Here is a fun excerpt that I read on my first Facebook live: Vane meets August.

***SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT.*** (Nothing beyond what you would see in a trailer)

Again, nothing beyond what you would see in a trailer. However, if you don’t want to know what would be in a trailer, you shouldn’t read further in this post.

In this scene, Vane has just taken August/ away from Ursa’s mansion.

Vane’s peace left as completely as Hune’s consciousness had, and as suddenly, when he peered at the girl seated on the hay. Smeared blood covered a swollen, bruising lump above her right eye. His gaze locked with hers, and she raised a hand to a string of blonde curls. While the boys examined Hune, Vane asked her, “Does your face hurt?”

She touched her forehead gingerly. “Not really,” she said, but she grimaced. Vane felt like a monster as he healed her cut, even more so when she tumbled off the bale in fear, not knowing what he was doing, for he’d failed to warn her of the spell and its purpose. There was still some swelling, a bruise, and a fair amount of blood, but at least the gash disappeared. Speechless, she touched the lump again. A pathetic explanation tumbled from Vane’s mouth.

“I thought you were your sister, thought you’d hurt the boys. I hope it doesn’t throb too much.”

The poor girl was at a complete loss. She climbed to her feet. “Who are you?” she asked a second time.

“I’m Vane.” He pointed to the crown prince. “Valkin’s named after my father.”

“But Valkin said he’s named after a duke. The only noble family that had sorcerers was …”

Her jaw dropped. She looked more confused, more pitiful, than ever. “Zalski was my uncle,” Vane admitted. “I don’t claim him.”

“I understand,” she said. “I hate my sister—well, my half-sister. We had different mothers. That’s why Ursa has magic and I don’t. Her mother was magicked, but she ran off when Ursa was three.”

The girl’s voice grew quiet, uncertain. “Ursa wanted me to tend to the boys. Darryn too. I’m not sure why; they didn’t trust me. Maybe they wanted the boys to be at ease. I like to think that’s the reason, but they never trusted me. That’s why Ursa kept the bear on the lawn, even though it frightened Hune. I couldn’t help the boys escape with the bear outside, because I, I don’t have magic,” she repeated, almost whispering. She glanced around. “Are we at the palace? I’ve never been to Podrar.” Her voice grew quieter still. “I don’t know what I’ll do now. I suppose I should thank you for taking me away from there.”

“I know the king,” Vane assured her. “He won’t turn you out with nowhere to go. What’s your name?”

“August.” She glanced at her rent and dusty dress. “I can’t believe I’ll meet the queen looking like this.”

“It makes no difference,” said Vane.

August indicated Neslan and Valkin, who hovered over their brother. “I’m glad the boys are home, but I can’t help feeling …” Her voice died away. Vane nodded encouragement, and she continued, “I have this feeling that I don’t belong in Podrar, that it’s a terrible mistake I made it here at all. Now you’ll think I’m crazy.”

“No,” he said, “I’ve felt that way before, or something close. When I arrived in Traigland.”

She asked, “You’ve been to Traigland?”
“I spent the past four years there. My initial reaction was wrong.” “Why were you in Traigland?”

“I was studying magic.”

Vane watched August piece together what he was telling her.

Sorcery … Traigland … She let out a little gasp. “You don’t know Kora Porteg?”

It was an exclamation of shock, not disgust, and there was no defensive edge to Vane’s response.

“I’m quite fond of her. She treats me like family.”

“Did she teach you sorcery?”

“No, her brother did.”

August shuddered. “Darryn talks about Zacry Porteg. He doesn’t like his essays much.”

Vane chuckled. “That proves their quality.”

August almost smiled. “I’ve never read them. I’m not interested in magic or politics, especially not after this month.” Her voice turned mousy again. “When the boys arrived, Ursa told me not to leave the mansion. She couldn’t have me going to the army. I never had to worry about the bear before, but she said it would consider me an enemy now if it saw me. It would attack. Ursa could make it do that, so I haven’t been outside in six weeks except for my balcony. I kept thinking, what if there’s a fire, and Ursa’s not around, and I can’t go out because of the bear? But I … That’s all in the past, isn’t it? I’m being stupid to worry about Podrar. I never belonged in Carphead. I’m talking an awful lot, but I had nothing to do with the kidnapping. I’ll swear it by whatever the king makes me.”

August bit her lip, plainly afraid that Rexson would think her an accomplice.

“I believe you,” Vane said. He put a hand on her arm. “I’m the last person in the world who would judge you by your relatives.”

August whispered, “Was Zalski really your uncle?”

Vane chose not to answer. “His Majesty will believe you too.”

I hope you enjoyed this! The Magic Council: The Fight for Home is available now on Amazon in paperback and for Kindle, and free on KU.

Learn more at www.herezothtrilogy.com