Revenant Prince (Curse of Shavhalla Book 2) by T. A. Hernandez

Author:T. A. Hernandez [Hernandez, T. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sanita Street Publishing
Published: 2023-03-30T16:00:00+00:00

20

Aleida

News and gossip from the palace had increased significantly in the weeks following Prince Savir’s arrival, and Aleida listened to as much of it as she could during her daily work hours. Most of the information was useless, and when it wasn’t, the details were contradictory enough that she could never be entirely sure what was true. Still, she listened, and together she, Mitul, and Kamaal compared what they learned in an effort to stay apprised of Amar’s status and potential plans.

There was always speculation about whether the prince would be taking his aunt’s place on the throne. Some said Savir was staying in Jakhat awaiting coronation while others insisted he was already preparing to return to Valmandi. Many voices had grown louder of late, taking their opinions and accusations from quiet, private rooms to parties and public conversations on the street. Several called for Empress Dashiva to renounce her title and allow the rightful heir to take her place. Just as many argued she should name Savir her own heir in place of Jasala to facilitate a smoother transition of power. A few even suggested the prince was a fraud and should be punished accordingly. Mitul always went quiet when that opinion came up, a taut and anxious stillness that belied his constant fear for Amar’s safety.

The weeks passed quickly as autumn waned and winter’s chill settled over the city. Each day after work, Aleida found herself wandering to the streets where Mitul played music, and when he could, he brought her along as his assistant to the various social engagements he performed at. Kamaal was there more often as well, and his presence always seemed to banish the troubled shadows that lingered in Mitul’s eyes, brightening them with light and laughter instead.

Aleida couldn’t help but notice the growing intimacy between them. The gestures were small—a hand on the shoulder, a shared joke, the brush of their knuckles against each other, the softness in Mitul’s gaze as he plucked a fallen leaf from Kamaal’s hair—but they were as bright and burning as the noonday sun. She hadn’t really noticed or even seen two people in love since her parents died, and it mesmerized her. There was a certain comfort in the closeness between them that drew her back day after day when before, she’d been content to spend her evenings alone. If Kamaal and Mitul found her company obnoxious or unwanted, they never said so, and instead seemed to go out of their way to include her.

It was their affection for one another that eventually made her pick up charcoal and paper again. She and Kamaal had both come out to listen to Mitul play at his usual spot in this district, and they shared a plate of sugared figs while they watched him from a nearby bench. Kamaal had bought the snack from a young mother and her daughter pushing a cart through the street, but he’d let Aleida eat most of it, insisting he was full. She

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