Caller of Light Read Online Free Page A

Marek.
    King Regin McKay appeared from behind the barn and strode toward them as fast as his stubby legs could carry him, and with all the spectacle only her father could display. His squinty eyes sliced into her before dismissing her altogether. With a slight incline of his head that served as a bow between royals, Regin’s throaty voice rumbled. “King Duncan, I trust your journey was uneventful.”
    Marek gave a similar nod of respect. “Aye, we had no trouble, even when we traveled through the Bridal Lands.”
    Carina’s mind raced. But Marek was Captain of the Guard, not King Duncan. Carina’s eyes widened when Marissa gathered her flowing, blue satin skirts and performed a deep curtsy.
    Marissa’s blond curls fell forward to frame her flawlessly powdered face as she dipped her head. “Welcome, Your Majesty. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. May I call you King Marek?” she asked, holding out her gloved hand.
    Carina broke into a cold sweat. Her chest seized, squeezing the air from her lungs. King Duncan’s first name was Marek? Marek Duncan? King Marek Duncan! She’d been walking with King Duncan the entire time, acting like a nitwit. She looked at her scuffed boots and dirt-smudged clothes and cringed. She was filthy and needed a bath. Just the thought of what her hair must look like made her wish for a rock big enough to crawl under so she could slam it on top of her rattlebrained head.
    Marek reached for Marissa’s hand—a hand covered by a pristine, white glove. She balled her own hands into fists and tucked them behind her back.
    “Lady Marissa, I would be honored if you call me King Marek.”
    A spark of jealousy smoldered in her belly as Marissa’s dainty hand settled on Marek’s arm…the exact spot where hers had been moments ago. She fought the urge to push Marissa out of the way and retake her place at his side, but her grubby appearance kept her feet rooted to the ground. How ridiculous she must have appeared, walking arm-in-arm with a king. Unlike her, Marissa looked as though she’d been born to stand at the side of someone as handsome as King Duncan. The jealous ember inside her turned to ash.
    Marek reached for Regin’s forearm and they shook hands.
    Regin’s lips curved downward. “I’m sorry no one was here to formally greet you, but we didn’t expect you until tomorrow.”
    “I wanted to stay ahead of a storm rolling over the Arrakans, so we left a day early. And Lady Carina did offer a proper welcome.”
    Carina bowed her head when Marek’s quick look in her direction drew her father’s gaze. Again, she wished for that rock, knowing Father noticed every detail of her less than proper appearance. Heat flooded her cheeks. Why couldn’t she ever do anything right to please him?
    “You have many more Critons nesting here than I thought,” Marek said.
    “We take very good care of our Critons. And since Marissa is of age, the fact we have so many is a good sign she’s our next Caller.”
    “Oh, Father, please,” Marissa gushed.
    Regin’s voice boomed with authority. “Come, Marek, let us have the honor of presenting our home and surrounding grounds to you before we serve dinner.”
    “Lady Carina already has done an excellent job of showing me—”
    “Carina is a bit unruly. I’ve tried to teach her to behave like a lady of the court, but she’s a mixed blood after all.” Regin gave a ‘what is a king to do’ shrug that made Carina wish she was anywhere but where she stood. “Carina, bid King Duncan farewell so you can finish your chores.”
    “Yes, Father.” She stepped in front of Marek and dropped into a deep curtsy. “Your Majesty, it was a pleasure to meet you.”
    Marek reached down and offered his hand. If she could have avoided accepting it without causing insult, she would have, but her flustered mind couldn’t think fast enough to find an excuse. With a hesitant reach, she eased her ungloved hand into his. His fingers enclosed and pulled her up.