Page 52 of Keeper of the Word

“Nay. Most certainly not,” King Rian said. “Queen Ferika’s safety shall not be compromised for mine.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

“Very well, Lady Elanna. Lord Tolvar and his knights shall be commanded to your safety, but let us reconvene on the morrow in the hope that it will be to bid one another farewell.”

“Your Majesty is most gracious.”

The cord on the wall was pulled again, and a female royal page entered the room. “See to Lady Elanna’s comforts.”

Elanna curtsied to King Rian and crossed the room to the doorway.

“Send for Sir Karro,” King Rian said under his breath. “And do not make Dashiell aware of it.”

She paused, her heartbeat suddenly racing. Why did the sovereign wish to question the prince’s man-at-arms?

Chapter

Twenty

ELANNA

At home in Ashwin, Elanna was accustomed to sleeping well past midmorning and turning in well past midnight after Seeing the stars.

But during the fortnight of travel, she’d arisen before dawn and sometimes fell asleep before the last of Tolvar’s knights had been fed. When shehadslept. Her hand grazed her throat as she strolled along the queen’s flower garden. Aye, she could still feel the fingers tightening around her throat if she let her mind wander. The ghost sensation, coupled with whatever Tolvar and Hux had discovered last night, had kept sleep at bay. And now that she had peered into the eyes of the sovereign and the prince, her body longed for rest. All that had transpired on this first day in Asalle left her weary.

Strange that she should feel more exhausted now, having Seen naught for days, than after Seeing some of the most horrendous fortunes over the years. It suddenly occurred to her why StarSeers kept behind their shimmering walls. Away from the world. Away from danger and the mingling of visions from the stars with the messiness of being surrounded by conversations and complications ofrealpeople.

Seeing people and being in the company of people was vastlydifferent. Elanna found herself stirred by emotions here that did not exist in Ashwin. After Seeing fortunes and discerning them in kind, there was no afterthought as to the complexities those fortunes might create. Until now.

Fortunes were never finite. ’Twas a phrase Elanna knew like every star in the sky. Yet what of the choices paved by their wisdom? Did the knowledge of possible fortune not guide or hinder the person? She was certain she’d done right in advising King Rian that Prince Dashiell must marry—the stars had driven her here—but could she be certain the revealed fortune had, in turn, bent any will or recourse? And, considering recent obstacles, had she revealed it in time to make a difference?

“The prince was agreeable in every way. All will be well,” she whispered into the night’s darkness.

But ’twas difficult not to consider how quick King Rian had been to denigrate Prince Dashiell. Almost as if he searched for a reason to question or belittle him. What of summoning Sir Karro, the prince’s man-at-arms? And the way Dashiell appeared guarded in his response?

Nay, you must cease. This exhaustion is pooling into thoughts of confusion. The stars brought youhere.

Elanna’s feet shuffled to a stop.

Ignoring the two castle guards who trailed her beyond the hedge, she closed her eyes. She imagined glinting into life a light inside her core. Not like a candle. Not a light that flickered and could easily be doused. Nay, a small spark. One she could hold. One that held the many possible trails of the hereafter, possible fortunes tucked safely in her being.

Am I to return to Ashwin?

The spark glowed as it retraced all she’d Seen on the Dasei Moors. She held onto the spark, though her fingertips burned, as the string of fortune flowed swiftly, and time raced through her mind.

She opened her eyes. The spark faded like a dying star.

Only one thought pierced her mind:I must be present when the prince marries.

Footsteps stirred behind her. Still distracted, Elanna didn’t turn right away.

Abruptly, a rumble blocked out the footsteps.

Elanna startled and spun.

Tolvar, Hux, and Joss stood where the two guards had been. But there was nothing near them to indicate what had caused that rumbling sound.

“Elanna, are you well?” Tolvar said.