Page 70 of Forged in Flame and Shadow

I vaguely wonder about introducing myself, but I’m suddenly very dizzy, and my vision blurs as the ground seems to fall away from under my feet.

Chapter 22

Morgana

Strong hands catch me before I fall. “You’re alright, Ana, I’ve got you. Healer Yanda, get us some water please.”

A cup is held to my lips, and I find the strength to grab it, drinking down the cool liquid. Leon lowers me into a chair, and Dots pushes his head into my lap, emitting a little whine.

“Sorry,” I say eventually, when my head stops spinning. “That took a lot out of me.”

I look up to see the healers helping Fairon out of his bed. He’s a little wobbly on his legs, but he gently pushes their hands away until he’s standing on his own.

“Well, it’s been a long time since I saw things from this angle,” Fairon says, looking around at us.

There are physical similarities in their faces, but the differences between Leon and his brother are immediately obvious. Even without his weight loss, Fairon is much more slender, and his voice is soft and measured. If Leon is a storm, then Fairon reminds me of a breeze blowing through the leaves: subtle, but still alive with a bright energy.

He turns that energy toward his brother first. The men embrace, and I suddenly wonder if I shouldn’t give them a moment alone. I can see on Leon’s face that there’s so much he wants to say. But as I rise to slip out of the room, they both turn to me.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Leon asks, wearing a grin so wide I’m dazzled by it. I’ve never seen him wear an expression like that before. It’s joy. Unmistakable, beaming joy.

Fairon steps toward me, bowing low. “I must ask for the name of the lady who saved my life.”

“Erm, Morgana Angevire, Your Highness,” I say. “Princess Morgana,” I add hastily, forgetting my title momentarily.

His eyes brighten with curiosity. “I see I have missed a lot.”

I know what he’s thinking. The last time he checked, Trova didn’t have a princess. But I can leave all that to Leon to explain. Right now, I need to rest.

“If you’ll forgive me, I think it’s best I return to the palace,” I say. “It’s possible I mightactuallyfaint if I don’t lie down soon.”

“Of course,” Fairon says, his tone clipped. “Leonidas, we mustn’t neglect the princess like this. Let us see her back to the palace.”

“That’s exactly what I’m going to do,” Leon says, and I smother a smile at his long-suffering tone. Within minutes, they’ve slipped into what I suspect is a familiar, bickering brotherly dynamic. “You’re staying here though,” Leon says, as if he’ll brook no argument. “The healers still need to check you over.”

Healer Yanda steps forward. “Yes, Your Highness, if you wouldn’t mind.”

“Very well,” says Fairon. “But let me at least escort you out.” He gestures for me to take the lead out of the chamber. We walk slowly to the entrance of the Sanctuary, and I blink in the bright sunlight, squinting after being in the dim interior.

As my vision clears, I see Respen on the shore with Velrir and more armored fae climbing out of a boat behind him. Some of Respen’s spies must have let him know I’d gone to the Sanctuary this morning. I glare at Velrir. Clearly the mustached fae hasn’t been punished too harshly for his attempt to sabotage my test.

Leon must read my mind, because he leans forward to mutter to me.

“He’s been demoted. I already checked. My grandfather likes keeping him around for his sensic abilities, but he’s not head of his personal guard anymore.”

I still narrow my eyes at the disgraced fae, not sure that’s enough punishment to satisfy me. However, I’m distracted by the sight of Respen clapping eyes on Fairon, who’s appeared in the Sanctuary’s doorway.

“Fairon,” the king says like he’s releasing a deep sigh. A smile plays on his lips as he approaches his grandson, reaching his hand out to him. Fairon takes it, and while they don’t hug, Respen clasps Fairon’s fingers with unexpected warmth.

“How good to see you up again, my boy,” Respen says.

“It’s been too long, Your Majesty,” Fairon replies.

“It has indeed,” Respen says, nodding enthusiastically. “Your absence has been felt by us all. But now Filusia has its heir back, and we can make a fresh start.”

For once, Respen sounds sincere. The pleasure in his face at seeing Fairon would be hard to fake. Yet he seems cautious too, examining his grandson as if some uncertainty lingers in him. I wonder if he’s not entirely convinced Fairon is cured. Maybe he’s worried the prince might relapse.

“The sickness that plagued His Highness is completely gone, Your Majesty,” I say, trying to reassure him. “I’m certain of it, but the healers are also going to examine him to confirm it.”

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