Page 47 of Of Stars and Lightning
“His father, Draven Xanthos, was your mother’s guard,” he started, lowering his voice to a near whisper. “Rumors said he was in love with her, but Queen Irene never quite returned the sentiment. When the Queen’s Coronation Vows came to pass, Xanthos participated. He was desperate to be with her, even if it meant being bound by law.”
“I’m sorry, Coronation Vows?”
Gaven led her down to another courtyard. “The South has a tradition that calls for a sort of tournament prior to a ruler’sofficial coronation.” He looked at her sidelong. “Though it has been almost three decades since Rimemere needed to host such a feat—I’m not sure if Semmena will call for one, especially after how the last one ended.”
Sol shivered as they passed a fountain.
“Anyway, Draven was one of the prospects—but so was
Arnold.”
“The King?”
Gaven nodded. “It was down to them both at the end. The survivor would marry Irene. But Lady Mel, Sawyer’s mother, begged Irene to find a way to not only save Arnold but also let him marry her. No one really knows how, but your mother found a loophole and saved both Draven and Arnold. She agreed to marry Draven, letting Arnold be with Mel.”
“Why don’t I know any of this?” Sol’s blood boiled with fresh betrayal. There was so much about her own mother she hadn't even heard whispers of. Lora hadn't said any of this, neither had the others. The small meter of trust she had begun to feel for them plummeted.
Sensing this, Gaven sighed. “It’s a difficult part of our history. I only know it because my father was the main kingsman at the time and told me the story. It’s not typically recounted.”
Sol bit the inside of her cheek. “So how is Cas related to any of this?”
They continued to a labyrinth of rose bushes.
“A month before Irene and Draven’s holy union, she became pregnant—by someone else. She never told anyone who sired the child. There wasn’t a single speculation, except that it wasn’t Draven. He was so furious when he found out that he threatened the child if your mother didn’t reveal who the father was.” Gaven glanced at her. “Because of the threat made to you, he was executed.”
Sol stared at a single red rose, willing herself to process the words. “So guards executed his father… because he threatened my mother?”
“The Queen personally oversaw executions,” Gaven said. “She executed him in front of the Counsel.” A pause, then, “And the Prince. He was eight years old at the time.”
Sol was going to be sick. She was glad she hadn’t eaten much, because her stomach swirled with nausea. She spotted a lone bench near a gaggle of blackbirds and quickly leaned against it.
“Oh Gods,” she muttered. “I—why is he in my Court then? How?—”
Gaven sighed and leaned against the side of the castle. “Your mother gave him a choice. Swear loyalty to her and her Clan—or die. He chose the former.”
“At eight years old?”
“Yes.”
They were silent for a long time after that.
Fifteen
Nina
HATE IS Astrong word,but Nina hated the King. Anyone other than a Yarrow ruling over Rimemere was an insult to the land’s origin. Initially, everyone looked at Sawyer to rule. As soon as she Settled as a Warden and the mark of the Heir appeared on her back, she was to step up.
But the girl was wild. Unchained. All the things Nina fiercely loved about her court mate made her an unsuitable ruler as she grew. Then she Settled as a Fire Wielder instead and bore no Yarrow mark.
So, her father took the throne when Sawyer was thirteen, a month after her Awakening, after years of it being bare and broken, overseen by a group of useless councilmen. Sawyer and her father journeyed to Rimemere, where he was meant to rule only until Irene returned, or if another of Yarrow blood claimed it. But Irene died, and no one else stepped forward.
So Arnold stayed.
And no one had been able to make him step down since.
Wars brewed, alliances once blossomed during Irene’s rule burned, and with them any help from other Southern continents. Later, alliances once again were formed, but by blood, bargains, and at a wall’s length.
Thus Rimemere continued under Semmena’s rule. Nina and her court had set out to search for Sol after whispers of her existencereached them. Soon after their departure the man commanded the wall to be built.
