The Last Queen (The Book of Kaels 1) by Wendy Wang

Author:Wendy Wang [Wang, Wendy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-02-13T06:00:00+00:00

******

Cai waited for her in the grand hall. He paced back and forth in front of one of the tufted benches lining either side of the hall. She ducked behind one of the columns and watched him for a moment. He appeared to be talking to himself, which made her smile. What was he saying? If her Wood Kael skills had been stronger, she would have tried reading him, but she knew her lack of ability would only give her away. He stopped mid-pace and glanced up the wide, grand staircase. He raised his hand, his fingers splaying. Neala swallowed hard, fighting the panic that tightened like a noose around her neck. Stab your fear, she thought. Slowly, she descended the stairs, controlling every breath, trying to keep her fears from swallowing her whole.

“Good morning, Highness.” Cai gave her a smile.

“I apologize for making you wait.” She met his eyes.

“I’m just pleased you decided to come. I feared you might change your mind.”

“I almost did,” she said. “But then someone wise told me that I have to face my fears so I don’t become their captive.”

Cai nodded. “Very wise, indeed. We will only go as far as you feel comfortable, agreed?”

“Agreed,” she said. Cai offered his arm and she tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow. “We will make better time if we go out the service entry.”

“All right.” Cai ducked his head and gestured for her to lead the way.

A few minutes later, Neala and Cai passed through the kitchen for supplies. Cook must have been forewarned by her mother because she had made two roast beef sandwiches, packed two fat peaches and two bottles of ginger ale. Neala also grabbed a piece of buttered toast and munched on it as they walked out the back door into the dirt and graveled kitchen entrance. A kitchen maid threw out grains and fresh greens for the chickens. Two men unloaded a cart under the watchful eye of a warden and another warden was oiling the hinges on the gate as they approached. The warden hopped down and unbolted the lock. Neala’s fingers tightened on Cai’s arm and she stopped walking. Only a few months ago, she couldn’t wait to get beyond these walls. Now they were the only thing that made her feel safe.

“Highness, I want you to listen to me, “Cai’s soft voice said. “Close your eyes.” Neala did as she was told. “Now, imagine a pin-prick of light starting in your chest—becoming brighter, warmer – until it fills your entire being.”

“All right.” she breathed deeply.

“Imagine the light shooting from your fingertips, your toes, surrounding you, protecting you,” he whispered close to her ear. “You are Kael. You are chosen. Set your intention. Believe and you will see—you are protected. Nothing can harm you.”

In her mind, she could see it, the light around her, a halo of warmth and safety. The threshold lingered just out of reach. “I—can’t.” Her eyes flew open and she started to turn, to run back towards the palace.

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.