Veil of Mist Read online

  Tessonja Odette

  Veil of Mist

  Lela Trilogy Book Two

  First published by Crystal Moon Press in 2018

  Copyright © Tessonja Odette, 2018

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  Cover illustration by Merilliza Chan

  First edition

  This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

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  Contents

  Dedication

  Did you read the bonus chapter?

  New Beginnings

  Morning

  The Meeting

  Pawn

  Farewell

  Coronation

  Homecoming

  Brother

  Ridine

  Council

  Cleaning

  Reunion

  Old Wounds

  Broken

  Dinner

  Repercussion

  The Crystal

  Tension Rising

  Friendships Growing

  Imprisoned

  Decisions

  Promises

  Memories

  El'Ara

  Plotting

  The Veil

  Desmond

  Trapped

  Disappear

  Warning

  Judgment

  Return

  The Plan

  Roizan

  Shadows

  Light

  Wolves

  See where it all began...

  Thank you

  About Tessonja

  Dedication

  To my readers—you are amazing and capable of magical things.

  To Dustin and Nova—I love you both to pizzas.

  And to Ghost, my dog, who allowed me to read Veil of Mist aloud to him—in its entirety—during editing.

  Did you read the bonus chapter?

  Veil of Mist picks up right where Shadows of Lela left off. However, The Secret Wedding Bonus Chapter sheds light on the final chapters of SOL, as seen through Mareleau’s eyes. Take a deeper look at the council meeting that changed the fates of Teryn, Cora, Mareleau, and Larylis, and the secret wedding that took place after. Click here to get your FREE bonus chapter! https://dl.bookfunnel.com/ydw7w0pwvr

  1

  New Beginnings

  Cora

  One kiss. It was a moment of fire, of sweetness, of uncharted new worlds. It felt like a warmth radiating through my chest, a lightness in my head, and a shortness of breath.

  As we parted, my lips tingled with the memory of his. With every subtle movement he made away from me, I felt colder. However, not so cold that I would say I felt unpleasant. Far from it. The warmth still encircled my chest, but there was now a yearning to close the distance between us, to never part. To always have our lips touch like that.

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” Teryn said. He reached a hand to my cheek, which my flesh eagerly accepted.

  “Yes, I’ll marry you.” The words felt strange in my mouth, as if I spoke in a new language, but my body responded with giddy excitement. I felt like my smile would stretch my face into oblivion. “But only in a year.” The statement brought a sober quality to the air around us, but I knew it was for the best. I couldn’t lose all my wits in a single kiss.

  “In a year,” Teryn echoed. “That will give us plenty of time to spend together. I meant what I said; I want to know everything about you.”

  The thought of someone eager to know me to such an intimate degree would normally send my stomach churning, but not this time. Not with Teryn. I blushed. “I think I can accommodate.”

  “Plus, now that we’re engaged, we can be seen visiting together.”

  “No more sneaking into my room at night?”

  Teryn laughed. “No. We’ll have plenty of time together during the day. Maybe you can accompany me home to Dermaine for Larylis’ coronation? You can see my kingdom.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Then after that, we can return to Ridine. Together.”

  I thought about returning home to Ridine Castle, where we’d last been as prisoners, and shuddered. “I would love it if you were there with me. It would mean a lot.”

  “Then I’ll be there.” He smiled, and for a few moments we held each other’s eyes, lost in silence. His eyelids seemed to grow heavy, and he blinked, ending our spellbinding stare. “I should let you get some rest. We have all day tomorrow to talk more. And the day after that. And the day after…well, you know.”

  As much as I didn’t want him to go, it was late, and I needed some rest in a proper bed for once. “Tomorrow, then.”

  Teryn squeezed my hand and turned toward the hidden door. He pulled the tapestry aside and then paused. With a single stride, he was in my arms again, lips crushing mine and bringing about another round of that fiery warmth. I was about to pull him closer when he gently pulled away. He opened his mouth, but no words came out. Instead, he gave me a sly grin and made his way into the servants’ hall.

  I stared at the tapestry, hoping for the sound of returning footsteps. None came. I was filled with the most satisfying disappointment I’d ever felt. Who knew longing could feel so wonderful and terrible at once? I was beginning to understand why love was said to be for fools.

  Now I had become one.

  I turned from the hidden door and threw myself on the plush bed. My mind spun with the events of the day. I’d been freed from Verlot’s dungeon and dressed like royalty. I’d been offered a marriage to Teryn’s brother, Larylis. I’d been heartbroken and distraught. And now I was engaged to a man I’d unwittingly become smitten with.

  After befriending a unicorn and fighting a magic war, I hadn’t thought anything could still surprise me. I was wrong.

  I climbed under the covers and sank into the luxury surrounding me. As I closed my eyes, thoughts of Teryn were interrupted by thoughts of returning home, being princess, living indoors, and rebuilding trust with my brother. The sinking in my gut threatened to sweep away my joy. Not tonight. I returned to thoughts of Teryn and the tingling of my lips, still hungry for another kiss.

  * * *

  Mareleau

  My eyes fluttered sleepily as we walked through the dimly lit hall of Verlot Palace. Larylis squeezed my hand, and I shook my head to clear my mind. Sounds of harp, shuffling feet, and muffled laughter followed in our wake. I felt as if I’d never been down these halls before. Every step I took seemed significant, like each one was sealing my fate.

  In a way, it was.

  I was now a married woman, hand-in-hand with the man I loved, the man I’d fought for. The man I’d lied for.

  As we made our way along the procession to the Wedding Chamber, each step we took brought us closer to consecrating our marriage—and closer to the conversation I was dreading to have.

  At the end of the hall, we came to a set of doors I’d never cared to enter before. Two guards pulled them open and stepped aside. A candlelit room was illuminated within. My heart quickened.

  Larylis and I exchanged a brief glance and then turned to face our retinue. The harpist ceased his playing; the crowd quieted.

  Breah, one of my chambermaids, came to me and began loosening the laces of my gown, removing pins, jewels, and sashes, and let down my ha
ir until it cascaded past my shoulders in waves of gold. A young man went to Larylis and removed his cloak and tunic until he was left in a plain undershirt and trousers.

  I pursed my lips as our audience watched our undressing as if it were the most normal process in the world. Of all the ceremonial flair I would have wanted on my wedding day, this would have never made my list. I never understood the ritual procession to the Wedding Chamber. Why did an audience need to witness such a thing? At least our kingdom has advanced beyond the need to fully witness the consummation. I shuddered at the thought.

  I scanned the crowd, finding my mother as the only familiar face aside from Breah. It was no surprise Father was missing from the procession, just as he had been from my wedding feast. He’d afforded me no luxury during the signing of my wedding contract, no Godspriest to conduct our ceremony. Nothing but a contract and a quill. His actions made his message loud and clear: I do not approve of your marriage.

  When Larylis and I were stripped down to our underclothes, the harpist recommenced, and the group cheered. I kept my chin high and my chest pressed forward, despite my state of undress. I would not blush beneath their gaze.

  Mother clasped her hand to her heart and addressed the crowd behind her. “It is now time for the bride and groom to become true husband and wife. Wish them many blessings, so they may bring forth an heir.” Another cheer followed. I swallowed a lump in my throat.

  Breah curtsied before me, bowing her blonde head. “Is there anything you desire to be brought to you before we bid you goodnight?”

  “Wine.” The word came out in a rush.

  Mother’s mouth opened and then snapped shut. She raised an eyebrow as she looked down at my abdomen.

  “For my husband,” I amended, placing a hand on his arm. “My husband would like wine. I do not.”

  Breah nodded and entered the crowd. A moment later she produced a goblet and bottle of wine and handed them to Larylis.

  Mother narrowed her eyes at me, and I met her gaze with a look of innocence. Before she could say anything, I addressed our retinue, “Thank you all for celebrating our wedding night. You have made this moment very special.”

  I looked to Larylis. He remained silent until he realized I was prompting him to speak. “Yes, thank you. My…wife and I are…overjoyed that you could be part of this.” His voice was devoid of all emotion. He looked at me as I furrowed my brow, but I couldn’t meet his eyes. “Now get out of here so I can make this woman my wife.” Laughter had returned to his voice, no matter how stilted it was.

  The crowd erupted in raucous cheering and departed down the hall. Mother lingered a moment longer before following them. We entered our room and closed the door.

  The silence that hung in the absence of the party felt like a shroud. My breaths became shallow, and my limbs trembled as Larylis and I took in our chamber, looking everywhere but at each other. The room was elegant and spacious, and the bed enormous, piled high with plush pillows and velvety blankets, all in shades of deep red. Tapestries displaying romantic scenes of courtship and lovemaking spanned the walls.

  “It’s beautiful.” My voice sounded like a child’s. I turned my head and smiled at my husband.

  “It is,” Larylis agreed without looking at me. He set the wine and goblet on a table next to the bed and then moved to stand at the window on the other side of the room.

  I went to the table and poured the wine, draining the goblet in two gulps, then filled another. The burn of the fiery liquid was pleasant, creating a buzzing in my mind and a calming in my stomach. I took another sip, letting my muscles relax.

  Larylis turned toward me, eying the cup. “What about the baby?” The pain in his voice was raw.

  I averted my gaze and drained another goblet. I swayed to the side as I set it back on the table. It’s time for that conversation.

  I sat at the edge of the bed and put my hands in my lap. “I’m so sorry, Larylis. It was the only way.”

  “Was it?”

  I looked over my shoulder at him still standing by the window. “Yes! You heard how insensible my father was! It was a last resort. I waited until I was sure nothing else would work. I told you I would do anything to avoid marrying Teryn. Did you not think I meant it?”

  Larylis strode toward the bed. “But you lied! You lied about us. You made me lie. My own brother thinks…”

  I stood and went to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “He wasn’t mad. If he was, he wouldn’t have helped us the way he did.”

  Larylis shrugged away from my touch. “That doesn’t matter. Teryn thinks I betrayed him. He thinks I bedded his betrothed.”

  “It isn’t far from the truth. We both agreed it was what we wanted.”

  “I agreed to love you. To kiss you. To have passionate, stolen moments. But we agreed not to go too far. We agreed not to…”

  “I know. And we didn’t.”

  “Are you even conflicted about what you’ve done? Our families think we not only had a treasonous affair, but that we also made a baby from it. Neither of those claims are true, and they almost got us killed.”

  “But they didn’t.”

  Larylis turned away from me. “How do you not see the problem here? Our marriage is built on a lie.”

  Tears pricked my eyes, and my throat felt dry. My voice came out weak and quavering. “This is what we wanted. You are what I’ve always wanted. I’m sorry I lied, and I’m sorry I hurt you, but I had to do something. Someone had to do something.”

  Larylis turned back around. His face was crestfallen. “You’re right. I did nothing.”

  “That’s not what I meant.” But it was true; he’d done nothing to stand up for me or our love.

  Larylis released a deep sigh. “What you did was wrong. I don’t know if things will ever feel right between me and Teryn because of it, but I know why you did it. I just wish you hadn’t had to.”

  “We can wish all we want, but what’s done is done. We’re married. We’re together. I know you love me, and I love you.”

  Larylis reached out and put his hands on both sides of my face. “You’re right, I do love you. This may not be the wedding of my dreams, and you may not be the sweet girl of my childhood, but you are mine. I promised to know and love the real you, and that’s what I’m going to do. Forever.”

  My smile stretched over my face. In that moment, as Larylis looked into my eyes, deep into my flaws, past my lies, and beyond my cunning, I felt truly seen for the first time. My father may have seen me as a soiled traitor, and my mother may have thought me an irresponsible harlot, but Larylis knew the truth. Beneath it all was a girl in love becoming a woman.

  Our lips melted together, lighting a fire of passion between us, a fire that burned in the most delicious way. I was both excited and terrified as we fell together onto the bed.

  Larylis pulled his face a few inches away from mine and brushed my tangled hair away from my cheek. “Mareleau, Princess of Sele, daughter of King Verdian and Queen Helena, do you take me, Prince Larylis, Crown Prince of Mena, son of King Arlous and Queen Bethaeny to be your husband in life and love?”

  I brushed my lips gently against his. “I do.”

  2

  Morning

  Cora

  “Good morning, princess.”

  The sing-song voice startled me from sleep. I raised my head from the plump pillow, and Lurel’s face, framed with wisps of dark-blonde hair, came into view.

  She held a waif-like hand toward me. “I’m here to get you dressed and fitted, Your Highness.”

  I clasped her hand and let her pull me to sitting, but my heart sank when I could no longer feel the warmth of the blankets. “If I could bring one thing home with me from Verlot, it would be this bed.”

  Lurel giggled. “I’m sure you have lovely furnishings in your castle.”

  I stifled a laugh, knowing how wrong she was. It dawned on me how much work would need to be done upon returning to Ridine.

  Lurel beckoned me to the vanit
y and sat me before the mirror. “I wish I could go with you to Ridine. I’ve never been to Kero.” She began to brush my long, dark-brown hair. Despite all the work she’d done on it the day before, it had returned to a mass of wild tangles. She furrowed her brow at the brush as if it were somehow responsible, and her frown deepened as she redoubled her efforts.

  I cocked my head, sensing conflict in her. Even though my empathic powers were strong, she took no effort to read. She wore her feelings so openly, I had to tighten control over my power so as not to feel them myself. “What’s wrong, Lurel? You seem upset about something.”

  She met my eyes in the mirror and sighed. “It’s just that…I heard the saddest news this morning.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Princess Mareleau is married to Prince Larylis, not Prince Teryn.”

  I suppressed a grin, remembering last night’s kiss. Twice. “Why is that a sad thing?”

  “I just don’t understand it. She was promised to Prince Teryn. Something awful must have happened. I’ve heard the most terrible rumors.”

  “I wouldn’t give too much weight to rumors.”

  She giggled. “Mother says the same thing. I just hate to think Princess Mareleau married the wrong man.”

  What will she think when she hears about my engagement to Teryn? I pressed my lips together. “I’m sure you’ll see the truth for yourself. If she seems happy, then there’s nothing to worry about.”

  Lurel nodded. “You’re right. Now, come. It’s time to have you fitted.”

  “For what?” I asked, following Lurel to the center of the room. She left me there and opened the door.

  In walked two women carrying boxes of colorful fabrics. They curtsied as they approached me. “Your Highness.”

  “You’re being fitted for a new wardrobe.” Lurel clasped her hands proudly together. “Ordered by King Verdian himself.”

  I raised an eyebrow. “Why would he do that?”

  “Rumors say Sele and Kero are allies now,” she explained. “King Verdian is helping you and your brother reclaim your titles.”