Dark Refuge (Shattered Kingdom Book 6) by Angelina J. Steffort

Author:Angelina J. Steffort [Steffort, Angelina J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MK
Published: 2022-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

PART II

A GAME OF WINTER

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

On solstice morning, Gandrett woke in Kepha’s room. She’d sought out the girl the night before, unsure what to do with herself after long discussions with Nehelon, Gordan, and Palvin over what this new development of her Autumn heritage meant. Naturally, Drew had been the first to find it outrageous to even consider being related to the Lord of Autumn. So after a long night, she’d found refuge in Kepha’s chambers where the ever-changing wardrobe had provided a nightgown for her and Kepha had graciously offered her half of the bed.

There, Gandrett now rolled to her side, watching the winter sun climb over the treetops behind the palace.

“Did you know?” she asked Kepha, who returned from the bathing room with a cheerful melody on her lips.

Kepha flopped down on the bed beside Gandrett, folding up her legs. “About Lyrrin?” She gave Gandrett a face of outrage. “Of course not.”

“You wouldn’t have told me anyway if you’d known, so it doesn’t really matter.”

“Right, I wouldn’t, and wrong, it does matter. It always matters.” Kepha placed a small hand on Gandrett’s arm. “Have you decided what to do with him now?”

Gandrett sat up, not at all ready to face the day. “With whom?”

“Lyrrin.”

“It is up to the king.”

“Or the queen,” Kepha reminded her.

Gandrett shuddered. “Until Lyrrin’s revelation, I thought of being queen more in symbolic terms, but now—”

“Now you’re a real queen.” Kepha chuckled. “And by real, I mean descendent from Fae royalty and not just Mated to a king.”

A frown took over Gandrett’s features. “What does that even mean … royalty?” She reached for the glass of water on the bedside table and drained it. “Apparently, magic works differently for Fae royalty. Nehelon bends nature to his will. The forests shape paths for him. Will I be able to do the same?”

Kepha raised one eyebrow. “Are you asking me as a Seer or my opinion as a friend?”

“Both … either?” Gandrett wasn’t even sure herself. All she knew was that she no longer knew who she was. With his revelation, Lyrrin Stesea had ripped a carpet from under her feet all over again when she had just settled into the thought of being Nehelon’s Mate and a queen consort of sorts at his side. And now … who was she now? No longer the human. Not the savior. Or anyone else. Most certainly no longer a Child of Vala. She heaved a breath.

“As your friend, I’m telling you that you probably haven’t seen half of what you’re capable of”—she smirked—“independent of your magic.”

Gandrett returned Kepha’s smile with one of her own. “Has anyone ever told you this court doesn’t deserve you?”

A laugh shook through Kepha. “Well, you have me anyway.” She got to her feet, holding up her arms to both sides, annoyance in her eyes as she gestured down at the blood-red dress she’d chosen. “Bind my sash, will you?”

Gandrett sighed in mock frustration as she slid out of bed to humor the child. “You’ll look like the apple on a golden platter if you’re wearing this.

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