Fire and Bone (Otherborn #1)(66)

“It will ruffle feathers,” Marius says. “But the House of Brighid doesn’t tend to worry about such things.”

“I can walk out there alone,” I say, “but I’m not above anyone. I won’t pretend that I am.”

“Come now,” Marius says, gripping Faelan’s shoulders. “Our princess is asking you to be at her side.”

Faelan looks a little ill, but he gives me a nod. “Fine.”

“Very good,” Marius says, jubilant. “I’ll go out and announce you. And you and Faelan can follow as soon as you hear your name. Once we’re all out there, they’ll ask you a set of questions, and you’ll answer simply, then we’ll be finished.”

“What questions?” I ask, nerves sparking again. I didn’t think there’d be a test.

“You’ll do fine,” he says. He gives me one more smile and takes hold of the door handle. “Are you ready for the chase to begin?” A sparkle of mischief lights his eyes as he opens the door.

Then he walks out into the spotlight.

My stomach churns. I’m about to go out in front of a hugely powerful—and deadly—group of people and act like I fit in with them. When I really, really don’t. And at this point, I hope I never do.

“Why did you change your mind?” Faelan asks.

“I didn’t,” I say.

He gives me a doubtful look.

I shrug. “You assumed I wouldn’t choose you.”

He shakes his head, obviously agitated. “The time of Emergence will pass quickly,” he says, maybe just as much to himself. “In the end, tonight is a small thing.”

“Then why does it feel so monumental?”

“Because you’re entering the unknown.”

I can see Marius, speaking out into the courtyard. He begins talking about the goddess Brighid. Her powers, her goodness. How she’s given them a new gift, how she’s my mother.

God help me.

“But things will play out,” Faelan says. “One way or the other.”

I hear my name, and Marius turns and looks back, nodding at us.

“For good or bad?” I ask.

Faelan faces me, his mouth set in determination. “You’ll just have to trust in the good.” Then he moves aside to let me go in front of him.

I allow myself to feel the strength in his eyes and step out onto the balcony.



It’s surreal. The cool night air brushing against my skin, the stunning beauty of the onlookers, the soft torchlight on their upturned faces—so many faces looking at me.

There are at least two dozen regal figures seated along the balcony railing, on either side of the small raised platform that Marius, Faelan, and I are standing on. They crane their necks to look at me.

And then I spot him. Last time I saw him it was in a shadowed alley, and only for a few minutes, but that face is seared into my mind.

The dark prince, Kieran.

Marius is speaking, but my pulse is too loud in my ears to hear what he’s saying. Everything around me is going blurry. I can’t look away from the silver eyes staring holes through me from several seats away. He doesn’t look angry, but his intensity is obvious. Like he wants to pin me against a wall again.

The black-haired woman sitting beside him leans over and whispers in his ear, her dark red lips nearly touching his cheek. A slow, dry smile tips his mouth.

My insides squirm.

Aelia’s words flash in my head, how he thinks I belong to him because of some ancient claim. But what does that even mean? After what Marius said about my freedom, or lack of it, it makes the idea of Kieran marking me that much more terrifying. If that’s true, then I can’t get out of this place fast enough.

I back up a step to get away from his searching eyes, but I find myself pressing into Faelan. His hand grips my arm, and he leans close, whispering in my ear, “Steady now.”

My skin warms at his touch. I make myself breathe.

Kieran’s jaw tightens. His nails look like they’re digging into the wooden arms of his chair.

Marius’s voice comes again, and this time I catch my name. “. . . a child lost in the fog of humanity, we’re so grateful to our goddess that she’s been found—our Princess Sage.”

A tempered applause fills the air, like they’re all too highbrow to show emotion. I have a sudden fear that I’m supposed to curtsy or something.

But Marius holds out a hand for me to step all the way forward. “Let’s begin, shall we?”

I pull my mind from Kieran and slowly move in front of Marius. My feet don’t work very well, and I almost trip. Is this balcony stable? It feels like everything around me is shaking. Or maybe I’m shaking. Yep, I’m shaking.

“Have you come of your own free will, Princess Sage?” Marius asks. I nod, and he says under his breath, “You must say it aloud.”

I try to project to the audience. “Yes, I’m here of my free will.” I’m stunned by how normal my voice sounds.

“Very good,” Marius says. He bows as he lifts my hand to his lips, brushing my knuckles with a gentle kiss. He looks up at me and smiles. “Welcome, young one.” And then he lets go of me and backs away, moving off the stage.

I start to follow him, but Faelan keeps hold of my arm, whispering, “Not done just yet.”