Rule (Roam Series, Book Five) by Kimberly Stedronsky Page A

realized, out-loud, sinking to sit on the bathroom floor.

Chapter Eight
    “ Grandfather ,” I murmured, accepting his gentle arms around me.
    Henry Asher took a step back, holding my face in his hands. “You have grown, lass. So very beautiful.”
    “Thank you,” I smiled, holding his hands in mine. He was hundreds of years old, but I guessed he’d become immortal in his early eighties. Long, white hair matched an equally long beard in texture and color, and his frame barely supported the weight of his clothing. His eyes were a clouded shade of my father’s, misted with emotion.
    “We have waited a very long time for you.”
    “I hear I’m pretty important,” I teased, giving Will a sideways glance.
    “Your father has sacrificed much.” He gathered my hand in his, turning to lead me toward the sitting area in Will’s office. “I wish to speak with you. Will you sit with me?”
    “Of course,” I looked to Will again, and he gave an approving smile.
    “I’ll leave you alone-…,”
    “Your majesty. Please. Stay; listen.”
    “Thank you,” Will sat next to me on the couch, and my grandfather took the high-backed chair near the window.
    After Will’s ardent attack on my neck in the bathroom, I let the Hens fuss over me for more than an hour before practically running to find him. They’d managed to position my hair into an elegant arrangement of twists and curls that surprised even me. The gowns had been altered overnight, and the one that I chose was cream colored with gold trim. When I discovered that my wedding gown was ice blue, I’d nearly protested.
    “Blue is tradition, highness,” Mother Hen had defended.
    I relented. Choose your battles, Eva.
    “ I used to dream about you,” I began. He nodded fondly, smiling.
    “What do you know of your existence, child?”
    Taken aback by his question, I widened my eyes. “You mean, my parents?”
    “The prophecy, your parents, and your origin.”
    “I… I was born, and ended up here by some magic, and my parents came to rescue me?”
    He shook his head, his feeble hands gripping the balled end of a long, hand-carved walking stick. “You were born in your world, in 1955. When your mother gave birth to you, she was called Anastasia.”
    I heard his words, but my mind refused to register. My middle name… Anastasia… Turning to Will, I gave him an inquisitive glance. Is he sane?
    “From what I understand, Annie’s grandmother had very red hair,” Will answered, nodding to me.
    I turned back to Grandfather. “Will you please start at the beginning? I guess… to answer your question… I know very little about my existence.”
    He sat back, clearing his throat. Will held his hand up in a waving gesture, and a servant waiting near the door scurried to what appeared to be an elaborate water cooler. Asher was presented with a glass of water in seconds.
    All with the wave of his hand… like me. I moved closer to Will, strangely reassured by his power.
    “Troy’s father died in battle. As the only child and successor to the throne, he accepted the crown at twelve years old. His advisors became his family, and he passed many laws that are still in effect today.”
    “At seventeen, a betrothal agreement was drawn up between Icepond and Madreenon, a neighboring kingdom, unifying Troy and their princess, Roamina. Mina was sixteen years old.”
    “My mom?” I asked, and Grandfather took a long sip of water, nodding once.
    “Yes, your mother. At first sight, Troy was besotted. Your mother, with her emerald eyes and many shades of long, dark hair, was sought as a prize by wealthy kingdoms for their unwed princes. There were some who believed her to be a witch… but mostly, those were females, very jealous of her beauty.”
    “Just before the wedding, an illegitimate son of the king presented himself to Troy. Leo, Troy’s half brother, was welcomed into the kingdom. Troy longed for family, and had his younger brother’s legitimacy declared publicly.