“Kaesen, you are the last living Elemental on our star.” With a single tear and a nod, Kaesen acknowledged their statement, even though she knew their glazed eyes would not see the movement. “But your powers are weak. They will not thrive on this star the way we had hoped. “
“What do you mean, her powers are weak?” Alwen asked as he looked to Kaesen then back at the three seers in front of him. All three appeared to stare at Kaesen as they talked, but Alwen knew their eyes could not see their surroundings.
“Our star is dying; it has been for some time.” The seers paused.
“Dying?” Kaesen whispered.
“Yes, my child. Dying. It will not last another day. Its power has drained bit by bit and we did not know why until today. Isa has concealed herself from our view for many years.”
“She’s a witch,” Kaesen explained needlessly.
“Yes, and she has drained our star of energy with each spell she cast. She is linked to the energy of our star, as was her mother before her, and her mother before her.”
Kaesen gasped. Alwen stared in disbelief.
“Because there is not enough energy to sustain our star, your powers here are weak and undeveloped. You will never have the kind of power you need to carry on your legacy as an Elemental being.” The three seers advanced on Kaesen at once, each one reached for her hand and grasped it in their delicate hold. Kaesen felt a knot form in her belly. She not only lost her family, but was about to lose the only home she had ever known.
Alwen moved to stand behind Kaesen and wrapped her in a hug.
“It is time for you to go to Earth, to be with others of our kind. To be with our people once more,” the seers continued.
“Our people? On Earth?”
“Yes, my dear. Elementals have lived on Earth for hundreds of years, using the Sun Star to enhance their power and watch over the elements from below.”
Kaesen opened her mouth to say more, but the ground began to tremble before she could speak. The seers stumbled backward and fell in a heap on the floor. Alwen held her tight against his rock hard chest to steady her against the quake. When the ground settled, the seers raised their faces and in unison began to speak again.
“There is no time to explain more, but know this . . . a fight is coming. Elzar will rest at nothing to have power; we see that now. Your powers to control the elements will diminish, but you have a part to play in this war ahead.”
Alwen tightened his grip on Kaesen as the seers spoke
“What part will she play? What must we do?” Alwen questioned.
“You will know when the time is right. Fear not, but now you must go to Earth and join our people.”
“Will they accept her?” he asked.
“Will Alwen be with me?” Kaesen said simultaneously and felt her cheeks flush as blood rushed up her neck.
“Alwen is your protector . . .” All three seers cocked their head to the same side and continued. “and so much more.”
“Yes.” Alwen understood. He had loved Kaesen since he was a little boy and his love did not diminish with time; it only grew.
“You both have a part in this. One of yoursons will prove instrumental to the protection of our people and the safety of our kind, so teach and prepare your children well.” Kaesen raised her head to look at Alwen’s strong features. Surprise washed over her at the meaning of what the seers said, but Alwen wore a stoic expression. “For a child will come, a girl born of pure Earthly lineage with powers beyond our knowledge. Blue eyes, brown hair; this child will either bring peace to the world, or destroy all that we know and your grandson will be her chosen guardian.”
With a fist placed over his heart, Alwen bowed his head in reverent acknowledgement as the ground trembled again.
“It is time,” they said in unison, and stood in a circle around Kaesen and Alwen. A low chant began as each seer grasped the hand of her sister and completed an unbreakable chain around them. The ground trembled and began to break apart, but the seers held firm.
Wisps of wind broke through the cottage, swirling and circling through the room. With her face buried in Alwen’s chest, Kaesen closed her eyes and held onto him with all her might. She felt Alwen’s strong arms shielding her, and heard the chants from the seers fill the room. The sound was deafening.
Kaesen gave a tiny gasp when she felt the ground give way and a rush of cooler air surrounded them, but Kaesen refused to open her eyes.
Within moments, the wind stilled and the chanting was silent.
“Open your eyes, my love.” Kaesen heard Alwen’s gentle command above her. “We are safe on Earth.”
Kaesen opened her eyes to find herself surrounded by lush green trees, tall mountaintops capped in white and outlined by blue skies. The air chilled around them, but the warmth of the sun shone on her face.
“This is Earth?” Kaesen said as she stepped away from Alwen’s embrace. “It is beautiful! The Sun Star is so close and bright.” Kaesen stretched her hands out to her sides, tipped her head back, and closed her eyes to drink in the rays of the sun. She began to twirl in circles; Alwen laughed.
A slow burn started in the marking on her wrist that pulled Kaesen to a stop. She turned to look at Alwen, a question in her eyes, and noticed his marking burned bright. He cringed with pain from the intense light it produced.
In the distance, a burst lit the sky and the markings on their wrists seared with pain, she cried out at the same time Alwen gasped and dropped to his knees.
Neither noticed the two strangers that approached from behind them.
After long moments, Kaesen recovered from the pain and went to Alwen, who still hunched over his knees. Sweat soaked through his shirt and mixed with the bloodstains.
“Alwen, are you well?” Kaesen gingerly placed a hand on his tight shoulders and rested her head on his cheek. Alwen panted with exertion but nodded his head.
“I think Maia is gone,” Alwen said between breaths. Kaesen gasped and looked to the sky. It was true; she could feel it in her bones. Maia was gone.
It was then she noticed the strangers waiting patiently off to the side.
A man and a woman with strange markings on their arms and neck, dressed in long flowing white gowns trimmed in vibrant emerald greens, both placed a fist on their hearts and bowed to the ground.
“As súas maxestades, temos esperado tanto tempo para a súa chegada.” The tall, dark skinned man spoke in their language. Your majesty, we have waited so long for your arrival. With his bald head still bowed, he continued. “Estou Eryk.”
“E ue son Camille,” said the woman by his side. Her short spiky blonde hair poked in every direction.
“We are warrior fairies of Mother Earth, sent here to watch over and assist you as you defend us against those who wish to destroy the peace between humans and Elementals. We have waited for so long for you to come, King Alwen and Queen Kaesen.”
At these words, Kaesen turned to Alwen and caught the surprised look on his face.
“Please,” Kaesen said, unsure of what she was really asking. She went to Eryk and Camille and extended her hand for them to stand. Each took her hand and kissed it before they stood.
Alwen came behind her and put a protective hand on her shoulder. Eryk and Camille waited for her to say more. Kaesen cleared her throat.
“It is Princess Kaesen. We are not married.”
“Oh, but you must be. It is foretold,” Eryk said with conviction.
“How do you know our names?” Alwen asked. His grasp on Kaesen’s shoulder eased a bit, but he refused to let go of his grip.
“We have seen you, in our dreams,” Camille explained. “You will bring a new generations of guardians to protect our Elementals. It is because of you that we will win the war that is coming.”
“A new generation of guardians?” Alwen asked, his eyes drifting to the woman in front of him. He knew the answer, but he felt himself ask the question anyway.
Eryk nodded.
“But I have n
o powers here. The seers told me my elemental powers would be weak.”
“It is not your power to control elements, but the connection you two share. It is your love that we have waited on to save us all.”
Alwen turned Kaesen in his arms and looked deep into her blue eyes before he crushed her to his chest. He looked at Eryk and Camille over her head.
“Our love?”
“Yes. Your bond will pass from generation to generation. It is a powerful love, a love that will surpass all other trials,” Camille said as she took a step forward. “You have come through much, and because of that, you have created a bond that cannot be broken and one that will pass to future guardians in your line.”
“Your grandson will change the fate of this war if he accepts his role when the Chosen One comes,” Eryk explained. Kaden nodded his understanding.
“Just as the seers said,” Kaesen whispered as she wrapped her arms around Alwen’s middle and snuggled close. The feel of his strong arms around her helped her to forget the loss of her home, the loss of her parents, and the fate of her people for just a moment.
“What must we do?” Alwen questioned.
“Please, follow us.” Eryk and Camille turned to lead them down the hill.
“Will we be okay here?” Kaesen asked Alwen.
“We are together and that is all that matters. I have waited my whole life for you to be mine, and I refused to let anything change that now. Our child will be key to the war that is to come. This is our fate, what we were both born to do. And we get to do it together, finally.” Alwen pulled her close and cradled her face in his hands. “And I’ve waited for what feels like eternity to do this without fear that is forbidden.”
Alwen pressed his lips to hers and pulled her closer to his chest. He slanted his lips over her mouth with a need he did not realized he possessed. Kaesen thrust her hands into his hair as a small groan escaped her lips. The markings on their wrists burned with the intensity they both shared and were now free to express.
Ending the kiss all too soon, Alwen pressed her head to his chest and she marveled at the erratic thumping in his chest.
“I love you, Kaesen. I always have.”
“I love you, too.”
Hand in hand, they followed Eryk and Camille down the hill.
Prologue
55 years in the future
Kaesen sat on the porch swing in front of her house and sipped lemonade from an old mason jar. The breeze was cool and inviting as the scent of fresh lavender filtered across the grassy meadow in front of her. Her white sweater covered her aged shoulders, and she pulled the knitted blanket further up her lap. Behind her, the screen door clanged shut as Alwen carefully made his way to the swing to sit beside his wife.
“It has been a wonderful lifetime of love with you, my dear,” Alwen said after he grasped Kaesen’s hand in his. Alwen’s dark hair had turned white ages ago, his hands wrinkled from time, the spring in his step long gone, but the green sparkle in his eyes still shone with life and love.
“Yes, it has been.” Kaesen patted his soft hand with her equally wrinkled, delicate one. “We’ve raised some wonderful boys, have we not?” Kaesen asked.
Alwen nodded and took a sip from the warm lemonade Kaesen offered him. She put the glass on the side table and scooted toward her husband as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. With a sigh, she dropped her head to his shoulder and snuggled closer. Even after all these years, Kaesen never felt safer or more at home than she did in Alwen’s arms.
“I feel our time here is done,” Alwen whispered into her silver white hair. Kaesen nodded.
“I feel it, too. Our ancestors are calling.”
Alwen gave a little squeeze to her hand but said nothing.
“The prophesy the seers told us is about to come true, Alwen. I feel that, too.” Alwen nodded. “Do you think we did enough?”
Kaesen thought back to all she and Alwen had accomplished over their lifetime. The war on Elementals had slowly gained in speed as each side geared up for the Chosen One to be born. Elementals and guardian alike had to choose sides between protecting earth and all humans who lived blissfully unaware of the war ragging around them, or the need of power and destruction of the human race.
“Our boys know who they are and they are ready for the fight,” Alwen assured her. “We have taught them well and they will pass along their knowledge to their boys.”
“Eryk and Camille will be there to help, I know they will,” Kaesen said with a smile. Eryk and Camille had been with them since they arrived on earth, and kept the records of their people. Kaesen smiled when she thought of the many interviews and talks they had together. “Yes, they will not let our family fail.”
“It is time, my love.” Alwen pulled Kaesen closer and closed his eyes. “My life with you is more than I’ve ever dreamed.”
“I love you, Alwen.” Kaesen snuggled closer under his chin and closed her eyes.
“I love you, too, Kaesen. Always.”
The markings on their wrists began to glow brightly as the starlight from the heaven swirled and danced above. Bright lights twinkled in the midnight sky in a dazzling light display. As the last breath left their bodies, the light of their souls danced upward to meet the starlight from the heavens. Twisting and twirling in a graceful dance, the two lights ascended towards the sky together, one light never far from the other, until they reached their final destination in the heavens. Side by side, never to be apart from each other, just as they were in life, the two stars that lit the skies above as they watched over the world below.
Read the prologue and first chapter of Raine immediately following the author bio!
About the Author: Author M.M. Roethig is a 'happily-ever-after' author who swoons for a great romance. Reading is her escape, but writing is her passion.
Recently making a move to Northern Colorado with her wonderfully supportive husband and youngest son, she has dared to call Colorado home! Leaving her oldest two daughters behind to finish college was a difficult decision, but watching them grow has been a rewarding experience.
Her other loves include baking, photography, movies, dancing and spending as much time with her family as possible.
M.M. Roethig's other works include various short stories written for writing competitions and writing prompts.
Author Dedication:
For all my wonderful beta-readers who encourage me onward, for my amazing family who supports me in all I do, and for my niece, Kaesen, who asked me to write her a story.
Find M.M. Roethig at her blog and at Facebook .
Books by M.M. Roethig
Reflections: Meredith loves her nightly bedtime stories. As Parker reminisces the moments that brought Taelynn into his life, he fears for the cancer that threatens to tear them apart.
Perfect Proposal: published in Summer Dreams Anthology; Anne is looking forward to a wonderful night with Jason, but simple misunderstanding might tear their world apart.
Raine, an Elemental Series. Read the prologue and first chapter below!
Raine
Prologue
Pain shot through her head as she came to. The events of yesterday were a blur. Raine gingerly blinked her eyes against the blackness. She tried to lift a hand to touch the throbbing pain on the back of her head only it wouldn’t move.
Cobwebs in her mind slowly cleared as memories fought to come to the surface, but lay just beyond her reach. Confusion made her shake with fear.
The room was uncomfortably hot and the smell of musty old wood accosted her. She shook her head against the smell and paid with another stab of pain in her head, making her eyes water.
Raine blinked the tears swiftly away and waited for her vision to come into focus in the dark room.
The marking on her wrist began to glow, softly at first, slowly growing in intensity until the darkness faded away.
She knew her fear made her marking come to life. She also knew he would be close.
Thoughts of him
opened her mind and Raine shuddered when her memories finally hit her with full force.
He tricked her. The one person she thought she could trust betrayed her. He was the reason she was here, and she couldn’t stop the overwhelming despair that threatened to crush her heart.
With deep breaths, Raine tried to curb the sting in her chest as she took in her surroundings.
The room was dark with pitch-black curtainless windows in the far corner, which meant it was the dead of night. Outside the window she could make out the shapes of trees, thick trees that blocked the faint light of the moon.
A blast of heat accosted her directly in the face, making her feel weak. She fought the urge to sleep as she furiously blinked against the warmth that somehow drained her instantly. Her marking slowly faded as weakness enveloped her and it became harder to keep her eyes open. She was going to lose the battle. She could feel the subtle pull of the moon and struggled desperately to hold onto the strength it provided, but she was too weak to pull from its energy.
A faint light appeared under the door in front of her and she heard faint creaks in the wood just beyond the door that held her prisoner. Someone was coming. She fought against her heavy lids as the door opened and light flooded into the small room.
A shadow, tall and lean, sauntered into the room and Raine strained to see his face. She wanted to look in his eyes and find the answers to her questions. She needed to know who wanted her so much. She needed to know why.
The shadow stepped closer and Raine let out a weak gasp.
“You?” Confusion warred with reason inside her head as her neck gave way and her head slumped forward, eyes closed.
Elemental Princess: Royal Lines (Elemental Series) Page 4
