Chapter 13 - Fractured Alliances

Queen Sylara's fingers moved lightly over the dust-covered surface of the ancient wooden chest in her sister's room, as though she was worried about upsetting the past. Sonya had always been careful with her possessions, and every item in this room has a special meaning and memory. The ache was as acute as it had been the day she discovered Sonya dead, her skin cold and her once-bright eyes devoid of the fire that had made her renowned throughout all of Valtheon, even though it had been more than 10 years since her passing. Sylara had learned everything from Sonya, including how to control the wild power that ran through their family tree, how to weave spells, and how to handle the perilous realm of court politics. Though there had always been a huge gap in their powers, Sylara owed her reign to her sister's leadership. There has never been a force in Valtheon that could match Sonya's magic. Sylara could hardly compete with it even now. As Sylara wandered around the room, she coul