Page 20 of The Ashborn

Moira laughed. “It’s easy. You can…cut things. You know how to cut things.”

“We don’t even have food here.”

The wolf sneezed in the air behind them. It’s a travesty.

Hush, Ru.

Ruva growled, her humming turning into a whimper. Incoming.

Kienna’s head snapped toward the wolf, but before she could react, images crashed through her mind. Of Connak. Danek. Flashes of movement, combat, and pain. Shadows grasped her skull like a vice, followed by torment. They taunted her. The vision shot through her, sending her to the floor as she gasped for air.

Moira sat up immediately. “Are you okay?”

What the fuck happened, Ruva?

Something that probably shouldn’t have happened. You haven’t had a true vision in ages.

Kienna grasped her charm to ensure it remained strapped to her wrist. It was still there, and she couldn’t draw magic to her fingertips. How did she have a vision? She shook as Moira pulled her to her feet, steady and wide-eyed when a knock came at the door and startled them.

Moira helped Kienna sit, brushing her cheek gently. Kienna reveled in the motherly touch of safety and warmth. Then guilt flooded her as she thought about Maren. She hadn’t thought deeply of her mother in River Storm since before the war. She kept Maren in her heart always, continuing the quest she’d given her, but she’d lost track of keeping Maren safe. She would never be certain whether her mother—or Jacob, for that matter—was alive. The pit in her stomach grew.

“What are you doing here?” Moira chirped like a bird.

Kienna sprang from the sofa, brushing her clothes as if she’d realized she could be impossibly dirty from her day’s work at the workshop.

Connak and Danek were at the door, one wearing a devilish grin and the other a new…face? Danek was different. Sharper. Like the last traces of boyhood had burned off overnight. He stood straighter, more certain—or maybe not, but damn, it didn’t matter. He was dangerously easy to look at. Kienna wondered if it was at all connected to the violent vision.

“We’re on our way to the Malintale,” Danek answered. “We couldn’t pass through Dove Port and not see you. They sent Broan to the mountains!”

Kienna met Connak’s stare, and her heart lurched again. His striking green eyes held hers for a moment too long before he stepped past Moira with a faint smile. “In truth,” he said, voice low and smooth, “we missed Ruva.”

Men at your feet.

Kienna bit her lip. Heat rose to the tips of her ears as she shoved Connak’s shoulder. “Well, Ruva is right there. Go say hello, then.” She moved past Connak as the gleam hit his eye and walked to Danek as Moira shut the door. “What happened to you?”

Danek shrugged. His expression was steady and unreadable, like a storm behind calm eyes. “The forest is mysterious.”

“We were about to find food!” Moira squealed. “We can all go together!”

Kienna tucked her hair behind her ear and gave a faint smile, but seeing Connak and Danek together after a vision that sent her to the floor unnerved her. Her visions were never clear. Part of that had to do with Vaerin’s curse on her magic, but that’s not what concerned her. If she were having visions, even with the charm on, what else could this mean?

“So, where’s Tislin if he’s not with you?” Moira asked Connak while they strolled the Dove Port markets near the beach, left of the shipyards and The Elarent House. Vendors manned booths that lined the paths, offering different grains and vegetables. Some sold fine clothes and shoes.

“Tislin has been checking on rumors of River Storm for me,” Connak said. “He should slow down now that I’ve recruited Danek.”

Kienna flinched at the sound of River Storm. Connak said they were safe. Was he withholding information? Awareness tugged at her. Would it be so bold to think King Vaerin could sneak into the city? She stilled her chest and forced herself to admire a ruffled shirt made of linen and lace. To Danek, she asked, “You’re a Blade now?”

Danek ran his fingers along the shirt and hummed with approval. “This would look nice on you. You wear your tunic and pants like you’re about to go to battle at any moment. You should enjoy yourself.”

Kienna looked around. Surely Danek, the man who had her back in war and followed her around like a lost puppy, wasn’t talking to her like he thought about the things she wore. It was infuriating how charming it was and further so that Connak was up ahead, and he so easily brushed past the River Storm rumors. It didn’t help that he paid more attention to Moira than he did to Kienna.

You complicate things, Ruva whispered as she prowled in the alleyways to keep hidden.

I shouldn’t worry about men. I’m sure these thoughts will go away in time.

I won’t pretend to understand your species’ affairs, but I’ve heard enough. You are smitten with many men. And them with you.

Kienna peered at the tag hanging from the shirt sleeve. “It’s too expensive. I’d have to work two weeks to afford this.” Kienna sighed. “Let’s catch up with the others.”