The Heir Read Online Free

throne to steady himself. The King turned to his son
with sadness in his eyes. “Would you have me cast him out? Perhaps
if your mother and I had given you a brother, you would
understand.”
    The words caused Baylin a great amount of
guilt. His parents had suffered greatly over the years. After
Ashmur’s mother died giving birth to Cadman and their father passed
a year later, Ashmur was crowned King at the young age of eighteen.
The responsibility of a Kingdom was enough, but Ashmur made it his
duty to be a father to his little brother, Cadman.
    Baylin grew up listening to his father
reminisce over tales the brothers had shared. He knew his parents’
goal was to give him his own brothers and sisters; however, their
desire was never fulfilled. Queen Valasca had been with child more
than once after Baylin, but the gods saw fit to take them from her
before they entered the world.
    Baylin’s thoughts turned to that of Luana
and the child she had within. He felt a fear rise within him but
refused to let it take him. No. We will not share my parents’
fate. His attention returned to that of the King. “Father, I
would not ask you to banish him, but I would not have you stand by
and have a veil of lies cloud your judgment of him. When I was a
boy, I came to you and…”
    “Not this again.” The King sat back down on
his throne, tired and weak. “You were simply mistaken. Your
uncle…”
    “Cadman is a vile creature who would sooner
see both of us dead than ruling Grasmere!” The anger within Baylin
boiled up to the surface. “As a boy you disregarded my warning, but
you cannot possibly tell me that now, as a man, I still
misunderstand Cadman’s intent.”
    Baylin knew his words caused his father
pain, but he felt it was his duty to warn him. The Prince knelt
beside his father’s throne, looking up at him. “Father, I beg you
to see reason. You know I speak the truth.”
    “He was once such a wonderful boy, your
uncle.” A tear fell down the wrinkled cheek of the old King as he
stared down at his son. “He was so full of life and laughter, so
very innocent of the world and the evils that it held. It wasn’t
until after you were born that the boy I had known turned into a
dark, angry man.”
    Then he sees him for what he is. Baylin looked into his father’s eyes in shock. “You know what he
is, yet you allow him to stay? Allow him to make decisions that
carry the weight of the fate of our Kingdom?”
    King Ashmur reached out and placed a hand on
Baylin’s shoulder. “Like I said, my son, he is my brother. I have
hope the boy I raised will someday return.”
    Baylin was frustrated, but felt pity for his
father. There is no point in carrying on this argument. Baylin stood as his father rose from the large throne. As the King
made his way from the room, Baylin stopped him. “Father?”
    The King turned to face Baylin. “What is it,
my boy?”
    “You should know I will do anything to
protect our Kingdom. I will protect you, Mother, Luana and the
people of Grasmere, by whatever means necessary,” Baylin said with
utter surety.
    King Ashmur gave Baylin a weary smile. “I’m
counting on it.”
    As Baylin and the King made their way out to
the hall, they found Ferric waiting on them. Baylin remembered even
during these uncertain times he had reason to celebrate.
    “Father. Ferric, my friend,” Baylin said. “I
nearly forgot. I have something I must share with you both.” Though
he was exhausted, the happiness Baylin had felt earlier in the
evening returned at the thought of sharing his news.
    “Well, what is it?” the King urged, seeming
anxious to retire to his chambers.
    “Luana is with child,” Baylin said. “I’m to
be a father.”
    A wide grin spread across Ferric’s face and
he clapped Baylin on the back in a sturdy embrace. “Well done,
Baylin.”
    “Yes, yes.” His father smiled. “This is most
welcome news. Welcome indeed.” The King reached out a frail hand to
Baylin in