The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom, #1)

by Danielle L. Jensen

“When I was growing up, I was told many times the amount of revenue Ithicana was rumored to make in a year off the bridge.” “How much?” He shook his head at the number when she answered. “It’s more.” “Are you bragging?” “Just being truthful.” The corner of her mouth quirked, and she was quiet for a moment before she continued. “To me, the amount was staggering. And I thought…I was told that Ithicana played and manipulated the market, gouged travelers afraid to tempt the seas, and exacted heavy taxes and tolls from merchants who wished to transport and market their own goods. That you decided who had the right to buy and sell in your markets, and that you’d take away that privilege if they crossed you in any way. That you controlled nearly all the trade between two continents and eleven different kingdoms.” “Accurate.” He didn’t bother to add that Ithicana paid in blood for that right, because she’d seen the evidence herself. “What wasn’t accurate…was the reason why.” “What did they tell you?” “Greed.”