Orphan's Blade Read Online Free PDF

adventure of my life.” The hall ended in a corridor that parted both ways. Nathaniel gestured toward the right.
    At least some good had come of it. “So far.”
    Nathaniel turned toward her with a question in his eyes.
    She smiled for the first time that day. “You have many years left to have more.” Even though the story aged him about ten years older than her, for her mother had birthed her two years after the queen had stolen her father’s heart.
    A smile slipped through his lips before he turned back and showed her to an oaken door. “Your room, my lady.”
    Nathaniel opened the door to bright sunlight filtering through three large triangular windows. A four-poster canopy bed draped in light blue satin sat at the room’s center before a grand fireplace. Threaded rugs from Jamal spread across the marble floor in vibrant azure and vermillion hues. A porcelain tub and wash basin sat beside a mirror as large as the wall. On the other side hung a tapestry of Helena and Horred on their wedding day.
    Valoria swallowed hard, trying to remind herself this was not a prison. Or at least, not meant to be. Her trunks had been placed at the foot of the bed, and next to them sat her harp. She knelt beside it, feeling the strings under her fingertips.
    “Is it to your liking, Princess?” Nathaniel stood at the doorway, awaiting her approval.
    “It is more than enough.” She stood, remembering her place. If she was to be queen someday, she couldn’t throw herself at the floor whenever she saw her harp. “Thank you, Commander Blueborough.”
    “Lieutenant. But please”—he took her hand—“call me Nathaniel.”
    His fingers lingered on hers, and she gave him a questioning look. What did he desire? Her trust? Or was it something more? Would he tempt his own brother’s intended?
    Nathaniel pulled away. “I’m the second in command of the army. The name does not suit me.”
    As if that was the reason. Valoria inhaled sharply. “So be it.”
    He bowed before her. “I must take my leave. I’ll see you tonight at the dinner festival.”
    Yes, he would. But Brax would be there, and she doubted he’d talk to her while she sat next to that warhorse of a man. “See you tonight.”
    He left, closing the door behind him. Valoria surveyed her room again. The main room led to a smaller antechamber for her handmaidens. Although Cadence’s trunk was there, and her embroidery slung across the bed, the room lay empty.
    She probably looked after the wounded, which was where Valoria would rather be. But, future queens did not run around without bodyguards, tending to wounded soldiers. Her future was a lonely, secluded one. No matter, Valoria had her harp. She could play soothing arpeggios until dinner. She opened her trunk, choosing a plain red velvet dress and laid the fabric upon the bed. Better not wear the blood-stained monstrosity her betrothal gown had become.
    How befitting.
    Her intended was a monstrosity in himself. Had he looked at her for more than a few heartbeats, maybe he would have noticed the blood. Then, she might have earned a measure of his respect.
    Taking her harp in her hands, she strummed a chord and breathed deeply. Thoughts of the day disappeared as her music echoed through the room. She played an old reverie Echo had taught her as a child. One by one, the chords built upon themselves to reveal a lilting melody. The song never failed to warm her hands and calm her.
    Outside, the wind picked up, howling through the towers of the upper battlements. Her triangular windows snapped open, and the curtains flew over her. Valoria stopped playing and swiped the fabric away. She approached the window, dread eating her stomach away.
    Beyond the city walls and the blooming orchards lay the dark mountains of Sill. Lightning struck the highest peak as gray storm clouds clustered around the valley separating the foothills from the meadows. A storm brewed.
    She moved to shut the window. A voice chanting a strange language