The Cloud Kingdom: A Midlife Fairy Tale by Kristen Painter

Author:Kristen Painter [Painter, Kristen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sugar Skull Books
Published: 2024-08-30T00:00:00+00:00

Anyka stood in the small sitting room of Nazyr’s quarters. It was late in the day. Dinner was over, but it would be a while before Anyka could rest. Hawke’s half-sister, Clary, was in with Nazyr and Dr. Syr Lockhart, who also happened to be the Minister of Medicine. Dr. Lockhart was assessing Nazyr and would set forth a care plan that Clary would be in charge of administering.

The apartment door opened and Wyett came through with another man. Her valet greeted her with a bow, then gestured to the man with him. “My lady, Vice-Minister Grylan Evenshade has arrived.”

Grylan had a small bag with him, similar to what Dr. Lockhart had carried. He bowed. It looked as though he’d just arrived, as he was still wearing a dark blue traveling cape over his shirt and pants. “Your highness, it is an honor to make your acquaintance.”

“Thank you for coming. Have you been given quarters?”

“I have, very fine ones. Thank you.”

Anyka wrung her hands together, then stilled them and smoothed her skirt. It would not do to look overwrought. “Dr. Lockhart is in with Nazyr right now. Wyett made you aware of what’s happened?”

Grylan nodded. “He did. I’m ready to offer assistance in whatever way I can.”

“Do you have any experience with such things as…what’s happening?” She couldn’t bring herself to say possession.

“Not directly, but I already have a few ideas about how I might help.”

She hadn’t been expecting that. “Good. When the doctor comes out, we’ll go see Nazyr together.”

“As you wish.”

“Wyett, see to the Vice-Minister’s cape.”

Wyett took the man’s cape. “I’ll take this to your room. Unless you have any objections?”

Grylan shook his head. “No, thank you. Could I get a cup of tea?”

“I’ll see to that as well,” Wyett said.

Anyka sat near the fireplace. “Have tea sent up. Enough for all of us.”

“Yes, my lady.” Wyett left.

Grylan rested on the couch farthest away from Anyka. “It’s my understanding that Minister Nazyr is possessed by a spirit from the Beyond. Your lady mother?”

“Yes.” There it was in plain speech. No point denying it. For Nazyr to be helped, Grylan would undoubtedly need as much information as he could get. Once he saw Nazyr, there was every reason to think that Leda would make herself known anyway.

Grylan pulled out a tattered notebook and a short stub of a pencil and started taking notes. “Is she unhappy about what’s happened?”

“No. Not that it appears to me. In fact, she thanked me for getting her free. Which wasn’t my intention, you understand. I only meant to contact her and ask her advice on a few matters.” Anyka hated telling him that much. It made her seem weak.

“From what I’ve read, it’s difficult for a spirit to gain control over a living fae. How was she able to enter Nazyr’s body?”

Anyka frowned, but knew she had to tell the truth if he was going to be any help. “She startled me. I was not prepared for what I saw, and I attempted to get away from her, which meant trying to free myself from Nazyr’s grasp.

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.