A Truth so Clear

By Yolande Kleinn

Prince Rolan does not require anyone's approval, least of all his studious hermit of a best friend. Newly returned from a dangerous hunt, Rolan should be more than content with the noisy feast in his honor. But when Mietri slips away mid-celebration, Rolan can't ignore his absence.

Most likely Mietri has squirreled away in his study below the castle to fuss with some bewildering quandary of magic. Rolan should not interrupt, no matter how much he craves Mietri's company and attention.

But when those familiar cravings take a new and confusing turn, Rolan isn't strong enough to stay away.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Yolande Kleinn
• Release date: Feb 14, 2024
• ISBN: 9781946316424

Yolande Kleinn

Yolande Kleinn may be a shameless dreamer and a stubborn optimist, but she is also a proud purveyor of romance and hijinx. Excitable, fastidious and a little eclectic, she spends every spare moment writing the stories she wants to read. If she can drag other people into the pool along with her, then so much the better.

Book preview

A Truth so Clear

by Yolande Kleinn

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The feast is still underway when Rolan spots Mietri slipping away.

No one else notices the sudden but discreet withdrawal amid the raucous celebration filling the great hall. Mietri moves deftly, vanishing with a skill that has nothing to do with the young mage's arcane abilities, and everything to do with his dark hair, dark garments, dark skin helping him blend into the shadows. The man may be perfectly capable of using sorcery for such subtle tricks, but there is no need when no one is paying attention.

No one but Prince Rolan.

Rolan finds himself always searching for Mietri these past several months. Even if it were his own turn to regale the hall with dramatic tales of a successful hunt—of the terrifying monsters of the sea that nearly prevented his ship from navigating safely home, a close call that has left him more shaken than he intends to admit—he would still be mindful of Mietri's position in the crowd. He would still notice Mietri's departure, perhaps even take it personally. Foolish to find himself so desperate to impress his closest friend, who is far more likely to turn a sardonic eye on Rolan than praise his hunting prowess. And yet Rolan craves Mietri's approval more desperately than that of anyone else in this keep.

Gods, when did this happen? Has he really grown so fixated on Mietri's esteem as to scorn even the approval of the king and queen?

Probably it's fortunate that one of Rolan's more boastful hunting companions has taken up the tale in his stead. Falaris is a brave and reliable warrior, but he is an even more talented weaver of tales. With the crafting of elegant words, Falaris makes Rolan sound more like the future king his mother has spent his whole life trying to teach him to be—and less like the terrified prince who goes adventuring not for riches and honor, but to avoid the constant gnawing fear that he will not be good enough.

No matter how much confidence he projects for the sake of the people who rely on him, Rolan is less sure every day that he will ever live up to the destiny required of him.

What if, when the moment of his coronation arrives, Rolan lets his people down?

These thoughts are easier to cast aside when he has other distractions, and tonight should provide more than enough. Revels and music and good food,