“We should talk, then. Let me get us some refreshments.” I rang for the maid, and when she came back with wine and cheese, we settled in to talk.
When the maid bustled out of the room, I pressed Elenna for information. “What news do you have of the south? I hope all is calm.”
She raised her hands up. I saw a flash of the tattoos on her wrist. One marking her as du-toath, the other marking her as a dreau. I wore a similar tattoo on my wrist. Elenna was their leader now. All this time she had been so close yet worlds apart.
“There is no threat of war. Do not fear, cousin.” She grinned.
I smiled at the affectionate name. I eased back in my chair. I was glad. I had seen war up close, and I had no desire for more. “That is good.”
She folded her hands in her lap. “Your daughter, she shows signs of the gift?”
I gazed at my friend. I had told no one of Helene’s abilities. Johai and I wanted to keep her separated from the world of politics and the burden that her heritage would bring her. Her dreams had started around the time of her first bleeding, but even before that she had shown promise as a diviner. I knew one day she would take my place as the head of House Diranel, but I hoped that would be years from now. For the time being, I wanted her to enjoy her youth.
I took a sip of wine to delay answering. “Yes. She has the sight.”
Elenna nodded as if confirming what she already knew. “I have come to speak with you on the matter of the oracle’s apprentice.”
I stiffened. “You are young yet. Do we need to think of this so soon?”
Elenna smiled. “Yes. I will not live forever, and your daughter is very special. You must have seen the signs; she is more than just a diviner. She has the power of something much greater than that within her. She was conceived by a sorcerer and a diviner. She will need to learn about her powers and how to control them.”
“I can do that, as can Johai; he was a sorcerer, as you remember.” I was bristling, but I did not want to acknowledge what Elenna was saying.
“I know you love your daughter, but you cannot deny the truth. She is special. I have come to extend an invitation for her to join us when she reaches her majority. She must learn the women’s mysteries and train to take her place as the oracle.”
My gut reaction was to decline. This in some ways could be worse. At least in Keisan I could watch over her, in the wild lands of the Biski—I might never see my daughter again. The very thought made me sick.
“I will have to think on it,” I said.
Elenna inclined her head. We spoke for some time of other things, and I promised to travel south to meet her again at the next gathering. It had been too long since I visited my mother’s people, and if my daughter were to join them, it might be good to bring her along. I offered Elenna a place for the night, but she declined, which I knew she would. Elenna walked different paths now that did not easily confine her indoors.
When she left, I headed upstairs, intent on a long bath to ease the tension I felt. Instead, Helene and Leonel cornered me before I could reach my chamber.
“Mother,” Helene said, “I want to go south. I want to learn about the mysteries.”
I stared at my daughter. She was so young. Only thirteen. She was not ready, not yet.
“I don’t think—”
“I will go with her and protect her,” Leonel said. His voice cracked, and he jutted his chin out, showing his maturity.
I smiled at them. My children. When did they grow up? I could see now they were not the babies I had rocked and played with. They were becoming adults. Soon fate will tear them apart. Leonel must go to Sanore, and it seems Helene to the south to the Biski. They are close, and it will not be an easy transition. The two of them had always been close, and though Leonel favored his mother’s coloring, with olive skin and dark curls, he was in many ways Adair’s son. Especially his eyes. When I looked at him, sometimes I saw Adair looking back at me.
I sighed. They were both too stubborn for their own good. “Leonel, when you come of age, you shall be returning to Neaux to learn what it means to be a future king.”
His face fell. “I do not want to be king,” he muttered.
“Your aunt Arlene has no children, and you are next in line to the throne. You have no choice.”
Helene reached out her hand and held his. He smiled at her, but my daughter was staring at me with solemn eyes. “I have to go and learn, Mother. You know I must.”
I shivered at the tone of her voice. The premonition was true. I had seen much, and I knew among all my children, she held the most power.
“We shall see, in a few years when you are older,” was all I said.
I turned to walk away, but though I denied her now, I knew both she and Leonel had a long path ahead of them, and this was only the beginning.
The Story Cotinues in...
King’s Legacy
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Diviner’s World (In chronological order)
Duchess
In the Household of a Sorcerer
Diviner’s Prophecy (Diviner’s Trilogy 1)
Diviner’s Curse (Diviner’s Trilogy 2)
Diviner’s Fate (Diviner’s Trilogy 3)
Princess
Click here for a full list of titles by Nicolette Andrews
Excerpt: Those Who Dwell in the Thorns
Catherine strolled along the well-maintained garden path. A lingering fog clung close to the ground, swirling about her ankles. The gravel path crunched beneath her boots. Gray dominated the scenery but for the green of the lawn and the shrubbery that fought the encroaching fog. Ash and oak trees loomed above everything, seemingly threatening the cultured spaces. The gardeners must be in a constant battle to keep these hedges from going wild and from the natural flora from encroaching upon the flower beds, Catherine mused. Maybe I can speak with the head gardener. I would love to plant irises. Perhaps I can be of some assistance there, at least. She turned a corner, contemplating the notion, when the chatter of two women stopped her in her tracks.
“I cannot understand it, Miss White. Why would someone of the master’s status marry such a girl?”
“I have not the slightest, Miss Brown. The way I heard it, he got this funny idea in his head one day to visit his mother’s cousin. Then not a week later, he was off. Next we heard, he’s married some girl!”
“Have you seen her yet?” Miss Brown whispered.
“Yes, a pale little thing, dark hair and huge eyes. Utterly average, really, I cannot imagine a gentleman like him settling for someone like her.”
“Maybe she has a bit of personality?” Miss Brown offered, though she sounded skeptical.
“Not that I have seen. She’s silent as death, and when she speaks, you should hear the airs she puts on, you would think she is Queen Victoria herself!”
“Maybe Lord Thornton is enchanted, growing up next to that forest. I have heard some awful tales.”
“Don’t be daft. Those are just stories mothers tell their children to keep them minding.”
“I would like to see you going for a stroll during a Thorn Dwellers’ Moon.”
Miss White laughed, but there was no humor in it. “Let’s take this washing in. It won’t dry out here in this wet.”
The sounds of the gravel crunching beneath their feet pulled Catherine from her reverie. How disgraceful, to eavesdrop on the housemaids! Tears pricked her eyes, and even trying to blame herself did not take away the sting their words left. She backtracked the way she came, hoping to avoid an uncomfortable run-in with the gossiping maids. If she had been a braver woman, or even a brasher one, she would have confronted the two of them. However, her deeply ingrained manne
rs kept her from doing so.
She hurried along the path, blinded by her tears. The fog seemed to be growing rather than dissipating, and before too long she did not know where she was. She looked up and the house loomed in the distance. A two-story manor, ivy clung to its sides, the turrets erupted through the fog like spears and the shutters were closed. In the swirling fog, one would think no one resided there. Trees lined the path she had stumbled upon. Judging from the overgrown beds, she suspected few came this way. A bench beneath an oak tree promised a good spot to rest and recollect herself.
The sun struggled to break through the haze of the earlier rainfall, and she shivered in her coat. The bench was practically ice as she sat down upon it. The cold seeped through her skirts, but she did not move, too afraid she would be seen tear stained and sniveling. Less than a week married and she was already longing for home. What would Mama think if she saw me now?
A breeze prickled the hairs on the back of her neck. Catherine looked up as the fog shifted and revealed a copse of tangled dark trees. They lay thirty paces from where she sat beyond the line of oaks, and swirled with mist. The branches seemed to reach out for one another, grasping and twisting until she could not decipher where one tree started and the other ended.
It struck her as odd to see such an untamed place among the manicured lawns and well-cared-for hedges and flower beds, well, except for these at her feet. It occurred to her: this must be the place of which Mrs. Morgan had spoken. A fine mess she had gotten into; she could not even follow a simple command. No wonder the servants had thought her unworthy of Edward; she was a simple girl, unfit for a gentleman of his status.
Tears were threatening the back of her lids once more when a faint song drifted on the wind. Catherine lifted her head to listen, straining to catch the tune. It beckoned to her. She stood and edged towards the end of the gravel path where the manicured lawns sloped down towards and crashed against the wild forest. The song grew clearer; if she just stepped a few feet closer, she could hear it better.
“I would not do that,” an amused male voice said.
Catherine tensed and then twirled on the ball of her foot. A man with wavy dark hair tied into a knot at the base of his neck regarded her. He had a rake slung over his shoulder, and his white teeth flashed against his olive skin as he smiled at her. He seemed familiar though she was certain they had never met before. His smile was almost lewd, but that could have been her imagination. She ducked her head when she realized she had been staring.
“Haven’t you heard the stories?” he asked, perhaps choosing to ignore her stare and failure to greet him.
The sensible thing to do would be to politely excuse herself, but her mouth moved without her consent. “What stories?”
“Those are the Thorn Dwellers’ Woods. The locals say there are creatures who live in these woods, and at night they lure the unsuspecting in with their song before they take their heart.”
She shivered and pulled her arms close to her. There was a reason she hated the untamed places; they were full of dark strange things. She thought of the vision from the mirror this morning. Her heart raced just thinking about it. Put it from your mind, she thought.
“What an awful tale,” she said and hated the haughty contempt of her voice. He smiled again and she squirmed. “I should be heading back. It was a pleasure speaking with you…” She did not know his name and she was not certain she wanted to. A gentleman would never tell a lady such a ghastly tale. She attempted to move past him. It had been anything but a pleasure. Good manners, however, had been ingrained in her like breathing.
“How are you feeling, my lady?” he asked before she could get two steps.
She turned to face him. She had a feeling he meant something more than her state of being. “What do you mean?” She searched his face. He had full lips, high cheekbones, and eyes dancing with mirth. He was handsome. Even she could not deny that.
“You and his lordship had a long journey. I thought you would be tired.” He grinned again, and she had the sneaking suspicion that there was more to his question than a friendly inquiry. Her cheeks burned when she realized this must be some sort of joke.
“I know what everyone here thinks of me, and perhaps they are right, but I am not stupid, and if you wish to laugh at my expense at least give me the decency of telling me what is so amusing.” She clamped her hand over her mouth. How could she speak like that to a total stranger! What would Mother think if she saw her now?
“My apologies, my lady. There is no trick. I am genuinely concerned for your health.” He bowed and extended his arms as he did so. His movements were as fluid as water and as elegant as a dancer.
His canniness should have been alarming. Instead, he intrigued her. “What is your name? We have yet to be introduced properly.”
“My name is Ray, my lady.”
“You have no surname?”
“It’s Thorn, Ray Thorn.” He smirked as if he were indulging in his own private amusement. Catherine felt the immediate urge to leave. Despite his assurances, she still felt she were the butt of some joke.
“It is a pleasure, Mr. Thorn. I should be going back now.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” he replied with a bow from the waist.
Uncertainty hurried her feet up the path, but at the top of the hill, she slid in the wet grass. She came crashing down to the ground, landing on her knees. As she climbed ungraciously back to her feet, she looked over her shoulder, expecting to see Mr. Thorn laughing at her expense, but found the spot vacated as if he had disappeared.
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About the Author
Nicolette is a native San Diegan with a passion for the world of make believe. From a young age, Nicolette was telling stories whether it be writing plays for her friends to act out or making a series of children’s books that her mother still likes drag out to embarrass her with in front of company. She still lives in her imagination but in reality she resides in San Diego with her husband, children, a couple cats, and an old dog. She loves reading, attempting arts and crafts, and cooking. Connect with her at her her website, on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
Cast of Characters
Cast of Characters (Diviner’s Prophecy)
House Florett
Damara Florett—Dowager Duchess of House Florett; Maea’s Foster Mother; Mother of Layton Florett
Johai—Companion to Damara
Maea—Unofficial heir to House of Diranel; diviner
Hilliard—Head guard to Damara Florett
Layton Florett—Duke of Florett
Earvin—a guard in Damara’s household
The Royal Family
Dallen Raleban—King of Danhad; wed to Idella Raleban
Idella Raleban—Queen of Danhad; wed to Dallen Raleban of House Florett
Sarelle Raleban—Princess of Danhad; daughter of Dallen and Idella; political hostage in Neaux
Florian Ilore—Princess of Danhad; Sister to Dallen Raleban; wife of Duke Ilore
Duke Ilore—Husband to Florian Ilore; Father of Adair Raleban; (deceased)
Adair Raleban—Prince of Danhad; Son of Florian and Duke Ilore; Duke of House Ilore; heir to the throne
Edalene Ilore—Princess of Danhad; Daughter of Florian Ilore
Garrison Slatone—Prince of Danhad; Duke of Slatone; brother of Dallen Raleban and Florian Ilore; (deceased)
Members of the Twelve Great Houses
Algernon Magdale—Duke of House Magdale; former advisor to the King
Mikel Wodell—Duke of House Wodell; Husband to Isabelle Wodell; maintainer of Blackthorn
Isabelle Wodell—Duchess of House Wodell
Count Braun—Count of Braun (House Nanore)
Lady Braun—Daughter of Count Braun
Lord Thelron—Lord of Thelron (House Quince)
Odette Thelron—Daughter of Lord Thelron; lady in waiting to Sabine De’ Aux
Vian Thelron—Daughter of Lord Thelron; lady in waiting to Sabine De’
Aux
Princess Sabine’s Household
Sabine D’ Aux—Princess of Neaux; political hostage
Beau—Sabine’s De’ Aux’s guard
Lord Amelle—Neaux Ambassador to Danhad
Jerauch
Johen Malchor—Jerauchian Ambassador to Danhad
Great Lady Hana—Daughter of the Jerauchian regent; High Priest to the order of Mrawa
Others
Gareth—Court Magiker and healer
Jon Sixton—Son of a merchant; heir to house Sixton
Darton—Head guard to Idella Raleban
Torello—A prison guard
The Twelve Great Houses
House of Raleban—Royal house
House of Ilore
House of Slatone
House of Florett
House of Wodell
House of Sixton
House of Magdale
House of Nanore
House of Quince
House of Delonty
House of Hiloth
House of Tantorell
House of Diranel—former 13th house
Cast of Characters (Diviner’s Curse)
Maea and her companions
Johai Slatone—Sorcerer; Former duke of Slatone(Danhad);
Maea Diranel—Unofficial heir to House of Diranel; diviner;
Beau—Former bodyguard to Queen Sabine D’Aux Raleban
Danhad Royal Family
Adair Raleban—King of Danhad; Son of Florian and Duke Ilore; Duke of House Ilore; husband of Sabine D’Aux Raleban
Sabine D’ Aux Raleban—Queen of Neaux; Princess of Neaux;
Dallen Raleban—Former King of Danhad; Husband to Idella Raleban; (deceased)
[fan] diviners trilogy - complete series Page 90
