Page 304 of Kingdoms of Night

SPIDERS AND SILK

MAY SAGE AS EMM DARCY

CHAPTERONE

I’m used to being on my knees, but the marble is cold and uneven, scraping my skin. At home, the altar of the Sun God is surrounded by a plush carpet. Still, I keep kneeling, and praying for my family’s salvation.

It’s not the first time my father and brother left for war, but this time, things are different. I can feel it. The fact that they made me come here, to a neighboring kingdom, proves that they’re worried about my safety.

I don’t understand it. I don’t understand anything at all.

The world’s six kingdoms have been at peace for thousands of years. Sure, a few local lords started rebellions my father had to squash, and some of our neighbors tested our borders a generation or two ago, but there has never been one war involving every kingdom of Enoria.

I’m the first-born princess of Saur, the kingdom of silk. To the east lie the plains of Veklan, and to the west, the mountains of Balmur. North, there are two kingdoms, Clerion and Temarg. Beyond them, the last is a nameless, crownless land riddled with fiends and monsters that none dare cross into.

Clerion has always been the greatest and richest kingdom on our continent. They trade jewels, gold, silver, and spices all over the world, across the oceans, and if the rumors are true, past the veils of this realm, right into the next. They have weapons and cures like no other on Enoria. The sick travel from all corners to get saved by their medicine, and the great artists all desire to play for King Stevar, their ruler.

My father begged the Clerion king for help when my mother was sick, before giving birth to me, and the king had his healers cure her. He didn’t even demand a price for his effort. We’ve always admired Clerion. Yet now, Saur, Veklan, Balmur, and Temarg are all at war against the great kingdom.Why?

I’d begged for an explanation, but no one told me a thing, not even my brother. “We have to do it, Lena. Trust me on this. There’s no other choice.” Those were Devon’s last words to me before they shipped me off to Balmur.

I suppose I ought not to be surprised. No one speaks to me about the greater affairs of the realm. They tell me about the visitors I am to entertain, and let me pick themes for parties or color schemes for table decorations. Devon’s seventeen, two years my junior, and by the laws of the land, I should be crown princess, the next queen of Saur, but we all know my father will find a way around it. He’s groominghimfor the crown. I can’t blame him. I’m no queen. Too soft, tooidealistic.

I pray for their safety all the same.

At least until the sound of giggles breaks my concentration. I prevent myself from rolling my eyes with great difficulty.

“Really, Margaux? You have to do this here? In a temple.”

Margaux, the heir of Balmur, is my oldest and dearest friend. She’s also a self-centered, indulged girl who’s never been told no in her entire life. No one’s likely to cheat her out of a throne. She’d kick and scream and raise an entire army until she gets her due.

“This is the perfect place, if a little dusty. No one ever comes here.”

I don’t have to turn to know she’s dragging a boy into one of the empty confessionals.

I resume my prayers, closing my eyes, but the wet noises behind me make it impossible to focus. Grunts, groans, moans, and sighs. Claps of flesh against flesh. The steady thump of wood on the brick wall. I sigh, gather my skirts, and rise to my feet, beaten for the evening.

I don’t spare the confessionals a glance as I leave the Sun temple, half put out, half amused.

Margaux’s always been a wild thing. She was inviting knights to her chambers years ago, and she wasn’t shy about sharing the details. I’ve always envied her free spirit, and respected her ability to do as she pleases.

At the steps of the temple, I come to a stop, my heart beating fast. Then I break into the brightest of smiles. “Devon! Father!”

They march next to the king of Balmur. All dismount their horses when they reach the temple.

My prayers were answered. My family’s safe. Devon, who’s just grown into his cumbersome armor over the last year, seems sadder than I’d like, but he’s in one piece, and walking to me, his arms open. I rush into them and hug him tight.

“Is Margaux in there?” the king of Balmur asks.

I nod, before beaming up at my brother.

The handsome deep-tanned king and his two knights leave us to our family reunion, heading into the temple to find their princess.

“You weren’t gone for long!”

They left me here less than two weeks ago. I’ve known wars against small duchies to last longer.

“It wasn’t even a fight,” he grunts.

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