Her heart stuttered.
This was what the power of the gods did to a mortal body.
This was perhaps the worst, most undeserving penance of all.
His sole purpose was to serve the Five, to strive for perfection under the weight of their laws. He’d protected the weak, led his army with glorious invocations granted …
He’d fought against the Acolyte with everything he had.
And now he would die early.
A victim of what the gods created him to do.
It was no wonder he seemed to hate people like her.
Queen Dhyana sighed as she looked down at him. Like she had no love for the King, no sorrow that she would lose him soon … only a duty to stand at his side as his Matched.
She was the picture of Arawn. Pale, white hair, soft blue eyes. Wrinkles formed at their edges, despite her being only in her forties, for she was a powerful Realmist who helped sustain the extra food source in Touvre, Lordach’s capital.
She’d invocated plenty, to ensure her people survived.
Her eyes slid to Six and narrowed. ‘So this is the beast that nearly killed my son. An ugly thing, isn’t it?’
Fire churned in Ezer’s gut. And then Dhyana’s cold eyes fell uponher. ‘Andyou.A bit small for a Rider, wouldn’t you say? And quite the pairing you two make, scarred as you are.’
‘Mother,’ Arawn warned.
But Ezerwantedher to look.
Wanted her to see what good Lordach had done for those like her. The ones raised in forgotten shadows … called to war anyway.
Kinlear sighed. ‘Your presence in the north is uplifting as usual, Mother. I think you’ll soon see that my Rider is more than capable of ensuring the Black Wing Battalion remains a successful mission. She’s proven herself to me time and again.’
‘You are not the one to decide.’ His mother turned her icy gaze on him. ‘Look at you, Kinlear. Standing in the cold ready to catch your death, trying to play savior. You’re dressed like a sloppy tavern bard when you should be inside, resting?—’
‘A prince does notrest,’ Kinlear said. His voice was so firm, it almost felt like he’d yelled the words. ‘This is my last chance to do something of worthfor this kingdom. I’ve worked, tirelessly, to ensure the raphon flies. I will not back down now. Not when future peace is so close.’
‘The future,’ the Queen said carefully, ‘that lies in your brother’s hands when he is king soon. Not yours, Kinlear. I hardly doubt thatthis–’ she waved a hand at Ezer and Six, who had broken character by now and was sniffing playfully at the snow. Ezer jabbed her in the side – ‘can survive what is required to save Lordach.’
Gods, the Queenwasawful. Truly awful.
Perhaps it was better not to have family.
Perhaps Ezer had been spared.
‘Yes, we’re all aware Arawn has a future,’ Kinlear said. ‘And if you want him to keep it … you’ll spend your time praying for my success, instead of wishing I would go back inside and hide. I am done hiding, Mother.’ He took a breath, like he was forcing his cough not to appear. And then, in a way that made Ezer’s lip twitch with the effort not to smile, he added, ‘I’ll have you know that this cloak isdesigner,straight from Touvre.And certainly not anything a tavern bard could afford.’
‘Enough,’ the King spat. His voice was pained. ‘We are here for the Descent.’
‘I’m glad you see reason, Father,’ Kinlear said. ‘Shall we begin?’
‘Yes,’ the King said. ‘Make the Descent.’ His milky gaze slid towards Ezer. ‘Alone.’
Kinlear gasped. ‘But?—’
‘The Rider goesalone,Kinlear. Until she has proven her worth. Should she survive the Descent … we’ll take our vote then.’
The cliffside was clear before her.
