Read Online Goddess of War by K. N. Lee - Free Book Online

Raina rubbed Olia’s arm. “Who would I tell? Your secret is safe with me. You’ve kept Allan’s and mine for so long. I would never betray you.”
    Olia hugged her tightly, her face pressed to Raina’s chest.
    “Thank you, Raina.”
    When she pulled away, Raina saw tears in Olia’s eyes.
    “What’s wrong?”
    Olia sniffled. “I love him…and soon the two of you will leave us all behind and never return.”
    Raina’s smile faded. She lowered her voice. “It’s okay, Olia. Who says we can never return?”
    The thought had come to her many times, and each time she felt the pain of the truth. Olia was right. Soon they would have to leave, and all of their friends and loved ones would be forever gone to them.
    Raina turned and used one of Olia’s combs to break through the tangles in her waist-length black hair.
    “Do you really mean it, Raina?”
    Nodding, Raina pursed her lips. She couldn’t bring herself to voice the lie once again.
    Olia hugged her again. “Thank you,” she said and gave Raina a quick kiss on the cheek.
    The thought of falling for Prince Aric filled her with both grief and excitement. She started to doubt even wanting to experience love. She didn’t want to feel the pain Olia would soon feel.
    Raina gripped her necklace in her fist.
    What are we doing?
    When Desi’s voice didn’t answer her, Raina felt the worry start to rise from her belly to her throat. Desi was always there. Was she too weak to even speak now?
    She looked down at the necklace and gave it a shake. “Desi?”
    Olia stood beside her. “Is the fairy okay?”
    Raina sighed. “Yes. I’m sure she’s fine,” she lied. “Let’s go.”
    “Yes! Let’s get going. I don’t want to miss anything,” Olia cheered.
    Raina forced a smile. She didn’t want to ruin Olia’s night amongst royalty. Prince Eryon was kind enough to bring her as a guest.
    Together they made their way from Olia’s bed chamber and down the stairs.
    Raina’s eyes met Eryon’s as she walked down to the shop floor. He looked up at her with a look of surprise and adoration. Wearing a golden mask, and revealing his rich evergreen waist coat and black pants, he looked handsome.
    Almost as handsome as his older brother.
    His lips parted as his eyes followed her every move.
    “Do you like it?” Raina eagerly awaited his reply. His approval meant Aric would like it as well.
    She hoped as much.
    She walked directly to him, feeling Olia and Allan’s eyes on the two of them.
    Eryon swallowed, nodding. “You look nice.”
    Nice? She hoped that was enough.
    Eryon licked his lips as his eyes went to her bosom. Abruptly, his eyes left hers. He cleared his throat. “Is everyone ready?”
    Without looking back he spoke to Allan and Olia. “Let’s go.”
    Raina stood in the doorway, watching Eryon walk ahead of them, his cloak lifting from the dusty stone streets with the gentle night breeze.
    “I think you’re going to break his poor heart tonight,” Olia whispered to her, her eyes saddened.
    Raina’s mouth parted. What did she mean?
    She tried to make sense of Olia’s words as they walked together through the dark roads of the Lower City to the outdoor garden hall near the Upper City.
    The moon shone above them as the sky went black.
    Raina glanced up at the sky. Her brows furrowed.
    Where were all of the stars?

 
    ARIC STOOD ON the balcony above the crowded courtyard, looking down at the people of Rhene. After so much time abroad, they all looked odd to him. He was still amazed by how differently the rest of the world dressed and styled themselves.
    Also, the pungent scent of magic didn’t exist in his kingdom. Aric had been to lands where magic could be felt in the air. Being without it made the air taste stale.
    He’d been farther than most people would ever go in their lives. He’d seen things that had changed him forever, and he missed the freedom he felt when he was away. Now that he was home, nothing felt the same.
    After that stunning