Total pages in book: 362
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 347293 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1736(@200wpm)___ 1389(@250wpm)___ 1158(@300wpm)
“That is what I heard.” His eyes searched mine. “You know who that princess was? Who she became?”
“I do,” I said, my voice hoarse. “My mother.”
“But you’re wrong about the name of Ronan’s mother. She was called Phena,” Ward continued after a moment. “But that was a pet name the King called her. Her full name was Seraphena. Your namesake.”
I knew this. I’d seen it. Heard it. But still, my eyes closed tight. It took me several moments to speak. “I…I didn’t know that my mother had named me after her great…whatever.”
“Then she did not tell you what Seraphena became known as?”
I gave a curt shake of my head and opened my eyes.
“The Silver Knight,” he said. “The warrior Queen who fought alongside her husband and her people in battle. Her name, even now, is synonymous with honor and duty. A name that was never repeated throughout the annals of time until Calliphe, the once Princess of Vodina, named her only daughter such.” A faint smile appeared. “And that is why I was rewarded all those years ago. By saving her and Ronan, I ensured that another bearing her name would eventually be born—one that would usher in great change.”
Pressing my hands to my sides, I tried to speak but didn’t know what to say.
I was shocked and wasn’t sure which was more confounding. That Ward had become the first viktor because he’d saved my ancestor, ensuring that I was born generations later? Or that my mother had named me after someone who had clearly been a badass.
A murderous badass.
But the other Queen kind of had it coming.
“May I rise now?” Penellaphe asked.
“Oh, gods,” I gasped. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“No need to apologize.” Penellaphe straightened, smoothing her hands over the waist of her gown. “I see the Primal foresight is developing in you.”
“When it wants to.” I glanced at Ward. “I feel like I should thank you.”
A faint smile appeared on his weathered face. “There is also no need for that. It’s not like I knew what would come of the act. I just did what I felt was right.”
“So few people do that,” I murmured, thinking about…well, myself.
Penellaphe smiled. “You may wonder why we’ve come, but I must say something first. Before you tried to summon Holland, I felt…a ripple of power. Of life.” She clasped a hand over her wrist. “I knew it had come from here, from you, so I expected something upon arriving. But I was still unprepared for what I saw here. I’m sure most people expect the Court ruled by death to be a dark and gloomy place, but that was never what the Shadowlands was. It’s not what death is supposed to be. It has always been a place of beauty, even in its darkest corners. Part of me feared I would never see the Shadowlands as it was before.” Her eyes glimmered, and her voice thickened. “But you restored it.”
I didn’t know what to say as I glanced between the two. Saying ‘thank you’ felt weird. I shifted uncomfortably as Reaver watched me. “I just did what I felt I needed to,” I finally said, clearing my throat. “And I didn’t even know everything that would happen. I just wanted to restore the river.” I cleared my throat. “Anyway, I assume Holland sent you?”
Penellaphe nodded. “He was unable to answer but hoped we may be of aid.”
It was hard to extinguish the spark of annoyance and disappointment that Holland hadn’t come himself, but Rhain would be proud to hear that I managed to find my manners. “Would either of you like something to drink?”
“That would be much appreciated,” Penellaphe answered. “Shadowstepping always makes me quite thirsty.”
“And me nauseous,” Ward remarked.
“I will make sure refreshments are sent,” Rhahar announced and bowed curtly.
“Thank you.”
The god turned, looping an arm around Kars. The godling was immobile, staring wide-eyed at Ward. Sending me a wink, Rhahar all but dragged Kars from the chamber as I wondered about Kars’ reaction to Ward. It was a little odd.
As the doors clicked closed behind us, I faced the two. Both remained standing. I swallowed a sigh. “You can sit if you want.”
“Thank you.” Penellaphe returned to the settee, and Ward joined her. “I know there must be something you wish to know, but I need to ask how you are doing first.”
“Other than being slightly unprepared for my new…place in things?” I said as I moved to the settee situated across from them. Sitting, I patted the cushion beside me. “I am well.”
“That’s a relief,” she said, the corners of her mouth tightening. “I heard you met with Kolis.”
“News travels fast,” I drawled.
“Well, I overheard Embris speaking of it,” she said, and as Reaver hopped over to the settee, I saw the shadows in her gaze. The same haunted look I saw in Aios’s eyes when she spoke about Kolis. “I do not imagine that was easy to do.”