Family alliances. Betrothals. Honor. The life of an innocent maiden. Much could change in a handful of breaths. Annalise sat at the window of her chambers and watched Soren walk through the snowy garden below. It was far too early in the season for the first of the spring flowers and the only green was…
Their journey took most of the day. The mountain ridges around them grew gradually steeper until they rose vertically hundreds of feet into the air like giant stone curtains. Captain Padrin rode straight ahead until the party emerged from the forest into a small clearing in the shadow of the cliff face. He continued riding…
Annalise shifted uncomfortably on her horse. Between the tense passage through the pass, the four terrifying days with the bandits, and her rescue the night before which was followed by a few hours of restless sleep on the ground with only a handful of scavenged blankets and an old tent for comfort and compounded by…
“Be brave, my sweet girl,” Queen Elvira said, squeezing Annalise’s hand even as pain wracked her body. Annalise squeezed back, willing her mother to get better. Queen Elvira had been sick for several weeks—far too nauseous and with too fierce of a headache to get out of bed. She was six months pregnant, the longest…
Soren made sure Annalise was safe by the fire with a dagger at her side for added protection before he took stock of what was left after the attack on the bandit camp. On the day of her kidnapping, when the rescue party had returned without her, he’d almost lost his mind and gone after…
Darkness. Pain. Darkness and pain. Annalise opened her eyes to the sight of a fire crackling several feet away. She tried to sit up and groaned when her head protested. Her thoughts felt like they were made of sodden wool–heavy, swollen, and difficult to move. She lay atop a ragged fur pelt and could hear…
Their climb into the mountains took most of the next day, and the company camped overnight under a rocky ledge in the pass itself. The Rhinneans traveling with them kept to themselves and gave no indication of wishing to interact with the Doveans, but even from across the campsite Soren could sense their smug satisfaction….
The travelers spent a few precious days at the outpost restocking their provisions and preparing for the worst of the journey ahead, although they couldn’t afford to stay for long. The evening before they were to leave, Soren and Colonel Lennil discussed the possibility of bandits on the road. “If the bandit attacks have recently…
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…
Just in time for the deadline imposed by King Evert, the preparations were complete. As her escort traveled through the streets of Dovelan, Annalise waved from her carriage at the people lining the street. They cheered when they saw her and threw dried flowers and sweet-smelling herbs. The mood was genuinely cheerful and a welcome…