Night of Rain (The Anrodnes Chronicles 2) by J.C. Owens

Author:J.C. Owens [Owens, J.C.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: etopia press
Published: 2019-04-22T21:00:00+00:00

* * *

Taldan

An heir? Taldan had to control a surge of frustration. Right now, an heir seemed the least of his worries. He wanted to go to his library, search for anything regarding the War Guild.

Hredeen would have known…

He pushed aside the thought viciously. He had to move on, get past his constant longing. There was no place for the past in what was occurring now. He had to deal with this threat to the empire, this danger to the people, to all the territories under his rule.

Yet Raine’s words had comforted him, though he did not want to admit it. Hredeen had not sought to harm him. He needed to remember that, especially since thinking of Hredeen caused his emotions to break loose of the control he had spent years mastering.

A shaft of memory came, a harsh flash of his concubine’s expression when Taldan had told him to get out. There had been such deep, soul-destroying pain in that look before Hredeen had looked down, accepting his command.

Taldan squeezed his eyes shut, taking a deep, cleansing breath.

The action had been right. He could not have continued to harbor a guild assassin within the walls. His memories from past emperors told him he had been right. The Shadows guarded the emperor. Assassins had been useful tools for carrying out the emperor’s will and putting terror in the hearts of his enemies, but they were never kept close. Never allowed to live in the palace.

Yet Sarnwa is still here. Still with your father. Still loyal.

The words scraped against his conscience. They undermined everything he wanted to convince himself of. That he had been right. That he had been justified in what he’d done.

He opened his eyes and met Naral’s questioning stare. “Convince me why an heir should take precedence over uncovering traitors within the War Guild and destroying them along with these Julne mages.”

“An heir would strengthen your hold upon the throne,” Naral said. “Securing the line of ascension is the duty of every emperor.”

Taldan snorted at his friend’s lecturing tone. “Are there any women within the em—father’s—female harem that might be suitable?”

Naral grimaced. “Like I would know? That’s not exactly where my tastes run.” At Taldan’s unimpressed glare, he sighed. “I’ll look into it. Should I ask Demarin?”

Taldan could see his friend’s unease at saying the name out loud, so long forbidden. He considered if the idea of his father helping held any merit. He had known this day would come, but had hoped for a little more time learning to rule before attending to this necessary task. Now, he could see how it might be necessary.

“The women’s harem is Demarin’s. Therefore, I believe we need to speak to him on this matter. If he denies us, or there is not a suitable candidate, then we will have to come up with a new plan.”

Naral bowed. Through Taldan’s connection to Raine, he could feel his Chosen’s concern and even a gentle curiosity. He was thinking about a child, and the joy a child could bring into the palace, and the light one could bring into their lives.

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