Read Online Prophecy's Promise (Prophecy of the Edges Book 1) by Lauren Amundson - Free Book Online Page A

to his reputation as someone not to cross.
    “It is getting rather late.” Garth turned to the nanny. “I think it’s time for Alexis to go to bed.”
    “I’ll miss you peanut!” I hugged Lexie.
    Once the nanny had ushered the teary-eyed child into the house, Garth set down his glass and turned to me. “You need to be careful.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You shouldn’t tell people that you are going to The Edge.”
    “It's not a secret,” I retorted.
    “Still.” Garth swilled the wine in his glass. “You talk too much.”
    “Around you and your family,” I protested.
    “She’s quite shy, normally,” Meena agreed. “She’s been nick-named ‘Rabbit’ by the prince himself.”
    “Having a nickname given to you by a royal doesn’t strike me as something that happens to timid girls. Nor do death attempts.”
    “It might not have been directed at me. They might have been going after the books,” I offered.
    “Right. And the sun might give us warmth,” Garth said. “They tried to kill you and destroy those books at the same time. Thank the Guardians Altis was there.”
    “Maybe he is behind it?” I suggested, although I’d already convinced myself that he wasn’t.
    Garth shook his head. “Altis has been biting at opportunities to travel. This is the first time it’s been allowed in years and probably the last until Jaysen has a child or two. The heir and the spare and all that. Altis will be lucky if his aunt doesn’t send the army with him after this attack.”
    “I haven’t even decided if I’m going to go with Altis or open a university in Dybreakea.”
    “Adine LaOrezita certainly hopes you’ll go to Dybreakea,” Garth said.
    “What have you heard?” Meena asked.
    “LaOrezita seems to be what he says. A young noble who hopes to please his king by establishing a university. I don’t believe that he has other motives.”
    “He’s been squashing rumors that Shezdon died by non-natural causes,” Meena said.
    “Scandals could prevent the university,” Garth said. “He’s single minded.”
    “But he knows something,” Meena protested.  “I’m sure of it.”
    I threw my arms in the air. “I’ve no idea what I should do!”
    “The university will still be an option after The Edge,” Garth said. “The mission to The Edge is very important and will win you powerful allies. Go on the trip, bide your time, make new allies, and then go start that university. I think a year of your life will be worth the benefits. Good friends can give good gifts. Good segway, actually. You’ve been such a good friend to my Meena.” He reached out and clasped his daughter’s hand fondly. He picked up the small bell beside his plate and rang it. A maid appeared carrying a stunning silver medallion on a long chain. The expertly carved medallion’s copious tiny diamonds sparkled in the candlelight. I recognized the pattern from a ring that Meena frequently wore and the design on the front door to their house.
    Garth placed it on the table before me. “This is for you. Anyone loyal to me—or who wants my thanks—will do anything in exchange for this.”
    “It’s beautiful,” I breathed. “It’s too nice—I couldn’t. Besides, I’ll either be out of the country or on a mission for the queen. Jewelry isn’t very travel hardy.”
    “This isn’t exactly jewelry. This would be useful in circumstances when the power and influence of the Crown may not be. Equally valuable in Gryshelm and Dybreakea.”
    “How so?” I asked, reaching out to stroke the intricate pattern. I recognized pieces from Meena’s family crest, but the other symbols were foreign to me.
    “There’s a lot you don’t know about us,” Meena said. “Many people would go a long way to insure that they were in my father’s favor.”
    I knew Meena’s family employed people who viewed the law as recommendations and they obviously had a lot of money, power and influence, but I didn’t understand why Garth’s favor