Page 30 of A Kiss of Flame
‘We weren’t expecting you yet, Finnian. I thought they’d argue more, rather than just send you like this. After what happened when you left Sidonia last…’
After Leander had hunted him and tried to kill him on Asterothian soil. He wondered how much she knew. Clearly enough, from the dark expression that crossed her luminous eyes. Or perhaps she meant Wren and that was even more of a worry. He glanced at Anselm, who was giving nothing away.
‘I should let you reconnect with your family,’ his friend said. And trot back up the many hills of Pelias to report on all this, no doubt. Light knew, Finn loved Anselm like a brother – more so, though that wasn’t hard – but he was under no illusions as to Anselm’s devotion to Roland. ‘We look forward to word from you, Prince Finnian, at the first available opportunity.’
And there it was. Prince Finnian. Not Finn, not his friend and comrade-in-arms. He was a prince of Ilanthus again, and the thought of that sent a chill through him.
‘Anselm,’ Finn called before he could vanish completely. He followed him to the gate and pulled him in close. ‘Look after Wren for me,’ he said softly, once he was sure Hestia couldn’t hear. ‘There’s more going on here than meets the eye.’
‘With Lady Hestia here?’ Anselm would be a fool not to know who she was and of what she was capable. Hestia Rayden was a legend in the history of the war with Ilanthus. She had brokered the Pact. Finn had heard seasoned courtiers lower their voices in hushed tones of respect when mentioning her name in both royal courts. ‘You are absolutely right. Be careful, my friend. You’re walking on the edge of a blade here. You know that, don’t you?’
In all things concerning his home and his family. Yes, Finn knew that.
Hestia was waiting for him, eyeing Anselm’s retreat with a keen eye. ‘Now we’re alone, there’s something I must show you.’
He didn’t have any choice but to follow her. Once they had reached the small office she had claimed as her own, she took out a small wooden case, intricately carved with Ilanthian craftsmanship, and set it on the table.
‘Close the door, please, Finn.’
He didn’t want to, but there wasn’t much else he could do. When he turned back to face her she was holding out the case with a look of triumph and pride on her face.
‘Here,’ she said when he didn’t come closer. ‘It’s a gift. From your father.’ He still didn’t move and Hestia sighed. ‘Finn, it’s a peace offering.’
‘A what?’
‘I mean it.’
Finn could think of nothing less likely. ‘From Alessander?’
Hestia laughed. ‘Of course. Who else? Look, it has the royal seal on the box and everything. The sisterhood was most insistent. There were signs and portents, Finn. Matters have changed and you’re at the centre of it. So, your father sends this as a token of his love and he begs your forgiveness.’
Love? Forgiveness?
‘No, absolutely not.’ The words came out with a vehemence that surprised even him.
Hestia gave a growl of irritation. ‘At least look at it. It’s true. I promise. You have my word.’
‘Or,’ he countered, ‘it’s some kind of trap and I’ll be killed. Or worse. I know my family well, Hestia.’
‘So stubborn. Just like him.’ She opened the box anyway and thrust it towards him. Finn couldn’t help but look, which was her intention.
Nestled in the black velvet interior was a handblown glass pendant in black, shot with blue and green swirls, delicate and beautiful. Magic came off it in waves. Even he could feel that.
But it wasn’t hostile or dangerous. If anything it soothed him, calmed him. It sang of home and safety, like the song he half remembered from his childhood, the one his mother used to sing to him.
Finn stared at it and before he knew what he was doing he had lifted his hand to touch it. The surface was smooth and cold.
‘What… what is it?’ he asked.
Hestia smiled more gently now. ‘It’s magic, Finn. My finest work, blessed by all the sisterhood and wreathed with protection for you alone. As I said, a peace offering. You are lost here among our enemies. They could turn on you at any moment. So, if you ever have need of it, all you have to do is break this, and it will bring you home.’
Finn snatched back his hand. ‘Home?’
‘Sidonia. The royal palace,’ she told him. ‘Where you belong, my lord prince. Where you have always belonged.’
CHAPTER 15
WREN
