Free Heirs of War by Mara Valderran Page A

wanted her help with. I didn't see that. It seemed like she wanted to learn more about the Prophecy, but I can't be sure." She sat up straighter as she noticed all the color had drained from her father’s face. “What’s wrong?”
    Liam ignored her concern, matching her question with his own. "What do you mean she already knows where they are? What else did Kellen say?"
    Isauria lifted her head up, giving her father a puzzled look. "She didn't say much of anything before she killed Nandalia. Just snuffed out her life like she was nothing." She sniffled. "She's pure evil."
    He ran hand over his face, which he usually did when he was worried. "How did Kellen get to Nandalia? Through her protections?"
    "I’m not sure. She’d already killed Alistair, though. Right in front of Nandalia," she said as her forehead wrinkled with her words. “He was her protection. Without him….”
    His eyes widened at the implications of this. "That's impossible."
    Isauria understood exactly what her father meant. Alistair had been the Cyneward to Nandalia, which meant he had blood-bound himself to her to protect her until her last breath. This bond also meant he was bound to the element of Earth as well. As long as their ward breathes, the earth itself protected the Cynewards, healing even the gravest injuries instantly so they might in turn protect the Duillaine they were bound to. The Duillaine alone were powerful enough to break this bond with Earth and kill a Cyneward. The idea that Kellen had managed to accomplish this was both absurd and terrifying.
    "She found a way," she said with a shrug. "I don't know why I'm crying. It's silly. I should be happy, right? This is good for my story. Plot developments are usually a good thing." She sounded more like she was trying to convince herself than voicing her actual feelings.
    Liam patted her knee. "I'll let you get to your notes," he said as he nodded toward the laptop on her nightstand. "Try to get some rest. I've got the feeling today is going to be a big day."
     
    ***
     
    Sheridan slid into the chair next to Ariana, clumsily putting her books on the desk before turning to her new friend, her face alight with excitement. "I found the absolute perfect dress for tonight. It's red, but like with this black netting over top and comes to about midthigh. I'm bringing a backup in case that one looks too risqué, but I hope it doesn't cause I love it."
    Ariana fumed, tapping her pencil against the desk as they waited for class to start. "No worries,” she said. “If your dress doesn't work, you can borrow mine. I can't go."
    Sheridan’s face fell. "Why not? I thought you said your parents agreed as long as Tate took you. Did he back out?"
    "No,” Ariana answered with a tight jaw, “but the other condition was that my Dad's friend had to chaperone. He backed out. Varrick called my Dad this morning. Apparently there's some kind of crisis at work, and Varrick has to go out of town."
    "Well, you can't get mad at him for that. I mean, he's not going to be here and work has to come first, right?" Sheridan reasoned before biting on her lower lip.
    "I'm not mad at just him," Ariana said as she yanked her hair into a messy ponytail. “I’m mad at my parents for being so stupid. But most of all? I’m mad at the back-stabber Tate turned out to be.”
    “What do you mean?”
    She turned in her seat, lowering her voice as the teacher began calling roll. “He’s the reason I can’t go. He told Varrick not to let me. Oh, and then I overheard Varrick talking to my Dad after dinner last night about some big plan. And they started talking about keeping me safe. I don’t know what’s going on, but there’s some big secret they’re all keeping from me. And whatever it is, it’s the reason I can’t go to the dance. Apparently, it’s not ‘safe’ for me.”
    Sheridan covered her mouth with her hand, eyes wide. “Oh my gosh! Do you have a stalker or something?”
    Ariana hadn’t thought of that.