The Darathi Vorsi Prince (Song of the Swords Book 0) Read Free Page A

flared anew; its brightness flooded his room with multihued streaks of light .“ Claidholm Solais, Sword of Light .” She breathed the final words upon the blade, and the rainbow dimmed to dull grey once more. Carga placed his fingers firmly around the hilt. Their power mingled with Claidholm Solai s’ s. Light, Dark, and Eleri fused as one.
    “ Thank you ,” he whispered, and she grinned cheekily at him.
    “ You will be needing this as well ,” Verdaine said. A delicate silver chain with an unusual charm dangled from her fingertips .“ This cynfar is for the Darennsai. A talisman, of sorts . ”
    Rhoane took the pendant from his goddess and placed it in a drawer without looking too closely at the design. He still was n’ t sure he would honor his oath and leave the Narthvier.
    A fancy sword was n’ t enough to convince him a Fadair woman was worth the sacrifice.
     

Chapter 2

     
    SIX moonturns passed before Rhoane thought about the pendant. He trained each day with his sword, learning the songs the sword sang, but was no closer to understanding their meaning. It was a fine Harvest morning shortly after his birthing day when he found the cynfar in his drawer, tucked into a corner amid the cruft of adolescent importance.
    His fingertips brushed the silver, and a jolt of power thrummed straight to his heart. He snatched his fingers from the offending metal and blew on them as if burned. When no blisters formed, he used the tip of his dagger to draw the necklace from its hiding place. A large diamond glittered from the center of a laurel wreath, and several smaller gems dotted a circle above the wreat h’ s leaves. With his exhale, the leaves fluttered and he stared, mesmerized. The diamond winked in the light and in its depths he saw a sphere, blue and green with wisps of white. He blinked and the vision disappeared, leaving the gem as unremarkable as an acorn.
    It is time, Rhoane . Verdain e’ s voice whispered through the room on a gentle breeze.
    “ No ,” Rhoane argued .“ I cannot leave the vier. Mother needs me, and Bressal is nowhere near ready to rule. I must stay . ”
    Silence answered him.
    He pushed the pendant to the back of the drawer and slammed it shut. He was n’ t ready to leave. Not yet. If ever.
    He grabbed his sword and strode to the inner courtyard, where his mother sat with her ladies-in-waiting, including Janeira, a warrior who had caught the eye of his brother. When Rhoane approached, Aislinn rose to greet him, but he stormed past without saying so much as hello.
    “ Prince Rhoane .” Those two words froze his hurried pace .“ What vexes you, my darling ? ”
    “ I cannot do it, Mother .” He refused to look at her, to see the disappointment yet again in her eyes .“ You need me. The vier needs me. This is my home, my people. I am their prince, their future king. How can I rule if I am off chasing a myth ?” He grasped at his tattered reality, knowing his words were false. He was never meant to rule, never meant to sit on the Weirren Throne. He knew it in the marrow of his being, yet he still rejected his fate .“ I was a child when I made that oath. I do not want to disappoint you or Verdaine, but I cannot leave . ”
    “ You can, and you must. We have discussed this . ”
    “ Mother, you are not being fair. Why me? Why not Bressal or Eoghan ? ”
    “ You will do as told .” Pale blue veins rose on her forehead, a warning of her growing anger. His mother rarely lost her temper, and even then she was in control. Rhoane took a step backward, and his mother shook her head .“ You will not run from me, boy. You were given this honor by our goddess. You not only disrespect her with your infantile whining, but you disrespect all Eleri .” White flames danced along her arms and trailed from her long, ebony hair.
    He bent on one knee, head bowed .“ I am sorry, Mother. Please, do not be upset. I will do as you ask .”
    His false, placating words did nothing. Her rage grew