AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His name was Valin. And he wasn’t just any injured rider seeking aid. Alaric recognized him instantly when Kade carried him into the palace. He was a warrior—an ancient one, thought to be dead when he went missing several years prior. Word of his return to court had spread through the palace like wild-fire. He was renowned throughout the Night Court, and the nobles prayed for his return to health.
“He’s a legend!” Kade exclaimed, pacing the length of the parlor, “I can’t wait to meet him.”
Finn nodded to his brother, “Valin the Great—the last warrior of the original Horde armies under the reign of Morgana. He’s over a thousand years old. I still remember pretending to be him when we were boys.”
“Where do you suppose he’s been all this time?” Tiernan injected, a skeptical quirk to his brow. “He didn’t vanish into thin air, only to appear back at court years later.”
Kade shrugged, turning down his lips, “Beats me, but I’m sure Alaric will find out once he’s better.”
I sighed. It didn’t escape my notice that the palace was more abuzz with excitement over the return of a glorified soldier than they ever were about my return to court. And it did seem strange, and a bit suspicious that Valin should return now, less than a moon from my taking of the throne.
The water in my glass froze at my touch, turning to a solid, heavy brick of ice. I channeled heat to melt it back to water, pushing my Grace of fire through my fingertips until it was fully melted and near boiling.
“You’re getting better at that,” Tiernan said, coming to sit next to me on the settee while Kade and Finn continued their excited conversation about Valin across the room.
I smiled a tight-lipped smile, and froze the water again, watching as frost grew on the outside of the glass, building around where my fingers clasped it. “Thanks, but it still isn’t enough. Without touching someone who is Graced, and drawing fromtheirpower, I can only use small amounts. It makes no sense.”
Tiernan chuckled, taking the frozen glass from my hands to set down on the side table, “None of this does.” He shook his head. His now loose blond hair glistened in the sunlight.
“We know now that Morgana was given more than one Grace, but aside from her and you, there has been no other. There’s no manual—no one to learn from. But I have faith you’ll figure it out,” he finished with a wink.
I reigned in the urge to roll my eyes, wishing for the hundredth time that Morgana’s spirit would answer my calls. I had been searching for her chamber, hoping to hear her voice, and to ask for her help, but it seemed she would only call to me whenshehad something to say. It didn’t go both ways.
If only I could ask her how to unlock my Graces, then maybe I could learn how to control them, and how to wield them. The nobles have made requests of me to heal their wounded, but I’ve had to turn them down, having been wholly unable to use my Grace of healing since the incident with Kade.
“I haven’t tested myself with your Grace yet,” I realized, wondering if it was possible for me to also have power over the element of earth, “I’m starting more training soon, outside of the palace, perhaps you could come?”
He grinned wide, showing two rows of perfect teeth beneath his seductive lips. “I’d be honored.”
Gods… he’s gorgeous.
I swallowed, squirming in my seat, “Great.”
The room had grown quiet, and I turned to find Kade and Finn staring at me, their eyes creating a path between me and Tiernan. Kade’s jaw was tight, and Finn’s lips pursed.
“What?” I demanded, “What are you two staring at?”
Kade opened his mouth, but it was Finn who spoke, “Nothing.”
I remembered then how they could smell desire and a blush clawed its way up my neck. The damned territorial animals.
“Tiernan, why don’t you go see if Alaric needs a hand?”
Tiernan shrugged, “Alright,” he replied to Kade, “I’ll see if I can catch up to him.”
Alaric had gone down the North road to look for any signs of a struggle, or where Valin came from, since the warrior hadn’t yet regained consciousness. The healer said his injuries were mostly internal, and it would be days before he awoke.
I knew what the Draconians were doing, and I didn’t like it—getting rid of Tiernan so they could stake their claim and remind my newest royal guardian of his place beneath them. I lifted my glass from where Tiernan placed it on the side table, warming it to a drinkable temperature, and took a sip.
“Be safe,” I nodded to Tiernan as he exited the parlor, and then turned my fury on the males before me. “What was that about?”
Kade crossed his thick arms over his chest, “You practically drooled. It was embarrassing.”
“I wasnotdrooling.”
“You were,” Finn attested, smirking, “I don’t blame you though, he’s a handsome male, even I can see that.”
“Finn!” Kade whined, shoving his brother, “You’re supposed to be onourside.”
