Free Orphan's Blade by Aubrie Dionne Page B

clarity.
    “Every time I climb those steps I feel like ghosts hang over my shoulders.” Cadence shuddered. “All I can think of is how the undead stormed Helena and Horred’s temple and how they stayed behind to hold them off as the people burned the city around them.”
    “They gave their lives so others could go on with their teachings, so they could rebuild.” Valoria poked Cadence in the arm. “You told me you weren’t afraid of Sill. That Braxten Thoridian’s army could defeat the most horrid foes.”
    Cadence’s face had turned pale. She swallowed hard. “That was before a bird that should not have been flying at all fell atop our heads.”
    “Helena and Horred did not have the great wall.” Valoria put her hand on Cadence’s shoulders. Even though she took a position of strength, she’d said it to calm her own nerves as well. Maybe she’d learned a thing or two from Helena’s countenance.
    Cadence squeezed her arm. “With all the minstrels gone, except for you, me, and Echo, let us hope that is enough.”
    * * * *
    “The family is not complete without you by their side.” Timber murmured to Nathaniel as they stood three steps behind the king and queen.
    Nathaniel had caught himself staring as he watched Valoria and her handmaiden leave. It took him a moment to form a reply. “I do not doubt their love for me. But, I have my place and Brax has his.”
    “You are the elder son.”
    “Not by blood or by name.” He gave Timber a look that told him to let it be. The king and queen had given him so much—a home, a family, a title, and a place in their army. To ask for anything more would be ungrateful. And he hadn’t wanted more. Until he’d laid eyes on Valoria.
    Ashamed, he pretended to pay attention to the last of the procession. Something Echo had said the other day clung to his thoughts. The old music teacher hadn’t been surprised when Nathaniel mentioned the force that drew him to save the minstrel. Echo had known exactly who convinced Nathaniel to save him.
    That same voice sang in Nathaniel’s dreams each night. Justice is served…when one man…outnumbered…has a second chance. He’d ignored it until a few moments ago, when Valoria had snapped at Brax in a commanding tone he’d not heard from her mouth before, the same voice from the battlefield.
    She’d enchanted him. She’d called on him to protect her former music teacher. That, in itself wasn’t a crime. He would have done the same if she’d asked him outright. But, her secret led to another question—had she enchanted him with additional charms? Was this unhealthy preoccupation with her a product of her own doing?
    Disbelief clouded his thoughts. Why would she? She was set to marry Brax. Having Nathaniel dote on her would solve nothing. In fact, it would only cause trouble, and she wasn’t a troublemaker. Guilt trickled through him for even considering it. So, if she hadn’t enchanted him, than his feelings for her were all of his own doing. He couldn’t decide which truth was worse.
    “Are you well, sir?” Timber pulled him out of his trance.
    Everyone had retreated up the temple steps, leaving them behind as a light rain began to fall. The townsfolk had mostly gone except for a young boy still trying to sell wooden flutes from his basket. In Ebonvale, he’d have more luck selling swords.
    Nathaniel clapped Timber on the shoulder. “To tell you the truth, old friend, I’m not sure.”
    “These are trying times.”
    “Indeed. But, you’ve been through worse before and lived to tell of it.” Nathaniel glanced at the scar running down Timber’s face.
    “Barely, sir. I cannot say the same for the late king.”
    “I know you miss him.” Nathaniel smiled with compassion, even though he’d only heard tales of Danika’s father. The late king had died at the last battle of Sill before he’d ever been born.
    They walked into the foyer. Some of the nobles stayed and mingled, chatting over glasses of wine. Valoria