Promising Hope (52 page)

She grimaced. “A speech?”

“They need to see you,” Dar said, his voice soft.
“You’re one protector that’s working for them, not against
them.”

“All right. Maybe tomorrow, if I feel better.”

“Of course. You have to rest. What happened at the
castle… it seemed like it was too much for you.”

“How did you do that?” Sierra asked. Evan told her
about the force of energy that left Grace’s body, how, though
invisible, he felt it. He told her how the bodies turned to
dust.

“I don’t know,” Grace said. There was a moment of
silence, then she asked, “Is Kilar back at the castle?”

“Kaiden says he returned yesterday,” Sierra said, her
lip curling in disgust. She’d spent as much time with Sashe as she
could since she returned, and she’d kill Kilar herself if he hurt
her sister again.

“He’s still looking for the ancient texts, I
assume.”

Sierra nodded.

“But why?”

Dar straightened up, his hand still in Grace’s.
“There’s a legend about a man named Yann, a nonmagic, who searched
the ancient texts and came to have all the powers of the six
families. Kilar is searching for a way to gain magic since he
wasn’t born with it.”

“I read the story,” Sierra said. “It wasn’t just
Yann—after that, he stole the texts and gave the powers to his men,
too. But it’s an old story and extremely vague. I’m surprised Kilar
is going to such lengths for it.”

Dar shook his head. “I’m not. He’s always been
power-hungry. He just has this air about him, this attitude that
he’ll do anything to be on top.”

It was silent again. Sierra wondered what Kilar’s
next move would be. The ancient texts were being kept here in the
manor now that Jeshro and Lisbeth were here. She didn’t know
exactly where, but there was no doubt Kilar would have a hard time
getting into the manor, let alone obtaining the texts.

“Has Kaiden said anything else?” Grace asked.

“She’s just keeping us updated on the prince. She
healed his knee.” Sierra grinned at Grace. “That was pretty great,
by the way.”

Grace gave her a weak smile. “I had to get away from
him. He…” She shook her head, her smile fading.

“It doesn’t matter now,” Dar said. “You’re here with
us.” He kissed her knuckles.

Sierra stood up. “I’m going to go talk to Jeshro
about what you said. Should I tell your parents you’re awake?”

“Yes, please.”

Sierra squeezed Grace’s shoulder. It was so good
seeing her, knowing she was safe with them. “Welcome back,
Grace.”

* * *

After Sierra left, only a few minutes passed before
the door opened and Grace’s mother burst in. “Grace, darling!” she
cried, rushing to the bed. She threw her arms around Grace and
started sobbing.

Grace smiled and breathed in her mother’s familiar
perfume. She hugged her back, her bony shoulders, and said,
“Mother, please don’t cry.”

Mother pulled back, sniffling. “Oh, Grace, my
beautiful Grace.” She cupped Grace’s face in her hands and kissed
her forehead.

Father and Kyler stood behind Mother. Kyler looked
amused, his arms crossed, but Father was frowning at Dar, who
slowly stood up and straightened his tunic.

Grace shook her head. She couldn’t worry about that
right now. One thing at a time.

“What happened?” Mother sat on the edge of the bed
and took Grace’s hand. “Everyone is saying that you attacked the
prince! I know it can’t be true, but there’s a warrant out for your
arrest and—oh, Grace, tell me it isn’t true!”

Grace fixed her gaze on a point on her mother’s
shoulder. “It is.”

Mother gasped. “But Grace! The prince! Why would you
do such a thing?”

Grace swallowed, remembering that horrible night in
William’s room, how his hands moved over her like he owned her. She
shook her head. “It doesn’t matter—”

“It doesn’t matter?” Mother repeated, her voice
shrill. “Grace, you
attacked
the future king! Your father
can’t convince them to lift the charges.”

“He was trying to rape me,” Grace said flatly.

Mother’s shoulders sagged, and she stared at Grace,
her mouth hanging open. Kyler and Father gaped at her with the same
shock. On Grace’s side, Dar shifted his weight, muttering something
under his breath.

Grace licked her lips, her mouth suddenly dry. She
avoided looking at any of them as she went on. “I tried to become a
liaison for the Avialies, but he refused me the position. He tried
to make me queen—”

Mother let out a small moan. “You could have been
queen?”

“No, Mother, I couldn’t have been queen!” Grace said,
raising her voice. “I tried to work him, but he’s set on working
against me and against the Avialies. But this is where I
belong—”

“No, Grace,” Father spoke.

Kyler uncrossed his arms, frowning. “Father, I told
you—”

Father barreled on as if he hadn’t spoken. “This
isn’t your place—”

“Then where is?” Grace’s voice hardened. “At the
manor? In prison?”

“Your place is at home with us!” Father exclaimed. “I
can sway the prince. I’m sure of it.” His voice sounded uncertain,
though.

Grace rubbed her forehead. “I’ve been trying to get
back to the Avialies for weeks now. I’m not leaving.”

Father exhaled through his nostrils. “Grace, I know
you think you need to help these people, but you don’t. You don’t
owe them anything.”

“Maybe not, but I am going to help them. And if
you’re going to stay here, you have to understand that. You can’t
keep asking me to leave.” She finally looked at her father, met his
eyes. “Please.”

Father turned away, huffing. He walked to the window,
his shoulders tense with his back to them.

“I’ll support you,” Kyler said. “You’re my sister and
I’ll always look out for you.”

Sudden tears hit her eyes, and she smiled at him.
“Thank you, Kyler.”

Mother put her hand on Grace’s and whispered, “You
could have been queen…”

“Mother, do you really want her to marry the man who
tried to rape her?” Kyler asked, his voice on edge.

“No, of course not!” Mother said, squeezing Grace’s
hand. “I never…” She shook her head and glanced over at her Father.
She heaved out a sigh before turning back to Grace. “Are you sure
this is what you want?”

Grace looked up at Dar, who gave her an small,
encouraging smile. He hadn’t left her side since she’d woken up,
and if she had a say in it, he wouldn’t ever again. She squared her
shoulders and held eye contact with Dar. “I’ve never been more sure
of anything.”

* * *

About the Author:

Emily Ann Ward is an author living in Salem, Oregon
with her husband and their two cats. Along with writing, she loves
to read and travel. She’s currently studying to teach English
overseas. Her other works include
The Protectors
prequels,
Finding Fiona, Passages (Seven Short Stories)
, and
Beyond
Home (Three Short Stories)
. You can find her books wherever
ebooks are sold.

Blog/Website:
http://emilyannward.com

Facebook:
http://facebook.com/emilyannward1

Twitter:
http://twitter.com/emilyannw

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