by A. Mashburn
Pillar of Light
The Lost Princess Series, Book One
A. Mashburn
Alorah Rhoze Novels LLC
Copyright © 2021 by A. Mashburn
All rights reserved
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher except for brief quotations embodied in critical reviews.
ISBN Ebook: 978-1-955112-00-0
ISBN Paperback: 978-1-955112-01-7
ISBN Hardback: 978-1-955112-02-4
Cover Art by:
A. Mashburn
Published by:
Alorah Rhoze Novels, LLC
Piedmont, SC 29673
About the Author
Amanda Mashburn has been writing and telling stories since she was a young child. Perhaps it was inevitable that she would call grappling with words and language a career—and loving every moment. Originally from Detroit, Michigan she eventually set roots in the lovely state of South Carolina where she resides with her husband, children, three dogs and two cats. Art in all forms has always been a passion of hers and reading became a way for her to escape into a new world. She wanted to create worlds of her own and considers it a huge honor to be able to create and share with her audience. Her one wish is for a singular person to be so caught up in the story that they—as she has so many times—have a chance to fall in love with a tale that ignites passion within their soul.
Dedication
Occasionally, a seemingly insignificant moment in time changes the path you’re on. The day my husband showed up at my house for the first time was one of those events. I remember opening the door and feeling uncertain of his motives and unwilling to allow him to breach the barriers I had carefully constructed around my fragile heart.
I just knew he would be like all the others who came before him. So, unlike the people before him, he started out at a disadvantage. I was no longer the female I’d once been with a free spirit and optimism; I was bitter and cynical but as each day passed that he made me smile, I also became hopeful again.
He laughs at my corny jokes, my odd behavior and antics and finds them endearing. Each day he showed up, supported me and encouraged me. With his quirky behavior, patience and dedication he wormed his way through my walls and into my heart.
His belief in me gives me courage and strength and has helped me overcome every obstacle in my path. Without him I would have never had the grit to put this book together or to see it through to the end.
To Dominic, my Lovie, my best friend, companion and destined mate. Thank you for never giving up on me and always believing in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. Thank you for reminding me always that I am enough and that I am not a product of my past. Thank you for encouraging me to be myself and sticking by my side through the ebb and flow of life. This one is for you.
Acknowledgments
The last two years have been tough on everyone with the Pandemic but on top of that, our family had been hit with several unrelated hardships. This book never would have been able to happen had it not been for certain people coming into my life and cheering me on from the sidelines. So, I want to take a moment to thank a few people.
Katosha – You are my best friend and wifey for life. Thank you for always being one of my biggest cheerleaders. You are amazing and I pray that your shine never dulls because you are a light in my life, and I don’t know what I would do without you.
My Circle – Monica, Laura, Katy, Cyko, Tammie, Jenny, Danni, Shay, Stephen, Matt, Maurice, you are all part of my circle, my chosen family and I love you all to death. You are each so supportive and I cannot thank you enough for being there for me and encouraging me.
Kim – My God woman, you and I have talked darn near daily over the last six months and you have helped me more than I ever thought imaginable. I messaged you for a beta and ended up with a life-long friend to share my work and bounce ideas off. Never change, I love you just the way you are.
Joe – my Editor – My goodness, I don’t know what I would have done without your help. You have such a big heart and work so hard for everyone else; I just wish you had more time for yourself. Thank you for being so devoted to your clients and for being such an amazing Editor but, more than that, a friend. Throughout this journey you have been such a blessing and I look forward to working with you again.
My Betas’ – You guys had your work cut out for you and I want to take a moment to say how much I truly appreciate every moment you spent helping me to get this ready for my readers. Writing the story is the easy part but to make the story readable and enjoyable it takes a tribe and the work you each did was invaluable, so thank you. (Sarah H, Dianne J, Denise W, Brett H, Debra S and Corey B.)
And last but definitely not least my Moms.
Debra Hendrix – Thank you for always being supportive and loving me unconditionally.
Robin Skiner – Thank you for accepting me into your life and loving me like a daughter.
(Moms, Just skip over the sex scenes please.)
Memory is a Finicky Thing
Memory is a finicky thing.
A potion, a charm and blackness it brings.
A world unknown; a child’s life thrown,
Without her memories or family known.
Alone in a new world with no sense of the past,
Little does she know, the blackness won’t last.
Panic and pain, thunder and rain,
Clawing and scratching at her mental frame.
Memory is a finicky thing.
With a spell and a book,
Her life the witch took.
Could she get it back?
Would she dare look?
A mother, a father—could it be?
A life within a family tree?
A wondrous idea that felt so right,
But blackness meets where there should be light.
A fight—nae a war,
An entire life lost and what could be more?
A world of werewolves, shapeshifters, royalty and magic;
All defying her human logic.
Memory, it’s a finicky thing.
Also by A. Mashburn
The Lost Princess Series
Pillar of Light
Into the Darkness *
The Chronicles of Rhoze
Every Rhoze Has a Thorn (working title) *
* Forthcoming
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Epilogue
Afterword
Prologue
The howls of the warriors pierced the air as the enemy battled to breach the castle walls. Metal against stone, teeth against bone; it was a massacre of unbelievable proportions.
As the war raged outside, within the castle walls Queen Jillian of the Royal Pack dropped her gaze to the daughter in her arms, her firstborn and heir to the throne. The child was only seven years old and was already perceived as either a threat or a gift, depending on where you stood within the alliance. The warrior, Nicoli, looked at the little girl fondly. She was so strong, even at such a young age. Her Alpha aura pulsed with power from the Goddess herself. Her eyes w
ere as fiery as her striking red hair and the spirit within her.
The Queen hugged her dearest daughter and squared her shoulders before addressing the warrior. “Take her, Nicoli, you must take her and don’t turn back no matter what you hear. Get her as far away as you can, across the globe if you must. But you have to keep her safe at all costs.”
“But your Majesty, I am sworn to protest you and his Highness with my life,” Nicoli stated adamantly.
“There is no time, Nicoli. She is unique and more important than anyone can imagine, more so than even my husband and me. She must be kept safe until it is time. Your duty has been and always will be to her and her alone. You must take her and keep her safe. I fear if your brother finds her he will kill her, and his Majesty and I cannot fight until we know the Princess is safe. Your family has been our ally for many moons and regardless of your brothers’ actions, you are the only person we trust. You will keep her safe until the danger has passed and it is time for her to return to take her rightful place here.”
“There has to be someone else, Majesty; I have failed her once already,” the warrior exclaimed.
Nicoli looked between the youth and her mother as he said apprehensively, “What if I fail you? What if I fail her? There are other, stronger, lycus with more experience you could turn to...”
“None with your heart, dear boy. You have not failed her; you love her, and she, you. The auras that surround you both pulse in sync and is quite rare. Yes, mistakes have been made; but lessons have been learned, and you have both become stronger for it. Your bond is unbreakable; you both will see it as I do, in time.” The Queen smiled with a profound sadness that shone in her blue-green eyes. Her words became rushed as the sound of the fierce battle grew closer, “Aye, you both are so young and I’m sorry but, it can nae be anyone else.”
The Queen smiled again at the seventeen-year-old boy in front of her with pride in her eyes. “We have no time, Nicoli; you will not fail her or us. The love I see for my daughter is self-evident. You are the only one we can entrust her to. Others may be stronger, but they can also be swayed. Her power is great, much like your own, but more so. My husband has trained you since you were old enough to walk, and my brother, James, will see you safely to the border before returning here to help us.” She gestured to her brother who was standing guard at the door.
“You both have much growing to do, and you will do it together. My only regret is that I cannot be there. You are the lock, and she is the key; all will be as it should be. She is your ward, and you are now not just her guard, but her guardian as well. Take this with you and be wary of those around you.” She handed him a vial and an envelope sealed with the royal crest. “She must drink this; it will help to keep her hidden from those who wish to do her harm.”
Nicoli gave a curt nod and knew by the Queen's straight spine and the steel in her eyes, no argument could be made. He did love his little Aingeal; so, he would do the only thing he could.
The girl watched as Nicoli unfurled his wings from his back and shook them free as he prepared for flight. She reached for him as he reached for her and buried her face in his chest. They both took a deep breath as though the presence of one another were calming to them both.
The Queen’s eyes softened at the sight of them clinging to each other, and tears threatened to spill. The Princess looked to her mother. Although there were tears in the child’s eyes as well, there was determination, too. She squared her shoulders much as her mother did, “Mama, don’t cry; Nicci will keep me safe,” she assured her mother. “You and papa will beat the bad men, and we will be home before you know it.”
Her mother smiled with a mixture of pride and sorrow in her eyes. “Yes, my sweet child, he will. Your father and I love you so much.” She kissed her daughter’s forehead and steeled herself as her daughter did the same while she clutched to Nicoli’s neck. “Now go,” the Queen ordered, “and do not come back until it is safe to do so.”
Nicoli wrapped an arm securely around the little princess as he grabbed the pack of supplies that had been prepared for them and followed James away from the castle. They trudged to the end of the forest, the demarcation the borderlands and the end of royal territory.
“It is time,” James said and ruffled the little princess’ hair. “You mind Nicoli now, you hear?”
“Yes, Uncle James, I will,” the little princess promised.
“Oh, little warrior, I will miss you.” As they said their goodbyes, a dirty, red wolf emerged from the shadows and snarled at the trio. James drew his sword. “You must go now; I’ve got this.”
“Kick his ass, Uncle James!” The girl cheered and made the two men laugh. She narrowed her eyes at them both. “Let’s go, Nicoli; we’re distracting Uncle James.”
“Goodbye, you two, until we meet again.” James bid them farewell as he ran towards the rogue. Nicoli did not look back as he lifted his precious cargo into the air, escaping into the breeze as the Princess screeched in delight.
“Everything is going to be okay, Nicci. You’ll see.” The Princess smiled, looking up at him as she squeezed his neck in a hug. “I’m going to be strong for mama and papa and us. I will not cry, and you will train me to be as big and strong as you. Then, we can come back and save our kingdom, right?”
His heart broke a little, because he knew that this was not the way their life would be. He couldn’t lie and he couldn’t tell her the truth, so again, he did the only thing he could think of to do—he held her a little closer, shielding her from the cold wind and said, “Little wolf, you are already stronger than you know. One day you will understand all that must happen, and then when it is safe, I will take you home to your family.”
“Promise?”
“On my honor,” Nicoli vowed.
The little Princess tapped Nicoli’s shoulder to get his attention. “Nicci?” she asked.
“Hm?”
“Can I keep you forever?” The Princess looked away sheepishly as a blush crept upon her cheek.
Nicoli couldn’t help but smile into the little princess’ hair as they soared through the sky. “Aye, Aingeal, I’m not going anywhere. I’ll always look after you.”
Chapter One
Satisfied with her refection, Gretchen began to ruminate on the events of her life that brought her to this particular dinner. Jeremy, her boyfriend, had been asking her to meet his parents for some time now and she finally agreed. She’d never met any of her lovers’ parents; never had the urge to make it so official. She wasn’t like most women she knew who longed for romance and love; she liked her life just as it was. She had dedicated herself at a young age to be the best she could be at whatever she chose to do. Being the best took most of her time and dedication, so she didn’t have much left over for a relationship.
Jeremy, however, had been patient and after a year she figured she’d give it a shot. Her career was on the upswing and she was nearing twenty-one without a single solid relationship to brag about. She didn’t want to dedicate herself to a relationship that wouldn’t have a future and yet how could she have a future when she wouldn’t commit to anyone? It was a vicious cycle that stemmed from her uncertain past.
The amnesia from her accident prevented her from knowing how it happened or any of the events that led up to it. She couldn’t even remember who her family was or where she came from; only her name had remained. She waited for them though—she had been convinced that she had a family who loved her. She could still remember the looks of pity the doctors and nursed would give her when she would ask if anyone had come to claim her.
One day, she just quit asking and the pitiful glances ceased. It was unclear why no one came but, they didn’t. They had left her alone in the world with nothing but her scars to show for it. The moment she realized she was going to the orphanage was the moment she decided that she never wanted to see those looks again.
The memory of the day she awoke in the hospital and went to the orphanage flashed through her mind followed by her
first day at school where she met her now best friend and roommate, Mo.
Mo had pushed her and challenged her as much as the voice in the back of her head did. She would never give up; she couldn’t because whenever she got close to throwing in the towel the voice would taunt her until she was angry enough to grow claws and gnash her teeth at the problem at hand. She always persevered, always.
Gretchen sat back in her chair as the memories bombarded her. She was always an attentive student, even taking summer classes so she could graduate early from both high school and college. After, the climb through the ranks in the fashion industry was more than a little difficult. She’d never known people to be so cutthroat but, although her success was no easy task, she was on her way. Gretchen was considered to be an up-and-coming and all eyes were on her and her critiques.
Now, she shared a lovely flat with Mo, who she considered family. She had a good job, her own car and even had a boyfriend who wanted her to meet his parents. Life for her was rather good—on the outside.
Although she has always done exceedingly well, and by most standards, considered to be successful for someone her age, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her life was on the precipice of change. She was never genuinely interested in fashion, but her skepticism and critique made waves, and waves were good for business. At one time, she had almost felt fulfilled and excited by the hustle and bustle of the big city and the ever-changing world of fashion. She had lived for the parties and the shows because it kept her too busy to worry about anything else.
