Kariana Dragon Queen by R. K. Sampson

Author:R. K. Sampson
Language: eng
Format: epub

EIGHTEEN

SHADOWS

KARWYN, EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO

The decision to seek Blithe in the dead of night was not one she took lightly, but the urgency of their situation demanded immediate action. With Balthazar now safe and away from her mother’s reach, she needed to get a handle on what Grydagia planned for her.

Hopefully, by the time she made it back to her sleeping ladies in waiting, she’d have the support of Grydagia in her pairing with Meerandus Knight. If they sided with her mother’s likely displeasure instead, their diplomacy when she became queen would be as effective as someone trying to douse blood fire with water.

Karwyn felt the weight of her mother’s actions rest heavily on her shoulders, knowing there was only so much she could prevent, but that she had to try. With Balthazar’s confirmation that he also believed her father’s death was on her mother’s head, she had to be vigilant. Meerandus was on the line.

Her soft shoes barely make a sound on the stone floor. A guard she had yet to get to know trailed far behind her with heavy boot falls. She knew his uniform to be from her guard group, but he wore a cloak over top for the cold, with the hood up.

Karwyn pulled her robe tighter around her, thinking that maybe she should have brought her cloak too. It certainly was colder here than at home. She glanced back again, noting the man wasn’t the guard Balthazar talked to. Even without a good look at his face, she could tell the guard was taller than who she saw earlier. They must have just switched shifts. She was used to guards following her everywhere. That was the reality of being the princess, but she preferred it when she knew the guards.

Night seemed to magnify the urgency she felt, as it also did her worries. Their entire entourage, including this guard, had watched as she was fated to a merman. And her mother was not going to like it. The torches lighting her path flickered, casting shadows as she walked. Karwyn’s silhouette grew long and short as the light hit her movements.

Finally, she reached the hall that she remembered was Blithe’s from her first tour of the castle. The hall held not only Blithe, but three other siblings she had yet to meet. A guard stood at its entrance, just like they would in her home. The Grydagia guards did not wear purple like her own, instead they wore a deep green so dark it was nearly black.

“Hello, I need to speak with Blithe,” Karwyn said, her voice echoing loudly. “Please,” she added as an afterthought.

“Prince Blithe of Grydagia is unavailable, he is with the king and queen,” the guard said. She fit the uniform well, her chin-length black hair accentuating her cheekbones.

Karwyn noted the snide way she reminded her of Blithe’s title. “At this time?” Karwyn asked. Dinner must have been hours ago.

“You are also awake and visiting people at this hour. You tell me, is that odd?” she asked.

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