Phoenix Rising by Rebecca Harwell

Author:Rebecca Harwell [Harwell, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626399143
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
Published: 2017-02-24T23:00:00+00:00

*

Nadya’s thoughts dwelled for days on blades of light and that simmering smirk they’d illuminated. Better there than on the home she no longer had. Shay had not appeared again, and so Nadya did not go out on patrol. When she did walk after dark amidst the decay and the dying of Storm’s Quarry, she swore she saw light at the edge of her vision, dancing on rooftops out of reach.

The feelings of connection stirred in her chest. As much as she tried to push them down, they came again, as persistent as floodwaters.

And maybe that is what they are, she thought more than once. Here to destroy the life that I have built, however decrepit that might be. Or to save it from the hungry jaws of my past?

Kesali had been equally as absent as Shay, matters of state overtaking anything of a personal nature. That, or Kesali was avoiding her ever since her ungraceful departure from her room. Still, whispers filled the streets that talks with Wintercress were going well, talks she had not been needed at. Beneath those whispers, however, lay murmurs of dark voices that the city’s neighbor had maneuvered Storm’s Quarry exactly where they needed her.

As the sun rose and Nadya with it, she breathed in deep and hoped for a day of peace from this internal unrest. She had scheduled to train with her father, the first time since her visit to Mirela. Hands shaking, she went through the motions of getting ready and left for their secret meeting place.

Shadar was there, silhouetted by the midmorning sun. Her breath caught; she had not been sure he would still come. He turned around, rapier already in hand.

“Are you all right?”

His voice was gruff, and underneath the simple words Nadya heard the worry and pain that must be wracking him right now, his family split.

She managed a smile. “Yes.” It wasn’t true, and they both knew it.

Without another word, they began. Familiar drills, once confusing, fell into place in Nadya’s movements, acted out nearly on their own accord. Her mind was far from the practice bout, and Shadar’s, it seemed, was also afield.

“Your grandmother came by the house this morning.”

Nadya froze halfway through the routine, and her father knocked the rapier out of her grip. She bent to pick it up. When she rose, she hoped her face was composed. “Did Mirela tell her anything?”

“No, of course not. Your mother will honor that promise.” He gestured with his blade. Again. They moved through the first drill, Nadya’s limbs acting on their own accord as her thoughts whirled about. “She came to tell us that she is giving up her place as head of the Gabori family.”

“What?” This time Nadya could not keep the surprised squawk silent. “But…Grandmother would never. She loves being in charge.”

Shadar smiled. “She does. I do not know what brought this on. She and your mother spoke alone for quite some time. I suppose Drina was explaining that your mother could not inherit, not with her illness.

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