The Darathi Vorsi Prince (Song of the Swords Book 0) (7 page)

Gone was the sanctimonious sneer h
e’
d once worn as a badge of honor. Reflected in his eyes he saw an intelligence, an understanding of the ways of the world h
e’
d not encountered at home. As he studied the young man who stared back at him, he felt sorry for the lad who had caused his mothe
r’
s death. The sneer was gone, but not his anger. Of what h
e’
d witnessed of the world, he was
n’
t convinced the Fadair were worth what h
e’
d lost. The kindest person h
e’
d met thus far was an Eleri. He drew upon the vision h
e’
d had of the woman with platinum hair. Sh
e’
d called him her beloved. Sh
e’
d asked him to wait for her. He drew a shaky breath and reminded himself she was worth the fight. The Fadair be damned.

A knock on the door broke his reverie. Waiting in the corridor was a page who led him through hallways and up several flights of stairs, all of which had Rhoane thoroughly confused by the time they reached the huge, ornately decorated rooms of the empress. Without knocking, his escort entered, and he followed. They passed through a small foyer with mirrors on the walls and ceiling, the floor a bizarre pattern of black and white tiles. If he stared too long, he became dizzy and disoriented.

Beyond the foyer was a sitting room with floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out across the Summer Seas. H
e’
d never seen the ocean that close before and stared, mesmerized at the expanse of blue. Even when in Ulla, the tribe never went as far as the coast, always staying inland, close to mountains, or near the Jansen Straight.

Rhoane heard the empress before he saw her. A swish of fabric, followed by the scent of roses and jasmine, floated through the air. He turned from the window and swallowed a gasp at the vision before him. Empress Lliandra, dressed in silks of palest blue, her long blonde hair looped and curled in an ornate style with gems glittering in the fading afternoon light, studied him as surely as he surveyed her. Delicately carved features formed her face. From the gentle arch of her brow, to her straight nose and high cheekbones, down to the bow of her lips, she was perfection. Even her ski
n—
pale, almost white, but with a blush of pink under the surface.

“
I understand you presented yourself as a prince
,”
she said
,“
and yet you do not bow to me
?
”

“
Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was stunned by your beauty
.”
He bowed low, lower than he had to Amdi, lower even than he did for his own father
.“
Which I know is no excuse, but the only reason I can give for my poor manners
.
”

“
Your Elennish is quite good
.
”

“
We are taught the Aelan language in the Narthvier. Father believes it gives us a greater understanding of our neighbors
.
”

“
And your father would b
e…?
”

“
King Stephan, Most Favored Son of our goddess, Verdaine. I am Rhoane, First Son of the Eleri
.
”

“
So many sons. Surely you Eleri have female children
?”
Her mocking tone set Rhoane on notice.

A door opened, and Sir Baehlon stepped into the room
.“
Forgive me, Your Majesty. I was detained on another matter
.
”

The empress waved him off, and he stood to one side, his arms crossed over his chest
.“
Rhoane was just telling me about all the men in the Narthvier
.
”

Baehlon stoodpassive, but Rhoane recalled his warning
.“
We have women as well. My mother, Aislinn, gave birth to four children. Three male, one female. My sister studies with the other novices at Verdain
e’
s temple
.
”

“
I should like to meet your family. Do you think that would be possible
?
”

“
I am not sure. My father is a very private man
.
”

“
Is that the reason, or is it because yo
u’
ve been exiled from the forest
?
”

Rhoane remained unaffected
.“
My exile has nothing to do with a visit from Your Majesty. That is something you must discuss with the sovereign of the Weirren
.
”

Lliandra strolled to the window until she stood not more than a pace away. She tapped her forefinger along her lips. Every now and again, she bit down on her nail
.“
I fear I am barren, Prince Rhoane of the Eleri. Tell me, how is it your mother was able to give birth to four children, and I have none? Is
n’
t it true most Eleri have difficulty conceiving even one offspring
?
”

She moved swiftly. One slender hand went to the front of Rhoan
e’
s trousers; the other grasped the back of his neck. He never thought it would happen, but by the grace of his goddess, he thanked Amdi for over three seasons of torturous temptation. It served him well at present.

“
I need an heir
,”
she hissed
.“
You come from prolific stock. Perhaps the gods have seen fit to send you here to provide me with a daughter
.
”

A servant arrived and announced
,“
His Eminence, the High Priest Brandt kaj Endion, and his daughter, Lady Faelara dal Arran
.
”

The empress maintained her grasp of Rhoan
e’
s nether regions as she gave a quick nod to the newcomers
.“
Brandt, yo
u’
ve come just in time to meet my new concubine
.
”

An older gentleman sidled into Rhoan
e’
s peripheral vision
.“
Your Majesty, accosting a noble of the Eleri is a criminal offense
.”
He cleared his throat
.“I’
ve heard rumors of Eleri torture, and
I’
m certain you would find it most unwelcome
.
”

Lliandr
a’
s nails cut into the sunburned skin of Rhoan
e’
s neck
.“I’
m sure I would
.”
She smoothed the fabric of his trousers by pressing her palm hard against his flaccid cock
.“
Perhaps our Eleri guest does not favor the company of women, after all
.”
She stepped away. A look of contempt marred her lovely features
.“
Just my luck they would send me a counterfeit prince
.
”

“
I assure you, Empress Lliandra
,”
Rhoane said
.“
I am neither false, nor do I find you unappealing. I am bound to an oath I took as a lad. My mate has been chosen for me already, and as you might not know, Eleri mate with one person for life
.
”

She eyed his trousers with unabashed longing
.“
Mor
e’
s the pity for you. Still, we have no proof you are who you claim to be. Until I can determine your business in my kingdom, you will stay confined in a cell
.
”

The high priest cleared his throat
.“
Again, Your Majesty, I caution patience. There is an easy way to answer your query
.”
He slid a glance at his daughter, who stepped forward and unwrapped Rhoan
e’
s sword from a thick wool cloth.

“
You went through my belongings
?”
Anger surged through Rhoan
e’
s veins. He subdued his power and his tone
.“
Did you find anything else of interest
?
”

The priest ignored the taunt and beckoned to the empress
.“
Lliandra, look at the engravings on the blade. They are in an ancient Eleri dialect, and
I’
ve yet to decipher the inscription. However, these I can read
.”
He withdrew Carg
a’
s scrolls from his robes
.“
This man is not just an Eleri noble
.
”

“
I do
n’
t have time for games, Brandt. Tell me who he is
.
”

A flurry of activity toward the foyer caused them all to turn as one. A ma
n’
s voice could be heard berating someone else, and then a gentleman rushed in. His robes flared behind him in a cloud of midnight damask.

“
Why is that damned man so insistent on announcing me? You know full well who I am
!”
The man stopped short when he saw the group
.“
Ah. That explains it. I was unaware you had company
.
”

“
A fact you woul
d’
ve known had you let my seneschal do his job
.”
The empress held out her hands to the man
.“
Come here, my scoundrel. Yo
u’
ve been gone too long and have lost all your courtly manners
.
”

The man embraced Lliandra with the familiarity of a lover. The kiss he gave, although chaste, bespoke later promises, Rhoane was certain.

“
Prince Rhoane, if that is who you truly ar
e—
and
I’
m not fully convinced ye
t—
may I introduce you to the foremost mage in all of Aelinae? Alswyth Myrddin. Myrddin has been traveling of late and is just returned to us. What remarkable timing
.”
Her lips grazed the older gentlema
n’
s before she indicated her guest
.“
This young man says he is Prince Rhoane of the Eleri. Brandt was just telling us how his sword proves his identity
.
”

Myrddin bowed to Rhoane, an acceptable depth, but not nearly as low as it shoul
d’
ve been for a man of his rank. Rhoane returned the gesture. H
e’
d read about the mage in one of his fathe
r’
s books. The facts of the article escaped him, but he recalled the man had lived longer than anyone, even the Eleri. Four thousand seasons, if memory served.

“
A sword, eh? Let us see that
.”
He reached to take the sword from Brandt. A visible spark lit forth from the blade and scalded the ma
n’
s palm
.“
It appears your sword does
n’
t like strangers handling it
.
”

“
I coul
d’
ve told you that
,”
Brandt intoned, and Rhoane noticed a wrap around his right hand. So, h
e’
d tried to handle the sword as well. Served them both right
.“
I was just telling Lliandra what this scroll contains
.
”

Myrddin leaned close and scanned the papers. When he finished, he blew out a breath and regarded Rhoane with closer scrutiny. The depths of his blue eyes danced with excitement and merriment
.“
Not only is this man an Eleri prince, he is the chosen one of the Eirielle
.
”

“
What is an Eirielle
?”
Rhoane asked.

“
She is what the Eleri call th
e
Darennsa
i
,”
Myrddin answered
.“
The Aelans have their own prophecy regarding the future of Aelinae
.
”

Lliandra glanced at Rhoane. A stricken look crossing her features
.“
So i
t’
s true? The prophecy
?
”

Myrddi
n’
s face softened, as did his tone
.“I’
m afraid so, my love. Your days of barrenness are at an end. Now, we just need to find the father of the anomaly
.
”