A Sword of Gilded Embers: A Throne of Ice Book 2

1. Chapter One

Every strike against my bruised skin reminded me of Sólkon’s assault on my body.

The air in my chest was like a weight working to crush me, constricting around my heart and only lessening with each sputtering gasp. Sweat lined my brow as I circled Sapphire, her rouge lips upturned into a wicked smirk. We’d spent our days sparring since my hand had healed enough to remove the brace. I’d spent weeks in this lodge, learning about my capabilities and how to master them.

The scary thing was, I worried I wouldn’t reach my full potential with the likes of the fae. The Circle of Sorceresses was the only reason Sapphire became the halfling she was today and, unfortunately, that sort of magic existed in another realm. Would I be seen as a traitor?

“Stop panting like a dog in heat,” Sapphire taunted, “and strike me again.”

The magic was brewing beneath my fingertips, sizzling at the surface, but it wouldn’t break free. I scowled and swiped my foot around Sapphire’s ankle, but her footwork was stronger than mine. She easily countered and snatched my wrist, crimson eyes dancing across my glowing fingertips. Despite the essence of magic radiating from my skin, she frowned.

“I find it difficult to believe you grew up around two of the most esteemed sorceresses known to fae and mankind alike, yet they didn’t help you harness your magic.”

“Perhaps they knew what was best for me,” I muttered and snatched my wrist back, grabbing a cloth from the ground and wiping the sweat away. After my forehead was dry, I shook my hands to ease the burning sensation from unspent magic. “Perhaps they knew I wasn’t all that capable in the first place.”

Sapphire hummed, approached the tree next to me to sit, and crossed her legs. If she was related to Yenira, that meant she was old. I knew the sorceresses had figured out ways to stay eternally youthful, but I continued to age.

The fae didn’t age.

And, if she was any proof, halflings shouldn’t either. Yet here I was. Did I just have too much mortal blood in me?

“You are only as capable as your heart permits, Aurelie Cane.” Sapphire rubbed her cheek raw, closing her eyes with a long sigh. “I say that from experience.”

I kneeled, balling the hand towel into my fists. “You have yet to return to the prince,” I said quietly, unsure if it would awaken unspoken conflict. “Did it end sourly?”

Sapphire’s gaze flashed toward me, and although she smiled weakly, sadness lingered deep in her red irises. “Actually…it was pleasant. He is the most pleasant of people, Aurelie.”

Her smile faded into a frown as she turned her focus toward the gardens. I followed, watching as winged insects fluttered between vibrant orange blossoms. “And pleasant is…”

“Terrible, really.”

“Sounds like it.” I frowned. “If he’s still denying what you two share, he is a coward.”

Sapphire shook her head, tucking her lip between her teeth before swaying her head from side to side. “The hardest thing to grasp is that he isn’t denying it.” A pause. “Not anymore, at least. He was eternally grateful for what I did for him.”

“That’s good, then,” I said with a furrowed brow. “Where is the issue?”

“I don’t know.” Sapphire chuckled. “I think that’s what scares me. There aren’t any issues on the surface, but we are from different worlds. Quite literally, in fact. I fear I am the embodiment of violence to a man who personifies peace.”

The air hitched in my chest at the poetic tragedy that sentence insinuated. I could only nod to acknowledge her feelings, but that was all Sapphire needed. She half-heartedly chuckled and pushed herself back to her feet.

“Enough about boys.”

But then my eyes flickered to the manor’s side entrance as it swung open, Casynox and Eero chuckling as they descended the steps. Eero wore a handsome black tunic, loose-fitting pants, and armor that protected his heart. Casynox matched, though he chose off-white.

Sapphire sighed and, despite her statement, she smiled warmly at Cas and Eero. She saw them as family. I could feel the loyalty ebbing off her like a wave to the shore. “I guess these boys are…more than pleasant.”

I wiped the dirt from my hands and stood to join her, watching them approach. Their laughter had died down by the time they closed the gap, and when Eero’s gaze met mine, I warred with myself about which eye to focus on. The duality and intensity of his focus could make me crumble on the strongest days.

Eero’s lips parted to speak, but they clamped shut when Casynox slapped a hand on his shoulder. “What I think Eero was trying to say is, you two look lovely.”

I took one look at Sapphire before we both started laughing. We were covered in shards of grass, a thick sheen of sweat, and a fair helping of bruises that would turn gnarly shades of green and purple. We were anything but lovely.

“Flattery will get you nowhere, Cas.” Sapphire sighed and yanked a tangle of hair out of her face. “Where are you two warriors going?”

Eero finally turned his gaze from me, addressing Sapphire with a slight nod. “We have plans to meet the rebellion forces at the edge of the court.”

A pang racketed through me. He’d sheltered me from most of the war, but I knew soldiers were already scattered throughout the Winter Court. They’d seized small villages and forced the guards loyal to the Summer King into jail or banished them.

The curiosity gnawed at me. I couldn’t slow my tongue; it simply raced faster than my mind. “Do you need help?”

Of course he didn’t. Eero had made it incredibly clear he didn’t want me involved with the workings of war. I swallowed the nausea that followed each recollection, every flash consuming me. Healing was a slow and steady process, but the mental aftermath of what-ifs was a dangerous game.

Eero’s chin tilted upward at the question, his head turning stiffly toward me again. Although his glare was pointed, his words were gentle. “Aurelie, I don’t think that is such a good idea.”

Casynox cleared his throat and clapped his hands. “Lovely talk. Sapphire, I think I dropped my…sword.”

I flicked my gaze to the sword firmly latched to his back. Cas smiled impishly and jerked his head, guiding Sapphire away without another attempt at a sour excuse for a departure. I couldn’t help but smile, though it wasn’t the most genuine one.

“I’m better,” I responded quietly. I rolled my wrist, and although the bones cracked, I didn’t so much as wince. “And my training with Casynox and Sapphire has been going well enough. Let me come.”

Eero finally dropped his chin, a frown etching lines into his smooth face. I stepped toward him, angling my head up so I never looked away from his eyes. Today, I was drawn toward the gilded abyss, watching the sunlight sparkle against it like a legend depicted in art.

“I need you to stay better.” I watched him lift my healed hand gently, spinning it every way he could to observe how the once mangled bones had healed. “And continue learning how to fight back if…”

Silence blanketed us both. It was an unfinished thought, but it kept me up many nights, those wretched what-ifs. What if he hadn’t gotten there before I starved; what if I had spent just a few more days training with Sapphire to learn about my magic; what if we had anticipated the attack earlier…what if?

“There is no point to ifs. Not right now.”

Eero’s brows knitted together, his fingers lacing between mine. “You truly want to come, Aurelie?”

Something lifted from my shoulders. He hadn’t agreed, not yet—but this question meant he’d budge. I knew that much. “I want nothing more,” I whispered. “Just to understand, Eero. To know.”

Eero pressed his lips to my fingers, closing his eyes as he sighed through his nose. He scraped his teeth against my skin playfully before cursing, dropping my hand and twisting away. “Fine,” he said with a cold snap in his tone. I smiled nonetheless. “But you aren’t going in that. Go rinse off and get dressed.”

I roared out a laugh and aimed for the guest house, racing to wash away the sweat and change into the closest thing I had to their attire. I had to move in haste, or else Eero would change his mind and find a way to leave me seething.

He meant well, but if I was left behind after getting him to agree, I might die from even more what-ifs.