Page 26 of Shattered Heir
The view changed in an instant—like a screen was thrown over us, and I reached up; it wassomesort of projection. I looked to see Glasson holding a device that looked like a rock in his hand. Suddenly, the sky filled with a picture, like some magical projected movie screen. There was a castle with tall spires, reaching into the sky. Mountains covered in snow gleamed behind the castle in the moonlight. The castle itselfwas beautiful–dark, but magical and such a contrast to the pure white snow. I looked to Glasson who let his hands rest.
“That was—”
“That was the Kingdom of Haleston,” Ryker whispered. I looked at him. “Or, well, a small glimpse of it anyway. I am sorry we cannot give you more.”
“How is that even possible?” I asked with shock radiating from me and evident in my voice.
“It is a vision. The keepers kept them within these stones that Glasson has,” Ryker answered, but it was apparent that he really had no idea how it worked.
I looked at Glasson. “Thank you,” I whispered.
“You’re welcome, Princess,” he said, his voice low and gruff, but I realized that it was not a cruel voice; it was just the timber and sound of his voice that was harsh, not the reality of his voice.
“Glasson is the Crown Prince of Torren,” Ryker said.
“Rykerian—” Glasson warned, as if telling him not to divulge any more to me.
“I will tell you all about theLionRebel Prince later,” he whispered in my ear.
“Rykerian?” I asked with wide eyes.
“Yes, that is my full name, but you still call me, Ry. Got it?”
I nodded and smiled.
We all lay like that for a little while. Ash was silent, still not saying a word, so I looked over at her. Tears were in her eyes and were falling down her cheeks. I turned away, not wanting to make her uncomfortable, but I touched her hand, letting her know that I was there.
She grabbed it, turned to me, and I squeezed back with a smile.
“I am the Crown Princess of Sorra,” Ash said so softly that I was not sure I heard it.
Ryker sat up.
“Oh, calm down, Ryker. Don't act so surprised,” Glasson said, laughing.
“How can that be? You are the Princess?”
“She is,” Glasson said as if that revelation relaxed him.
“So, we have the Crown Princess of Haleston, Emma; the Crown prince of Embra, Shad; the Princess of Sorra, Ash; and the Crown Prince of Torren, Glasson?”
“It seems so,” Glasson confirmed.
“How? Why?” Ryker asked, his face shocked.
“You haven't seen it there the way we have.” Glasson sat up, and Ash followed. “The Ancient blessed lands, as we knew them, are dying out. The last heirs who praised the Ancients sent their offspring away.”
“What about Solalune?” I asked, looking back and forth between Glasson and Ryker.
“No heirs survived. Solalune was destroyed, just as so many others were. In Sorra, Ashlyn barely made it out,” Glasson said, looking at Ash. She was sitting up but was still staring at the stars.
“So you and the others—you went into the Dungeons of the Mist?” Ryker asked.
“We did; however, Ash, me, and the people we came with were all captured and knocked out as soon as we stepped through the portal. So, we have no idea where the portal is. If I did, of course, I would have told you, Rykerian,” Glasson nodded in Ryker’s direction.
“Yes, I figured that.”
“It’s getting rather late. We should probably go,” Ash said as she wrapped her arms around herself. We all stood up and walked silently back to the flower shop. I watched as Ash and Glasson walked to their car and drove away. Ryker slipped his hand into mine.
