Royal Spy (Fate of Eyrinthia Book 2)

by Heather Frost

  An attacker lunged at Venn.

  Clare cried out, but the warning came too late; he was too focused on chasing after Vera.

  The Mortisian tackled Venn to the ground, and Clare saw the flash of a knife.

  Panic gripped her, but she lost sight of their struggle and her eyes locked on Bennick.

  He stood on the road, several long yards away from her, but his blazing eyes were trained on her. His sword was drawn and bloody, his face set as he darted forward. He was coming for her.

  It happened in an instant.

  A man sprung up behind Bennick and his sword punched through his unprotected back, tearing through his body and coming out his front.

  Bennick’s entire body jerked, his eyes wide with shock and pain.

  Clare’s heart stopped.

  “BENNICK!”

  She hardly recognized that the horrible shriek came from her.

  Bennick fell to his knees as the attacker wrenched the sword from his body and Bennick shuddered as he fell, his body going still when he hit the ground.

  Clare was still screaming, she realized distantly. She didn’t stop, even as she thrashed against the man who held her. She shouted Bennick’s name over and over, an endless cry that consumed every part of her. Every muscle strained and burned. Every nerve screamed to be at his side, to somehow save him.

  But the arms that held her were unbreakable.

  The horse wheeled around and Clare lost sight of Bennick as they plunged into the trees, the air still ringing with her screams.

  The story continues in Royal Captive

  Book 3 of the Fate of Eyrinthia series

  Glossary

  Akiva (ah-KEE-vah) One of Liam’s Mortisian contacts. Alias: Zeph.

  Amil Havim (uh-MEEL hah-VEEM) A Mortisian nobleman who served in Devendra with his father as an emissary of peace. Due to his father’s murder in Devendra, he no longer supports the alliance.

  Anoush (ah-NOOSH) A temporary member of the Mortisian council.

  Arcas (AR-kus) A kiv in the Mortisian city guard. Full name: Manusch Arcas.

  Aren Buhari Demoi (eh-RUHN boo-HAR-ee de-MOY) The late queen of Devendra, mother to Serene and Grandeur. Was married to Newlan Demoi. Sister to Zaire Buhari, king of Zennor.

  Ashear (uh-SHEER) A member of the Mortisian council. Full name: Duman Ashear.

  Bennick Markam (BEN-ick MARK-ahm) Captain of Serene's bodyguards. Commander Markam's son.

  Bridget (BRI-jeht) The senior maid for Serene.

  Cardon Brinhurst (CAR-den BRIN-herst) One of Serene’s body-guards. He has a distinctive scar on his cheek.

  Carter Thelin Kaelin (CAR-tr THEL-in KAY-lin) The second prince of Ryden and a close follower of Peter’s. Also a dutiful pupil of his mother’s.

  Clare Ellington (CLAIR EL-ing-tun) The decoy for Serene. Former maid in the castle kitchen. Sister to Eliot, Thomas, and Mark Ellington.

  Commander Dennith Markam (DEN-ith MARK-ahm) A high-ranking Devendran commander. Father to Bennick and married to Gweneth Markam.

  Desfan Saernon Cassian (DES-fawn SAIR-non CAS-ee-uhn) The heir to the Mortisian throne and currently serving as regent due to his father’s illness. His official title is serjah.

  Devendra (duh-VEN-druh) One of the kingdoms of Eyrinthia, ruled by the Demoi family.

  Devendran (duh-VEN-drun) Relating to the kingdom of Devendra or its people.

  Dirk Arklowe (DIRK ARK-low) One of Serene’s bodyguards. He is the oldest of the guards and has protected the princess since birth.

  Dorma (DOHR-muh) The largest Mortisian island.

  Duvan (DOO-vahn) The capital city of Mortise.

  Eliot Ellington (EL-ee-uht EL-ing-tun) Clare’s older brother. He is a Devendran city guardsman and a rebel who opposes King Newlan. Also known as Eliot Slaton. (Slaton was his mother's surname.)

  Essa (EH-suh) A member of the Mortisian council.

  Eyrinthia (air-INTH-ee-uh) The name of the known world. The four kingdoms of Eyrinthia are Devendra, Mortise, Ryden, and Zennor.

  Farah Cassian (FAIR-uh CAS-ee-uhn) Desfan’s mother, the late seraijan of Mortise.

  Fletcher (FLEH-chr) Mia's day guard. Full name: Alun Fletcher.

  Grandeur Newlan Demoi (GRAN-jer NEW-luhn de-MOY) The crown prince of Devendra and heir to the throne. Serene's younger brother.

  Grayson Winn Kaelin (GRAY-suhn WIN KAY-lin) The youngest prince of Ryden. He is the enforcer of his father's laws. Also known as the Black Hand.

  Gweneth Markam (GWEH-neth MARK-ahm) Bennick’s mother. She is married to Commander Dennith Markam.

  Henri Kaelin (HEN-ree KAY-lin) The king of Ryden. He is married to Iris Kaelin, and they have five sons.

  Iden (EYE-den) The capital city of Devendra.

  Ieannax (EYE-ahn-ax) A rare poison that delivers painless death. Originates from Zennor.

  Imara Aimeth Buhari (ih-MAR-uh AY-meth boo-HAR-ee) The third Zennorian princess and daughter of Zaire Buhari. She is Serene’s cousin.

  Iris Kaelin (EYE-ruhs KAY-lin) The queen of Ryden. She is married to Henri Kaelin, and they have five sons. Also known as the Poison Queen.

  Ivar Carrigan (EYE-vaar CARE-i-guhn) King Newlan’s cousin. He led a failed uprising in Devendra ten years ago. Alive; current location unknown.

  Ivonne Smallwood (ee-VOHN SMAHL-wood) One of Serene’s maids and older sister to Vera.

  Jahzara (jah-ZAR-uh) A Zennorian noblewoman and Peter’s mistress.

  Jamal (jah-MAHL) The youngest member of the Mortisian council. Full name: Omar Jamal.

  James (JAIMZ) A Devendran commoner who is a friend to Serene.

  Karim Safar (kah-REEM sa-FAR) Desfan’s bodyguard, as well as his best friend.

  Kazim (kah-ZEEM) One of Liam’s Mortisian contacts. Alias: Neev Sal.

  Kedaah (ke-DAH) The capital city of Zennor.

  Kiv (KIV) (rhymes with give) A Mortisian military title, similar to the rank of captain.

  Lambern (LAM-burn) A lake located in Devendra.

  Lenzen (LEN-zuhn) The capital city of Ryden.

  Liam Kell Kaelin (LEE-um KEL KAY-lin) The third prince of Ryden. He is the spymaster for his father. Also known as the Shadow of Ryden.

  Mark Ellington (MARK EL-ing-tun) The youngest of Clare's brothers. She has raised him since his birth.

  Meerah Jema Cassian (MEER-uh JEH-muh CAS-ee-uhn) Desfan’s youngest sister, one of the late seraijahs of Mortise.

  Mia (MEE-ah) The young woman who loves Grayson. She has been a prisoner in Ryden for several years.

  Michael Byers (MY-cull BY-urz) A Devendran city guardsman, rebel, and best friend to Eliot.

  Mortise (mor-TEES) (rhymes with geese) One of the kingdoms of Eyrinthia, ruled by the Cassian family.

  Mortisian (mor-TEE-shun) Relating to the kingdom of Mortise or its people.

  Newlan Demoi (NEW-luhn de-MOY) The king of Devendra, father to Serene and Grandeur. Was married to the late queen of Devendra, Aren Buhari Demoi. Cousin to Ivar Carrigan, who led a rebellion against him ten years ago.

  Olcain (OHL-cain) A highly addictive drug that originates from Zennor.

  Ori (OR-ee) A Mortisian street urchin.

  Peter Henri Kaelin (PEE-tr HEN-ree KAY-lin) The heir to the throne of Ryden and the oldest Kaelin brother.

  Rahim Nassar (rah-HEEM nah-SAR) A Mortisian merchant and suspected smuggler.

  Ryden (RYE-den) One of the kingdoms of Eyrinthia, ruled by the Kaelin family.

  Rydenic (rye-DEN-ick) Relating to the kingdom of Ryden or its people.

  Saernon Jaron Cassian (SAIR-non JAIR-uhn CAS-ee-uhn) The ruler of Mortise and Desfan’s father. Currently incapacitated by illness. Official title is serjan.

  Sahvi (SAW-vee) A Zennorian drug master.

  Ser (SAIR) The Mortisian term for lord; title used to address noble males.

  Serai (SAIR-ay) The Mortisian term for lady; title used to address noble females.

  Seraijah (sair-AY-zjaw) The Mortisian term for princess.

  Seraijan (sair-AY-zjawn) The Mortisian term f
or queen.

  Serene Aren Demoi (ser-EEN EH-ruhn de-MOY) The princess of Devendra. She is Newlan's firstborn but not in line for the throne, because in Devendra women cannot wear the crown.

  Serjah (SAIR-zjaw) The Mortisian term for prince.

  Serjan (SAIR-zjawn) The Mortisian term for king.

  Sifa (SEE-fah) A temporary member of the Mortisian council. Full name: Abeil Sifa.

  Skyer (SKY-ur) A ruler of one of the Zennorian clans. He is betrothed to Imara.

  Syalla (sy-AL-uh) A pain-causing potion that is often applied to blades. Generally used in Ryden.

  Tahlyah Farah Cassian (TAHL-yah FAIR-uh CAS-ee-uhn) Desfan’s younger sister, one of the late seraijahs of Mortise.

  Tamar Nadir (tah-MAR nah-DEER) A Mortisian noblewoman who lives near the Devendran border.

  The Rose The most feared assassin in Eyrinthia. His signature is to taunt his targets before killing them, and he always leaves a rose with his victims.

  Thomas Ellington (TAH-mus EL-ing-tun) Clare’s younger brother.

  Tyrell Zev Kaelin (ty-REL ZEHV KAY-lin) The second youngest prince of Ryden. Grayson's closest rival. He oversees the training of Ryden’s soldiers.

  Venn Grannard (VEN GRAN-ard) One of Serene’s bodyguards and Bennick's best friend. He is half Zennorian; his father was a Devendran soldier who died when Venn was young.

  Vera Smallwood (VER-ah SMAHL-wood) One of Serene’s maids. Younger sister to Ivonne and friend to Clare.

  Vyken (VY-ken) The main port city of Ryden.

  Widow’s Braid A Zennorian custom for widows to mark the stages of mourning.

  Wilford Lines (WIL-ford LINES) One of Serene’s bodyguards. He nearly died from the pox five years ago, an illness that killed his wife, Rachel.

  Yahri (YAH-ree) The senior member of the Mortisian council. Full name: Amna Yahri.

  Zadir (zah-DEER) A Mortisian pirate captain. Full name: Syed Zadir. Also known as Crush.

  Zaire Buhari (ZAIR boo-HAR-ee) The king of Zennor. Imara’s father and Serene’s uncle. Brother to the late Aren Buhari Demoi.

  Zennor (ZEN-or) One of the kingdoms of Eyrinthia, ruled by the Buhari family.

  Zennorian (zen-OR-ee-un) Relating to the kingdom of Zennor or its people.

  Zephan (ZEF-uhn) A member of the Mortisian council. Full name: Ganem Zephan.

  Zoroya (zo-ROY-uh) The main port city of Zennor.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Almost ten years ago, I published my first novel. This book in your hands makes number five, and I’m feeling very blessed. This journey—like so many things in life—is filled with ups and downs, triumphs and challenges, elation and discouragement. So many people in my life have helped me live my author dream—family, friends, fellow authors, bloggers, librarians, teachers, and, of course, my incredible readers. There are too many people to list here, but please know I’m so grateful!

  Mom, you are the best proofreader, cheerleader, and champion. Dad, you taught me so much and encouraged me to work for my dreams. I love you both so much!

  Kimberly, words can’t express my gratitude for you. You’re my best friend, the best designer, and the best at talking me through my issues—both writing-related and life in general. Thank you!

  Kevin, thank you for the map—it is still brilliant!

  To all my brothers and sisters and their amazing spouses—thank you for always supporting me, loving me, and laughing with me. Being part of such an amazing family is a gift, and I treasure you all.

  My phenomenal beta readers! Thank you for the emails, texts, phone calls, video chats, visits, and for reading multiple versions of this book. It would not be what it is today without your insightful feedback. Thank you for loving these characters as much as I do! Rebecca McKinnon, Anna Brown, Laurie Ford, Cynthia Ford, Kimberly Frost, Crystal Frost, Rachel Wilson, Jonnie Morgart, Michalla Holt, Amelia White, Elyce Edwards—I love you all!

  Thank you to the early readers who helped me fine-tune things, and who gave me the encouragement I desperately needed. And a huge shout-out to the book reviewers and bookstagramers who fell in love with this world and these characters—your passion for this series shows, and means so much to me. Thank you!

  Finally, thank YOU. Thank you for reading, writing reviews, and sharing this story with others. I am endlessly grateful for your support!

  **If you liked this book, please consider leaving a review! It seriously makes a WORLD of difference. Thank you!**

  Want more books by Heather Frost?

  Don’t miss the Seers Trilogy

  Seers are not just spectators, they are also prey

  When Kate Bennett survived the car accident that claimed her parents' lives, she knew her world would be forever changed. But her life is more dramatically altered than she first realized. Not only is she able to see auras on the people around her, she's even started seeing invisible people with no colors at all. And no matter how attractive the new addition to her American Lit class is, Kate sees what no one else can—the dangerous truths this mysterious boy threatens to pour into her life.

  Patrick O'Donnell was killed in the Irish Revolution in 1798. He's here now to try and keep Kate alive, and stop her life from spinning out of control. The one thing he's not going to do is fall in love with her.

  But plans change, especially when Demons are involved . . .

  Kate is about to enter the world of Seers; where immortals are at war with each other, and unfortunate mortals like Kate are in over their heads.

  Prologue

  June 4, 1798

  Wexford County, Ireland

  I was lying on the long grass, only distantly aware of my surroundings. I could feel the light breeze rushing across my still body, but other than that outward sensation, I felt nothing. I heard nothing. I saw nothing. I was nothing.

  Deep in a remote corner of my mind, I knew that I was dying. But that knowledge was not frightening at the moment. For now, I could think of nothing but the last conversation I'd had with my father. If it could be called a conversation.

  It had been weeks ago, but I could remember every detail. My mother's worried face, my brother’s hunched shoulders, the pulsing vein in my father's forehead.

  “My sons are cowards!” He'd shrieked, his Irish accent thick and forceful. “They tell me they know the truth, but they do not fight for it. They refuse to dedicate themselves to a cause greater than themselves!”

  I could clearly remember sitting in my chair at the kitchen table. I kept stealing glances at my younger brother, but his head was always ducked. I couldn't blame him. Ever since father had become involved with the United Irishmen, he'd been seized with passion. Quick to fits of anger and frustration.

  I realized the strain he was under. He was a rebel, a member of one of the greatest uprisings Ireland had ever known. He was completely dedicated to resisting the British rule. He wanted freedom for his beloved country, and he was willing to sacrifice everything for it.

  He hadn't always been like this. At one time, he had been one of my greatest friends. He had been my wise mentor, my confidant, the anchor to my beliefs. But last year everything had changed. He'd gone from calmly tending his Parish to becoming one of the most dedicated rebels Ireland had ever seen. The change had been from one day to the next, though his temper flared more hotly now than it had in the beginning.

  I understood him and his desires—it was what I myself desired. I was hardly a man, just barely eighteen, but I understood several things about the world. With my countrymen I had first looked to America's revolt against the British Empire, and more recently, the French Revolution. It seemed that the time for freedom was now.

  I understood all of this, but the thought of joining the United Irishmen had hardly occurred to me. My entire life I had aimed to attend Trinity College in Dublin. I wanted to be a painter. I wanted to capture the beauty of life with just my hands and my paint. I didn't want to fight a war.

  But then my father had joined the rebellion, and for weeks he had been subtly
dropping hints that had become increasingly unsubtle. Tonight, everything had come to a head.

  Sean, my sixteen year old brother, was now taking the brunt of my father's rage. “A younger son does not have to be more ignorant than his elder brother. He could stand tall, and march bravely into the face of truth without the example of a brother. He does not have to turn his back on the right path, just because he is younger.”

  Sean seemed unmoved by my father's ravings. He didn't raise his head, or visibly show any sign that he had heard the hot words. But I knew he had, because I knew my brother. He was hurting. Just as I was hurting.