“I have a pretty good idea.” My bundle wiggled, and I shushed her gently. She would sleep only when I rocked.
Rapping at the doorframe preceded a tawny head. A throat cleared.
“Niawen?” Kelyn bumbled through the doorway. Our shoddy door, which hung loose on its hinges, bounced back and slammed Kelyn’s foot. He oomphed and grimaced over the jolting noise in the modest space. I didn’t bother scolding him. My bundle only wriggled her nose and pushed her fist under her chin.
Kelyn paused and glanced around. He didn’t have much to take in. Just a plain two-room cottage with meager furnishings. “Owein told me I was welcome. He said to wait so he could announce my presence.”
“Mainly so I could see the look on Niawen’s face as you entered.” Owein laughed. “I didn’t expect you to come roaring into the cottage like a buffoon.”
Another time I would have jumped up and leapt into Kelyn’s embrace, but I didn’t want to jostle my sleeping angel. So I smiled, beaming at Kelyn, hoping my eyes expressed my delight. “I’d expect nothing less from a crown prince.”
Light swelled in my heart-center, but I pushed the energy down, willing it away.
I was still in hiding. I’d be in hiding for an eternity. My light must never blossom beyond the brilliance of a mortal’s. I had managed well over the months while my stomach grew during pregnancy. Except through the delivery. My humble light was not enough to ease the pain. Now that spring was underway, my little bundle was already growing faster than I could keep track.
Kelyn’s radiance matched mine. He tiptoed into the room, sensing the need to stay quiet. “Owein informed me that she had just fallen asleep. I dare not wake her and face your wrath.”
He knelt beside the rocking chair and peeked into my arms. I took in Kelyn’s scent of cinnamon and cypress, of days on the road, of long-awaited reunions.
Owein snickered. My soul belonged to him, but we had often talked about old friends. He knew the memories I had swirling about my head.
“Does she have your green eyes?” Kelyn whispered.
I nodded. “Yes. Emrys eyes.”
His blue eyes sparked with the curiosity I was so used to from him. “Thick dark hair.”
I inhaled sharply. “Her father’s.”
Kelyn cocked his head, considering. “No, not like her father’s.” Kelyn nodded toward Owein. “She must have received the color from a relative.”
Kelyn knew Caedryn was her father. He also knew why that truth should never be uttered. As far as everyone knew, she was Owein’s daughter. Forever and always. I thanked Deian that Kelyn would keep my secret.
“She’ll have my sense of humor,” Owein said. “I can promise you.”
“That she will.” My eyes traveled from Kelyn’s face to Owein’s and back. I was surrounded by the three most important people in my life.
Except Kenrik. I was missing Kenrik.
“What’s the child’s name?” Kelyn asked.
“Ahnalyn. Her name is Ahnalyn,” I replied.
Tension drifted between us. Kelyn was most likely thinking what life would have been like had she been his daughter. We’d be at home in the highlands. Snuggled in front of a fire, listening to the winds howl through the bleak winter.
“Uh, Niawen,” Kelyn said. “I have a reason for coming.”
“You have word of Kenrik?”
“I do. He is well.” Kelyn searched my face in earnest.
“It’s not all well, is it?” I knew well enough. I’d had glimpses of Kenrik in my dreams.
“I’m afraid not.”
Owein stepped behind my shoulder and squeezed it. The small gesture shivered peace through me.
“Did he enter Gorlassar?” I leaned forward a fraction, just enough not to disturb Ahnalyn. “Did he get help? Why doesn’t he come?”
“Yes,” Kelyn said. “And yes. But he cannot ever come.”
My stomach suddenly felt bitter. “So the High Emrys couldn’t help him.”
“He is forever changed,” Kelyn said. “Forever linked to Caedryn. If Kenrik came here, Caedryn would find you.”
“I understand.” So much sorrow filled me because I was the cause of Kenrik’s suffering. Until the day Kenrik died, he’d have no choice but to endure Caedryn’s twisted temperament.
“He’s a vagabond. He took a ship in the south. I’ll never see him again. Not as long as Caedryn’s alive. But Kenrik did ask me to do one thing for him.” Kelyn pulled a velvet pouch from his pocket, untied the strings, and slid an object into his palm. He held it out. “Kenrik wanted you to have this.”
Shimmering in his palm was a round pearlescent stone attached to a silver chain. A precious jewel I thought I’d never lay eyes on again.
My dragon stone.
I placed my palm over Kelyn’s. He clasped my hand and pressed the rock firmly between us.
I closed my eyes as they brimmed with tears, anticipating. Nervous. Seren… Seren?
With her voice came three words, which gave back everything—affection, family, and home—that I had been missing for so long.
I am here.
***
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***
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The first few chapters to Consumed: An Epic Dragons and Immortals Romantic Fantasy are on the next page!
CONSUMED
AHNALYN
The words slipped recklessly from my mouth. “I need three days.” I hadn’t expected to say them, and the shock of my quiet voice startled me.
Brenin didn’t seem to notice.
I stood in front of him, so close the individual freckles could be seen across his cheekbones.
