Page 84 of Bloodguard

I turn and address the people before he can. “Tonight, we celebrate. We commemorate the day Queen Avianna defeated the great phoenix!”

The crowd cheers.

“I am Princess Maeve, granddaughter of Avianna of Iamond, ninth ruler of the Iamond Royal Line. My house is the house of the people!”

Raucous cheers go up.

“Well played, child.” Vitor grins at me.

He lifts our joined hands toward the sky, and the cheers grow louder.

As if we’d choreographed this from the start, the hired wizard and supporting mages send up sparks and spectacles of color. The crowds gaze up.

I focus on Vitor.

“You spoke of purpose, Uncle,” I say in a low voice so only he can hear. “This is mine.”

He reflects on that for a long moment, then says angrily, “I also spoke of fear and need. And youdidnotheed my warning.” I only smile back at him.

You don’t scare me anymore.

chapter 30

Leith

I race the distance back to the manor on horseback.

My muscles ache and burn. Sweat drips from my brow, and nausea pitches into my throat. Pain is my companion. Pain and terror, because every second away from Maeve is one in which she is surrounded by enemies.

“Jakeb!”

I scream his name twice more to be heard over the colorful explosions that are visible even from this distance.

He rushes out of the manor toward the gates, Neela close on his heels and Giselle just behind. Her eyes are glowing with odd light.

“It’s Maeve,” I say between heaving breaths. “She’s joined the memorial parade. She’ll be at the castle by now.”

Jakeb moves with unnatural speed. He’s across the yard and slamming into the stables in a blink. I hear the moon horses startle and whinny.

“Is she all right, Leith?” Giselle’s body is shaking. Ripples of multicolored sparks spray from her hands. Her eyes are a blend of swirling hues. I think I understand the need for the gloves now.

I instinctively take a step back.

“Giselle!” Caelen yells.

His harsh tone seems to ground her. Her eyes blink rapidly before turning into liquid honey again.

“She wasn’t in any immediate danger.” I relay what we saw and how Vitor made a spectacle of showing himself as some kind of ruler supreme.

Giselle lets loose a string of curses.

We mount as soon as Jakeb returns with the horses, and Star launches into a run before I can even reposition myself. I grab the reins and lean against her neck, my legs tightening to keep my seat.

“I told her not to go.” Giselle overtakes me on the right. She’s riding faster than the rest of us, her small frame looking even slighter atop the spotted moon horse. “But oh no, no one ever listens to me!”

It’s not long before we’re back in the city, rose petals and red ribbons strewn on the streets.

When I glance back over my shoulder, I see more of Jakeb’s house riding to catch up. Pega, the groundskeeper, and several of the guards who are stationed at the manor gates join us.

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