Serpent's Crown (Snakesblood Saga Book 5) by Beth Alvarez

Author:Beth Alvarez [Alvarez, Beth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sacred Tree Press
Published: 2021-02-26T22:00:00+00:00

15

New ways

Vahn fell to his knees, gulping back tears of relief and elation as Lulu threw herself into his arms. He cradled the girl close and breathed her in as he pressed kisses to her temples and her ebony hair. She squealed and grinned, patting his face with her chubby hands. Only after he kissed each of her fingertips did he finally lift his head to look at the woman in the center of the room.

He had only laid eyes on the Archmage of Elenhiise a handful of times, the last being just before he descended into Ilmenhith's dungeons to free his dearest friend. Not even an hour after he'd seen her crossing the courtyard with Relythes, she'd been banished and removed from the island. He'd only gotten a glimpse then. If her face hadn't been burned into memory by the events that transpired that day, he never would have known this was the same woman.

Envesi's face was as stern and cold as ever, and her hair was the same cascade of snowy curls. Her eyes were still clear, frigid blue, but now they shone with an unnatural light. As she looked at him, her pupils thinned to vertical slits, much like those of a snake.

“Welcome, young king. She's been pleasant, though she does ask for you often. Her mother, as well.” Envesi strolled forward with a leisurely sway and, for a moment, the way she moved reminded him of Firal. With as different as the two of them were, it was difficult to remember the two of them were related.

She wore a white gown, rather than a robe, with the skirt slit to the thigh. Pearlescent white scales shimmered on her lower legs as she walked, and her three long, clawed toes splayed gracefully against the colorful carpet. Yet even stranger than her transformation was that she appeared younger than he remembered, as if her new form had revitalized her.

Vahn scooped his daughter into his arms and slowly stood. He wanted to speak, but he had no words. Instead he found himself staring at the woman's feet. It shouldn't have jarred him so badly. He'd seen the same features growing up alongside Ran, and the man had been his best friend. But this was different. It had to be. She'd done this to herself, twisted her own form for the sake of greater magic.

“Don't be so frightened, boy.” The former Archmage stopped a few paces away and smirked. Despite her small stature, she made an imposing figure. “I believe Shymin was right to suggest we bring you, but I'm afraid you cannot stay long. I have important matters for you to attend.”

Hugging Lulu to his chest, he took a half step back. “What do you mean?”

“Oh, I won't keep you away from her, don't worry.” She waved a clawed hand. “I trust my mages have informed you what we are doing here?”

All he could manage was a nod.

“Then you know how important it is for us to win the temple over.

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