A Quest of Blood and Stone by S. Usher Evans

A Quest of Blood and Stone by S. Usher Evans

Author:S. Usher Evans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sun's Golden Ray Publishing


CHAPTER

THIRTY-ONE

Ayla

It had been a few days, and I was still smarting from my disastrous attempts to get into Eoghan's study. The more I thought about it, the less I could believe I'd acted so rashly. It was no wonder Eoghan was hesitant to give me the reins. He probably thought it better for the country—and it probably was.

I vowed to be better, to think before I acted, and to no longer give anyone in my circle cause to think I wasn't fit to rule.

In any case, I had something else to distract myself from my idiocy. If my math was correct, Cade and Ward had reached Críoch and should've been on their way back.

"I have faith they will be here within the next day," Eoghan said with a kind smile as we walked around the gardens. "And then, hopefully, they will know where we can get the stone."

"Will you retrieve it?" I asked him.

"It depends on what they say. My own theory is that Leandra brought the stone to her father as a trophy," Eoghan said. "If that's the case, it makes it a little more tricky. The fae might recognize a wizard if one walked amongst them. We may have to send a soldier who was exceptionally brave and cunning, and who knows much about the fae realm." He tapped his chin. "Perhaps even the one I sent along with Cade."

I licked my lips. "Do you think he'd accept such a mission? It sounds dangerous."

"Very." He cleared his throat. "Especially if it meant he would be getting it for you."

My face flushed at the insinuation. "Eoghan."

He chuckled, as if enjoying the way I squirmed. "And on that note, Konevell is sending an envoy to meet with you. I think he might be the best of the bunch so far, so I ask that you meet him with an open mind."

"Always, but…" I tilted my head up at him. "I still don't see why it's necessary for me to marry so quickly. So many monarchs in history have ruled solo for years—decades, even. As I've recently re-learned thanks to your mandatory history lessons."

"Our alliances have frayed," Eoghan said. "It would be prudent to strengthen them quickly by marrying someone from one of the other four kingdoms."

"I can strengthen alliances in other ways," I said, stopping mid-step and turning to him fully. "Marriage isn't the only way."

"I know you think that," he said, smiling down at me. "But it is the best way. I promise you, we'll find you someone as handsome as that knight and who'll also help guide you."

"This isn't about Ward," I said with a dismissive wave of my hand. "I've been waiting to rule my entire life, and now that it's here, I don't want to give it away to a stranger from another land through marriage."

"Is that what you think marriage is?" he asked. "A trap?"

"I won't have autonomy," I said with a frown.

"Of course you will—"

"You just said that you'll find me someone to 'guide me.



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