The Nightfall Duology: The Legend of Nightfall ; The Return of Nightfall by Mickey Zucker Reichert

Author:Mickey Zucker Reichert
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: DAW
Published: 2018-04-03T04:00:00+00:00

Epilogue

NIGHTFALL AWAKENED enfolded in blankets as smooth as water. Consciousness brought the throb and sting of myriad wounds, softened by the comfortable fuzziness induced, he guessed, by some sort of pain-hazing elixir. The hurt did not escape him completely, but his mind would not allow him to care, turning agony to discomfort. His arms ached worst of all. He could feel the stiff touch of a splint holding the left fingers in place. The twinge that accompanied every breath told him Gilleran’s kicks had shattered some ribs, and a dull throb along his hip and side reminded him of the cutting magic that nearly killed Edward. His shoulder felt sore, but someone had restored its proper alignment.

Nightfall opened his eyes to slits, routinely cautious. Head bandaged, Edward knelt before a plush chair in which Kelryn perched squarely, her dancer’s legs tucked beneath her. Nightfall found himself unable to focus on the other furnishings, although he did reassure himself that no other person occupied the room. The oddity of a crown prince on the floor struck him, but he did not bother to gather the energy necessary for speech.

Kelryn broke what had obviously been a long and uncomfortable silence for both. “Ned, I’m flattered. Under other circumstances, I could think of nothing more wonderful than becoming the queen of Alyndar.”

Nightfall’s eyes flicked open unconsciously.

Kelryn continued, oblivious. “But I can’t marry you.”

“You can’t?” Edward’s voice sounded pinched, with a hint of confusion.

“I’m in love with another man.”

Kelryn and Edward turned their heads to Nightfall simultaneously.

Caught awake and listening, Nightfall smiled. “Is that man me?”

Kelryn’s delicate cheeks flushed pink. “Yes, you obnoxious, eavesdropping bastard.”

Nightfall brushed back the blankets from his head, weighing the pain and effort of sitting and deciding to remain in position instead. “Is that a proposal?”

Kelryn’s face darkened to crimson. “It might be.”

“Then I accept.” Nightfall glanced at Edward to assure his comfort. Despite the humor, it was a delicate situation that pain, drugs, and ignorance did not allow him to handle gracefully. “That is, if my friend, the King of Alyndar, will attend the wedding.”

Edward rose and sat on the bed, grinning, genuinely happy. Only a slight wistfulness about his bowing lips gave any indication of his own thwarted dream. “Attend, hell. I’ll throw it. If a king can’t put together a feast in his adviser’s honor, of what good is the crown or the title?”

“Adviser?” The position caught Nightfall wholly by surprise. “Me? Do you think that’s wise?”

Edward rubbed at the bandage on his head. “If I hope to help the masses, I’ll need someone with real knowledge of their plight. You can refuse the title, you know. I can’t force you to become gentry.”

Gentry. The suggestion seemed ludicrous to Nightfall, and he knew he could never truly fit in with the highborn. Nevertheless, it might stir some good controversy to sit as counsel to Alyndar’s king. “It’s not that. It’s just . . . well . . . am I still under arrest?”

Edward laughed. “First, my father’s papers acquitted you of all crimes in Alyndar prior to our association.

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.