Book Two – Chapter 16
The Stolen Crown
A stunned silence settled over Ashford's courtyard.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
"The Frost Sovereign..." Elder Rowan whispered. "Dead?"
The messenger from the Sky Kingdom lowered her head.
"I wish I carried better news."
Cassiel stepped forward, his face grave.
"Tell us everything."
The young woman took a slow breath.
"My name is Aelina."
"I serve the Sky Guardian."
She looked at each of us before continuing.
"Three nights ago, the northern sky turned black."
"Snow fell in the middle of summer."
"Then the stars disappeared."
Kael frowned.
"That's impossible."
"So we believed."
Aelina held up the crystal feather.
"It showed us the truth."
Within the crystal, silver mist swirled into an image.
A palace of blue ice stood beneath t
