Page 5 of The Fractured Prophecy

My heart stammered even harder at his words. It was the kind of romantic gesture of the storybooks I loved so much. But the reality of our situation meant that death might end up a too distinct possibility.

“Do you,” I began carefully, shifting in the chair, “um, do you really wish to marry me?”

Torvo straightened, taken aback perhaps by the brazenness of my question. Immediately, I missed the warm comfort of his hand as he stood. But that was silly.

“Your highness. Any man would be a fool not to notice your beauty and station. But this is about so much more than a marriage or a crown. This is about setting things right. Your father has taken too many liberties with all our kingdoms. He has plundered, destroyed, and murdered as though all that mattered were his whims.” Torvo drew a deep breath, fisting his hand at his side. “He killed my mother to steal her power for only a matter of days.”

“Oh.” The word slipped from my lips as an exclamation as I rose to face him, though he was so tall I barely reached the middle of his massive chest. His upper arm was probably as wide as my waist.

I no longer feared he would attack me. Perhaps it was foolish, but why make such an effort to set me at ease if he meant harm?

“I’m sorry, Your Highness.” I returned the favor of using his proper title, but his mouth tilted up as his eyes danced with amusement.

“Call me Torvo,” he said, stepping closer.

Forcing myself steady so as not to retreat, I swallowed. The scent of sky and sunshine warmed my nose, and I found I quite liked it. “Torvo,” I agreed. “I understand why you agreed to Father’s terms. I know what it feels like to be in the position you were in.” To do anything to prevent being harmed by Father.

Cocking his head, Torvo nodded. “I imagine you do, Princess.”

“Call me Rune.” Only Nyah had ever used the shortened version of my name. No one else had been allowed to get close enough to use the familiar term. No one save Father, who didn’t care enough to do so.

“Rune.” Torvo bowed and I let out a small giggle, hurriedly covering my mouth. “Let us try to get to know one another.”

“Tell me about Astridon,” I begged, sitting back down. The world he came from—a world that floated among the clouds—had always seemed like a fantasy until I’d visited for the trials. Even then, I’d barely been able to explore under Father and Serano’s watchful gazes.

“I will tell you all you wish to know if you share something with me,” Torvo said, crouching before me.

“What’s that?”

“What happened to Nyah?”

My stomach dropped when he mentioned her name. Again. “Did you…did you have feelings for her?” I asked, averting my eyes.

This time when he took my hand I did not gasp. But I couldn’t resist looking at his beautiful face.

“I did. And since you are the same person, perhaps those feelings can be rekindled. I will speak only truth to you, Rune, if you afford me the same.”

Throat dry, I nodded my agreement. My attempt to force down the flare of jealousy I always felt when it came to my shadow hand did not succeed.

“Did you lie with her?” I asked, trying to ignore the flush flooding my face and chest.

“No,” Torvo answered, and I relaxed slightly.

“She is in my mind,” I admitted. “But she has all the comforts I can offer. I’m keeping her separate from my consciousness for now because I’m not sure I want to know all the details of her…adventures.”

“I see,” Torvo nodded, then sat on the floor, scooting closer. His body let off almost as much heat as the hearth. “She is intact?”

My lips pursed as I considered the meaning of this. “Her personality and memories are.” I drew a deep breath, preparing to admit something to this stranger I hadn’t said out loud before. But who else could I confide in? Not Nyah anymore. And Torvo was so kind. Perhaps he was too good to be true, but I’d bask in the illusion of the possibility my betrothed was a good person for as long as I could. “I don’t want to lose her by absorbing her completely.”

If this surprised Torvo, he didn’t let on. He simply reached for my wringing hands again, smiling. And I let him lead me to my favorite armchair.

“Let me tell you about Astridon, Rune.”

Three

Rivven

The constant drip of dirty water sliding down the rock of my cell had become a monstrous clang in my head. My mouth was as dry as the deadlands, and if I’d had the strength in my beaten body, I’d have probably licked the damn wall in the hopes of some hydration. As it was, I couldn’t even raise my head from the unforgiving stone floor they’d left me on.