood Price (Noble of Blood Book 1) Read Online Free

need."
    "Ah, I see.  He is still bristling over the fact that my Choosing was for my own reasons and not the Courts."
    "That and the fact that your Josaleene was not of highborn blood and took 40 long years to complete."
    "Her family is of old blood, even if it's not highborn she has more right to these lands than most of the rich families in the valley."
    His father held up a hand.  "I am not here to debate what your Chosen has brought to this court, or what rights she should have had in a living life.  I know you have something important on your mind and I am here to help with what I can."
    "Father, I need to trust you with something very important.  If I am right other Court members will be able to sense it very soon and I need advice and whatever knowledge these books may contain."  Dartein fidgeted with a book that sat on the table in front of him, not sure what to do.
    "My son, no words can travel beyond the walls and door of this library.  You know this room is shielded.  Speak freely so I can help."  Mortul was nervous as well, waiting to hear his fears confirmed.  Waiting for the moment he would have to break his son's heart.
    Dartein moved to the door, opened it and ushered a guard inside.  "I need you to escort my Lady from my room to this room, with no stops for anyone.  Understood?"  The guard saluted his Prince and rushed down the hallway to do as bidden.
    "Father, when Josaleene enters the room I need you to open your senses and tell me what you find.  I have kept her in our chambers for the last couple of weeks, and if what I saw last night was true then I am glad I did so."  Dartein paced back and forth as he waited.
    Mortul busied himself with locating some of the oldest texts, picking random books that he knew would not be needed, and prepared for the moment that was to come.  
    Josaleene entered the room shortly after, exuding an aura of happiness and vivacity that rivaled the life force of the most content human being.
    He saw her happiness falter slightly at the look on the Patriarchs face when he turned towards her.  She bowed to the Master of the Court, but by the time she straightened back up he had already sat down and was no longer looking her way.  The falter in his normally impeccable court manners was very unusual.
    "Father" asked Dartein "What is it that you see, tell me.  Why do you look like death itself sitting there?  Are you ill?  Do you need anything?"  Mortul could see his son's sudden worry for him as he grasped to find the right words.
    Mortul waved his hand to allay his son's worries for him.  "Sit down son, sit down both of you.  I know what you saw for I see the same light within your Chosen.  Yes, she is carrying a child.  Yes, the court members will be able to sense it now.  But know that there is no happy ending to this story."  The Patriarch suddenly felt old, ancient as he sat back in his high-backed velvet chair.  He ran his hands through his hair, looking upward automatically to find the window painted like his wife... forgetting he wasn't in his own room for a moment.
    "You're scaring me, and you are scaring Josaleene.  This should be a happy occasion!  A miracle father!  This has never happened before!"
    "Yes my son, it has happened before.  It was never written in a book, it was not an occasion that needed to be committed to written words as it has been committed to my memories for centuries."  Mortul took in a deep breath, inhaling the scents of his son and Josaleene.  His senses opened up and a hint of strawberries and spruce came to him.  "A daughter you will have.  A daughter will grow within her womb, she will be born strong and powerful.  One to rival myself and you as well, my son.  The cost of this powerful life is death.  Your Chosen will not survive your daughters birthing."
    A pallid silence hung in the room, as the words sank in.  Dartein's face was not just pale but stricken white.  He stood and paced the room, angrily