Page 1 of The Ashborn

Chapter 1

—Kienna—

Dove Port smelled of carved cedar and clean stone. Elowen’s home was built at the edge of a quiet quarter near the farmlands, closest to the hills and tucked beneath a flowering willow tree. The woman who opened the door was neither warm nor cold. A faded ribbon held back her silver hair, and her dress was splattered with dried paint.

“Come in quickly,” she said, eyes flicking to Kienna and Moira. “I said quickly, didn’t I? In, in, come in.”

They shuffled into the home, followed by Tislin, who fled to the corner. Elowen shut the door and dusted off her apron. Beneath it, she wore a brown dress, also drenched with paint specks that her apron didn’t catch.

Kienna took in the cluttered space. Stacks of books piled in the corners, unshelved and scattered with trinkets tucked behind them. Pots steamed on the hearth. Tiny vials and curled labels rested on narrow shelves. Bundles of flowers hung upside down. Elowen’s dress was not the only thing covered in paint drops. Splatters dotted the walls and floors in subtle arcs, almost as if she’d once tried to paint the wind.

Moira pushed her hand toward Elowen. “I’m Moira, and this is⁠—”

“Yes, yes.” Elowen waved her off. “I know who you are.”

Kienna’s fingers brushed the many paintings that littered the room as Elowen scurried her stout body through the home, snapping up little things out of the way here and there. Then she stationed herself near a door, pushing away books and pots. “My husband returns in a few days, so I won’t be able to hold you both for too long.” She stiffly picked up a large stack of books and plopped them next to her empty shelves.

“That’s okay,” Moira said, helping Elowen push another mound from the door. She grunted loudly as she lifted, causing Kienna to step in to move the books with ease before Tislin could reach them. Moira offered Kienna a thankful look. “We’re grateful for your hospitality. I’ve found this city to be quite accommodating.”

Elowen hummed thoughtfully, pulling paintbrushes from the ground and placing them in respective cups. Then she slammed her shoulder into a door a few times to get it to budge. It was clear from the dust wafting in the specks of light that it had not been opened for some time.

“This is where you two can stay,” she said, showcasing the room as if it were a grand hall for royals.

Kienna and Moira eased into the darkened room, lit only by a small window, leaving Tislin in the living quarters. Elowen sighed peacefully, taking in the space covered in cobwebs. She crossed her arms and hugged her chin with her hand. “Your mothers and I sat right there in the spots you stand.” She chuckled, and memories shone in her eyes as they trailed the room. “Stars above, they had a fire in their spirits.”

Kienna shared a glance with Moira. “You knew my mother?”

Elowen nodded fervently. “Oh yes! I knew Avenna, and I knew Solene.” Moira’s furrowed brow must have given her away. “Solene and Darian. Those were your parents’ names.”

A glimmer of fading sunlight strengthened through the window. Solene and Darian. Kienna pictured hearing the names Avenna and Galric for the first time and imagined it was like stones skipping across a long-quieted pond.

Moira’s lips curved, but her eyes deepened with sadness. “No one ever told me the names of my parents. Not once.” She paused, staring at the sunlight. “I didn’t know I was missing them until now.”

Kienna grabbed Elowen’s arm, which shocked her as much as it shocked Elowen. “What were they like?”

“Another time.” Elowen waved, but her eyes lingered on the dust and shadows a moment longer. Her voice wavered, as if she were tucking something heavy back into her chest. “You girls need to settle in and take to finding a trade so you aren’t left stranded in the streets once Thorn returns.”

She left them in the room still speckled with Moira’s sunlight. Kienna stepped over cobwebs and lingered near the corner, forcing a half-smile. “Was this the first time you’ve heard about your parents?”

“It is.” Moira clutched her chest. “I didn’t expect it to hurt so much.”

Kienna chewed her cheek. She could relate to the feeling. Hearing about—and seeing her parents in a vision—only brought more pain and confusion. Knowing who they were wouldn’t bring them back. The unknown held peace, but learning there were truly people in the world who loved her so deeply they died for her was crushing. Knowing it was Vaerin who killed them…that was worse. “I can’t believe they knew each other—our mothers. It’s almost like⁠—”

“Fate.” Moira stared deeply into Kienna’s eyes. “Solene, Avenna, and…Elowen, apparently. I wish I knew them.”

“Me, too.” Kienna dropped her eyes, thinking of all the questions she’d ask her mother. There was so much she needed to know about herself. She never lacked a mother in any sense. In River Storm, Maren raised her, guided her toward becoming a woman, spoke of love, gave her advice, and warmed her when she was sad. Even so, Maren could never tell Kienna who she was or where she came from. “What would you ask your mother if you could?”

Moira laughed, hugging her arms against herself. “I’d want to know how she met my father. Their love story.” She sighed emphatically, staring into the distance. “I will dream of that question forever.”

Kienna sat on the lumpy bed in the room. It would barely fit them both for sleep and would hardly provide enough comfort. Still, it would do. “We should rest.”

Moira tsked and sat on the bed next to Kienna. “Lie down.”

Kienna stared at Moria’s open hands, motioning for Kienna to place her head on her lap. When she didn’t respond, Moira tugged her hands and forced her, then ran her fingers through Kienna’s hair. Kienna hummed on accident. She couldn’t help it. A new calm overcame her scalp and sent a wave of comfort through her heart.

Moira giggled. She massaged Kienna’s scalp, rubbing in circles for a few minutes, then in lines. Kienna swallowed hard, loving the sensation but ultimately feeling guilty about it. “I was never nice to you, was I? I shut you out every time you tried to get close.”

“You had a lot going on,” Moira said, her voice calm and soothing. “I always understood.”