The sun was on the verge of escaping the heavy blanket of clouds, effectively washing everything in a bright, almost relentless grey hue.The citizens of Concordia swarmed the monochrome streets of the capital, visiting shops and markets, careful not to disturb the rebuilding around them.Slowly, gradually, shattered storefronts and crumbling stone facades began the process of reconstruction. Glass, debris, and other items from the earlier attacks across the capital already cleared the cobblestoned walkways and boulevards, making a safe passageway for shop-goers and carriages.Military guards patrolled the streets, keeping a stern eye on proceedings and projecting a safe ambiance for the citizens.Things were beginning to look up.Sachiel settled more firmly against the wrought-iron chair and observed the bustling streets with a cool, jaded eye.He watched as the workers, donned in dirty and greasy coveralls as they lay stone and brick. His unenthusiastic scrutiny then landed on the n
The cremation grounds were desolate, empty at the late hour. Only, if one looked hard enough, they would find a group of dark-cloaked individuals surrounding a casket.Their figures all but blended into the dark environment, becoming one with their surroundings. A large fire pit, currently in use, spurted a diminished, smoky fire. An attendant near the pit fanned the embers, intending to create more smolder.As a result of their careful ministrations, smoke blossomed and bloomed, sliding over the tall grass with seductive slowness and cloaking everything in a thick, foggy haze.A woman with a high, arching neck observed the others as they chanted beneath their breath. Her orange gaze—eyes of very high Igni nobility—then landed on the figure in the coffin.“Deliver this to Calder?”“I am more than certain he—along with Prince Ezra—will be ecstatic over receiving it,” the man replied.She considered the prone figure inside the casket before turning to her male companion. The man was of
Where is he, Sachiel?”Sachiel concealed a smile as he landed on one knee before the king.He also nodded respectfully to Lord Josiah, who stood lazily behind his assigned throne. For as many times as Sachiel occupied the throne room, he had yet to see Josiah sit obediently on his throne.Granted his position was a distance behind and to the side of Calder’s prominent seat, parallel to the vacant prince’s throne, but it was still a position of prestige.There were typically three monarchs with varying degrees of power. Because Queen Ember was no longer in the picture, Lord Josiah, acting as the Igni representative, would occupy the third position until Prince Ezra married and continued on the monarch line for both families.Now that Calder suspended Lord Josiah from his duties at Concordia Academy, and repositioned the man where he could watch him closely, it was likely Sachiel may actually witness Josiah take a more active role i
Micah had never seen the palace in his adult life, at least not up close like this.Recognition lingered at the back of his mind as he observed the unbelievably large structure. It was familiar to him, yet it also seemed like the first time absorbing the fine details.From a distance, he noticed the primary material that made up the structure was white stone and glass. Upon closer inspection, his assumptions proved correct.The stone was regal and mighty, stretching high up into the air with extravagant curves and flashy arches. There were exaggerated depressions carved intricately into the stone and oil rubbed balconies on the top floors out-looking the capital.It appeared as if every single corner was touched with caring and attentive hands.Micah stared at the structure through lowered lashes, impressed, but unwilling to admit as much. He especially admired the stained-glass windows with their vivid and lovely colors. Colors he’d never se
It appears, during your sabbatical, your senses have dulled.”Micah scoffed as he blocked the overhead strike. “And yet, you still can’t drop me. I see your own reflexes have slowed during my absence. Let us hope it does not have to do with age.”He pivoted and dragged his foot back, easily blocking the man’s relentless attacks.“Age? I’m in my prime,boy.” Sachiel delivered a rather vicious head assault that Micah dodged. “I simply found myself without a worthy opponent. And out of practice.”He slammed his staff across Micah’s knees and then whirled around to thrust the butt of the staff into Micah’s tailbone. Kicking the younger man’s legs out from under him, Sachiel inhaled his victory, entirely out of breath from the duel.Micah slowly rose from the ground, acknowledging his loss with a stiff bow.Sachiel watched Micah readjust his uniform,
There would be people who would hail him ashore with false pretenses of friendly harbor and secure passageway. They had their own intentions, however. Sometimes those intentions would prove more treacherous than braving the harsh, unforgiving waters.Micah felt as if he were treading water in a sea of blood-sucking politicians.Mind games between Calder and Josiah intrigued him—excited him—and encouraged him to try to keep up with such an unfamiliar pace, yet when it came to the sheermassof other individuals waiting to sink their claws into Micah, he grew agitated. Restless. There were too many strangers.Too many moving pieces.Though he was bred for this, trained for this since a child, he felt as if things were happening far more quickly than anyone anticipated. Yes, he could charm and dance just as well as the rest of them, but it was still jarring. He’d gone from a captain of a military academy to a royal heir c
It was now or never.Before classes started tomorrow, before the daystarted, now was the time.Standing on his knees, Micah stared down at his work.Between his fingers, he held a piece of charcoal aloft, momentarily distracted by the dark smears across his gloveless hands. He was sure black marks also claimed his face from subconsciously scratching it. He’d been so focused on his work, small things as charcoal residue remained in the back of his mind.Rising from the floor, Micah obsessively traced each line with his eyes.He looked for any incomplete shapes, reminded vividly of Keegan’s limp fingers hovering just over a broken rune.Forcing his mind to focus, he stalked the perimeter of the pentagram with intentional slowness.One of the things he did not particularly like about demonology were the materials it required for several banishment spells and conjuring rituals. It wasn’t as if the milit
The alarm reached deep into Micah’s subconscious with grating persistence.Sluggishly, he roused himself from his deep sleep, immediately feeling the effects of waking prematurely. Disorientation made his movements delayed as he stood from his bed and nearly collided with Kai.“Watch it, Egan,” the boy snapped, just as disorientated by the blaring alarm.Since enrolling at the academy, he’d never heard the alarm sound. He’d heardofit from overenthusiastic cadets, he just hadn’t expected he’d ever hear it go off. Something important must have transpired in the kingdom and the academy staff wanted all the students to assemble in the training arena.From the corner of his eye, he saw Talia strip boldly down to her undergarments. Either she was getting far too comfortable with the male-dominated team or she was just as tired as the rest of them to feel any sort of modesty.Micah stuffed his