Light and Darkness: The Complete Series: Epic Fantasy Romance
Page 61
“Just copy Ninia,” Mira quipped. Her grin turned teasing. “She knows how to walk like a lady.”
Reaching the top of the steps, Ryana turned to see Ninia following at her heels. The young woman, a princess of the fallen kingdom of Thûn, looked at ease in a wine-red gown. The color suited her pale skin, hazel eyes, and rich brown hair. Ninia glided past the two women, chin held high. “Relax your shoulders, Ryana,” she instructed. “You appear a hunch-back standing like that.”
Ryana frowned although she straightened her spine at the reprimand.
Mira arched a delicate eyebrow. “Come on … we’re late.”
Ninia and Mira moved off. Ryana released a heavy sigh before following them.
If I turned around now and walked off … would I be missed?
She wished she’d remained in The Black Boar Inn. She could still be there now, tucking into a dish of boar stew, a second tankard of ale at her elbow. She would have begged off if Asher hadn’t insisted. As Head of the Dark, she was expected to attend these events.
Like the afternoons she spent in the Hall of Charms—forced to wear an ‘official’ persona—evenings such as these made her feel restricted.
The three women entered the palace, past liveried servants and flaming torches, following a trail of candles to the throne room. Asher would already be there—as High Enchanter of the Order, he’d gone ahead with Wray, who was the new Head of the Light.
Ryana entered the throne room behind Ninia and Mira. The massive vaulted space—impressive enough during the day—took on an otherworldly quality at night. The immense space was the playground of deep shadows and burnished torch and candlelight. Banks of torches burned upon the walls, and a huge chandelier of candles hung overhead, its flaming majesty dominating the room and casting a gilded light over the crowd below.
The forest of marble pillars made the throne room look like some enchanted woodland glade, where brightly dressed nymphs with blood-red lips and rouged cheeks laughed and mingled to the sound of hauntingly beautiful music.
And beautiful it was. Despite her reluctance to attend the ball, Ryana’s step slowed as the strains of a harp flowed over her, accompanied by a woman’s sweet voice.
They were singing ‘Remember Me’, a tragic ballad about an enchanter and a fairy maid who fell in love. However, when he tried to use enchantment to bind her to his world, his lover died and her family wreaked terrible vengeance upon him.
Ryana hadn’t heard that song in years; it had been one she’d avoided during her time as a wandering scop upon the Isle of Orin—for it was a song that she and Gael had performed often.
Those evenings seemed a lifetime ago now.
Ryana stopped, letting Mira and Ninia draw farther ahead. Ninia swept into the throne room as if she were the guest of honor. Mira appeared less sure of herself. Unlike Ninia, who made her way toward the dais, where Queen Eldia sat chatting to retainers who fluttered around her like brightly colored exotic birds in their expensive gowns, Mira wove her way through the crowd toward Asher. Dressed in flowing white, the High Enchanter stood to the left of the dais, deep in conversation with Wray.
Watching Asher reach out and wrap a possessive arm around Mira’s shoulders, Ryana experienced a hollow sensation settle in the pit of her belly. She was happy for her friends, but the sight of them together just highlighted how alone she felt. Most women of her age were wed, with a brood of children.
But that wasn’t to be Ryana’s story.
A servant passed by, bearing a tray of silver goblets. Ryana helped herself to one and took a large gulp of rich red wine.
She’d only just arrived, and already she felt suffocated and on-edge. High-born women drifted around the floor, their expressions distant. Despite the wide vaulted space above her, the air in the hall seemed stifling, and she felt self-conscious in her flouncy dress.
If I can get away early, there may still be time for a few songs at the inn.
Ryana drained her goblet and handed it back to the servant before helping herself to another. She then moved through the crowd, clutching her goblet like an anchor, and headed toward the nearest pillar, where she could skulk and avoid mingling.
The ballad ended, and another, jauntier tune, began—one of Ryana’s favorites. She began to hum along. She knew the words to this one and wished she was standing before a tavern audience so she could sing it. The song grew steadily louder when a flutist accompanied the harpist and singer. As it reached its crescendo, Ryana’s gaze alighted on a tall, dark-haired figure standing at the pillar opposite her.
It was the man of Anthor she’d seen on the King’s Way.
Ryana’s discomfort dissolved, and she watched him with keen interest.
The man leaned against the pillar, goblet of wine in hand, his gaze surveying the crowd. He was handsome, or might have been if he smiled, although there was a hardness to his sharp-featured face that warned others from approaching. He’d changed clothing, yet his style of dress was distinctively southern: a dark leather vest and breeches with a scarlet silk shirt underneath.
Ryana tensed, a tickle of recognition flaring. She didn’t know him, but instinct told her she should.
“I see you’ve spied Nathan’s guest of honor.”
Ryana turned to see Asher standing behind her, Mira on his arm. She hadn’t even seen them make their way across the floor toward her.
“Aye,” Ryana replied, raising an eyebrow. “I take it you know who he is?”
Asher nodded, while next to him Mira stared across the hall at the stranger, her gaze narrowed.
“Unfortunately, we’ve both met him,” Asher replied after a pause. “That’s Elias, Prince of Anthor.”
“Saul’s brother?” Ryana glanced back at the stranger. No wonder she felt she’d seen him before.
Elias was bigger in build than his younger brother, with a harder demeanor, but the family resemblance was there in the sharp features and arrogant bearing. “I thought there was something familiar about him.”
Asher huffed. “I had the same reaction when I met him months ago, but I didn’t make the connection until he revealed his identity.”
Ryana glanced back at Asher. “Why’s he here?”
“The rumor is he plans to negotiate a peace and trade treaty between Anthor and Rithmar.”
Ryana choked on a sip of wine. “Really?”
“Exactly,” Mira replied. “We were as surprised as you.”
“And the king believes him?” Ryana asked, incredulous.
“Nathan’s no fool,” Asher replied. “He’ll have his reasons for tolerating the prince’s presence here.”
Ryana looked across at where the king lounged in his throne. Despite that tonight was a special occasion, Nathan was dressed as usual, in dark leather and his fine fur cloak. He accepted a goblet of wine from a servant and passed it across to his wife. Eldia took it with a soft smile. His wife tended to, Nathan settled back to watch the crowd. He didn’t even glance in the direction of his Anthor guest.
Ryana frowned, and she searched the crowd for signs of the King’s Guard. She spotted a number of them, standing in the shadows of the pillars behind the prince, apart from the revelers. The king was being cautious after all.
She glanced back at Asher. “You’ve spent time with Elias,” she said, remembering the harrowing tale that Asher, Mira, and Ninia had brought back with them from the Forest of the Fallen. “What do you know about him?”
“Little … unfortunately,” Asher replied, his gaze riveted upon the prince. “Other than he’s stubborn and ruthless.”
“And loyal, don’t forget,” Mira added, taking a sip of her wine. “He’s his father’s hound.”
Asher nodded, his mouth thinning.
“We need to know more,” Ryana announced. Suddenly, she was pleased she’d attended this ball after all. “I want to see the lie in his eyes when he talks of peace.”
Asher’s mouth quirked. “Stand in line … we’d all like to corner him.”
“I’ll see you both later.”
“Where are you going?” Mira asked.
Ryana tossed her a smile. “To talk to him.”
3
A Darker Purpose
ELIAS WAS OBSERVING the crowd, slowly sipping his wine, when he spied a woman making her way toward him.
He’d been focused on counting the shadowy figures lurking behind the columns on the other side of the room—at least ten more soldiers to add to the six behind him—but this woman’s appearance distracted him.
Tall and statuesque with a mane of golden hair, she certainly drew a man’s eye. Or maybe it was because she risked spilling out of that low-cut gown she was wearing. Yet once he tore his gaze from her cleavage, he noted she walked with barely concealed impatience, as if she wasn’t used to wearing long skirts. The woman carried a goblet of wine steady as she crossed the floor.
Sensing his appraisal, she looked directly at him. Cool grey-blue eyes met his.
Their gazes held for a long moment. She had a bold stare, but there was no flirtation in it.
Elias’s mouth curved. So this was no courtly lady planning on seducing him—a pity. With all the fighting and campaigning over the last year, there had been little time for pleasure. He hadn’t had a woman in months.
Tonight his thoughts were not on seduction. Earlier he’d spotted Ninia in the crowd. Dressed in a wine-red gown, the girl appeared older than he remembered. Ninia had seen Elias too. Her hazel eyes narrowed, before she turned her back on him and resumed her conversation with two brightly dressed courtiers.
Elias shifted his attention from the attractive blonde and glanced at Ninia once more. She still faced away from him.
It’s unwise to turn your back on an assassin, princess.
“Good evening … Your Highness.” A low voice, with a slight husky edge, interrupted his thoughts.
Elias turned to see that the approaching woman had now stopped a yard back from him. “Good eve.” He favored her with a casual bow. “And you are?”
“My name is Ryana.” There was no sultry smile nor batting eyelids.
“Good to meet you,” he drawled, lifting his goblet to his lips. “A beautiful woman is always a pleasure.”
She watched him for a moment, her gaze narrowing. “Shadows, you remind me of your brother.”
Elias’s gaze raked over the woman once more, taking her in afresh. Now she had his full attention. “You’ve met Saul?”
“Aye.”
“And how do you know my brother?”
He watched her jaw tighten. “I traveled with him for a spell,” she said carefully, “before he died.”
Elias went still. Saul had departed for the Gordi Isles the winter before last and never resurfaced. Elias had suspected he was dead, but now this woman confirmed it.
Leaning back against the pillar, Elias viewed Ryana under hooded lids. Around them, the music had changed from a merry song to a mournful lament. “How did he die?” The edge to his voice surprised him. He and Saul had never been close, and yet he was his only sibling.
“Serving your father.”
“Is that all you’re going to give me?”
Irritation flared in her eyes. “He retrieved and then lost the piece of The King Breaker.” Her voice was flat. “He died in the foothills of the Shadefells trying to get it back.”
Elias’s mouth twisted. “Good old Saul … he was tenacious … right to the end.”
Ryana’s face screwed up. “Your brother was a double-crossing, devious bastard.”
Elias barked a laugh and pushed off the pillar. “Thank you for informing me of Saul’s fate.” He stepped closer to her and inhaled the scent of lily. “I will let our father know.”
Ryana stared back at him, her chin lifting. “Are you really here to treat with King Nathan?”
Elias inclined his head. Did she think he would actually answer that?
“I think you have some other … darker … purpose for traveling north,” she continued. “I’d wager you’re here to cause trouble.”
Elias’s gaze narrowed. He leaned in toward Ryana, deliberately invading her space. She didn’t pull back. “That’s a bold accusation,” he said softly, all trace of flirtation gone from his voice. “Do you have proof?”
“I think you’re here to kill the king,” she replied, ignoring his question and doggedly pushing on, “or perhaps to finish what you started in The Forest of the Fallen … with Ninia.”
“Careful,” Elias growled. The woman was uncomfortably close to the mark. Comely or not, she was starting to get on his nerves. “You’ve a sharp, impudent tongue … mind it doesn’t get you into trouble.”
Ryana withdrew from him. “I’m expected to ask questions,” she replied. “I took a vow to protect my king’s interests when I joined the Order.” With that, she shifted her goblet to her left hand and raised her right palm. An eight-pointed star stared back at him, its depths unnaturally black.
Elias stepped back from her, his pulse quickening. He’d let a pretty face and a lush body lure him in. Her cleverness and bladelike tongue should have warned him. Ryana wasn’t like the other women in the room.
He should have realized she was an enchanter.
Ryana strode away from Elias of Anthor, a smile curving her mouth.
She’d enjoyed that. She hadn’t managed to get much out of the prince, but she’d liked seeing the shock in his eyes when he realized who—or rather what—she was. She was used to some men reacting that way when they saw the Star of Darkness upon her palm. A few were even superstitious about female enchanters. In some pockets of The Four Kingdoms, folk still believed that if a man lay with an enchanter his cods would shrivel.
Ryana’s smile widened.
Resuming her position near the pillar, she took another sip of wine. Unable to resist, she found her gaze dragged back to the Prince of Anthor. There was no denying he was handsome, more ruggedly so than Saul though. Elias was watching her now, his dark brows knitted together. He hadn’t liked how their exchange had ended. She could see he was the type of man who preferred to be in control.
Elias had taken news of his brother’s death well, although she’d noticed the tension in his big frame, the shadow that had moved in the depths of his eyes. Ryana had been tempted to tell him she’d been the one to end Saul of Anthor’s life—but something had made her keep that information to herself. She hadn’t taken any pleasure in killing him; she didn’t want to gloat over it.
Instead, she’d gone for the jugular and accused him of plotting to kill Nathan. His reaction had been a little disappointing, although she’d succeeded in angering him. He hadn’t liked her boldness.
Ryana met Elias’s gaze across the crowded floor, and she favored him with a taunting smirk.
I’m watching you.
Elias leaned against the pillar, cradling his goblet of wine, and feigned nonchalance.
However, inside he was seething.
The enchanter had put him on edge.
He was also aware of the King’s Guard lurking in the shadows behind him, hard gazes boring into his back. Their presence was oppressive, a constant reminder of his position here.
Ninia stood just ten feet away, laughing over something that Asher and Mira had said. He’d spotted the tall blond man dressed in flowing white, and the striking woman with dark hair in a form-fitting black gown, the moment he’d entered the throne room. And he’d also noted how often Asher and Mira glanced his way.
Ryana and the King’s Guard weren’t the only ones watching him tonight.
The fingers of Elias’s right hand tingled. His nerves were stretched tight.
Maybe I should just get this done with, he thought recklessly. Go out in a blaze of glory … f
or Anthor.
Yet Elias knew he wouldn’t. He was loyal but not self-sacrificing. His gaze shifted across the crowd, back to where Ryana still observed him. He wouldn’t give that bitch the satisfaction of being proved right—not this evening anyway.
“Elias!”
Tearing his gaze from Ryana, Elias spied Ninia of Thûn crossing the hall toward him, cutting her way through the sea of coiffured hair and glittering jewelry. The girl had made a point of keeping her back turned to him for the past hour, but it had all been an act.
Curiosity had likely gotten the best of her.
The princess stopped a few feet away, her gaze scrutinizing. She wore a determined expression he remembered well from their time in the Dim Hold earlier in the year. She was young, but others under-estimated the princess at their peril. The fact that, unlike other enchanters, she could wield both the Light and the Dark made her the most dangerous woman alive.
Elias pushed himself up off the pillar and stepped forward to meet her. “Good evening, princess.”
“I was surprised to learn of your visit,” Ninia greeted him. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
“Nor I, you,” Elias replied with a smile. “I hear you’ve joined the Order of Light and Darkness. Is it to your liking?”
Elias was aware then of another gaze boring into him. Shifting his attention left, over Ninia’s shoulder, he saw that the king had broken off his conversation with his wife and was watching him.
Nathan’s face was hard; his eyes gleamed with naked suspicion.
Elias heaved an inward sigh. No—he didn’t wish to die tonight. As close as Ninia now stood, he wouldn’t reach for his knife.
Unaware of the direction of his thoughts, Ninia shrugged. “Aye … I’m enjoying the training, although princesses weren’t meant for early starts.” Her hazel eyes narrowed slightly then. “I take it your father wasn’t happy to hear that I escaped?”
“He was livid.”