by A. F. Dery
“I’ve never bonded before, so I’m not sure if it’s always like that,” Kesara said thoughtfully. “We didn’t usually see any other Mirrors who were already bonded.” He was about to question her further, but could hear one of his men conferring with another outside the door about whether the foreign girl might have done something to him, so he pushed himself unsteadily to his feet and went to open it before they were able to progress beyond their reflexive suspicion.
“Yes?” he asked shortly. Two of his troops stood there, looking equally shocked to see their lord standing half naked in a woman’s bedroom. This kind of reaction never would have happened in my father’s day, Thane thought wryly, willing himself not to be embarrassed.
“My Lord, our apologies…you had told us that there was to be no delay in giving you correspondence from the High Court, whatever the hour…” one of the men stammered, holding out a small bundle of wax-sealed parchment.
“Entirely right,” Thane assured him, accepting the parchment. The seal in the wax was indeed that of the High Lord. At last, Thane thought, with some relief. He dismissed the men, and closed the door, leaning against it as he broke open the parchment.
His eyes quickly scanned the contained missive. It was a formal summons to Court.
“Thane?” Kesara was asking quietly. He looked up. She hadn’t moved from where she was sitting on the bed.
“I’ve been summoned to Court, Kes. I expected as much, after the last letter I sent.” As much as he disliked going to Court, he felt a grim sense of satisfaction at knowing that justice was surely at hand.
“Really? W-when are you going?” She swallowed hard and looked away. He was surprised to feel a vague sense of distress, hovering on the edges of his thoughts. Is that her I’m feeling, then?
“We are going as soon as the appropriate arrangements have been made,” Thane told her. “While we can just pick up and leave, I prefer to take a bit more care when leaving my country in someone else’s hands.”
Relief replaced the distress, almost giddy. Definitely hers, then. He was surprised at how much this pleased him. “Well, all right then. Is there anything you need me to do?”
“Just pack a bag, Kes. You’re in for a treat. The High Court is really something to see,” Thane told her. And the High Lord bringing his might to bear on Malachi will be something to see, too.
Yes, all things considered, Thane was looking forward to his next visit to Court more than he had any other in his life.
The Story Concludes in Book Two,
Broken Lords
Available NOW
About the Author
A. F. Dery has loved the fantasy romance genre for many years. A voracious reader, when she had trouble finding the kind of stories she was craving- non-explicit but emotionally engaging romances, in interesting fantasy settings and featuring adult main characters with adult problems and responsibilities- she decided to write her own. She lives in the U.S. and enjoys reading, writing, music, and spending quality time with her family.
Her work includes Fellowship of the Box Bearer, a humorous fantasy novelette, and the Broken Mirrors Duology, a fantasy romance series which includes Broken Mirrors and Broken Lords.
Subscribe to her email newsletter to be notified of new releases first and connect with the author on her website!
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN