Book One
The King's Pretense
by V Dayne
The King of Gharine has to request the aid of his estranged childhood sweetheart in order to save his life.
Can he keeps his feelings hidden long enough for her to find the would be killers?
Or should he try to win her heart one last time before she leaves again forever?
An exerpt from chapter one:
“Do you remember Jedda? From when we were younger?” Finn asked. He flipped his head around as he heard Ewan crash into a flowering bush behind him. Recovering quickly, he grabbed Finn’s offered arm.
“Jedda? Yeah, she’s hard to forget.” He snapped when they started walking again. “I also remember when she left.”
Finn scoffed, almost touched that Ewan was being bitter on his behalf. Or maybe his unkindness was more about how Jedda always beat him in sparring matches. “She left, yes. So did you for a while, right?”
Ewan followed closer to Finn’s side now. “Yes, but I wasn’t your girlfriend.”
The affronted sound Finn made caused the birds in their vicinity to scatter. “She was not- That was not- I- … Shut up, Ewan.”
“Why are we looking for her?” Ewan asked. He gasped suddenly, making Finn jump. “Is the solution true love’s kiss?!”
For the love of Pselmos. “No, you sea slug. She could kick your teenage ass when she was only seven cycles old. She went off and started her own guild of magic users and strong folk. She calls it an Adventurers Guild.”
At Ewan’s curious look, Finn put his hands up. “She kept in contact with my siblings, not me. I have not seen or spoken to her since she left.”
They walked in contemplative silence for a bit, Ewan obviously digesting the news. “That’s why you didn’t want anyone coming with you.” He said after some time. “Don’t worry, your Highness. As soon as I know you’re safe, I’ll leave you two alone to talk.” He asserted with a nod.
They continued to trudge through the forest for over an hour, trying to keep a straight line. They might make it to the other side and end up on the coast before finding her. Maddock was the one who told him to walk in a line, and Finn always listened to them. He figured the advice had to be sound.
“Your Highness.” Ewan said carefully.
Finn groaned in frustration. “I know, I know. We have to head back.”
“I’m sorry.” He responded. “But we told Alder we wouldn’t be more than three hours and it’s a long way back.”
The trees around them were quiet, and Finn took a few moments to scan the shadowed branches one last time. The disappointment in his gut simmered painfully. “You’re right, let’s go.”
They both turned, Ewan leading this time, to head out of the forest. Finn was despondent, his fists clenched at his side. He really thought she could help him. Or that he might get a second chance. What a stupid idea.
Something thunked onto the top of Finn’s head, bouncing to the ground and covering itself in crushed maroon leaves. Without hesitation, Ewan drew his sword, twisting around to scan the trees. With careful steps, Finn looked down at the offending object. Once he realized it was a slice of apple, he couldn’t help the smile that split his face. He scanned the treetops looking for her; she was always good at camouflaging. A flash of movement and another slice of apple flew towards him, identifying her hiding spot. She sat in the junction of two branches, extremely high off the ground and swinging her feet cheerfully.
His breath caught in his throat and he felt fifteen all over again. She looked nearly the same as she did back then. Rich, dark skin, waves and waves of black curls that tumbled down her back. She always did prefer to wear her hair unbound. Her golden brown eyes glimmered with amusement when their gazes met.
He threw her a suspicious look, but it only made her grin wider. “How did I know I’d find you the moment I decided to give up?” He complained, kicking the apple slice she dropped on him.
She cut another piece of apple with her dagger, popping it into her mouth. Ewan sheathed his sword and took on a much more relaxed posture once he realized who Finn was speaking to. The melodic laugh she devolved into was harmony to his ears. She twirled the dagger around two fingers, just to show off. “Because I’ve always loved tormenting you?"