Free The Darathi Vorsi Prince (Song of the Swords Book 0) by Tameri Etherton

the man had lived longer than anyone, even the Eleri. Four thousand seasons, if memory served.
    “ A sword, eh? Let us see that .” He reached to take the sword from Brandt. A visible spark lit forth from the blade and scalded the ma n’ s palm .“ It appears your sword does n’ t like strangers handling it . ”
    “ I coul d’ ve told you that ,” Brandt intoned, and Rhoane noticed a wrap around his right hand. So, h e’ d tried to handle the sword as well. Served them both right .“ I was just telling Lliandra what this scroll contains . ”
    Myrddin leaned close and scanned the papers. When he finished, he blew out a breath and regarded Rhoane with closer scrutiny. The depths of his blue eyes danced with excitement and merriment .“ Not only is this man an Eleri prince, he is the chosen one of the Eirielle . ”
    “ What is an Eirielle ?” Rhoane asked.
    “ She is what the Eleri call th e Darennsa i ,” Myrddin answered .“ The Aelans have their own prophecy regarding the future of Aelinae . ”
    Lliandra glanced at Rhoane. A stricken look crossing her features .“ So i t’ s true? The prophecy ? ”
    Myrddi n’ s face softened, as did his tone .“I’ m afraid so, my love. Your days of barrenness are at an end. Now, we just need to find the father of the anomaly . ”
    Myrddi n’ s words sank into Rhoan e’ s consciousness. Understanding dawned at last. Th e Darennsa i was not yet born, and, if he understood Myrddin correctly, the empress would be her mother.
    Lliandra studied her hand, the one sh e’ d rubbed against Rhoan e’ s trousers, and very slowly wiped it against her skirts, as if trying to remove his taint.
     

Chapter 7

     
    LADY Faelara stormed across her sitting room in an agitated fury. How dare he! How dare her father ask her to do something so improper. She was a lady. Highborn, daughter of the high priest. Both her family names were from respectable Houses. She could n’ t be made to act as matchmaker to her empress. Why, it was little more than being a madame. No, she would n’ t. Could n’ t. He was impossible for even suggesting it.
    “ Fae, you know I’ m right .” Brandt settled into a chair and sipped his tea. The tea sh e’ d made for him. With love! And this was how he repaid her.
    “ Father, you must be mistaken. The Eleri has only a sword and a scroll. Tha t’ s not enough to prove anything. And I refuse to even consider your other proposition . ”
    “ If you did n’ t believe he was a prince, then why did you insist he take a room next to mine? And why did you send for me ? ”
    Faelara bit at the nub of her thumbnail and winced when she drew blood .“ I was trying to vex Baehlon. I did n’ t care if the man was a prince or a pauper. It was nothing more than a game to me . ”
    Brandt sipped his tea, and Fae continued to stare out the window. The gardens were lovely this time of year. Not quite summer, but the chill of Frost End had passed. It was her favorite time to be outdoors, hands in the dirt, planting fresh blooms. She wondered whether Princess Gwyneira would be available to help her later that afternoon. They could harvest some herbs and practice making potions. Gwyn always enjoyed their little impromptu lessons.
    “ Are you listening to me ? ”
    Fae turned toward her father .“ I was distracted . ”
    “ You should n’ t torture Baehlon so much, my darling. He has feelings for you, I can see that, but if you continue with your little games, he will soon lose interest . ”
    A pinch of his brows set off her alarms .“ What are n’ t you telling me ? ”
    “ I t’ s probably nothing, but I’ ve heard rumors Lliandra is going to wed him to Lord Askel l’ s daughter . ”
    “ Micah? She never said a thing. Why? Lliandra knows I care for Baehlon . ”
    “ For the empress, marriage is done for prestige or promotion. Lord Askell can offer her something I canno t— land and coin . ”
    “ I t’ s perfectly within her rights, but I wish sh