Read Online Warrior Prince by Emma Raveling - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Emma Raveling
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I glimpsed the raw vulnerability from that day six months ago.
Then the walls slammed down. Expression hardened into the mask she needed.
And the fact that she now used it with me made my chest hurt.
"Things are different now, Your Highness."
FOURTEEN
Frustration boiled under my skin.
Julian took care of it .
He may've taken care of the immediate problem, but he hadn't taken care of her. Just remembering that deadened look in her eyes made me want to find the First Lieutenant and knock sense into him.
Light trickled through the partially open door. I took a deep breath and brought my emotions under control before stepping in. I didn't want to worry her further.
"Is she all right?"
"You should get some rest," I said.
"Is it so bad you can't bear to tell me?"
I poured myself a scotch and joined her on the sofa. "She's not doing well. There was a great deal of Aquidae blood on her tonight."
She exhaled. "I see."
For the first time, the Governor's indomitable spirit appeared severely weakened.
Since the attack on Marcella, Rhian's elegant face had aged another twenty years. Lines deepened around her eyes and mouth, streaks of gray coloring her once raven hair.
Her own scars of war.
"You must think I'm a terrible grandmother."
I frowned. "Of course not."
"I have not been able to protect my family."
"It's war. Not you."
The Shadow had taken both her daughters and now targeted her granddaughter.
There was no way to ease that kind of grief.
"I found several old photos of Eleri and me taken during one of your visits."
Mother and I used to stay at the Governing House several time a year. Eric was busy training and Dax hadn't been born yet.
Sometimes my father joined us, especially when he had royal matters to attend to.
"Did you enjoy your time here?"
I glanced down at the amber liquid. "They are some of my fondest memories."
Much as I loved my kingdom, I enjoyed spending time away.
Perhaps my desire to stay in Haverleau began from that far back.
"Your father called yesterday to rail about your presence here."
Damn it. "I apologize. He can be —"
"Ancelin is a stubborn ass," Rhian huffed. "Don't let him bully you into doing what he wants."
My mouth quirked. "Never."
"Eleri used to complain about how hard-headed he was. He's just gotten worse over the years. Your father is a good man. But he hasn't been fair to you."
I took another long swallow, unwilling to answer.
Her hand suddenly touched my arm. "She worried about you."
The nostalgic warmth in Rhian's voice reminded me of how my mother used to wait for me at the palace entrance.
It didn't matter how late it was or how long I was gone.
She'd stand there, tall and elegant, sparkling eyes hinting at mischief, and welcome me home.
And when I returned after the unimaginable, she was there.
Waiting since the day I set out after him.
I passed her the pedaillon.
I'd polished and cleaned it until it shone. Not a trace of demonic blood remained.
She stared, silent tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry, Mother."
I didn't know what else to say.
She looked up, tracks of moisture glistening on soft cheeks.
"Oh, Tristan. I'm not crying for Eric. I'm crying for you."
The tears had lasted a long time.
"I know," I said quietly.
"You have the same kind of strength."
Surprised, I glanced up at her.
"It's the strength of the ocean, born of fluid resilience and the ability to ebb and flow over time." She paused. "You're the one that will believe when Kendra will not."
It was a startling statement.
"After I'm gone, it will be you, Nexa, and Augustin," she continued. "But you are the only one on the Council. The one who can protect her and see this through to the end."
I met her eyes. "I would give my life to save hers."
"I know. But that's not what I'm asking." She sighed. "One must never lose hope, Prince Belicoux. And I ask you to make sure she never loses it, too."
Silence fell.
And I knew what the unspoken words were.
Before it's too
Then the walls slammed down. Expression hardened into the mask she needed.
And the fact that she now used it with me made my chest hurt.
"Things are different now, Your Highness."
FOURTEEN
Frustration boiled under my skin.
Julian took care of it .
He may've taken care of the immediate problem, but he hadn't taken care of her. Just remembering that deadened look in her eyes made me want to find the First Lieutenant and knock sense into him.
Light trickled through the partially open door. I took a deep breath and brought my emotions under control before stepping in. I didn't want to worry her further.
"Is she all right?"
"You should get some rest," I said.
"Is it so bad you can't bear to tell me?"
I poured myself a scotch and joined her on the sofa. "She's not doing well. There was a great deal of Aquidae blood on her tonight."
She exhaled. "I see."
For the first time, the Governor's indomitable spirit appeared severely weakened.
Since the attack on Marcella, Rhian's elegant face had aged another twenty years. Lines deepened around her eyes and mouth, streaks of gray coloring her once raven hair.
Her own scars of war.
"You must think I'm a terrible grandmother."
I frowned. "Of course not."
"I have not been able to protect my family."
"It's war. Not you."
The Shadow had taken both her daughters and now targeted her granddaughter.
There was no way to ease that kind of grief.
"I found several old photos of Eleri and me taken during one of your visits."
Mother and I used to stay at the Governing House several time a year. Eric was busy training and Dax hadn't been born yet.
Sometimes my father joined us, especially when he had royal matters to attend to.
"Did you enjoy your time here?"
I glanced down at the amber liquid. "They are some of my fondest memories."
Much as I loved my kingdom, I enjoyed spending time away.
Perhaps my desire to stay in Haverleau began from that far back.
"Your father called yesterday to rail about your presence here."
Damn it. "I apologize. He can be —"
"Ancelin is a stubborn ass," Rhian huffed. "Don't let him bully you into doing what he wants."
My mouth quirked. "Never."
"Eleri used to complain about how hard-headed he was. He's just gotten worse over the years. Your father is a good man. But he hasn't been fair to you."
I took another long swallow, unwilling to answer.
Her hand suddenly touched my arm. "She worried about you."
The nostalgic warmth in Rhian's voice reminded me of how my mother used to wait for me at the palace entrance.
It didn't matter how late it was or how long I was gone.
She'd stand there, tall and elegant, sparkling eyes hinting at mischief, and welcome me home.
And when I returned after the unimaginable, she was there.
Waiting since the day I set out after him.
I passed her the pedaillon.
I'd polished and cleaned it until it shone. Not a trace of demonic blood remained.
She stared, silent tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry, Mother."
I didn't know what else to say.
She looked up, tracks of moisture glistening on soft cheeks.
"Oh, Tristan. I'm not crying for Eric. I'm crying for you."
The tears had lasted a long time.
"I know," I said quietly.
"You have the same kind of strength."
Surprised, I glanced up at her.
"It's the strength of the ocean, born of fluid resilience and the ability to ebb and flow over time." She paused. "You're the one that will believe when Kendra will not."
It was a startling statement.
"After I'm gone, it will be you, Nexa, and Augustin," she continued. "But you are the only one on the Council. The one who can protect her and see this through to the end."
I met her eyes. "I would give my life to save hers."
"I know. But that's not what I'm asking." She sighed. "One must never lose hope, Prince Belicoux. And I ask you to make sure she never loses it, too."
Silence fell.
And I knew what the unspoken words were.
Before it's too
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