Page 34 of Heart of Shadows

“Saradon escaped and fled into exile. No trace of him was found, seen, or heard from again. He was rumoured to have been killed, but no body or proof has ever been offered. His defeat brought peace to Pelenor, but there was a fracture there that is still, even now, not yet healed. There should have been lessons learned—and there were some, but not enough. Those without magic were given greater protection in the kingdom, but it did not go far enough to securing equality. There was too much suspicion and bitterness, fear and anger, hurt and sorrow for all to be forgiven.”

Aedon’s voice was tinged with sadness. “Wrongs were written between those of magical blood and non-magical blood where none had existed before. Those prejudices still run amongst us. As peaceful as Pelenor may seem now, it is perhaps more divided than ever. Over all hovers one deep-rooted fear to this day. That he, or his likeness, will return.” He fell into silence as the darkness closed in and the crackling of the fire seemed unnaturally loud.

“Will he?” Harper whispered, not daring to speak louder.

Aedon shrugged. “No man, elf, or anyone else knows.”

“When did this happen?”

“Five hundred years ago or so.”

“Five hundred?” Harper gasped. “Surely he’ll be dead by now.”

“Nay. A half-elf with magic will live for many hundreds of years. Even without magic, he will have had a much longer lifespan than most. And he was clever. There are certain dark measures one can take to extend their life, dangerous though they are. With the power of the Dragonhearts, he surely guarded himself well.”

“Do you think he will return?”

Aedon did not answer for a moment. “Long before Saradon was even born, there was a prophecy made that the elves connected to him, whether or not it be true, that says he will rise once again, and be many more times as deadly and devastating. Dark tidings indeed, if it is to be true.”

“Enough.” Erika’s voice was unnaturally harsh, even for her. “Do not fill the girl’s head with silly stories and nonsense. Saradon is dead, gone, and he will not return. It is a story, nothing more.”

Harper looked between them, confused. Aedon stared at Erika without replying. The woman clenched her jaw. “What?”

“I know this tale affects you personally. I apologise. I did not intend to cause offense.”

“I know, storyteller.” All the same, Erika jumped to her feet and stalked from the fire, disappearing into the pitch black of the night.

“Don’t leave the wards.” Brand’s voice rang after her.

Harper continued to glance between Aedon and the spot where Erika disappeared. What in Caledan am I missing here? Erika was involved with Saradon? Surely she’s not old enough.

Brand shared a glance with Aedon. “It is her story to tell,” he said in a surprisingly gentle voice.

“I know,” Aedon said heavily, looking back at Harper. “One day, Harper, I hope you will understand why Erika is the way she is, but trust to us, she has endured the greatest of hardships. The fact she is alive at all is a miracle, and that along with the fact she still continues to smile and hope is more besides.”

Harper did not understand. His words only made Erika seem even more mysterious and cryptic. Smile? Hope? Harper did not think she had ever seen the grimfaced woman’s lips crack in anything other than a scowl.

“So the people of Pelenor fear that he, or his followers, will rise again? Those with magic fear those without it?”

Aedon nodded. “Yes, and vice versa. It is why people will fear you, Harper.” His dark eyes regarded her solemnly.

“Me? That’s…” Rubbish. Impossible.

“Yes, you. You carry his mark on your bracelet. And the power of a Dragonheart, a stone that should not exist, at least in your possession. What does that make you? Perhaps a dark sorceress? That scares people.”

Harper felt a tingle of unease. “But I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“I know that.” He gestured around them. “We know that. But fear is hard to overcome. Fear of the past, fear of strangers, fear of danger. You will not be allowed to stroll up to the king and present your case. There will be much explaining to do first, and you must make sure your voice is heard. Otherwise, it will not end well.”

“I’m good at persuading people,” Harper said, more confidently than she felt. After all, she had managed to remain safe all those years of working at the inn. Old Robson hadn’t been the first patron to cross a line. And before that, before Betta had taken her in, the streets had been a terrible place for a young girl. She had endured. Made herself small. Convinced others to ignore her, to disregard her, to leave her be. And when it served, she had made them pity her, to give her charity or a chance. Whatever it took to survive in a world that did not care for starving, penniless orphans.

“Hmm,” Aedon replied noncommittally.

She caught his implied undertone, and resentment surged.

29

AEDON

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