The Agent Read Online Free

road.”
    “They will forgive the indenture and those who perished when their children are no longer hungry and do not face a future whose only certainty was continued poverty.”
    “I hope you are right, my friend. Can you keep my family safe? I swore to give my life to this road, and I still do, but I cannot allow anyone to hurt my family because of it.”
    “I will handpick a contingent of guards and agents to escort Damodara and your children to your mountain chateau. They could hold of an army ten times their size with ease from there, and we’ll do it quietly so no one even knows they are leaving.”
    The king clapped his friend and advisor on the back. “Thank you for looking out for me and my family all these years, Gregor.”
    “It is my duty and pleasure, Highness.”
    “You say that now, but I will wager you shall be changing your tune when we tell Damodara.”
    ***
    “You want to bundle me up and send me off like some parcel?” Damodara snapped.
    “It is for your safety and for that of our children,” Remiel stressed.
    “Then you should cancel the entire damn thing if there is such a threat.”
    “That is what I have been trying tell him,” Gregor said.
    “No, we sent one of our children away already, and I will not do it again,” the Queen said adamantly.
    “Please, be reasonable. We had no choice but to send Adam away. It was for his own good just as it is for yours, Evelyn’s, and Marcus’ to take a short vacation away from the palace.”
    The Queen stroked one of her sable coats hanging in the wardrobe. “It is the last chance we will have of enjoying the high retreat before the snows reach the lower passes. Gregor, do you think this is necessary?”
    The senior agent nodded. “If Remiel insists on hosting the gala, we have to keep you and the heir safe.”
    “You have always been brutally pragmatic, Gregor. Very well, husband, but you will either join us after your flaunting or we come home.”
    Remiel looked to Gregor who nodded his assent. “Thank you for being reasonable, my dear.”
    Damodara smiled and poked Remiel in the chest. “Oh, I am not being reasonable. You owe me big for this.”
    “I will gladly do whatever I must to make you happy.”
    Damodara leaned close and kissed her husband deeply. “You always have. When must we leave?”
    “Now, Your Highness,” Gregor answered.
    “Now?” the Queen exclaimed.
    “It is best to leave tonight or very early in the morning before the staff and most of the city is awake. We want you and the children to leave as inconspicuously as possible. A platoon of soldiers has already ridden ahead and is waiting a few miles from the city. You, Princess Evelyn, and Prince Marcus will travel in a nondescript coach escorted by men bereft of heraldry handpicked by me.”
    “As usual, you have everything sorted out, Gregor,” Damodara said crisply. “I suppose I shall go pack mine and Marcus’ things for the trip.”
    Gregor cleared his throat. “Actually, Your Highness, I have taken the liberty to have your trunks packed and loaded.”
    “I suppose I should have guessed.” Damodara turned and headed toward her children’s rooms.
    Remiel grinned. “That went much smoother than expected. She must really believe the threat is real, or we would have been here arguing until Marcus ascended the throne.”
    Remiel found Damodara in Evelyn’s room, helping their daughter pack a few things no man would think to bring. He smiled at the sight of his daughter who had managed to grow into a beautiful young woman without his even realizing it.
    “All ready to go then?” Remiel asked as he stepped into the room.
    “Nearly,” his wife replied.
    “Daddy, is The Guild really going to try to kill you at the gala?” Evelyn asked, her eyes glistening with tears at the thought.
    Remiel held her in his arms and kissed the top of her head, a feat requiring him to stand on his tiptoes these days. “Gregor is paid to worry incessantly about my safety. I