A Kingdom Scarred (Fae of Tíria Book 1) by K. A. Riley

Author:K. A. Riley [Riley, K. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-10-31T16:00:00+00:00

The prince and I stepped back into the ballroom to be greeted by the sound of rich, lilting music. For the next hour we danced, our feet gliding lightly along the marble floor as others stopped to watch us. Ladies smiled and gentlemen nodded approvingly as the prince guided me expertly through the steps.

I was incredulous when I realized how easily I managed to keep up with him despite my lack of experience.

And pleased to know what an adept teacher he was.

Maybe there was hope for me as a Champion, after all.

“My father told me of your mother’s beauty long ago,” Corym said as we moved. “But I did not dare hope her daughter was as beautiful as she. Yet here you are, as lovely as a rose.”

A rose. The very thing I thought of when I looked at Leta.

“Thank you, Highness,” I said shyly.

Just then, my eyes landed on Mithraan, who was standing by a twisting column, his shoulder pressed against it, arms crossed over his chest. The way he stared at me sent a shudder through my body, and I had to force myself to look back into the prince’s eyes and smile. What color were they, anyhow? Blue? Green?

Right. Blue-green. Focus on them.

When a bell sounded a moment later, I was relieved for the excuse to stop dancing and found myself looking for Mithraan. But I could not find him before the king stepped onto the dais at the room’s far end to make an announcement.

“Prince Corym. Lyrinn Martel. Please—come stand by my side.”

I pulled my eyes to the king and smiled politely as the prince guided me forward and then stopped, gently turning me around to face the crowd.

“We are gathered tonight,” the king bellowed to the rapt audience, “to celebrate our two Champions. But it is with pleasure that I say Happy Birth-Night, Lyrinn. Tomorrow, you will awaken as a young woman who has come of age—a young woman with a legacy unlike any other. The Change—if there is a Change to come, and I suspect there will be, given how Gifted your mother was—will begin in you, and your full potential will begin to emerge. I have faith that you will prove powerful. You will make a fine Champion of Domignon…and eventually, you will make a wonderful, powerful queen.”

Queen.

I had not seen that far into the future…

Nausea ebbed in my belly, but I forced it away and said, “I thank you, your Grace, for the kind words.”

I only wish I had half your faith in my nonexistent abilities.

“With that said, Lyrinn, you must enjoy yourself tonight. Tomorrow may prove…difficult for you. But once you have recovered, the training will begin. I am pleased to announce that we have a very skilled trainer at our disposal. One who knows the Trials, and the style of combat necessary to emerge victorious, should you make it to the very end.”

With that, the king turned to his left, and Mithraan stepped out of the shadows, bowing his head slightly.

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