Heir of Amber and Fire by Rachanee Lumayno (read aloud books .TXT) 📕

room and put my pack on a chair in the corner. I rolled my shoulders, glad to get the weight off my back. I crossed to the pitcher, poured some water into the bowl, and splashed the cool water on my face. I could feel the dust falling off my skin. It was only day one on my own, but I already missed the luxurious heated baths I used to take nightly at the palace.

There was a light knock on the door. I opened the door to find Asra holding a simple wooden tray with some food and a small glass of water. “We’re lucky to have our own well nearby,” she said as she handed me the tray. “Freshest water for miles. Sleep well, and we’ll see you in the morning.”

I thanked her and shut the door, putting the tray down next to the pitcher. I bolted down the food and drink, glad no one was around to see me eat so inelegantly. My hunger and thirst abated, I was ready to settle in for the night.

I opened my pack and rummaged through it, looking for the journal that contained the spells I was learning and other handwritten notes. I found the comb and ribbons Taryn had mentioned, as well as a second dress and a small bag of coins. Opening the bag, I gasped when I saw how much money my mother and Taryn had thoughtfully provided for me. I had been carrying a few coins, enough for tonight’s stay and perhaps a meal somewhere else, but this pouch would definitely take me further. With this money, I would be able to afford a few comfortable nights at an inn and, if I was careful enough, some extra supplies or food.

My fingers brushed against my mother’s letter, and my fingers briefly tightened around the papers. I was extremely curious, but I was also afraid of what I would read. The room felt too small and dark to learn the truth of my mother’s story.

Dropping the letter, I instead pulled out a slim leather-bound volume from my bag. I tossed the book onto the bed and took off my dress. Clad only in my shift, I climbed into bed and grabbed the book. There was a small candle burning on a stand next to the bed, but I conjured a light spell so I could read a little better. I hung the light above my bed and settled back into the pillows.

I flipped through the pages until I found the calling spell Taryn suggested. Reading over the instructions carefully, I prepared to cast the spell. I focused on Taryn in my mind, willing her to sense my summons. Touching my lips with my index and middle finger, I moved my fingers about an inch from my face and blew on the tips.

Taryn’s face appeared in front of me, level with my own. I smiled at my success.

The Taryn image smiled back. “Good job, Your Highness,” she said to me. “I knew you could do it.”

“You’re the only one who was sure,” I said.

“Don’t cut yourself down,” she said. “You have a knack for magic. In your lessons, even if you were just learning a spell, you mastered it quicker than expected.”

I nodded in thanks. “How are things back home?”

“All is well,” she said. “The king asked for you this morning, but Queen Melandria convinced him that she changed your mind and you’ve accepted the match. So he thinks you’re in seclusion preparing for the wedding, and he’s gone ahead with preparations of his own.”

“Yes, I saw some Calian riders earlier today,” I said. “And the farmer who was kind enough to let me stay for the night mentioned that formal invitations for the wedding are currently being sent out.”

“We’re all taking on extra responsibilities for the wedding, in addition to our regular duties,” Taryn said. “King Hendon boasts that this will be a celebration like none in the Gifted Lands has ever seen before.”

Calia had never been overly friendly with the other kingdoms. At best, we were neutral with the other countries. In actuality, on the rare occasions they fought their wars or had their problems, we turned a blind eye to them. I supposed a royal wedding was a perfect reason to try to build good relations with our neighbors, but the king had barely been civil to me growing up. Why would he want to be friendly with strangers, even for a political advantage?

“How is my mother?” I asked. “Is she well?”

“As well as we could hope for,” Taryn said. “She’s being watched.”

I suspected as much, but hearing it affirmed made my heart sink. “What happened?”

“The king himself came to visit her as we were making our way out of the palace,” she told me. Which in itself was suspicious, since in recent years the king and queen didn’t try to hide the fact that theirs was a loveless marriage. They put on a good show for the public, and sometimes even for the palace staff, but those closest to them knew the truth. “He wanted to talk to her about the dinner and the engagement. Your mother thought she had misled him well, but she’s noticed that there have been more guards near her rooms lately.”

“She’ll be okay.” I tried to sound confident, but Taryn heard the unspoken question and tried to soothe me.

“Yes, she will be. The queen is clever, and she’s aware of the king’s spies. Don’t worry.”

Taryn filled me in on some of the other things happening around the castle, but we didn’t talk much longer. She was afraid of possible spies. For now, she said, I should contact her as often as I could, but if things got worse at the palace she would warn me to cut down on our communication. We said goodbye, and as I ended the calling spell, Taryn’s image winked out.

Now alone, I thought this would be a good time to brush up on my magic lessons.