Golden
August 25, 2010
Morl sat in his favorite leather armchair, his temple pressed against the cool wall. The relentless heat made it hard for him to focus on his duties. But that wasn’t the real issue. Lelila, who had fled months ago, could show up at any moment. She wouldn’t miss a chance to stab him in the back.
The man cast a weary glance ahead. Sometimes, he didn’t want to be king. His days were scheduled down to the minute: meetings, councils, trips. His desk was never empty for long, always piled high with documents demanding his attention. At times, Morl felt like howling or banging his head against the wall.
A knock at the door snapped him back to reality.
“Your Majesty! The ambassador from Pandar has arrived!”
“Let him wait. I’m busy!” Morl snapped, hoping they’d leave him alone.
“He says it’s urgent! It’s about the Selen Islands.”
Morl’s expression darkened. Andrew Kell never came to him without a pressing reason. Something serious must have happened. Rubbing his temples, Morl cursed under his breath:
“Todd, I’ll strangle you with my own hands if I hear one more complaint about you.”
“Send him in!” he finally shouted.
Morl had no desire to trek to the throne room. So, he decided to receive the ambassador in his private chambers.
Morl treated all his subjects equally. He strove to be fair and show no favoritism. Yet, despite this, the Selen Islands always got a little more attention.
It wasn’t about the masterful stained glass or mirrors crafted there. That place was Stephanie’s homeland. His golden-haired beauty, whose laughter once echoed through this castle. His queen. She had been gone for two centuries… On that day, the light in his world extinguished forever. Now, Morl kept his distance from mortals.
A knock interrupted the flood of memories. The door opened, and an older man in an expensive black suit entered the room. Age had taken its toll; little remained of his once-thick, light hair. Even so, he carried himself with dignity.
“Tell me, what’s happened on the island?”
“Your Majesty, I bring bad news. I felt it necessary to inform you in person! Prince Alpin has raised taxes.”
Morl frowned.
“And you came all this way for that?”
“No, my lord. The prince has declared himself the sole ruler! He’s ordered coins to be minted with his crest! He claims descent from King Richard and says he’ll answer to no one!”
Morl rolled his eyes. Richard was Stephanie’s father, and their son Paul was the last direct descendant. Todd Alpin, as the saying goes, was a distant cousin at best.
“Do you have proof?”
“Here, my king!” The ambassador pulled three gold coins from his pocket.
After inspecting each one, Morl tossed them onto the table.
“I’ll pay a visit to our dear prince today. If this is true, he’ll be executed!” Morl’s already dark eyes grew blacker. “You’re dismissed!”
Principality of Alton
June 1998
A light mist clung to the ground. The first rays of Zlatanu had long since painted the sky. Soft pink clouds drifted overhead as a young girl lay sprawled on the dew-soaked grass. She wore a light blue dress that covered her bare feet. Her long black hair fanned out around her head like a halo.
The girl gazed up, watching the last stars fade. The troubles of the world didn’t concern her. Even her own engagement felt like something distant and hazy. This was the day she least looked forward to—and, honestly, dreaded.
Had she ever imagined, on her eighth birthday, that her parents would decide her future? Of course not! The news that the prince of Fargans would be her betrothed left her in shock.
That evening, the girl had cried in her room for hours, even though they assured her the engagement wouldn’t change anything—she’d stay with her family until she turned sixteen. What could be worse for a child? The young princess wanted nothing to do with a future wedding to the crown prince.
“Anelina.” A deep, familiar voice called out. “My girl, where have you gone?” Soon, a plump woman appeared, dressed in a stern gray dress and a crisp white apron. She carried the comforting scent of perfume mixed with coffee and fresh pastries. “Anelina!” The woman clapped her hands upon seeing her charge lying on the grass. “Get up right now, you’ll catch a cold!” Her tone shifted to a stricter one.
“Nana, don’t start!” the girl huffed, refusing to move. “You know I’ve never been sick a day in my life!”
“But you could get sick! Your mother is already looking for you. Today is such an important day!”
“Important day,” the girl mimicked mockingly. “Lame…”
Grumbling under her breath, Anela finally got to her feet.
The room they entered was bathed in light from a large chandelier. A young woman with black hair pulled into an elegant updo sat in a white-upholstered chair.
“Lady Hellin, the lost one has been found,” Nana said cheerfully, nudging the girl forward. “She was lying in the garden again, staring at the stars!”
Turning, Princess Hellin glanced at her daughter, a faint smile playing on her lips.
“Leave us for a moment,” she said to Nana. Once the nanny left, the woman stood and approached Anela, who stood in the middle of the room. “I asked you not to…”
Anela looked down, biting her lip in frustration.
“Today is a significant event in your life,” the princess continued. “Many girls could only dream of such a fate.”
“Then let them get married…” the girl muttered, refusing to look up.
“It’s only an engagement, my dear,” the woman said, stroking her daughter’s hair. “But your father and I truly hope that one day you and Prince Arthur will marry! You’ll make a wonderful pair.”
“We won’t. He’s a self-obsessed idiot,” Anela snapped, lifting her head. “What am I supposed to talk to him about? Besides, he knows nothing about magic. He thinks my gift is just a parlor trick!”
“I’m sure you’re exaggerating.”
“And his parents, on the other hand, want to use us to bring magic back to their bloodline. Plus, they’re after the gift of prophecy,” Anela said, gazing at the sky through the window. “Isn’t that why they decided to propose this match?”
“Not entirely…” Princess Hellin sighed. At eight years old, her Anela was a sharp child. And quite stubborn. But who could she have gotten that from?
* * *
Island of Saint Stephanie
August 26, 2010
Morl stood in the middle of the light-filled throne room. So much had changed here over the centuries… Every time he entered, the young king felt Her presence. For over two hundred years, the golden-haired princess of this island had resided in Sverid, the abode of the gods. After her death, she was granted eternal life—but, sadly, far from him.
Being in this castle, Morl couldn’t think of anyone else. The memories brought melancholy and an overwhelming urge to step through the Gates of Eternity.
Hearing the doors slam shut behind him, the man turned. Nothing in his demeanor betrayed his foul mood.
“Your Majesty?! We weren’t expecting you today…”
The Prince of the Selen Islands was of average height, broad-shouldered, with light hair, bushy eyebrows, and eyes as blue as the sky. Those striking blue eyes were a hallmark of his ancient lineage.
Fear was evident in them. Todd Alpin knew exactly why Morl had come. Straightening up, the man approached his king.
“How are things on the island?” Morl began casually. “Is My people satisfied?” He deliberately emphasized the word “My.”
“Everything’s fine. No need to worry,” the prince replied. Credit where it’s due—he kept his emotions in check.
“Good.” Morl smiled, walking toward the throne. The smile on Prince Alpin’s face grew a bit forced. “I’ve heard some rumors… They’ve upset me. Word is, you think yourself a king.”
“That’s a lie! Slander!” the man exploded, clenching his fists. “I’m loyal to the Roen crown! How could you believe such nonsense?”
Morl mentally facepalmed: “lie, slander, nonsense”—how many synonyms could the prince come up with? A fleeting smile crossed his lips, but the next moment, his dark brows furrowed.
“You’ve disappointed me,” Morl said without a trace of humor. “For years, I’ve turned a blind eye to your antics. You’ve gotten away with everything. Everything except treason!”
“Have mercy, my king! I would never commit such a crime! My family has served you loyally for generations!” Todd Alpin’s face changed.
“Then what’s this?” In a fit of anger, Morl threw the coins bearing the Alpin crest at his feet. “Fancy yourself a king now?! Or did someone else do this?”
“I did, but… I was enchanted. I didn’t know what I was doing!”
“By who?!”
“A-a-a druid…” the man stammered. “He arrived on the island a month ago! He’s still here!”
“Guards, bring this person to me! And take the prince to the dungeon! I’ll pass judgment by evening!”
Two guards seized the sobbing man and dragged him toward the exit. At that moment, the throne room doors opened, and a figure dressed entirely in black appeared on the threshold.
“Don’t listen to him, my king! He’s pure evil!” Todd Alpin nearly screamed upon seeing the newcomer. “Don’t look into his eyes!”
But no one paid attention to his pleas.
“Your Majesty.” Taking a few steps toward the throne, the man bowed. “No need to send for me! I am the Black Druid!”
* * *
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Good night, dear readers. This is the third book in the series about Lera and her friends. Get ready for magic school adventures, tons of new escapades, and the most heartfelt confession our main heroine has ever made. This book is packed with events and characters, so you won’t be bored. Add it to your library so you don’t miss new chapters! Updates every day. I’d be thrilled if you support the book with a like and a comment. Hugs, Anna Stone