Read Online Chronicles of Logos Quest For the Kingdom Parts IV, V, VI, and VII Revised With Index (Quest For the Kingdom Set) by L. M. Roth - Free Book Online Page A

eldest at
nineteen, already grown to manhood and with the same imposing appearance as his
father. The look of approval in his eye when he glanced at Melisande was
somewhat stronger than Brenus would have liked, but it was clear that he
approved of his brother’s choice. His younger brother Brand blushed when he was
introduced, but at twelve he still found young ladies an exotic species that he
was not certain he wanted to make a closer acquaintance with.
    It was obvious
that sixteen year old Maelys, as tall and willowy as a water lily herself with
her mother’s coppery curls and bright blue eyes, looked on Melisande as a rival
for attention. It was true that the young men were already flocking around
Maelys, only to be intimidated by Dag, who guarded his daughter as zealously as
a knight would a young queen. Nolwenn was only just thirteen and regarded her
older sister as the font of all knowledge; yet she seemed as delighted by her
new sister-in-law as Brenus was.
    “Aye, you’ve
got a fair one, brother!” Dirk exclaimed as he extended a hand of
congratulation to his brother.
    Melisande was
busy at the moment talking with Judoc about wedding plans, and Brenus had
clustered with his younger siblings momentarily.
    “How pretty
she is!” Nolwenn agreed. “I do hope she shares some of her beauty secrets with
me.”
    Maelys snorted
in a most unladylike manner.
    “Why would she
do that?” she asked. “She has not even told Brenus…” her voice trailed off as
Dirk shot her a glance of warning.
    She contented
herself with a wry smile and said nothing further as she cast a watchful
scrutiny on her sister-in-law to be.
     
    Only Cort,
Brenus noted with dismay, responded to Melisande in a manner that denoted more
hostility than hospitality. Why this should be was a mystery to Brenus. It was
clear that Dag, who still held a special place in his heart for Cort above that
of his siblings, had confided to him Melisande’s reluctance to reveal her
origins. As for her beliefs, Brenus told Dag and Judoc that she believed in the
God of love, but neglected to tell them that Melisande had actually excluded
“God” from her declaration.
    It would
appear that Cort, however, sensed something amiss and was wary of his new
relative. Their introduction was an event that would stand out in his memory
for some time to come.
    Cort had been
away for several days before the wedding and did not meet Melisande until after
the ceremony.
    “Cort! Come,
you must meet my bride, Melisande!” he exclaimed eagerly as he took his brother
by the arm and dragged him to where Melisande was surrounded by well wishers
from the village.
    Melisande was
radiant as she received the good wishes of old friends of the family, and her
smile lit her face with the glow of a candle throwing off the shadows of night.
She flashed a look of triumph at Brenus as he approached, basking in the
welcome of the local folk. He clasped her hand and gently led her out of the
circle and presented her to Cort.
    A flash of
fire was exchanged between them, the source of which he did not know. Was it as
their eyes met, or was it after they greeted one another? Something happened,
but what it was he did not know…
    “Welcome,
sister,” Cort said, as he bowed over her hand.
    “Thank you,
brother,” Melisande replied, quickly veiling her eyes with her lids, then
glancing up at him once more.
    “I understand
you are a stranger to Eirinia,” Cort remarked.
    “Yes, I am
newly come to your shores,” she answered. “But I am sure I will find Eirinia
very much to my liking. Very much indeed.”
    Cort frowned
suddenly, and gave her a look of perplexity.
    “Have we met
before? For your voice is strangely familiar to me.”
    Melisande
laughed slightly and shook her head.
    “No, we have
not. I am sure I would remember if we had.”
    Cort, however,
persisted in his interrogation.
    “Yes, there is
something about your voice. I know I have heard it before, or one similar.
Where are you