Secrets of Avalon: A Fantasy Romance (Shattered Souls Book 1) by Krystal Shannan

Author:Krystal Shannan [Shannan, Krystal]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: KS Publishing
Published: 2024-09-12T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 27

Maybe The Queen Doesn’t Hate Me

Melinda Mayweather

Kellan leads the way out of the garden. Footsteps sound on the pathway ahead of us. I tense, my hand tightening around Hawke's, and he gives me a returning squeeze. “It’s just the other Knights.”

Sure enough, four familiar figures emerge from around the corner of the tower, their dress armor glinting in the soft light. The knights–Hawke’s friends.

Wraith’s onyx skin sharply contrasts with the gleaming silver of his armor. He moves with a fluid grace and his golden eyes are fierce, alert, and staring straight at me.

Beside him is Fen, his armor adorned with intricate knot-work and runes that seem to glow with an otherworldly power. His long, brown hair is braided back from his face, and his eyes are the color of a stormy sea.

None of them can compete with Hawke for my attention, but I wouldn’t be alive if I didn’t recognize how beautiful they all are.

Boaz, the Tolkien-esque Elf, (at least that’s what I’m guessing he is) is a vision of ethereal masculine beauty. Pale silvery skin, aquiline features. His long, blond hair, tucked behind pointed ears, falls in a sleek curtain down his back, and his eyes are a piercing silver-blue, filled with ancient wisdom and a hint of mischief.

And finally, there is Ares, the God of War himself (supposedly), his armor polished gold with highlights of crimson and rubies. His eyes are a rich emerald green, and the wide smile he presents to the world doesn't hide the simmering anger just beneath the surface.

A shiver runs down my spine as I study him. His barely buried rage resonates with something deep inside me, a recognition that makes my skin prickle. My magic is always just beneath the surface, always threatening to burst free. Both of us are fighting a war for control.

"Hawke, Melinda," Wraith greets us, his deep voice carrying down the path. "I’m glad we found you."

"How did you?" Hawke asks, his brow furrowing.

Fen steps forward, his blue-green eyes flickering to me briefly before settling on Hawke. "Elen and Lydia saw the encounter with Darkwood and your parents in the marketplace. They followed you to the garden and reported back."

I glance nervously at Hawke, searching his face for a reaction. I’m not supposed to be drawing attention to myself. I shouldn’t have asked to go to the festival. We should’ve just stayed hidden in the kitchen. It won’t be long before whispers of "unstable" and "dangerous" are following me again.

"We were just on our way to meet with my mother," Hawke explains, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in a soothing gesture. "She's requested Melinda's presence in her chambers, to prepare for the Changing of the Guard ceremony tonight."

Wraith nods, his face solemn. "A wise decision. Your parent’s support will send a strong message."

I blink, surprised by Wraith's words. The queen's invitation, which had initially filled me with dread, suddenly takes on a new light. Could this truly be a show of support? The knot of anxiety in my stomach begins to unravel, replaced by a cautious hope.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.