Temperance by Ella Frank Page B

back at him was almost an exact replica of her mother—Maeve, the lost Empress.
    No wonder there were such reverent whispers amongst his men.  
    The Empress had been missing for years. It was her disappearance that had been the catalyst of all that had since occurred. So to be standing before a woman who was the very image of she whose portraits had been removed from all walls was somewhat disconcerting.
    Ry’Ker let his eyes slowly drift to her sister and noticed that she was watching him with caution. This one had been aware of his reaction and was obviously trying to judge his intentions.  
    “Ladies,” he greeted and gave a swift nod of his head. “I trust you have been treated well.” When neither of them replied, he continued. “I’m Ry’Ker, head of the Imperial Guard. We’ve been sent to escort you to Castle L’Mere.”
    The brunette stood, and he noted how fragile she appeared as she tilted her chin and told him quite adamantly, “We’re not going anywhere without our sisters.”
    He admired the way she faced off with him, especially since she barely reached his shoulder. But of one thing he was certain. “You do not have a choice, madam. You will go where I tell you to go.”  
    She looked scared, but he could tell she was trying her hardest to mask it.
    “Why? What do you want with us?” she asked.
    “Nothing,” he told her, and a look of disbelief crossed her features. “I want nothing from you except for your names.”
    She looked down to where her sister was still sitting and then turned back to him with her mouth closed. Apparently, she’d decided that silence was her friend.  
    He hadn’t wanted to use intimidation, but he also wouldn’t stand around for two hours and wait until she trusted him. He reached beneath the heavy black cape Mala'Kai had supplied and drew his sword. The woman’s eyes widened when she saw the menacing-looking blade, and he almost felt guilty for resorting to such a low move. Almost.
    Resting it down by his side, he asked again, “ What is your name?”
    He saw her swallow and wondered what she was thinking.  
    “Fiona Brannigan.”
    He gave a quick nod of acknowledgment and then turned his eyes on the woman who remained silent where she sat. “And you are?”
    He wanted her to speak, this woman who resembled their lost Empress, but she didn’t. She just sat there staring at him.
    “Audra,” Fiona said, regaining his attention. “Her name is Audra.”
    “Good.” He tore his eyes away from that haunting face and instructed, “Stay here, and don't try to leave. My men will be watching you until we’ve located the other two.”
    He turned on his heel and was about to leave when he heard his name. Stopping, he looked back.
    “Yes?”
    Fiona glanced at the sword he still had in his hand and asked, “Are you going to hurt us?”
    Ry’Ker thought the question over and then told her as honestly as he could, “I do not wish to.”
    “But you will?”
    He looked between the two of them and stated bluntly, “If I have to.”
    Then he left to find the others.

Naeve estimated that they’d been walking for around thirty minutes.
    Thirty minutes of absolute silence—and she hated the quiet.  
    She much preferred to be surrounded by people. Often, she’d drag Siobhan down to the little café by their apartment and make her do her paperwork there so she could read and hear the soft chatter of people gossiping. So being hauled through the woods by a hulking man and not being allowed to talk was almost as bad as him threatening her life.
    She still wasn’t sure where she was, and that was truly disturbing.  
    If she were to believe the stories Bastian and Kai had told her, she was now in a place called Arcania. And if they’re lying, what’s the alternative?
    She looked ahead at the man in front of her and studied the huge bow that was slung over his shoulder. Beside it, strapped to his back, was a long, cylindrical bag, and poking out the top were