The Shattered Court by M.J. Scott

Author:M.J. Scott [Scott, M.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy, Magic, na, Romance, Witches
ISBN: 9781101631720
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2015-04-28T04:00:00+00:00

Sophie’s lips were still tingling as they reached the Illusioners’ Hall. Cameron had stayed mostly silent on the short walk from the palace—apparently not wanting to discuss what they had been talking about in a more public place. He had defaulted back to the calm quiet she had grown accustomed to during their time away from the palace. Not a big one for small talk, her husband-to-be. Well, she would just have to learn how to coax him into conversation. There was an interesting man behind the soldierly stoicism. Maybe she could bribe him with kisses to talk to her more.

Though, perhaps that wouldn’t be the most sensible approach, at least not immediately. Maybe after they had been married for a time; then things wouldn’t flare so hot between them when they touched. Until then, and part of her suddenly hoped that it would be a very faraway then, kisses were likely to lead to activities other than talking.

Activities that made the faintest of shivers ghost over her skin when she thought about them. A shiver chased by a blush. She pulled her thoughts back. As far as anyone who saw them knew, they were merely a court lady and her escort. Nothing more.

The Illusioners’ Hall was, or at least, today it appeared to be, made of solid black marble. She was well aware that underneath the illusion was more ordinary stone, but she still felt a small thrill every time she saw it appear as something other than it was. Today in particular it seemed a proclamation of normality, of nothing to see here and undefeated defiance that they would spare the power to keep up their glamour.

They passed up the flight of stairs and instead of going left to the area Sophie had been before, to the library open to all, they turned right and walked to the entrance hall to the library proper. The one where the magical texts were held. A young-looking man in a pale gray novice robe, arms banded with mourning black, opened the door to them. His expression was distinctly unwelcoming.

“This is Lady Sophia Kendall,” Cameron said, and the boy’s face quickly smoothed to something more welcoming.

Still, that didn’t stop him from saying, “And you are?” in a snooty voice.

“Lieutenant Cameron Mackenzie of the Red Guard,” Cameron said dryly. “The queen-to-be sent me to escort her lady-in-waiting to use the library. So how about you let us in?”

The boy’s face flushed. “Yes, sir,” he muttered. “Milady, if you could place your hand here.” He indicated a circle of silver on the inner door. Sophie glanced at Cameron, who nodded, then did as asked. The silver chimed and then flashed white. The door swung inward.

Sophie stepped through into the library. She had heard much about the Hall of Three, to give it its proper title, but nothing had prepared her for the size of the room she entered. It was three-sided, as the name suggested, floor blinding white and walls chased with gold and silver.

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