Free Queen of Jastain by Kary Rader

The word sacrifice did not conjure warm, fuzzy feelings. She hoped he didn't expect her to throw her non-virginal body into a volcano or some crap like that.
    “I cannot say what the Light will require other than your unconditional obedience. That is also my requirement in exchange for training you in your Gift and providing for your needs. Do we have an accord?”
    She glared at him. He was blackmailing her. She stiffened her spine. “And what if I don't agree?”
    His face clouded with deep-seeded pain. “Then hope is gone, my lady.”
    Dread filled her, but Abby couldn't stand to see the hurt in his eyes for a moment longer. If he was crazy, then it wouldn't matter. Destiny would never call anyway. And if he was right…well, she'd cross that proverbial bridge later.
    The despair in his eyes caused tears to well in hers. A pain pierced her heart and even telepathically she couldn't speak the words fast enough. “Okay. I'll do it. I promise.”
    He shut his eyes and spoke a quiet word she was certain was a prayer of thanksgiving.
    After a while, he stood. “Now, it is time for us to be on our way. We should reach the fief in an hour.” He grabbed his pack and began to walk.
    Taking a cleansing breath and one last gaze at the falls, she grabbed her pack then followed after him. She would definitely be coming back here.
     

Chapter Nine
    Avant allowed Abigail to lead their descent into the valley. He listened to her thoughts as she replayed the conversation again in her mind. Catching glimpses as they related to him, he hoped to gain insight. The Light had not yet revealed to her its purpose, and she had strong doubts. In truth, he had his own doubts. He hesitated, measuring her as she walked ahead. His purpose was clear—to prepare her whether she believed or not. The Light would provide the rest in due time.
    “Avant, what is the Crown of Light?” She stopped to look at him. Her teal eyes glittered in the light of noonday.
    “The Crown of Light, set on the head of the king, will yield fruit in the hearts of the people and cause peace to reign in the land.”
    She turned and began walking again. “What kind of fruit grows in the heart? Is this philosophical symbolism again?”
    “The fruit of the Light is all righteousness and everything which is good and true. Each jewel set in the Crown represents a trait of the Light, but now, without the Crown, the Dark holds sway over the land. Those gifts are lost or forgotten.”
    “What happened?”
    “Forty years ago, the last high priest prophesied the new king. But unlike years past, the king's son was not the chosen successor. This enraged the ruling king, who would not countenance his son to be snubbed. In an act of defiance against the Light and treachery toward his own brother, the king killed the high priest and attempted to kill his own scribe, the only other to hear the prophecy.” Avant closed his eyes and mourned the death of his father at the hands of his uncle. When he opened them, Abigail stared at him with such compassion and intensity his heart burned within him and his arms ached to hold her again. Their attraction grew, and he knew they tread upon dangerous ground.
    He staunched his desire and continued with his tale. “Being forewarned, the scribe escaped with the Crown and the final prophecy. Since that time, there has been no Light, no high priest, and no peace. Though the current king did not choose his own path, his reign is an abomination and governed by Darkness. And he has since fallen to the Dark. The land is splintered and the kingdom broken.”
    Abigail’s face glowed with understanding, but her tone was filled with doubt. “Avant, I’m sorry about your kingdom, but you’re wrong about me. I can’t be the one you're looking for. I can’t help you find your crown.” Her brow furrowed, perplexed. “I plan parties and go shopping. I don’t help restore kingdoms of light.”
    “I did not say it was my Crown, although I believe it