PROLOGUE

Continue reading for a sneak peek at book 2 in
The Blackbourne Series.

Magnus ran along the stone path of the western wall, glancing over his shoulder and losing his breath in belly laughs. The wind whipped his wavy hair back from his brow as he rounded the corner. His little legs ached from running, but he didn’t stop. Magnus hopped up onto the wall and began to run along it, stretching his arms out from balance. He could hear him coming, his laugher clawed at the little prince’s back. Magnus dared a look back and almost lost his balance.

“Magnus! Get down from there!” someone shouted. He froze and looked over the edge to see his father, frantically waving at him to get down. King Erwin stood tall and lean, his wavy auburn hair burned with the dying sun. His face was twisted with anger.

Magnus jumped down from the wall, unaware that Helvarr had caught up to him. He tackled Magnus to the ground, and laughter bubbled up from his core. Helvarr’s black hair swept across his forehead and clung to his skin. He was soaking wet.

Moments ago, Magnus had caught Helvarr off guard, standing alone at the practice yard, watching the knights fight. His eyes were as big as saucers, and Magnus knew he’d be distracted. He’d taken a pail of water and dumped it on his friend’s head. Helvarr turned around with a scowl on his face, but it brightened when he spotted Magnus. When Helvarr made to grab Magnus, the prince shrieked with laughter and took off running.

Now, Helvarr couldn’t control his laughter as his shaking arms tried to pin Magnus to the ground. They laughed like fools, and Magnus already forgot about his father’s scorn. Helvarr was his best friend and brother and always knew how to make Magnus laugh. Though they were only five years of age, Magnus knew in his little heart they would be brothers for life.

“Give up!” Helvarr’s tiny voice roared.

Magnus tried to crawl away. “A king never gives up!” he yelled between chuckles.

“You aren’t king yet, Magnus,” Helvarr retorted.

“Yet.” Magnus slipped through his hands and got to his feet. He looked back to see Helvarr scrambling to catch up when Magnus ran into a sheet of metal.

Magnus was knocked off his feet, and when he looked up. Ser Osmund stood over him, arms crossed, but a smile painted on his face. The knight was tall and broad, with a head of long, brown hair and a scruffy beard. Helvarr came running up, and Ser Osmund’s smile faded. Magnus got back to his feet and stood alongside his friend.

“Did you enjoy giving your father a heart attack?” Ser Osmund asked sarcastically.

Magnus lowered his head, and Ser Osmund crouched before him. “You can’t do things like that, Magnus. You’re the heir to Godstone. What if you would’ve fallen?” His voice was gentle.

“I wouldn’t have let him fall.” Helvarr stepped up.

Ser Osmund raised his eyes to Helvarr and gave him a faint smile, but there was something else in his gaze. He turned back to Magnus. “Go find your father. I need to speak with Helvarr.” Magnus glanced at Helvarr, but Ser Osmund assured him everything was alright. Helvarr stood still and watched Magnus run off, looking over his shoulder every few feet until he disappeared.

Ser Osmund turned back to Helvarr then got to his feet, motioning for him to follow. They walked silently along the wall until it ended just below the black cliffs that rose above the beaches.

“Helvarr.” The knight’s tone was quiet and careful. “There’s something I need to tell you.” He bent down to get eye level with Helvarr, his brow creased with concern. “You know that your father went off on a special mission.” Helvarr nodded his head.

Ser Osmund had watched his father explain to Helvarr before he left that the king needed his help, and it was his duty to protect his home and the king’s family. Helvarr was too young to fully understand, but he’d given his father a hug goodbye with tears in his eyes and his father had kissed his son, promising to be back soon.

“Helvarr,” Ser Osmund repeated, clearing his throat. “Your father…I’m afraid he died.”

Helvarr’s face crumpled and tears shone in his copper eyes. “No.” His little voice was raspy. “No, Father said he would be back soon. He promised!”

Ser Osmund pulled him in for a hug, wrapping his arms around the sobbing little boy. He stroked Helvarr’s black hair as his tears plopped on the knight’s metal armor. “I’m sorry, Helvarr. Your father was a brave man, and he wouldn’t want you to be sad.” Helvarr sobbed even louder, and Ser Osmund felt his eyes threatening to betray him. He pulled away and held Helvarr at arm’s length. “King Erwin will take good care of you. You and Magnus will be like real brothers now.” The knight tried to smile.

Helvarr wiped his nose. “Brothers?”

“That’s right. Don’t you want a brother?” Helvarr nodded and wiped his tears away. “We’re your family now, Helvarr, and we’ll always take care of you. Do you understand?” Ser Osmund was sure he didn’t, but Helvarr nodded anyway.

“Good boy.” Ser Osmund messed his hair. “Come on now, Magnus will be waiting for you in the Hall. I hear the cook made mutton stew.” He crossed his eyes and pretended to gag. Helvarr giggled, and Ser Osmund stood up, offering his hand. “Maybe we can sneak some extra apple tarts after supper.”

Helvarr grinned big and nodded his head. Ser Osmund squeezed his little hand in his as they made their way down the wall of Godstone. He looked into Helvarr’s eyes that burned in the dying sun, but in that moment, he saw something else, too.