Song of Embers (Song and Storm Trilogy Book 3) by Kayla Maya

Author:Kayla Maya [Maya, Kayla]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-11-30T16:00:00+00:00

C H A P T E R F O U R T E E N

NORTH

The Road to Skeg

North exhaled loudly, settling back in his pillows. He’d been on the road for days and he could finally see the castle of Serena as it loomed over the horizon. North felt a pang of anxiety the closer his carriage rode to the capital. It felt like only yesterday he and Bryn were within it’s walls, parading around as a fake married couple to get the mask from the king.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t of known back then that Sister Grace knew what would have happened once the mask was taken. Disease plunged the land, killing most of the inhabitants of the city—including Bryn’s entire family save for Lilac.

North’s carriage stopped at the courtyard. Once again, he was greeted with many guards and soldiers, all watching him warily. However, this time, he was met with the Queen herself.

Queen Elora was standing in the middle of her guards, arms behind her back. Her face was older—weathered in appearance. It had only been months since the last time he had seen the queen, but not before her husband perished by his disease.

“I want you out,” Queen Elora snapped once North stepped out of the carriage. “I have nothing to say to the likes of you.”

North hid his anger well. It wasn’t his fault that her husband had died—though it wasn’t exactly her fault either. No one knew of the king’s illness until after the disease ravaged the last of the city. He wondered if Sister Grace knew of such a thing.

North cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, but the last time I checked, King Ryan was in control of the realm…Queen Regent.”

Elora’s face turned red. “I will not sit here and—”

“Mother,” Ryan’s voice boomed from behind her. “Move aside.”

Elora huffed and uttered something under her breath before she took several steps back. “As you wish, my King.”

North turned his attention to Ryan, who seemed to have aged tenfold since the last time North had seen him. The youth was all but drained from his features, the angles filled out with that of a tired man who had seen far too many things.

King Ryan seemed indifferent as he gave a curt nod and stood aside with his arm held out towards the castle. “Will you join me for dinner?”

North nodded. “I would like that.”

He watched as Ryan walked up the steps with a few guards in toe. North followed behind him, keeping pace. His own entourage of guards followed in his wake. He could feel Elora’s heated gaze, but paid her no mind as he continued down the hall.

“I’m surprised to see you,” King Ryan commented after a few minutes of silence. “Last I heard, your mother was dead—killed rather.”

North contained his groan as they made it to the dining room. It wasn’t as extravagant as it had been months before. Now, all the tables and chairs were removed, leaving only a single long table with the matching chairs. The room was empty and devoid of life.

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