Page 11 of Once the Skies Fade

Tanner eyed me curiously. “Didn’t know you were so good with kids.”

I angled my head at him. “I’m good with everyone.”

“Except the humans, apparently,” my sister said, pulling my attention back to her and the matter at hand.

“Apparently,” I agreed. “So have you seen her? Heard anything?”

She shook her head slowly. “I haven’t seen anyone, but when Lottie delivered my last order from the market, she mentioneda human had been spotted slipping over the wall into Kinham. Whether it was the one you’re looking for, I’m not sure.”

Whether it was Raven or someone else fleeing to Kinham, there was little I could do without causing more political turmoil. I was just about to stand when Sera spoke again.

“There is something else though—unrelated to the humans but more important, especially if it turns out to be true.”

Leaning forward, I rested my forearms on the table. “And what’s that?”

“It’s about Prince Brennan. There are rumors going around about his death.”

My blood chilled. All we’d heard from Arenysen was that he had died and their healers were still investigating. But I knew as well as anyone that news traveled faster outside of the official channels—not that it was always the most accurate.

When she didn’t say more, I prompted her with a raised brow.

“Word is it was no accident,” she said.

I frowned briefly. “We’d be foolish to assume it was.”

“And what if it was the queen—his wife—who killed him?”

Chapter 6

Calla

The door to my carriage creaked open, but I didn’t move. My glazed stare remained forward. I didn’t want to be here. Didn’t want to see them or hear their condolences. Didn’t want their judgment for my cold demeanor and lack of outward grief.

A hand reached in and I promptly took it, checking my hold on my shadows while Isa guided me out into the too-bright mid-morning sunshine. She leaned close to me, bearing some of my weight as I stepped down onto the gravel drive in front of the Emeryn palace. Releasing my hand, she rested hers on the pommel of the sword hanging at her waist, as if she were expecting trouble. This was what made Isa a good soldier—always alert and always prepared.

If only something could have preparedmefor this.

“Just give me the signal—at any moment—and I’ll help you,” Isa said quietly.

Drawing in a deep breath, I forced myself to focus on the ornate front of the royal home—his home. No, I could do this. I had to do this. For Brennan. For his family.

Maybe even for me.

Turning back to my friend, I shook my head.

She pursed her lips and studied me for a moment but then finally dipped her chin. “Offer still stands. I’m here for you, Calla.”

I opened my mouth to speak, noting how her eyes widened ever so slightly in anticipation of hearing my voice for the first time in over a week, but I was interrupted by someone calling my name.

I pivoted to find the future queen of Emeryn, Lieke Durand, bounding toward me with arms outstretched. Isa stepped back a pace, allowing my sister-in-law to wrap me in a warm embrace. Folding my arms around her waist I let my chin drop to her shoulder and closed my eyes. As much as I had dreaded this the entire journey here, I couldn’t deny the comfort she brought me with a simple hug.

“I missed you,” she whispered, squeezing me once before retreating. She folded her hands at her waist as she stepped back and caught my gaze, her dark blue eyes lined with tears. “I wish you were here under better circumstances.”

My bottom lip began to tremble, but pressing my mouth into a tight line, I managed to steady it.

“Me too,” I said, wincing at how foreign my voice sounded to my ears.

Lifting herself up on her toes, Lieke peered over my shoulder to the wagon sitting behind my carriage. She pressed her hand to her heart and sucked in a breath, a tear spilling over and trailing down her cheek. I turned away quickly and clamped my eyes shut as the sight of her grief pricked my heart.

---