Read Fable: Edge of the World for Free Online Page A

cheek. “There is plenty of time for more … rest.”
    He kissed her hand. “Actually, it’s the middle of the night. We will have some more time to, er, rest later. But first … there’s something I need to show you. And it’s best done at this hour. Get dressed and follow me.”
    Laylah was confused but obeyed, slipping into a simple dress and stepping into a pair of boots. He placed a cloak around her shoulders. “It’s cold outside,” he said.
    “… Outside?”
    “Outside. Come on!” Shaking her head in confusion, Laylah took her husband’s hand as he led her past the dying fire to the wide double doors at the far end of his chambers. She was glad of the cloak at once; the skies were clear, and moonlight shone on the snow-covered gardens. “It’s lovely in the summer thoughJasper always said it was sinister out here at night. Of course,” he added, “he only saw it at night the one time, I believe.”
    “When was that?” Laylah pulled the cloak more tightly around her. They walked past the area where King Logan’s statue once stood, and she didn’t think Jasper’s assessment was altogether wrong.
    “The night he, Walter, and I escaped,” he said. “I’m going to take you where they took me. It’s a place I never knew about. Only a very few are aware of its existence even today, and only two of us know how to get there.” He smiled down at her. “Three, after tonight.”
    “What a great mystery!” she teased, and his smile faded a little bit.
    “Not so much a mystery—a secret. An important one.” They passed topiaries with snow for hats and headed toward a large, stone structure. It led down into the earth.
    “Where are we going?”
    “I’m taking you to meet my parents … sort of,” he said, and Laylah realized that this was the royal family catacombs. And suddenly, she was frightened. At once, she banished the feeling—did she not trust her husband completely? Nonetheless, Laylah would much have preferred to be nestled in a warm bed with him rather than visiting his parents’ tombs at midnight.
    He touched a panel, and the doors creaked open. “I am surprised it isn’t locked,” she said. She was relieved to see that candles were lit.
    “No one would desecrate the tomb of the Hero of the Spire,” said the king. “As you can see by the candles, it’s tended regularly.”
    The place was beautiful, in its fashion, thought Laylah. Her people, too, were buried underground, but she had never seenanything so lavish and ornate. Her eyes widened as they approached the tombs, and she gazed up at the larger-than-life statue of a hooded, winged figure that appeared to be weeping into its hands.
    “I am sorry they didn’t live to meet you,” the king said, indicating the stone tombs. “They would have loved you as much as I do.”
    “You miss them,” she said quietly.
    “I do. I always will. But their lineage will continue with our children.” He smiled warmly at her. “Let me show you something.”
    He took her to the right side of the winged, weeping statue and knelt. Placing his hand on one of the stones, he pushed. With a grinding sound, the stone retracted.
    Laylah gasped. The statue was coming to life! It lowered its hands and—
    She realized an instant later that it was merely a mechanical movement, that the hands were connected to a chain. She let out a nervous laugh. “What is it holding?” she asked, recovering herself.
    The object in the carved hands was circular, intertwining hues of gold and blue in loops and swirls. It looked like a small shield. “That’s the Guild Seal. It belonged to my father, and now to me. And, in a way, to you.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “Well, as Walter described it to me, it chooses those who have the power inside them. Who have the potential to become legends.” He picked it up, holding it respectfully. “The first time I touched this, it sent me on quite a journey.” He smiled fondly, remembering. “I want you