Of Blood and Deceit by Rachel A. Collett

Author:Rachel A. Collett [Collett, Rachel A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-03-27T22:00:00+00:00

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The morning was a beautiful palette of dusty rose, gold, and lilac splashed against a cloud-speckled sky. Already fifty soldiers in full armor lined up on their horses behind Castiel, Captain Melia, Lieutenant Reese, and the seer.

There must be a union between our two kingdoms if we are to survive.

I tried to ignore the warning from the seer time and time again but failed miserably. While she didn’t come out and say it, the implication was there.

This was why I had run away from my uncle in the first place, what I tried to escape: marriage to someone I did not nor could not love. I prayed Melia didn’t read into her mother’s words.

I rested my head gently against the cool glass of the window. Now that I had met the king of Anolyn, the thought was not so abhorrent as it had been only months ago, but it was not the king that drew my attention.

Castiel was an impressive sight atop his spirited steed. He was flanked by Melora, who now appeared to be about thirty and could pass as her daughter’s sister instead of mother. How strange that must have been for a child to grow up with a being that could change her age to whatever she wanted. It was unnatural. Even creepy.

Melora matched Melia’s severe mohawk braid and black officer’s dress of leather and breeches, but while Melia was draped with all manner of weaponry, the seer sported only a single knife. Did she even need it? But the two looked terrifying seated next to each other.

And my heart longed to go with them instead of being trapped in the confines of my room. I imagined how I would look in my full combat gear, riding the front lines with Castiel at my side. Anyone who beheld us would quake and tremble in fear.

I smiled at the thought, but my mind quickly slipped back into reality and my shoulders sank.

After dinner we had been sent back to our rooms. Castiel left to see to Melora’s needs. He didn’t return to speak to me, and he didn’t say goodbye. The neglect stung, but I knew it was foolish to be upset by such a small thing. I gripped the skirt of my morning gown, wrinkling the once smooth fabric.

I couldn’t hide from my uncle, I couldn’t outrun the brothers of Anolyn, and no one could escape the Wraith Queen. I pushed away from the windows to pace my room. She was the ultimate problem that had to be obliterated before I could be free.

But could I do what needed to be done? If I married the king, I would be forever away from my uncle. Riaan, while arrogant and scheming, was a good leader and good to his people. Could I unite with him to save my kingdom? To save his? Could I live as his wife, and sister-in-law to Castiel? Could I see the prince married to someone else in the near future?

Even as I thought it, my heart protested.

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