Wild Savage Stars by Kristina Perez

Author:Kristina Perez
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Imprint

ONWARD, ARMORICA

BRANWEN CLOSED HER EYES AS Senara carried her through the forest. She trusted her mount to stay on the path more than she trusted herself.

Blood and bone, forged by fire, we beseech you for the truest of desires.

The Queen of Iveriu’s truest desire was that Eseult should bear a child that united Iveriu and Kernyv in one bloodline, one legitimate heir to both kingdoms. The birth of an heir would also put Eseult’s status as True Queen of Kernyv beyond question.

Branwen shivered as if she had a fever.

The birth of a child who resembled the Queen’s Champion rather than the queen’s husband would mean war. War within Kernyv, and war between Kernyv and Iveriu. There would be no denying the evidence of their treason.

The second vision she’d had while casting the spell flooded Branwen’s mind. She had seen Tristan drifting on the sea—the way she’d found him—and herself being tied to a pyre, set alight. She’d seen the Land wither and die.

“Taking a nap, Lady Branwen?”

Her eyes flipped open at Ruan’s teasing voice. He spoke to her in Ivernic whenever it was just the two of them. His blond hair gleamed, messy in the breeze, as he guided his stallion alongside hers.

“It’s been a busy few weeks,” she said, fiddling with the reins.

“That it has. But things should calm down now.” Branwen swallowed at Ruan’s words. They were already in the midst of a storm he couldn’t see. Involuntarily, her gaze was drawn to Tristan. He rode just behind Eseult and the king. All of the men had believed Branwen when she’d said the queen was suffering from simple indigestion.

Ruan leaned in her direction, halfway out of his saddle. “We’ll soon have more free time for other pursuits,” he told her.

“What pursuits would those be?” Branwen kept her tone light.

Dropping his voice, he promised, “Highly imaginative ones.” The tip of his nose grazed her cheek before he pulled away. Tingles radiated from the spot.

On the wedding night, she’d foolishly hoped that the Mantle of Maidenhood would be the end of her many deceptions. Ruan was the King’s Champion. Their loyalties would always be divided. No matter how much her cousin might hurt Branwen, she would never let any harm befall her. Letting Ruan get close to her was a risk Branwen shouldn’t take.

“I think I’ll have my hands full with the royal infirmary,” she said.

“Yes, your cousin has a talent for getting her own way.”

“Doesn’t a queen always get her way?”

“Perhaps.” He laughed. “Mother will be fuming all the way back to Illogan.”

Branwen suspected as much. She was glad that Countess Kensa wasn’t returning to Monwiku with them. Seer Casek had also, mercifully, departed separately for Marghas. Branwen glanced around the wood. Endelyn accompanied Queen Verica in the carriage trailing at the back of the convoy. Andred rode beside them on his steed, chatting away to Queen Verica. Endelyn ignored her younger brother as usual.

“Andred seems happy,” Branwen noted. “I think he plans to teach Lowenek the name of every flower in the castle gardens.

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