Wit'ch Star
Chapter One
Seated on the Rosethorn Throne, Elena studied the riddle be- fore her. The small stranger, dressed in a patchwork of silks and linens, appeared just a boy with his smooth and unlined face-but he was clearly no youngster. His manner was too calm under the gazes of those gathered in the Great Hall. His eyes glinted with sarcastic amusement, bitter and road-worn. And the set of his lips, shadowing a smile, remained both hard and cold.
Elena felt a twinge of unease near the man, despite his illusion of innocence.
The stranger dropped to one knee before her, sweeping off his foppish hat. Scores of bells-tin, silver, gold, and copper, sewn throughout his clothes-jangled brightly.
A taller figure stepped to the tiny man's side-Prince Tylamon Royson, lord of Castle Mryl to the north. The prince-turned-pirate had forgone his usual finery and wore scuffed boots and a salt-scarred black cloak. His cheeks were ruddy, and his sandy hair was unkempt. He had arrived at the island's docks with the rising sun, requesting immediate audience with Elena and the war council.
The prince bowed to one knee, then motioned to the stranger. "Ma ... read full excerpt from Wit'ch Star ebook
