Page 1 of Silver & Smoke
CHAPTER 1
Wren
‘A good alchemist understands patience. A better alchemist masters it’
– Alchemy Unbound
‘YOUR BEAR SLAYERis dying.’
Lord Lucian Devereux’s words still echoed in Wren’s mind. The private study room in the archives had suddenly felt too small, as though the walls were closing in around her as the nobleman continued.
‘It’s a slow-releasing poison... How’s that for irony?’
Fear had spiked through her, but she refused to let it show to the bastard before her. ‘When did this happen?’
‘When Elderbrock rescued Queen Reyna. My spies within the People’s Vanguard tell me Silas the Kingsbane targeted your Warsword specifically. A toxin made just for him as he was fighting to save the winter queen...’
Heart pounding, Wren had lifted her chin in defiance. ‘Poisons are my specialty,’ she replied coolly. ‘I can analyse any toxin; I can make any antidote. I thought I’d proven as much to the masters of this academy.’
‘Perhaps, Your Highness,’ Darian’s father drawled. ‘But with whattime? How do you hope to save him when you have the dark alchemy cure to produce for the midrealms? An army to raise? And a kingdom to defend?’
Wren’s eyes narrowed. ‘Say whatever you came here to say, Lord Lucian.’
‘Marry my son.’
‘What?’ Wren blurted, almost laughing. It had to be a joke, some sort of sick prank. Her? With Darian – the Lord of Larkwood Valley? A sour taste spread across her tongue.
‘Marry Darian and the poison’s ingredients and methods are yours,’ Lord Lucian continued, undeterred. ‘I have alchemists in my employ too, Elwren. They are quite certain of its composition, but you’ll never break it down in time yourself. The Warsword will die before you find an antidote.’
Wren scoffed. ‘You’re lying.’
‘If you want to take that risk, it’s the Bear Slayer’s life you gamble. But if you want proof, ask your former mentor. Farissa Tremaine can vouch for my findings.’
Wren’s blood ran cold. ‘Farissa...?’
Lord Lucian dipped his head in confirmation. ‘Marry my son, and when you do, I will provide you with what you need to save Torj Elderbrock. A marriage to an influential man is a small price to pay for that, surely? Not to mention all the resources that the Devereux name will afford you. You have an hour to decide.’
Wren’s throat constricted. ‘I...’
‘Your affair with the Bear Slayer is over, Elwren,’ he told her. ‘Make my son look the fool, and Torj Elderbrock’s life will be forfeit.’
Now the sight of the Warsword on his knees was almost enough to bring Wren to hers. She still wore the gold dress she’d been forced into for the public announcement of her engagement to Darian,and it was stealing the breath from her lungs, as was the warrior before her.
‘Then tell me how to serve you, my queen.’ Torj said the words with reverence. On his lips, the title didn’t make her want to shrink away – it made her want to rise from the ashes. It made her want tofight. With Lord Lucian’s threats still ringing in her ears, she was all the more determined.
‘You stand at my side,’ she told him, her fingers closing over Torj’s, a tether of gold and lightning linking them. ‘And we destroy them all. Together.’
The Bear Slayer dipped his head, his silver hair gleaming in the last rays of the sun. ‘This is yours now.’ He pressed the dagger he was holding into her hands.
It was familiar, and it was not. Wren recognized Naarvian steel, but it was lighter, daintier than the weapon she often borrowed from him. And there was an inscription down the blade:Iron & Embers.
‘I had it altered,’ he explained. ‘It’s the right weight and balance for you now. A queen needs a blade as much as any warrior.’
A lump formed in Wren’s throat. She knew they had only minutes to spare as she traced the hilt, noting the silvertide roses that had been engraved there. ‘It’s...’
Torj looked pained. ‘Too much?’
‘Perfect,’ she finished, her eyes burning. ‘Thank you. I love it.’
