Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 32507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32507 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 130(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
The green column spun faster as it closed in on itself. Squeezing tighter and tighter.
“You evil witch. You will pay for this,” spat King Basil. “I will see you punished.”
“You? Punish me? I’d like to see you try,” I said, chuckling at the man’s impudence.
I had yet to see an impressive human. They were all weak of mind and limb, more eager to engage in drink and sloth than anything of meaningful purpose. In my world, strength and power, the emotional embodiments of nature herself, were valued. Even this king’s guards hid behind their armor and weapons of tin and wood. Pathetic.
Curling my fingers into claws, I slowly brought my hands together. By my command, the green column of mist began to compress. As my hands came closer and closer together, the column became shorter.
“No!” cried out the king as he fell to his knees.
The green mist was now a spinning ball of dark light.
Clapping my hands together with a resounding snap…the green mist disappeared.
Along with the princess.
Glaring up at me from his prone position, the king growled, “You will pay for ruining my plans.”
Scraping my nails down his cheek, I laughed. “Do your worst.”
With a flick of my wrist, I was gone. Leaving the shattered remains of the feast in my wake.
CHAPTER 2
“You cannot ask it of me, my queen.”
Smiling indulgently, I stroked the silky feathers of my faithful servant, Hrafn. A raven of extraordinary size and intelligence, he had been by my side since I’d rescued him when I was no more than a sprite.
“It is the only way.”
“It will leave you defenseless.”
Chucking him under his golden beak, my lips twitched at his concern. “Defenseless? My, my. When have you ever known your queen to be defenseless?”
“Everyone has a weakness, Zelladine. When you learn yours, I fear it will be doubly weak, for you will have no knowledge or power against the emotion.”
His words sobered me. Hrafn only used my given name when he was especially concerned.
“I had no choice. You know I am bound to grant any request asked of me by a pure soul. Plus, it served my purpose.”
My plan was fraught with risk and danger, but it was the only way to stop King Basil from razing the forest to the ground in his hunger and greed for more land and power. If unchecked, he would combine his kingdom with another’s on the other side of the village. The two powerful men would crush all that was left of the old ways. There would be no sanctuary left for my kind or the ancient magic. I had hoped the dark force would chase these bothersome humans away, but it had been too many seasons and they were still here…still imposing their will on all they saw. The humans were even smart enough to send enchanted wolves to guard them. Hrafn informed me the wolves had added to their pack. A female who seemed to have special powers of her own. It was only a matter of time before they realized how to defeat the dark force and my realm would truly be left unprotected. No, it must be this way.
“Must all the fairies go? What of your own protection?”
“Hrafn, I will be safe. No, you must go. King Basil must not suspect what we are about.”
As I stroked his back feathers with affection, we both heard a thundering rumble roll through the forest. An anxious look to Hrafn was all it took for him to launch into the air, high above the treetops. I watched him circle the clouds, his wide wings outstretched. Returning to my arm, he clattered and cawed in agitation.
“It is the kingsmen! The kingsmen!”
“How can you be certain? Mayhap it is only the king’s bumbling guards,” I reasoned.
“My queen, I tell you these are not the slight and weak humans who amble about the king. They must be the kingsmen.”
A shiver of apprehension raced down my spine. No one had ever seen the fabled kingsmen; not even my sources could learn of their whereabouts or numbers. I only knew what the whispers in the forest said, that they were to be feared, that unlike the other mortals, the kingsmen had some knowledge of the ancient magic.
“You must be mistaken, Hrafn. How could they possibly have found me? The forest has enchantments and protections. The dark force would have risen from the mist and stopped them.”
“All the more reason to fear them, Zelladine. I tell you, they have found you.”
Biting my lip, I turned my head to focus and think.
Turning back, I raised my chin in resolve. “This changes nothing. If anything, you must hasten your departure.”
“My queen!”
“Go! I command it.”
My eyes misted with tears as I watched my friend and companion lead the others to safety. No matter what may befall me, I knew Hrafn would not fail me. He would see my plan through.