Rise of the Faire-Amanti (The Ascendant Series Book 3) by Raine Thomas Read Free Book Online Page B

braids that fell over her shoulders. Her faded green dress was as well-worn as Ivyn’s clothes, and was currently covered in debris that likely came from the forest floor. Her dark blue eyes sparked with temper as she looked between Ty and Kyr without an ounce of fear.
    “What’re ya doin’, Fyrn?” Ivyn snapped, running over to her and grabbing her arm to haul her behind him. “Ya don’t go addressin’ strangers like that, don’t ya know?”
    “Well you did, ya right git!” she barked, bringing her leg back to give him a kick.
    Clearly expecting it, Ivyn easily dodged the blow. “I’m bringin’ ‘em to Ma and Da,” he explained in a calmer voice, pulling her further away from Ty and Kyr. “I’ll race ya to see who gets to ‘em first.”
    The words were barely out of his mouth before Fyrn turned and bolted. Ivyn grinned, displaying mischievous dimples, and turned to give Kyr a wink that reminded her of Gren.
    “Works every time,” he said.
    She couldn’t help but smile back at him as he took off after his sister. He was obviously protective of his sibling, something that warmed her heart. Ty took her hand and once again started in the direction the children had gone.
    It wasn’t long before they found Ivyn and Fyrn’s home in the center of a large clearing. Smoke rose from the cozy cottage’s chimney. The structure looked homey and well-kept. The thatched roof was in good shape and the stone walls had been white-washed until they gleamed. Pretty plants and flowers grew along the front walk, welcoming visitors with punches of vibrant color and fragrant scent.
    To the left of the cottage was a modest-sized wooden stable. Ivyn and Fyrn had run over to it and now stood talking to a tall, dark-haired male who looked up and spotted Ty and Kyr. The male’s thoughts were curious more than suspicious. Kyr easily read that he had a good heart. Since his thoughts weren’t blocked from them, they knew he wasn’t under Vycor’s influence. He touched Ivyn’s shoulder and ran a hand over Fyrn’s head in an easy and familiar way before he started out of the stable to greet her and Ty.
    “Hello,” he called with a lift of his hand as he approached. “Ivyn here tells me you’re lost. You must be if ya stumbled upon our land.” He stopped a few feet from them and held a hand out to Ty. “The name’s XanderWyrm.”
    “Tavin,” Ty replied, accepting the firm handshake. “This here’s my amanti, Kaya.”
    Kyr almost blinked at how easily Ty’s speech pattern changed, but she stopped herself in time and instead gave Xander a shy smile from just behind Ty’s elbow.
    “Nice to meet ya,” Xander said with a smile that brought cheerful creases to the corners of his eyes. “Can I help point ya in the right direction?”
    Kyr sensed the moment Ty decided that he didn’t want to deceive the family any more than they had to. He exchanged a quick look with her and received her nod. They couldn’t reveal their identities, but they could be more honest with Xander than they had been with the children.
    “Well now,” Ty said, giving Xander a meaningful look, “‘Tis the truth we could use your help, sir.”
    Xander’s brow furrowed as he caught the subtle hint indicating that Ty and Kyr were more than just lost. “Is that right?”
    “What’s goin’ on, Da?” Ivyn called from the stable. Kyr knew he and Fyrn had been told to stay there until their father assessed the situation, and the boy wasn’t too thrilled about it.
    “We don’t mean your family any harm,” Kyr told Xander, using her abilities to reassure him. “But we’ve traveled far and long, and we have news to share that isn’t necessarily fit for young ears, if ya understand my meanin’.”
    “Sup’s on!” called a female’s voice from inside the cottage.
    Xander continued to study Ty and Kyr as he calmly called out, “Ivyn, Fyrn, get washed up and inside for supper.” He waited until they had grumbled and complied, then he