Page 5 of Unseen Lord

And this time I won't come back.

Chapter 2

Elias

Her face is hard.Serious. The look of a warrior. But I will defeat her. I shall prevail. In this and in all things, just you wait.

You believe me don't you? You haven't lost faith in me since nearly being killed by the White Rider? I didn't think so.

She lunges, I parry, then counterattack, our swords clanging against one another, metal ringing out in the cool night air, the sound reverberating over the icy waters that surround my sister's ship. In the distance stand the snow-laden mountains of Stonehill, replete in their quiet, sparse beauty. The parts of my childhood I remember most fondly all happened here.

"Lighten your grip," Uncle Asher instructs, as if I'm a child still learning the art of war through play and wooden swords. It is only the three of us aboard just now. The rest of her crew members have taken to Uncle Dean's realm for a night of debauchery and pleasure. Aya said they needed to let off steam. I personally think she just wanted to be rid of their boorish company for a spell. I don't blame her.

"Control your hips," Uncle Asher says, continuing his unnecessary instruction as Duke, my black wolf, sits at his side watching with impartial eyes. He's grown monstrously big in such a short time, a sign he's got some of the magical qualities of his father in him.

"They're telegraphing your moves," Asher says. "Aya could defeat you blindfolded with the way you're fighting today."

I purse my lips against a sarcastic retort. The truth is, I'm slower than I should be. Still weak from nearly dying at the hands of my evil twin.

If Aya hadn't come, if she hadn't gotten there in time, all would be lost.

But here we are. I am nearly returned to normal.

Nearly.

But not quite.

And I am distracted by worry for Iris.

I should be out there looking for her. Assuming she's even still alive. Aya doesn't disagree, but she wants me at my best before we venture forth into a fight with a tremendously powerful man.

The White Rider.

Myth. Legend. Blood.

"You're fighting like a blind turkey," Uncle Asher says, as he crosses his legs and sips at a goblet of fresh blood. He's impeccably dressed, as always, hair oiled down, nails polished. And he's been shadowing us for days, ever since I regained consciousness.

Shadowing us, and hounding us.

Aya takes that moment to use my distraction against me and pins me into a lock that nearly ends our battle, and not in my favor. I twist away and am about to counter with an attack that should turn the tables when my vision goes black and a voice explodes in my head, calling my name.

I stumble and Aya positions her blade against my throat, a gloat on her perfect face, as she relieves me of my weapon.

"Brother, you've lost your touch. You'll need to be better than that to go up against the White Rider."

She saunters away, her dark cloak flowing around her shoulders, as she takes an offered goblet from a servant and drinks deeply.

Duke whines under his breath and jogs towards me, nudging against my legs.

It takes a moment for me to form a coherent thought. "I just heard Iris's voice in my head. She's on this world. On Avakiri, I think. I could feel it. Feel her."

Aya raises an eyebrow at that. "How?"

Uncle Asher clears his throat, his gaze penetrating. "Likely something to do with her emerging powers as the Unseen Lord I would think. She is valuable but dangerous. She must be protected."

I nod, glad we agree on that at least.

But he's not done, it seems. "First, however, it is vital we secure the line to the throne and place a new monarch. Your parent's will is clear. They do not have to be dead, just unable to perform their duties, and their title would pass to the next in line. After a vote by the people."

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