In an Orchard Grown from Ash

Chapter One

Alexandros

The guards were discussing his overcoat. They had been since Legerma, where Lexos had been passed into their care, and they were not being quiet about it.

It was, according to them, quite ugly and in need of mending, along with a good wash so that it might stop stinking up the carriage. One of the guards had even tugged on the hem a few minutes ago, as if expecting a seam to give and the whole thing to come apart in his hand.

Lexos had said nothing then, as he did now, sighing and settling more deeply into the corner of the carriage before shutting his eyes. He knew he looked quite Thyzak in his dour black coat and that its sleeves did nothing to hide the beautiful silver bracelets that had been bent around his wrists ­ornamental chains to mark his status as a captive of Tarro Domina. But he was warm, and he could tell, from the guards occasional shivers, that they were not. They were dressed for a standard spring; the weather they found themselves in these days was anything but standard. Snow was still falling, even as the season began to tip toward its end. It melted quickly, to be sure, but it left the ground unsteady and the air heavy with mist that took too long to burn off.

It was a shame. Trefazio was meant to be beautiful this time of year. Rhea had told him once that it was her favorite place to make a marriage, although it had been some time since she had married anyone outside of Thyzakos, since their father s efforts had turned toward securing the support of his own stewards.

It didn t do, lately, to think of his sister, but he couldn t help it. Every night on his trip across the countryside he fell asleep remembering the look on her face that day at Stratathoma, in the silence after he d finished reciting the prayer meant to end her life. Her shock, that he had tried. His, that it hadn t worked. Wherever Rhea was now ­and he was very sure that she was still alive, sure to his bones ­it was with the

Rory Power

The duology s conclusion . . . is a raw, emotional journey of a family created and broken by the consequences of their actions. Library Journal (starred review)

Power s blood-soaked and tragic conclusion to the Wind-Up Garden duology (after In a Garden Burning Gold) follows the four royal Argyros siblings Rhea, Lexos, Nitsos, and Chrysanthi in the wake of personal and political loss. . . . The author probes even deeper into her series exploration of power and corruption, but adds a hopeful note amid all the tragedy and destruction that makes the bloodshed feel worthwhile. Series fans will find this a satisfying conclusion. Publishers Weekly