The balance had shifted, between the worlds and even here, in the Hawthorne Court. He hadn’t expected those words.Īnd yet… perhaps he had, in some small corner of his mind. “In the best interests of our land, I am stepping down as Hawthorne Lord.”īran sat back, blinking. “I’ve come to a decision,” Lord Calithilon said, nodding to himself. Keeping a wary gaze upon his father, Bran sat. “Brannon.” Lord Calithilon nodded to the chair across from him. Though his eyes were weary, the usual imperious expression had settled back on his face. There was no use in speculating about what Lord Calithilon wanted-they’d be there soon enough.Īs they entered the Hawthorne Lord’s suite, Bran was relieved to see his father sitting in a chair before the hearth. With a worried expression, she sat back, her gaze following him until he closed the door.īran and Avantor silently strode the hallways. “I must attend Lord Calithilon,” Bran told the gathering, shaking his head as Mara made to rise. It seemed the Hawthorne Lord had recovered-at least enough to be making demands.

“But he’s asking for you-quite insistently.” “My father?” Bran asked, apprehension flaring. “Once the courts see babes being born in Hawthorne, they’ll come,” Mara said confidently.Ī knock sounded at the door, and Bran went to answer. If the Rowan rulers listened to her, they would at least send a few of their people. Nehta, their commander, had returned to the lords there, and was a strong ally. He was certain of Nightshade, and perhaps Rowan.

Royal by Anthea Sharp