The road to Rhinnea was treacherous, but the company of soldiers was every bit as professional and polished as their gear looked, and Annalise had full trust Soren would keep her safe. They left Dovelan two weeks before the winter solstice and expected to take a full month to reach Rea, the capital city of…
As preparations swirled around the castle for Annalise’s departure, Soren spent nearly every day as her constant shadow—not that she was complaining. Annalise thoroughly enjoyed his company, and their friendship had picked up almost exactly where they’d left it over a decade before. Nearly a week after Soren was assigned as her personal guard, Annalise…
Three days later, Soren watched over Annalise in the garden as she finished harvesting the last viable herbs of autumn. He’d offered to help, but she’d turned him down, and he had to settle for holding the rapidly filling basket. One of the servant girls stood at the end of the row, chaperoning from a…
Princess Annalise fought back a yawn as she settled into the ornate chair reserved for the Crown Heir. She’d been up much later than expected the night before, playing with the other musicians until the last of the revelers finally retired to their rooms or fell asleep where they sat. In some ways, it felt…
Annalise was so struck by Soren’s words that she hadn’t even noticed him retake her hand, and when he bowed before her and brushed his lips over her gloved hand, she feared her heart would stop beating. “Captain Soren… I…” He smiled as he straightened, moving her hand back to her side before letting go…
Annalise’s heart skipped a beat and then jumped into her throat at finding Soren so close, his warm brown eyes watching her. “Hello, Soren, or, I suppose I should call you Lord Soren now, shouldn’t I?” she replied. She smiled, but knew that the only cue he would receive to know she was happy to…
As she waited for the servants to serve the next course, Princess Annalise looked over the members of court in the dining hall, searching for one face in particular. Earlier, when Soren strode down the center of the throne room like a victorious conqueror come home, her cheeks had warmed and she’d been grateful for…
Soren stood with his hands at his sides, shoulders back, and head up. “I was apprenticed to learn the trade of seafaring, Your Majesty, and have spent the past ten years in service on various vessels.” “Judging from your title, it sounds like you did well.” “Yes, Your Majesty. I earned the title of captain,…
The dark sky outside was just turning to dawn when Soren woke the next morning in his father’s house. When he’d first seen his old room the evening before, it was exactly the same as when he’d left it over a decade before, although judging from the lack of dust, he assumed the maids came…
As was often her custom, Annalise spent the first hour of the evening at the high table with her father, his most trusted advisors, and his current favorite courtesan, Larken. Annalise noted with interest that despite Larken sitting next to her father, several times throughout the night he sent a choice piece of beef or…