Page 2 of Dawn of Hope
The king nodded. “They both will need to be.”
“And what of the kingdom? What are you going to say happened?”
“Complications of childbirth. That is all they need to know.”
The man nodded and took a step back, waiting for a command.
“You may go. I want to be alone with my daughter.”
The man bowed his head, not in reverence to his king, but in understanding of a friend. “I will be here if you need me,” he said. He turned and walked through the shadows, leaving the room the same way he came.
The baby whined softly, her face crumbling as she started to cry. The king soothed her, rocking her in his arms and stroking her hair through the blanket.
This precious girl, his Lennox, was all he had left of the queen, the woman who made his lonely and painful life worth living. He had hoped to grow old with her and with many of their children.
Fate had other plans for him. It always seemed to have other plans.
He wouldn’t let Lennox be taken like her mother. He refused to put her in any danger.
He would protect her, even if she didn’t grow to understand it or appreciate it.
Even if she grew to hate him for it.
He would do everything in his power to keep her safe, and anything to find answers for the queen.
He sat in the shadows and felt the palpable silence around him, but as he stared at this tiny face, this person who in a few terrifying moments had become his entire world, he tried to only focus on one thing.
Hope that fate could change.
CHAPTER ONE
Idrop my training blade in the damp dirt at Brynne’s feet and storm out of the sparring ring. It doesn’t matter that I am covered in sweat and dried mud. When the king calls, you answer.
At least I do.
The sound of my footsteps echoes off the stone walls as I make my way down the hall toward the throne room. The slam of a wooden door followed by the familiar clink of armor and surefooted steps stops me in my tracks as Brynne quickly catches up with me.
My father doesn’t summon me often, so I know that when he does, there is a reason. When he does, there is no ignoring it. I stop what I am doing and go to him, wondering along the way what new demand or restriction he is going to put in place.
I am already isolated and forbidden from leaving the castle grounds. I have no one close other than Brynne and Edmond, but even they are required to spend time with me. Brynne for protection, and Edmond foreducation. My days are planned down to the minute, my evenings spent alone in my rooms, reading whatever I can get my hands on.
He can’t take much more away from me, which can only mean one thing. He wants something.
“We could have at least finished the fight before you stormed off,” Brynne mutters as she steps into stride behind me.
“You know how he is. I can’t keep him waiting.”
“I’m sure a few minutes wouldn’t have mattered.”
We slow as we near the ornate gold and black wooden doors. I place my hand on the giant gold handle as I turn back toward Brynne.
“Let’s just get this over with. Then I can go back to being ignored.”
I push the door open, the throne room extending in front of me, empty except for two men standing on the dais. I stride quickly down the walkway and come to a halt at the foot of the few steps below the two empty thrones. My father stands before his, murmuring to the man in charge of the day-to-day functions of the castle. I catch his eye and he looks up, quickly dismissing the man.
“Father.” I drop into a small curtsy that feels awkward and clunky in my training boots and breeches. I wasn’t going to change into one of my usual plain dresses just because his summons came during my training session. “You called for me?”
His eyes glance over my attire, catching on the dried mud caked on the fabric. His lack of approval over how I chose to meet with the king is clear.