Kingdom of Ash

To draw his sword on the man whose gray
eyes widened—and shone with tears.
Who smiled at her, broad and joyous.
“My name is Falkan Ennar,” he said,
putting a hand on his chest.
Lysandra’s face remained the portrait of
wary confusion.
Falkan’s smile didn’t waver. “I have been
looking for you for a very, very long time.”
And then it came out, Falkan’s tears
flowing as he told her.
Her uncle. He was her uncle.
Her father had been much older than him,
but ever since Falkan had learned of her
existence, he’d been searching for her. Ten
years, he’d hunted for his dead brother’s
abandoned child, visiting Rifthold whenever
he could. Never realizing that she might have
his gifts, too—might not wear any of his
brother’s features.