Descent from Anwyn

nst a wooden fence. Taking a step forward, Genève adjusted his old leather jacket, and he placed a helmet over her hair with a sly smile. They were in the middle of a spirited argument, which was

k to laugh, joke, a

n strong in her, she carried pieces of her mother. Cursed wit

id, “I still don’t see why I have

lied, “My bike, my rules. Besides,

hands grabbed him from behind. He glanced over at Genève and realized the h

led, “We are the

prayed they wouldn't hear Genève

ediate presence. You won't be h

had heard stories from infancy about what happened to those who tried to escape the ruler’s summons. Genève felt an icy chill ru

yet each second seemed like an eternity. Step after step, the fear ran colder and more intense. Ge

er eyes brimming with tears. Genève’s mother, Oleander, Talon's mother, Anise, and Talon's father, Derik, were all chained

n. Talon did the same. Genève’s mother was not a kind woman, so Genève spent a lot of time with her father, who was the right han

I’ve unpleasant news to deliver. Please, come closer.” Sh

nd grabbed her hand. “Wha

and greed, and your father has paid the ultimate price for it. I am sorry to t

a moment, the world started spi

as the pain settled like a boul

Genève had been trying to win a trinket at the target practice booth. As her father held her hand in his, she couldn't help but notice how much rougher his hands were. He stood

had been a glint in his eyes when the man behind the booth grumpily handed over the toy. That glint meant more to h

he queen’s. “How could this be, My Queen?

next was, where was my second in command? If your fathe

here were you when the queen and the

eeth, said, “Yes, where were you? That

yes. “I will admit my part in this w

of this. Apparently, your father was too busy lying with

ff your face. Derik has gotten one thing right–the part you played i

ase tell me what is happening. Why

her eyes to regai

erable. She hired a group of thugs to attack our entourage as I made my way to court. They shot your father through the heart with a poisoned arrow. He now resides with the gods in Platonia. Fortunately, last week, when the Elders of Beimeni came to pay their respects, they

e things were handled, so she asked, “M

e. I would do anything to keep you here by my side in Anwyn, but I just cannot. It would send the wrong message and put the entire land in danger. I must kill Anise. Because of the affection I have for your father, I will spare your mother s

u, My Queen. I must ask, will

years, you will begin to age. A human lifetime will pass, and so shall you. I wish I could give you

d always had a weakness for words. Genève kept staring as countless memories collided. She had spent so much of her life playing word games. Her father had always let the qu

was goodbye. Genève wished she had been given this luxury with her father. She tried to remember

xecution. Genève couldn't look away. She stared as his mother's head hit the ground, never bre