Page 134 of Winds of Ruin
The warmth in Lark’s expression nearly melted me; that disposition, being so pleased to see someone else’s happiness, came from neither of her parents. It was all her aunt.
“Still feeling confident about this plan?” Lark whispered.
I nodded. “Yes.”
We’d decided that she and Dritan would be the ones to deliver the news about her union and his lineage to the realms.
It felt cowardly to allow them to share the announcement alone. I did not want their marriage, their union, overshadowed by the revelation of Dritan being my heir. Though that fact legitimized their coupling beyond rebuke. This would be a joyous moment for them.
“I must get ready, but see you soon,” Lark said before scurrying away.
A figure clad in black velvet tapped my shoulder next. “Well, Sir Emmerick, you clean up nicely.”
Seeing Asterie there, hands folded in front of her, took me by surprise. Her long dark hair fell neatly over her shoulders, blending in with the gown. She wore her signature unreadable expression.
I cracked a smile. “You sound surprised, my friend,” I said as I wrapped both arms around her, trapping her hands awkwardly between us.
She huffed out, “Recently, I’ve only seen you beneath sheets.”
“Please tell me you understand how that sounds,” I laughed. When she retreated from my grip to assess me, her brow furrowed.
“How what sounds? You were sleeping beneath sheets.” Her expression softened, and she took my hands in hers. “And you owe me—and Fen—an apology. Foryearsyou could have spoken with us? Why haven’t you? Is it something that we did?”
Straight to the point. Unsurprising.
Through the years, Elsedora had kept me apprised of Asterie’s and Fen’s well-beings—they had taken to running a school for Source-wielders out of the Central Tower. When not there, they were advising in Luz, traveling the realm, and spending a few weeks every summer at the cabin where they had met. They lived the life they both deserved, together.
“It... it seemed harder,” I admitted. “I’m so sorry, Asterie. I am here now.”
Asterie’s eyes glistened, but she nodded. “I understand. But we missed you.” So quickly, she’d accepted the answer as enough. I deserved so little of her grace.
“Foreseen any doom lurking in our midst lately?” I asked her.
She squeezed my fingers and a deflated sigh escaped her. “I wish,” she said.
I chuckled. “You wish doom upon us?”
“Well, no, no. It would just be helpful if the moonstone showed meanythingof use anymore. I’ve been unable to conjure morethan a few visions of approaching storms and mundane things aside from you waking. I suppose that vision was useful.”
I balked.She had predicted...“You knew I would wake?”
She shrugged. “The details were murky, but I have seen this moment before. Brace yourself.”
“For what?” I didn’t understand.
“The boy Knight has risen!” Fenris’ voice carried from the grand stairway as he descended. “Get a good beauty sleep?”
Fen slapped my shoulder too hard when he reached us. Trailing behind him, Vangard, their pet wolf-beast, skulked. The creature smelled my hand and let out a low grumble. Still not my biggest fan.
I took Fen’s arm and drew him in for a quick, bear-like embrace. “Indeed. Wouldn’t want to look like you, old man.”
In earnest, Fenris looked no older than forty. The gray streak in his beard, where a scar lay, added some maturity to his appearance, but immortals aged very little.
“Fair enough. Have you seen my sister loitering around here somewhere?” he asked.
I shook my head. “No, not since she left the estate this morning.”
“Thismorning?” Fenris asked, with a quirked brow and an intrigued smirk. My face grew hot, and I rubbed the back of my neck. “She’s grown, but I can still threaten to burn your balls clean off if you have ruined my innocent little sister’s honor.”
