Page 3 of Court of Bone and Amethyst

A white stone wall rises on my right, marking the boundary of the courtyard of the house I seek. The tiniest bit of tension leaves my shoulders. I follow the wall, keeping Sarielle tightly against my side, until an ornate archway opens, designed with scalloped edges like a seashell or a flower edged with blue sea glass. Weduck through and into the courtyard beyond, crossing with quick strides, passing through a lush garden filled with flowers and butterflies. A grand door rises before us, twice my height and framed in a design like the archway but set with shiny bronze in addition to the sea glass.

I rap the matching metallic knocker three times loudly.

As I wait for someone to let us in, I glance behind to ensure we’re still alone in the courtyard. My gaze sweeps the second floor of the building also, for a second time; I’d already surveyed it once as we approached. It seems for the moment we are free of any tails. The first set of attackers had clearly followed us from the harbor, they must have been watching the incoming ships. If there were other mercenaries following us, it seems they’re hanging back for the moment.

The door finally swings open, and a man I don’t recognize greets us.

“I need to see Naryo,” I say. “Tell him Shadow Storm is here.”

Sarielle cuts her eyes over to mine but says nothing. The man nods and gestures for us to enter the foyer of the house.

I turn to latch the door behind us as the man strides away. Sarielle’s eyes move around the interior of the space, seeming to soak in every detail. She’s so very new in the world compared to my centuries. I can feel the wonder in her gaze palpably as she takes in the two-story entry hall, the entirety of which is tiled in mosaic patterns. They depict stories of the sea and the fae who venture there. Wars and quests and love found and lost.

“It cannot be!” a voice booms from across the huge space. “The most wanted man in all of Valaron, right here on my doorstep.”

A tall man enters the room with all the presence of a god. Black hair to his shoulders, bronze skin, silver eyes. I’d been told many a time we looked like brothers, and I’d always felt closer to him than I did to any of my blood kin. The thought sends a stab of guilt through my core.

But when he grins and pulls me into a back-thumping embrace, I momentarily forget what a cursed soul I have. “It’s good to see you, Naryo.”

Naryo steps back and looks me in the eyes. “I’m sorry we must meet under such grave circumstances.”

“I’m sorry that I always seem to bring trouble to your doorstep.” I shake my head, a gesture of remorse and apology.

“I am honored that I am the kind of friend you trust when you are in the worst of predicaments,” Naryo says. He turns to Sarielle and takes her hand, bowing and dusting a kiss over her knuckles. “And you must be our new queen. You honor me with your presence.”

“No formalities needed,” Sarielle says hastily, looking uncomfortable.

“I suppose you have a lot to tell me. We only caught the rumors from those who fled Selaye yesterday,” Naryo says, his eyes burning into mine. “But first, let me just…”

He raises his arms and a flare of magic moves across the room. There’s a sound at the front door like a huge invisible bolt sliding into place, and it continues around the perimeter of the house, a succession of rapid clicks that fades and then grows louder again.

“A protection spell I had ready,” Naryo explains. “I figured there was a chance you’d make your way here since Selaye isn’t so far.”

He gestures for us to follow him as he turns and heads deeper into the house, across the entry hall, down a corridor, and into a large study on the left. It overlooks a much smaller courtyard at the center of the compound, this one featuring a fountain surrounded by yellow flowers and cascades of dark green vines. Naryo gestures for us to take seats, and after we’ve selected chairs, takes a seat himself.

Naryo’s gaze sweeps from me to Sarielle. “My deepest condolences for the loss of your brother. And your new husband, my queen.”

He must see something in the way we tense and avert our gazes. “I am missing something…” Naryo begins. Then his eyes widen. “You…Zyren, was it you who fulfilled the spell to keep the nightmares at bay?”

I nod slowly. There are few in all of Valaron who know my true identity. As a guardian, I gave up all rank and title and family connections centuries ago. But Naryo is one of my oldest friends, so he knows the truth of my Lyonian bloodline.

Naryo’s eyes pin to mine. “So, I have both the queenandthe king under my roof…”

“I amnotking.” The words come out with such bite that Sarielle and Naryo both jump. I lower my voice, and through a clenched jaw, say again, “Sarielle is queen. We wed out of necessity when my brother was killed by Avonia’s warriors, to make sure the spell was completed to send the nightmares back to their territory. Her Otreyas blood and my Lyonian blood, as required. But I am not, and will never be, King of Valaron.”

“I see,” Naryo says. His tone tells me he has opinions on the matter, but thankfully, he keeps them to himself. “So, the nightmares are contained once again, but the Septarus have taken the crown and are hunting you, and no doubt have other devious plans. What’s your move, then? And how can I help?”

I open my mouth to speak, but Sarielle beats me to it. Her words, when she speaks, carry more venom than I knew her capable of.

“We need to muster a force to fight back against them. An army that can help us defeat the Septarus once and for all.”

Chapter Three

Sarielle

Idon’t know wherethe sudden surge of rage comes from, only that one moment I am sitting in the home of a stranger feeling very overwhelmed, and the next a black storm of heat and shadow unfurls in my gut.

I want Avonia to pay for what she’s done.

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