Chapter 1
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Heart heavy, Miriam stared at the garden she’d run around and played in as a child and released a long sigh. The lush, vibrant colors lacked the healthy glow which had made Lyrill famous. There were no sounds of children or women sitting with cups in their hands enjoying shade and beauty of the trees or plants.
Each day more and more residents complained about the dulling landscape, something they’d never experienced before. She’d lost count of the number of excuses she’d given and broken promises she’d made to cover the fact her beloved country was dying. Everything she’d tried to save it, had failed.
She closed her eyes and turned away. “I’m sorry, mama,” she whispered and returned to her desk to write in her journal. A knock at the door startled her.
“Miriam?”
“Yes?” She stuffed her book into the metal box, locked it and waited for her father, the ruling Minister of Lyrill to enter.
“You’re not dressed.”
She looked at her long cotton sleeper and then up at him.
A look of irritation crossed his long, narrow face at her prolonged silence. “We’re having guests.”
“You’re entertaining a weasel,” she said in a dismissive tone.
He walked toward her and stopped in front of her. “Lord Roderick is an important man who can help us.”
She snorted. “He’s a wanted man and is coming here to hide from Lord Barticus and La Patron.”
“He can still help.”
“How?” She stood and marched to the window. “How can he stop this?” She pointed outside. Didn’t he realize by now nothing short of more kirlethanium crystals on their land would save them?
Her father joined her, looked outside and then at her. “He has knowledge that can help access the caves to get the kirlethanium.”
“Don’t be an idiot. He can’t do that, he’s not that good.” She turned.
He grabbed her arm for a few seconds and then released it. “Look outside,” he yelled. “Leave your pity party for once and see we must do something, anything to save Lyrill. My home. Your birthright.”
At the mention of her squandered inheritance, her stomach clenched. She squared her shoulders and fought the rising anger. “I look every day. I see what’s happening. But giving shelter to a criminal and liar isn’t the answer. If anything, allowing him access to our land will make things worst. Have you forgotten Lord Barticus’ wife owns the land with the kirlethanium caves?”
“I know.”
“If they discover you’re playing nice with Roderick, she’ll never negotiate our access.”
“She’s not doing that now. And those damn white wolves won’t allow us anywhere near the crystals even though they know we need them to survive.”
“It’s because they believe we wasted and bartered our supplies through the years that she’s refused to allow us access.” Miriam crossed her arms and met his gaze. “Mother assured me we had enough kirlethanium for decades, I wonder why that’s not the case?” Recently she discovered proof her father had sold a large portion of their crystals to the Liege decades ago and it burned her that he’d bartered their most precious resource.
His face reddened as his jaw clenched. “This again? You’re accusing me of what? Mismanaging your heritage?” He shook his head. “I’ve given you an accounting. I only used what was necessary to keep us safe. At the time I didn’t realize we’d run into a shortage.”
“Because Wolfgar, Amynta’s brother, promised to allow us access to his father’s land even though you knew he didn’t own it.”
He waved his hand. “None of that changes what’s needed now,” he snapped. “Roderick still has connections and believes he can show us how to enter the caves and secure as much kirlethanium as we need.”
She stopped from laughing outright. “Please tell me you don’t believe him.”
His brow rose and she knew she’d need to talk sense into him. “First off no one can enter the White Wolf Clan’s land without permission, we haven’t been able to do it, so I can’t imagine how a fallen lord can teach us how.”
“Miriam.”
She held up a finger and continued. “No, let’s talk about this. Amynta, the Alpha of the White Wolf has been hiding her pack for centuries, she’s no amateur. If there’s a mage or someone with the ability to break her wards we would’ve heard, especially after all the money we’ve paid to break it so far. Plus, her mate, Barticus has pack members guarding the land and they’ll turn on us if Roderick comes here.”
“Not if they don’t know.”
She looked at her father and realized he hadn’t heard a word she said. Like most things, he made crazy plans and expected her to go along with it. Normally she would but this spelled disaster. “They’ll find out.”
He smiled.
A sinking feeling settled in her belly. “What?”
“Get dressed and meet me in my office, as I said we’re having company.” He turned and headed toward the door.
Miriam groaned. “When did he arrive?”
Her father looked over his shoulder with a smug grin. “Two days ago.”
