- Published: 15 August 2023
- ISBN: 9781760897550
- Imprint: Penguin
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 496
- RRP: $19.99
The Blood Traitor (The Prison Healer Book 3)
Extract
PROLOGUE
The woman was crying.
Tears ran like rivers down her face, dripping off her chin and soaking her tunic. She had to stay silent. No one could learn of her sorrow.
Because no one would understand.
Wrapping her arms around her knees, she stared into the darkness of her tent, praying to the long-forgotten gods. Begging for their forgiveness. Even knowing that she didnât deserve it, could never deserve it.
Not after what sheâd done.
Not after what sheâd created.
A sob buckled her body.
âI made a mistake,â she mouthed soundlessly. âI want to take it back. I need to take it back.â
That was how the man found her, drenched in tears, rocking with anguish.
He stilled at the entrance to her tent, then rushed over to kneel before her, taking her trembling hands in his own. âWhat happened, my dear? Are you ill? Hurt?â
Her watery eyes locked with his as she croaked out, âI was wrong.â
He frowned. âWrong about what?â
More tears trickled down her cheeks. âEverything.â
The man didnât hide his confusion. Or his fear.
âYouâre unwell,â he said. âIâll ask Zuleeka to come and heal ââ
âNo!â the woman cried, jerking her hands back, her tension flooding the tent.
The man sank onto his haunches, watching her closely. Softly, he repeated, âWhat happened?â
For a long moment, the woman said nothing. When she finally answered, her words came in a painful-sounding rasp. âZuleeka killed them. One wave of her hand, and she snapped their necks.â
The man paled. âWho?â
âThe villagers â anyone she walked past. Anyone who looked at her wrong. Anyone who wouldnât join us.â The woman swallowed. âEveryone thinks it was me. But I ââ She shook her head, then whispered, âI knew her power was growing, but this . . . I never meant for this to happen. I never wanted this. She promised she wouldnât use it again, not after last time, when she â when I ââ
âYou stopped her last time,â the man said, his tone soothing but firm. âYou kept her from killing the prince and his guard. Theyâre alive and well.â
âThat guard lost her hand.â
âShe would have lost more if you hadnât freed her from the magic binding her. And the crown prince would be dead.â Quietly, he noted, âNot so long ago, that was what you wanted. One less Vallentis to deal with.â
âI didnât realize ââ The woman shook her head again. âHeâs just a boy â younger even than Torell. When I saw him, I . . .â She closed her eyes and repeated, âHeâs just a boy.â
âAnd yet, his family stands in the way of your goals. He stands in the way.â
âThere are other ways to take the throne. Ways that wonât hurt anyone else I love in the process. I canât ââ She choked on a sob. âI canât lose anyone else. Not like this. Sheâll kill herself if she keeps using it for harm. The magic will destroy her from the inside out.â
Choosing his words carefully, the man said, âYou canât blame yourself for Zuleekaâs actions. Her choices are her own.â
âYouâre wrong, Galdric. Everything she does is because of me,â the woman said, her thoughts turning inward as she recalled what had transpired mere hours ago. Bones snapping, necks breaking, bodies dropping â men, women, and children, all dead in an instant. âEverythingshe knows, I taught her. This is my fault.â
A weighty pause fell, before the man â Galdric â asked, âWhat are your orders, my queen?â
Only then did Tilda Corentineâs emerald eyes lock with his, silent understanding passing between her and her closest friend, her most trusted adviser, as she whispered her answer. As she begged for his help.
And then, with their heads bent together, they came up with a plan.
The Blood Traitor (The Prison Healer Book 3) Lynette Noni
The finale of the Prison Healer trilogy, from Australia's #1-bestselling YA author Lynette Noni.
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