Page 23 of Reign of Stars and Fire

Valen shook his head. “He, Tor, and Aleksi will be sailing to the isles with my parents for the vows. Hagen and Herja wanted to see Gunnar beforehand, so they joined us.”

My insides knotted. It wasn’t mine to share, yet those damn instincts raised the hackles on my neck that something was not right here.

I held out the parchment. “He’s . . .Lumpy, though, right?”

Valen’s eyes darkened when he read the title on the missive. “That is what Calista calls him, yes.”

“This was received last evening. I expected to see him.”

“Why would she send something for Sol here?”

“Perhaps she expected him to be here.”

Valen narrowed his eyes and took the missive. “But how would Calista know we were coming?”

“She works in fate. I hate fate. It’s too sly for my liking.”

Valen considered the note for a long while. He glanced to where Elise laughed as Lynx stiffened like a frightened bear once the infant princess was placed in his arms, then the king looked back to me.

“It’s not mine to read but . . .”

“Seems odd, doesn’t it?”

“Feels odder.”

Hagen cleared his throat. “Not my place, perhaps, but I’ve not heard from my son in a month.”

“What?” I snapped.

“It’s true. We’re all pretending like it’s nothing to fret about, but let’s be honest—we’re all wondering. To me, if there is a strange missive from a writer of fate, I’d open it. Sol would tell you to do it.”

Valen let out a breath but tore into the note. His eyes tracked a few lines, then stopped. “It makes little sense, but it’s written as if she wasn’t sure Sol would be the reader. See what you think.”

My face heated. I truly didn’t know if they were aware I took turns to read a damn note. The jumbled mess of words in my head was a curse. Still, I was curious enough about the missive, I’d succumb to mortification and have the king read it to me.

“I’ll read it.” Malin appeared at my side and gave me a slight smile as she threaded her fingers through mine.

Sly. Beautiful.Mine.

I kissed her knuckles, grinning. She never made a fuss over anything, and I rather liked how protective she was over my struggle with words.

Valen paused for a breath, then tilted his head to Malin. “Mal, good to see you.”

“And you,Val.” They took pleasure in rhyming their names, and did whenever we met. “Your daughter is beautiful, and I plan to never give her back.”

“Those are warring words.” The king tipped his head. “You look lovely, and I expect we’ll feel much the same about your littles soon enough.”

“I look like I haven’t slept in days.” She gave Hagen a quick hug. “And it’s true.”

Valen gave her the parchment. “Tell me what you think.”

Malin read out loud softly. “Lumpy—or whatever sod is seeing this—remember how we always told each other riddles in the dark? I have another one for you now. More than a riddle, it’s a tale, a warning I need you to heed. It’ll be no good for any of you to choose now not to trust me.

“Blood red sky reveals a great lie, of which we’ve all believed. A Falkyn comes to a world undone, a hope for those deceived. Be nearby, yet stay your might, 'til the raven is free for flight.” Malin lifted her gaze, befuddled.

“Is that it?” I asked.

“She simply ends with: Take care. I don’t want anyone getting hurt. Be wise. Be safe. Cal.”