Imber Read online

  Table of Contents

  Pronunciations

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Text and Cover Design/Illustration

  Copyright ©2018 Tyffany Hackett

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-7320307-2-5

  ISBN-10: 1-7320307-2-3

  Printed in the United States of America

  Archangel Publishing

  [email protected]

  http://www.tyffanyhackett.com

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example electronic, mechanic, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written consent of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any events to actual events, locales, or persons—living or dead—is coincidental.

  •Editing by Jesikah Sundin

  http://www.jesikahsundin.com

  •Editing by Kim Chance

  http://www.kimchance.com

  •Cover Design by Deranged Doctor Design

  http://www.derangeddoctordesign.com

  •Map Drawing by Sarah Davidson

  https://www.loredragonworkshop.com/

  For my son Ethan Caius —

  who motivates me every day to do better, be better.

  You are everything I never knew I needed, and more.

  I love you

  World Map

  Pronunciations

  Character Names

  • Natylia — Nat-ill-ee-uh

  • Vaalyjyn Ayamere Herenyur (Jyn) —

  Vall-uh-jin Aye-uh-meer Her-en-yur

  • Camion — Cam-ee-on

  • Meryn — Mare-in

  • Palina — Puh-leen-uh

  • Audri — Aw-dree

  • Phelix — Fee-licks

  • Nahara — Nuh-har-uh

  • Valdis — Vall-dee-s

  • Eurybia — Yew-rib-ee-uh

  • Cybele — Sib-uh-lee

  • Boreas — Bor-ee-us

  • Thanatos — Th-an-at-ose

  • Raul — Ra-ool

  • Andimir — And-uh-meer

  • Ailuros — Eye-lur-ose

  • Callithyia — Cuh-lith-ee-uh

  • SYLVr — Silver

  • Helyna — Hel-een-uh

  • Valeria — Va-lair-ee-uh

  Location Names

  • Araenna — Are-a-nuh

  • Thrais — Th-race

  • Wydus — Why-dus

  • Kalum — Cal-um

  • Falmar — Fall-mar

  • Hexryn — Hex-rin

  • Sahri Desert — Saw-ri Desert

  • Emberlyn Forest — Ember-lin Forest

  • Eythera — Ith-er-uh

  • Pheryn Lake — Fair-in Lake

  • Lake Myria — Lake Meer-ee-uh

  • Morland — Moor-land

  • Vitic — Vit-ick

  • Mt. Cerbius —Mount Serb-ee-us

  • Borlan Sea — Bore-lyn Sea

  • Corothean Bay — Core-o-the-an Bay

  • Dalbran — Doll-bran

  • Emeryn Marsh — Em-er-in Marsh

  • Seryn — Sare-in

  • Arneth — Are-nith

  • Emera — Em-air-uh

  • Lytalian — Lit-all-ee-an

  • Mendlyn — Mend-lyn

  • Evenlea — Evan-lee

  • Saphir Lake — Saf-ear Lake

  • Edra — Ed-ra

  • Twilose Forest — Tw-eye-low-se Forest

  • Aren Mines — Air-in Mines

  Chapter 1

  My skin had begun to wrinkle. I knew this, even as I dallied in the bath, even as the steam wafted up around my cheeks. I wanted to dissolve into the water’s heat, to soak in the honeysuckle-scented soap that filled the air with fragrance, but the door to the bathing chamber slammed open in a flurry of silken dressing robes. Mother. Arms folded tight across her chest, her brows pressed together.

  I slipped under the water. Submerged, I could pretend away the agitated echo of “Natylia” bouncing off the walls around us. I couldn’t hold my breath forever, though. Eventually, I would have to face her. Might as well be now.

  Clusters of tiny, delicate rainbow orbs sparkled happily where they clung to my curtain of night black hair. Tiny tingles skittered across the surface of my skin as the bubbles popped. I started to smile at the light sensation, but suppressed a groan instead. Mother had moved closer, an imposing form with hands now positioned firmly on her hips.

  Queen Palina of Thrais was a force to be reckoned with, even when I wasn’t behind schedule.

  “Out. Now.”

  I obliged—reluctantly—dragging myself from the water with a loud sigh aimed in her direction. Mother wasn’t fazed. Raye, one of our newest serving girls, held a robe out for me. She was a petite girl with honey-toned ringlets that fell around her shoulders. I thanked her as I tied the robe at the waist.

  “You and your sister did a fine job destroying this room,” Mother clucked. “I pity the servants who will attend this mess.”

  I glanced around. The massive bath was in the center of the room, a round-edged basin set into the polished stone floor. Deep grooves ran all around the sides and glass spheres shimmered from inside, each marble heated by a system of candles to keep the bath warm. Puddles of water glinted in the light, evidence of the hurried bathing arrangements from this morning. The bubbles from my own bath were quickly fading into the now-still water. Annalea’s night clothes were strewn about the floor as well as her damp robe, but this wasn’t new behavior for my younger sister.

  “Really, Mother, you act like Annalea doesn’t always leave her things about.”

  “Don’t feign innocence with me,” Mother continued between pursed lips. “I know most of the water puddles were your doing.”

  I grinned. Raye began to fidget restlessly with her hands. I offered her a gentler smile, but Mother cast her a measuring glance before waving a hand dismissively.

  The slip of a girl faded into the hallway before Mother muttered, “Why must you always be such a difficult child?”

  “Perhaps because I have such a difficult mother.” I raised my eyebrows in her direction.

  She clicked her tongue in reply and pushed me toward the vanity on the opposite wall. I slumped into the cushioned chair while Mother ran her critical eye several times over the purple monstrosity draped neatly over a nearby armchair.

  “I suppose this gown will have to do,” she said, more to herself than me, before she compared the complementing pins and clips she’d scooped up from th
e vanity to the swathes of tulle and silk I’d be forced to wear.

  She took the time to carefully twist the long strands of my hair up into intricate designs, threading each section with silver chains, pearls, beads, and gems. The weight of ornaments pressed on my head. I tried not to squirm, and moved out of Mother’s grasp only when she reached for the kohl. The black lining made the soft lavender tones of my eyes stand out, but there was something about a brush tip running so close to my eye that I couldn’t abide.

  “Would you sit still?” Mother snapped after a few moments. She paused to admire her work before gripping my chin to smear on another line of kohl. “Raye will help you with your gown when I’m finished. Annalea and I will meet you downstairs. You’re not to dawdle, do you hear me?”

  “Yes, Mother.”

  Satisfied with my response, she painted rosy-hued gloss over my lips then reached for a tin of loose, pink powder. As she traced the powder up my freckled cheekbones with the bristles of a fluffy brush, I could smell the floral oil she had dabbed onto her wrists. When finished, she stepped back to assess her work. I sagged in my seat when she—at long last—nodded her approval.

  I met her tired hazel eyes before she moved away, and noted how the silvery-white braid draped over her shoulder seemed more disheveled than usual.

  For the most part, I looked like my father. I had taken the purple from his eyes and boasted his high cheekbones. Even my complexion was fairly similar to his, a shade of ivory that highlighted every inherited dark freckle dusted across my nose and cheeks. If I studied Mother’s face closely though, I could see my nose staring back at me.

  Dropping my gaze, I tugged at the belt of my robe. Mother paused.

  “You’ll be radiant, my darling. Don’t fret.” She kissed my forehead before she turned, the edge of her robe dancing across the stone floor, but she hesitated in front of the door.

  “I’m proud of you, Natylia,” she said over her shoulder. “I haven’t shared those sentiments enough with you.”

  Warmth blossomed in my cheeks. “Thank you, Mother.”

  She lingered a moment longer, her head bowed slightly. “You remind me of your father. You have the same sparkle in your eyes, that same adventurous spirit. Sometimes, I forget to really appreciate that I still have you.” Mother sniffed, running the back of her thumb under her eye. I stilled at the compliment, at the mention of my father, all the more surprised when she added, “You’re going to be a magnificent ruler, my dear.”

  “Mother, I feel like we should talk about—”

  “Not now, Natylia,” Mother said. The softness left her expression. She lifted a hand to her head as though my words gave her a headache. “This is a most inappropriate time.”

  “But Mother—”

  The door closed behind her. I released a long breath. Mother wasn’t often forthcoming with her feelings. She was always strong and steady. Unwavering. Her words, and how she’d come to help me prepare, unsettled me further. Especially since Mother had refused to speak to me almost the entire moon cycle—since the Council sent their approval. I was only nineteen. The throne wasn’t supposed be mine for another six years yet. Mother adamantly refused to tell me her thoughts on the matter. I couldn’t tell if she felt ousted or appreciated my attempts to help her.

  I sighed and scanned the room for a moment, an attempt to gather my thoughts. A few simple furnishings decorated the room, aside from the vibrant art Mother had collected from town and dotted throughout the palace. Two large, plush burgundy chairs were shoved along one wall. The vanity sat against the opposite wall with a full sized mirror above. Beside that was a rack filled with formal gowns. My glance fell to my dress, draped over one of the armchairs.

  “Of all the gowns she could have chosen,” I muttered.

  Mother had picked an intimidating mess of deep purple silk, covered intricately in beaded embroidery, the heavy layers set over far too much tulle. The close-fitted bodice scooped down to a point over my chest, slightly above what would be considered indecent, the ensemble finished off with a silver ribbon tied in the back. A ribbon, Mother pointed out once, that perfectly matched the threading stitched across the front. Nothing about the gown or the strapped shoes nearby looked comfortable, and my eyes flicked to my riding boots where they sat next to the door.

  For the last three days, Mother and I had argued over whether boots were the proper footwear for a formal affair. I had lost that debate.

  Still, in a matter of seconds, I had tightened my boot laces, and I only needed a few moments more to step into the dress. The tulle scratched my legs as I pulled the skirts up, tugging slightly to adjust the bodice to my form. A surge of gratitude swept through me when Raye returned to lace the back.

  “I’m so sorry, Your Highness,” Raye grunted under her breath as she pulled taut my corset’s cinching ribbons.

  The pressure crushed my ribs together and I gasped, placing a hand to my stomach. “You’re fine, thank you,” I somehow managed, panting when she tugged the laces tighter still.

  “Sincerely, My Lady, I’m sorry.”

  With a final pull, she finished, knotting the ribbons carefully into a bow. I smiled between attempts to catch my breath.

  “Thank you for your help, Raye. Truly. Can you fetch Jyn, please?”

  Jyn was never far. Likely, he was already in the next room. He was my closest friend, my dearest confidante, and the most lethal personal guard a woman could wish for.

  Raye dropped into a swift curtsy before she turned to oblige. When she departed, I stepped from the bathing chamber into the main hallway, inclining my head slightly at the guards who flanked either side of the door. This wasn’t a usual position for our guards, but security measures increased for large events.

  A sea of excited chatter rippled across the courtyard and drifted in through the open windows. My chest tightened. Had the whole kingdom come for my coronation? The ceremony was a public event, but the number of people who had actually come was slightly appalling. A host of nobles had been invited and, of course, the ruling family from the Northern kingdom of Wydus. I peered at my hand instead of the distant gathering, holding my fingers ever so slightly off my skirt. They trembled visibly now.

  “Are you ready, Your Highness?”

  A light touch brushed my elbow, and I jumped. My stomach churned, and even the slightly taunting lilt in Jyn’s voice didn’t settle my discomfort. His stealth was a gift and a curse, and right now I could live without his silent steps. I shot him a warning glance, which earned me a raised eyebrow in reply.

  Jyn’s coarse black hair was tied neatly at the nape of his neck, a stark contrast to how it usually fell around his face and brushed his shoulders, hiding the long, slender points of his ears. His sweeping narrow-shaped eyes upturned at the corners, an Elven trait that perfectly complemented his warm golden skin. Jyn’s eyes seemed darker this afternoon—glittering black instead of rich brown. I had to wonder if he was feeling as anxious as me.

  “Yes.” My voice cracked. “As ready as I’m going to be, anyway.”

  “Hey.” Jyn moved in front of me. His grin faded into a somber line. “Are you okay?”

  I nodded, though my eyes stung. Laughter echoed across the room again, carried in through the open windows. The pressure in my chest increased, as if someone were tightening the laces of my corset all over again. Pulling and pulling. Relentless. Jyn placed steadying hands on my shoulders as I sought his eyes, desperate. I couldn’t seem to find air.

  “Breathe,” he said softly.

  I tried again. The air wasn’t there. My eyes were watering now, and heat rolled through my lungs. The noise from the front of the palace felt deafening, even though only moments ago the voices had barely been background chatter. A lump crept slowly up my throat until I was struggling to draw breath, my mouth firmly clamped shut.

  “You have to breathe.”

  Swallowing hard, I closed my eyes and focused. The world spun black all around me as I grew faint. My legs trembled, t
hreatening to give out when that much-needed air rushed back into my lungs. After I managed one gulp, I forced breath in again and again until my throat loosened up. Jyn waited quietly, running soothing circles over my arm with his thumb.

  “Okay.” My voice cracked, but I managed to add, “I’m ready. I’m okay.”

  Jyn smiled, squeezing my arm lightly. “You’re getting better with this.”

  “Right. Better.” I forced a smile.

  The last time this happened, the Queen of Wydus had come to stay for a day or two. Though the Northern royals were very close to being like family, I couldn’t manage to face them that particular day. I knew the Queen was traveling with a fairly large group of nobles, all of whom I was unfamiliar with. The expectation to socialize had completely overwhelmed me until I shut down.

  Jyn had given the excuse that I was ill, which wasn’t so far-fetched. I’d seen my breakfast several times over before he’d begun to insist that I stay in my room for the day. Father visited me then, reading books in front of my fireplace before he had to leave and attend Council business. In contrast, Mother had never acknowledged my troubles, if she even knew of their existence. For most of my life, it had always been Jyn and me.

  “You are getting better. I wouldn’t lie to you.” He slipped his hand into a pocket. “You’re going to be splendid, and you look absolutely beautiful.”

  “Thank you.” I took a moment to appraise his attire, grateful for the distraction. “You’ve been outfitted quite nicely yourself.”

  “I am fairly splendid, yes.” Jyn grinned and straightened his posture, lifting his chin with obvious self-assurance.

  Apparently, he’d received new leathers for the coronation. Usually he wore simple neutral-colored leathers with no embellishments, but the black set he wore now gleamed from lack of use. The silver gryphon of Thrais shimmered from his chest plate. The light armor had also been carefully fitted to emphasize his lean muscles, gained from hours spent in training. In all, he appeared dramatically more intimidating than usual. Especially with a pair of blades crossed over his back, twin hilts peeking out well above his shoulders. Jyn didn’t generally carry more than the daggers in his boots. But, for public gatherings, even he erred on the side of caution—better to be over-prepared and have nothing go wrong than the alternative.