Page 2 of The Phoenix Inheritance

Blind panic surges through me, incapacitating every muscle in my body. What will Papa do, if I confess? I have a hard time breathing. Will he… kill me?

“Anyone who saw something, speak now! Or everyone in this court shall burn in flames!”

My eyes shoot frantically to Uncle Thorsten. He’s still staring at me. He knows. He’ll speak, and I’ll die. I want to cry, but not even tears will flow in my petrified state.

Uncle Thorsten takes a step forward.

My heart is beating faster than a war drum. In a way, I know it’s all for the better. There’s only one of me – should Father execute his whole entourage, that would be dozens of souls, all condemned because of my petty envy.

“My King,” Uncle says softly. “As the court physician, let me inspect the young Prince. It’s my belief that the combustion we just witnessed was just a manifestation of Warwick’s extraordinary powers. Not the result of another’s evil intentions.”

My jaw goes slack. Is Uncle Thorsten saving me?

And indeed, the bearded man sends me a minute nod.

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