Chapters (95)
- Cover
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Map
- Dramatis Personae
- Fifteen Years Ago
- Endas, 25th day of Wellmarch
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Maladas, 26th day of Wellmarch
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Lumendas, 1st day of Radiance
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Astridas, 2nd day of Radiance
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Jeradas, 3rd day of Radiance
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Endas, 4th day of Radiance
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Maladas, 5th day of Radiance
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Tzadas, 6th day of Radiance
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Lunandas, 7th day of Radiance
- Forty-Four
- Jeradas, 10th day of Radiance
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Endas, 11th day of Radiance
- Forty-Eight
- Forty-Nine
- Fifty
- Fifty-One
- Fifty-Two
- Fifty-Three
- Fifty-Four
- Fifty-Five
- Maladas, 12th day of Radiance
- Fifty-Six
- Fifty-Seven
- Fifty-Eight
- Fifty-Nine
- Sixty
- Sixty-One
- Sixty-Two
- Tzadas, 13th day of Radiance
- Sixty-Three
- Sixty-Four
- Lunandas, 14th day of Radiance
- Sixty-Five
- Sixty-Six
- Lumendas, 15th day of Radiance
- Sixty-Seven
- Sixty-Eight
- Tzadas, 20th day of Radiance
- Sixty-Nine
- Acknowledgements
- Discover More
- Extras
- Meet the Author
Annoyance thickened to anger, and with it the flickering wakefulness of Viktor’s shadow. It slithered about his soul, prying at the bars of its cage. The warmth of the room shrank away. Viktor scarcely dared release a breath, for fear that others would see it frosting in the balmy air.
“Kasamor will help.” Malachi offered the solution with an easy smile.
“Kasamor?”
“He’ll be halfway to Eskavord by now.” Malachi paused, then twisted the knife. “His coming marriage, or had you forgotten?”
“When such things slip my memory you may lay me in the ground where the dead belong.”
Viktor’s father sipped his brandy. “You believe Kasamor has that much influence?”
“He’s marrying the duke’s sister,” said Malachi. “And he has spoken of taking the Trelan name. That brings influence, and a certain loyalty.”
The blood drained from Lady Kiradin’s cheeks. When she spoke again, it was little more than a whisper. “If my fool son had any notion of loyalty he’d not be set on this ridiculous marriage.”
“He’s in love.”
“Love? Hah!” Strength returned to her voice, bringing fresh scorn alongside. “I’m sure Calenne Trelan is a pretty enough thing, but that doesn’t excuse her bloodline. And it’s not as though he’s a stranger to enjoying the one without embracing the other. It’s only natural that youth will have its fling, but the Republic endures on good marriages. Wouldn’t you agree, Malachi?”
Malachi bore the reciprocal knife-twist stoically. “Without question.”
“As well you should. Lilyana is blossoming into a fine Tressian matron. She has given you such wonderful children. You don’t deserve her.”
“As I am daily reminded, Ebigail.”
“If only Kasamor saw his duty so clearly.” She shook her head, her shoulders braced against weighty concerns. “Katya Trelan’s brat has stolen away my son, and now you ask me to forgive her family’s sins?”
“For the good of the Republic, yes,” said Malachi.
“The good of the Republic? The Republic lost hundreds of loyal sons and daughters over the Southshires and its so-called Phoenix. A beacon to the shackled, indeed. It has bled dearly of lives and gold ever since. I will offer no favours – not one – to that pack of traitors and inbreds. To make that mistake once a generation is more than sufficient.”
“We already have Lady Marest’s support.” Malachi withdrew an envelope from his inner pocket. He held it so that the others could see the rose upon the wax seal. “She believes it is time to heal old wounds.”