A Castle of Ashes (The Fifth Kingdom Book 2) by M. James Lisa

Author:M. James, Lisa [Unknown]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-12-31T18:30:00+00:00

The celebrations lasted seven days, a day for each year she was gone. She had addressed the entire kingdom everyday sharing different bits about her disappearance into the water and her whereabouts the past seven years. The people were gracious, and if they thought of her as the evil Green Eyed Witch, they were courteous enough not to say it to her face.

She had not spoken to Matthew directly since she returned. There was always a crowd of people around her and it was difficult for her to find a moment alone. From what she knew, her father insisted that Matthew and Jonathan stay for the celebrations. Matthew retired to his quarters early every day, before the nightly banquets began. He had come to report that he had seen her in the sea and now he would return home to the West Kingdom and give the news of her return. Messengers had been sent to all the kingdoms already to address her return. How receptive the kings would be, she was uncertain. She would have to visit and address each king individually and make a plea for her kingdom to be legitimized, as her father had said. Then the kings and their councils would come to a decision together.

Lucinda approached the Prince’s door cautiously on the night of the seventh day. It was late and improper to call upon him at this hour, but she feared he would depart before day broke. She gently knocked upon the cold stone door of the guest chamber.

The door opened and the Prince presented himself, still clothed in his day attire. His eyes widened upon seeing her.

“Lucinda,” He started in surprise. “What—“

“I know it is indecent to come at such an hour,” She started before she lost her nerve. “But I couldn't think of you leaving without speaking in private. May I enter?” He hesitated a moment, then looked cautiously around the outside hall to his chambers before stepping aside to let her enter.

The guest chambers within her father’s kingdom were always bare besides a bed and a large window, which admitted moonlight upon the dark compartments. It was improper across the kingdoms for an unwed maiden and man to be in a bedchamber together. The West Kingdom was known to be stricter in upholding these rules than the other kingdoms, so it did not surprise Lucinda when Matthew left the stone door of the chamber open wide, as not to incriminate himself. He went and stood by the window, his arms crossed around him as he faced her from a distance.

From the first time she met him in the West Kingdom there was a feeling of recognition. It was not a feeling that came from her, she knew, but from the beginning she was drawn to him. She had not planned any words to say to him now. She had prepared to face her father but thought she would have more time before she had to face Matthew. “You look well.” She started clumsily.

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