Free To Whatever End (Echoes of Imara Book 1) by Claire Frank Page B

conflict. There was something sacred about the memories of that night, as though there were a silent agreement to leave them unspoken.
    “It was a shame we had to fight, but I’m certain Halthas is stronger for it,” Mira said. “I hate to think of what life would have been like if Hadran had kept the throne. Or if his son had taken it.”
    “No telling what kind of a king Prince Pathius would have made,” Alastair said as he put down his mug.
    “I doubt he would have been any better than his father,” Cecily said. Daro glanced at his wife. She stared at the table. “I didn’t know Pathius well, but I know Hadran was preparing him for the throne. Hadran’s influence must have been strong.”
    “What happened to him?” Edson asked.
    Alastair shrugged. “He died in the fighting.”
    Callum gestured with his hand. “Which certainly made the question of succession simpler.”
    “Callum, that’s a terrible thing to say,” Sumara said.
    “Perhaps,” Callum said. “That doesn’t make it less true.”
    It was well into the night when Daro lumbered up the stairs, his head swimming from too much ale. His heart was full, the recollections vivid, but no longer quite so painful. The companions were like a family to him, tied together by shared experience and tragedy. Reliving their ordeals together dulled the edges of his memories, while assuring him it had all been real. A part of him longed for the days when their lives had intertwined. He didn’t wish for war, but it had been difficult for all of them to return to a normal existence once the conflict had ended. Spending time with them reminded him they also felt the pull of their companionship and the challenges of putting their lives back together after everything they had seen and done.
    As he lay in bed, Alastair’s words from earlier in the evening rung in his ears. Sleep eluded him and he pondered whether his friend might be right. Was he hiding Cecily away? Had they run from their responsibilities? He pushed the thought away. The kingdom could bloody well run itself now. Rogan had plenty of good men; he had no need for Daro. Or Cecily. They would spend a few more days in the city and return to the contentment of their home.
    As he had assured his wife, no one could take anything from them. The kingdom didn’t have power over them anymore. No one did.

8. LIFE TREE

    Daro hung back as Cecily ran her hands along a bolt of cloth. They were wandering through the central market in the north side of the city. Cecily loved to browse the stalls, searching for items to add to their home. She’d already bought a pair of silver candleholders that Daro had placed in his pack. He wasn’t sure why they needed more candleholders, but he deferred to his wife on things of that nature. He didn’t mind the market too much. It could get crowded, but Cecily knew how to keep him content. As long as he could stop and sample the sweetmeats, steaming meat pies, and other market delicacies, he was happy enough.
    “What did you think of that one?” Cecily asked as they wandered away from the stall.
    Daro popped another roasted nut into his mouth. “It was,” he said with a pause, “nice?”
    Cecily smiled and playfully hit his arm. “I’m serious. You’re not paying attention.”
    “I’m running out of food,” he replied.
    She rolled her eyes. “Do you see what I have to deal with?” she asked Edson.
    Edson walked alongside them. After several days in the city, he seemed to be getting used to the crowds and grandeur and had finally stopped gawking at everything. “Oh no, I’m not getting involved.”
    “Fine,” Cecily said and tossed her hair behind her shoulder. “Neither of you are any help.”
    Something in a stall on the other side of the walk caught Daro’s eye. “Here, what about these?” he asked, leading her to a table displaying beaded necklaces and other small ornaments. He took a set of hair pins with colorful ribbons attached to them. “These are