Page 28 of Immortal Origins (Chronicles of the Immortal Trials #1)

“Favored citizens of Eltoria,” his voice was so powerful he barely needed to raise it for all to hear.

“This year was one of the most giving harvests the kingdom has had in over a decade! As you all know, without each and every one of you, the kingdoms would starve. From those whose magick harvests our fields, keeping our crops strong and bountiful, to the farmers that tend the meat we all require. All the way to our couriers who make sure all that food reaches every corner of the continent. Without you, there would be no empire!” He paused as the eruption of cheers that moved through the crowd, allowing them a moment to celebrate before he continued.

“For the last week our nature mages have been enjoying a well-deserved rest to replenish their mana so next season can be even more plentiful than this one. I have never been more proud to call you my people and serve as your king. Tonight is not about me, or the empire…tonight is about all of you!” As he bellowed the last of his speech he pulled Storm Cleaver above his head, raising it as high as he could.

Though there were no clouds or signs of any rain, a yellow-white streak of lightning crashed from the sky to his sword, bathing them in bright light.

As though waiting for their cue, Akadian and the nineteen mages that encircled them thrust their fists into the air and colorful streams of firelight burst into the sky.

Bright sparks of green, blue, gold, and red shot into the air and scattered above them patterns that reminded her of flowers.

As though the stars grew every shade of color and rained down on them, sprinkling them with light before they quietly burned out.

The fire mages repeated this until the entire sky was full of color and light.

Ambrose had never seen this side of Fire Magick and it took her breath away.

She couldn’t stop her eyes from wandering to Akadian.

He stood confidently in his position in the mage’s circle with his head tilted upwards.

His dark hair fell to the sides of his face and out of his eyes for once, the light curls swaying as he moved.

The way he looked up at the firelights made him appear even more dangerously handsome than usual.

As she watched him, she wondered if it was just her imagination or if he looked…

proud. His mouth was set into a quiet smile as his eyes reflected the twinkling colors.

She wasn’t sure how long she’d been staring at him, it felt like no time at all when he tilted his chin down as though he knew his eyes would find hers.

The usual rush that filled her veins when the prince looked at her crashed into her, but this time she didn’t turn away.

He didn’t look at her with annoyance or frustration, but with a softness she wasn’t used to from him.

He even smiled at her. Really smiled at her.

Heat flushed her cheeks and Akadian smirked before he turned his attention back to the performance.

The mages finished the show in one final display as they thrust their fists into the air and their firelights shot forward into one gathered cluster before it exploded above their heads in a shower of lights that covered the entire city.

They took one step, pushed their hands forward and the stack of logs burst into flames.

They placed a closed fist over their chests and shouted in unison, “For bonds and bloodlines!”

The crowd cheered as music burst to life and as though waiting for that moment, the formation dispersed around the fire. Musicians pulled out various instruments and played as humans and fae danced, and wine and ale flowed generously.

“That was amazing!” Lily clapped her hands furiously. “I swear, they get better every year.”

“That’s the first time I’ve ever seen that,” Ambrose admitted, her eyes wide in astonishment.

Lily gave her a confused look. “Oh! That’s right. You know, sometimes I forget you were ever a servant.”

Ambrose’s fingers instinctively touched her neck, trailing the place she knew her mark would be. While she appreciated Lily’s ability to treat her so… normal… she knew the mark would never let anyone forget she’d been a servant.

Though her mark had changed, a mark was a mark.

“Thank you.” Was all she could find the words to say.

“You don’t have to thank me.” Lily lightly tapped her shoulder against hers. “I’m just really glad you got to see them this year.” A wicked smile crossed her face. “Now, let’s go get something to drink.”

Lily grabbed Ambrose’s arm and pushed through the crowd, a woman on a mission.

It didn’t take long for her to find what she was looking for and she was placing a mug of a deep-red blackberry wine into Ambrose’s hand.

It was so delicious she almost finished her cup in one gulp.

They tossed themselves into the gathering, drinking their fill, dancing until their legs shook.

Ambrose twirled, arms in the air as though nothing could hold her back.

She let herself spin through limbs and people, unsure of where her feet were carrying her but so lost in flight she didn’t care.

For once, she was free.

And nobody could take that from her.

It was almost too easy for Ambrose to get lost in herself.

Whether drunk on wine or her own sense of freedom, she didn’t want the night to ever end.

It wasn’t until she noticed the servants in the palace start to merge into the crowd that she remembered what she was waiting for.

She reigned in control of her senses and fought the waves of dizziness that taunted her.

She would never have a better chance than she did right now.

She had to find Adym.

Then Ernaline.