Dare to Believe: Teen & Young Adult Epic Fantasy Bundle (Series Bundle Andy Smithson Bk 4, 5 & 6): Dragons, Serpents, Unicorns, Pegasus, Pixies, Trolls, Dwarfs, Knights and More!

by L. R. W. Lee

  Andy spotted Cadfael across the room and approached. The beefy man cleaned up nicely. The fringe around his balding head lay flat and properly groomed. He wore a plain black linen tunic over his muscular torso. Lucee stood next to him, her hand on his arm. Hannah held Alden’s hand next to them. She’d pulled her golden hair back in a simple braid and wore a long black dress like her mother. For his part, Alden wore a simple black tunic.

  “You doing okay, Andy?” Cadfael inquired. Andy noticed the man’s use of his familiar name and smiled in appreciation.

  “This ceremony was nice. King Nithi being here…”

  Cadfael and Lucee nodded. The man put an arm around Andy’s back and drew him close. “I know this isn’t easy. Lucee and I are always here if you need anything.”

  “Thank you.”

  For the next hour, as Andy mingled with attendees, he let himself forget all that had happened. It felt good to be out from under the dark cloud of doom and devastation. He drew energy and encouragement from his people and they from him.

  As the last servant left, Father, Mom, and Mermin reappeared.

  “Where’d you guys go?” Andy questioned.

  “We didn’t feel it was appropriate to hang around during our own funerals. I didn’t want to startle my subjects,” Father explained. “Might not have gone over well.”

  “The family…they were all quiet,” Andy observed.

  “I asked everyone to kindly honor the moment, for your sake,” Mom added.

  “Thank you.”

  Mom turned a serious look on Andy. “Honey, you need to tell Dad.”

  Andy’s stomach jolted. In all the goings-on, he hadn’t considered that Dad didn’t know yet.

  “He’s been calling for me this morning.”

  Father pulled her close. “She’s right. He needs to know as soon as possible.” Based upon a letter Father had sent, Andy knew he had great respect for the way Dad had raised him.

  “Dad and I talked about this. He knew it would be soon. But—” Mom attempted.

  “I know,” Andy interrupted. “You’re never ready.” Andy had barely begun to accept reality, but his heart hurt for Dad.

  “How do I get back to tell him?”

  “Now that you’re king, I believe you have the Ancient One’s ear,” Father said.

  Andy cocked his head. “Really? Is that how…?”

  Mom, Father, and Mermin grinned.

  That afternoon, Andy appointed the two regents, along with Cadfael, Hans, Alden, and Hannah, to take responsibility for the affairs of state in his absence. The choices proved easy, for he trusted each one of them completely.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Dad

  “Where’s Mom?” Dad exclaimed when Andy dropped onto the couch in the family room. Dad’s eyes darted about wildly, frantically. “I’ve been calling for her.” He ran a hand through his hair.

  “Dad, I’ve got something to tell you.” Andy slowly shook his head.

  “No. No!” The strangled cry cut Andy to the core, and the gut-wrenching pain of the last thirty-six hours came rushing back. Andy stepped forward and engulfed the man in a hug. He’d never seen Dad lose his tightly controlled composure, and the sight set him on edge.

  Dad clung to him as if that would bring back the love of his life. Andy well remembered a year ago when Dad shared a rare moment of vulnerability over grilled cheese sandwiches one Saturday afternoon. He had said, “Marrying Mom was like finally having the other half of my heart that I hadn’t realized I was missing. Everything I wasn’t, she completed. Where I felt insecure, she increased my confidence and gave me inner strength. She’s extraordinary... I married way over my head.”

  It took several minutes, but Dad finally composed himself and stepped back. He met Andy’s gaze with puffy red eyes, then exhaled. “Let’s sit,” Dad suggested, pulling Andy’s robe. “Tell me, what happened?”

  Andy breathed in and out slowly for a full minute before he could speak. He told Dad everything, starting with the moment Mom arrived in Oomaldee. “I was surprised how soon after that the gold letter arrived.”

  Andy described the hike to the centaurs and their amazingly artistic castle in the mountain. He told Dad about Lorica molding molten glass, and Mom carving and painting alongside art students. Andy shared about the cave connecting the two worlds, about combining the ingredients, about Mom commanding Imogenia to lift the curse after the bellicose overturned the cauldron.

  Dad’s eyes grew wide, but he didn’t ask how the creature had been put down. It didn’t matter. Dad had never seen Andy’s swordsmanship in action, and it never would have occurred to him that Andy had been the one to defeat it.

  There’s so much you don’t know about me, Dad. The thought made Andy pause.

  Dad leaned forward. “Then what happened?”

  Andy choked. “She just collapsed.” Andy relived the excruciating moment in slow motion. “One minute Mom hunched over Father, mourning what Razen had done. The next, she slumped over.”

  Dad drew a shaky hand over his eyes and inhaled sharply.

  Mom’s book of riddles sat on the coffee table. Her Wizard of Oz figurine collection stood on the mantel next to the family picture. A book she’d been reading waited for her on the seat of the recliner, her favorite red bookmark sticking out from its pages. Andy glanced out the window to the backyard. The garden gnome, which Mom insisted looked “So cute!” every time Dad hinted at moving it to a less conspicuous spot, stared back blankly. Wherever Andy looked, he saw Mom. It felt like powerful hands wrapped around his heart and squeezed, wadding it like paper.

  Things will never be the same. The cold reality slammed into him once more. She’s really gone.

  Dad reached out and wrapped strong arms around him, forbidding despair to claim him.

  “I know,” Dad quaked. “I know.”

  They rocked back and forth, reeling in agony together.

  How long they stayed that way Andy didn’t know, but when they broke their hug, he felt dead inside—light and life expired, and numbness filled every part of him.

  Dad wiped away tears. “Mom and I talked about this eventuality. She tried her best to prepare me. But—” The words didn’t register with Andy, but Dad pressed on. “I suppose this means you’ll be leaving me too. With their deaths, you’re now king.”

  Andy stared ahead.

  “Andy.” Dad reached over and pulled his chin toward him. “It’s what we raised you to be.”

  “Madison needs to know,” Andy mumbled.

  Dad closed his eyes. “We’ll tell her together, when she gets home.”

  Andy nodded.

  “Andy, this is your destiny.”

  The sentiment drew Andy’s gaze and they locked eyes.

  “When you were little and needed lots of correcting, I honestly wondered if you’d ever grow up.” Dad gave a weak chuckle that brought a smile to Andy’s face. “I’ve watched you mature over the last couple of years. You’re not perfect. No one is. But you’ve become responsible.”

  Dad’s words began to sooth a tiny part of the ache in Andy’s soul. So many times Andy had felt like he’d never measure up to Dad’s impossibly high standards. He was never good enough—that fact had been drilled into him. All he’d ever wanted was to hear Dad say he accepted him, warts and all—like Mom.

  “You’re all grown up and it seems my job is done. I didn’t think it would be so soon.” Dad pulled him close for another hug and he whispered in Andy’s ear, “I’m proud of you, Son.”

  Andy threw his arms around Dad and squeezed. His body quaked as he buried his face in Dad’s shoulder and let his tears flow.

  Madison took the news about Mom as well as Andy expected, howling and writhing in anguish as he relived the events one more time. Andy told her how Mom had looked peaceful lying on the stone pedestal in the hall of monarchs. The news calmed her somehow.

  He hesitated briefly but pushed ahead and told them about his conversation with Mom after she woke as a spir
it, even describing her pearlescent form. Surprisingly, neither balked at the notion, only savored the details.

  “Can we have a memorial service for her?” Madison asked.

  It took no convincing. They’d hold it within the week.

  That night, Andy climbed the dark stairs to the attic. Flipping the light on, he found the trunk as he had left it.

  This was Father’s. A dull ache filled his chest but no tears flowed as he ran a hand along one of the wood reinforcements.

  “The curse is broken, but Abaddon’s got to go. I will reclaim my throne and restore the land.” Andy clenched his fists.

  He rummaged inside and pulled out his favorite scroll, the fancy one with his family tree. He scanned down the list as he had a hundred times before: Ferrin, Gerrard, Mathias, Deryk, Hercalon. It was a mix of kings and queens spanning nearly 350 years before Father's extended reign. Andy had met several of their spirits, and a hopeful feeling filled him.

  What do I want to accomplish during my reign? “I want to reestablish the troika’s power…and restore Oomaldee, Carta, and Cromlech to their former glory…so everyone is safe and prospers.” The idea had buzzed about Andy’s head since Father mentioned the need to declare a name for himself.

  “Who was a reformer during the Middle Ages or Renaissance?” One name popped into his head, and Andy could think of no other that would do his reign justice. Confidence filled him. He was more certain than anything; it was the mantle he was meant to wear. “Da Vinci.” Andy smiled. “I’ll be King Leonardo.”

  Now, how to get this trunk back to Oomaldee.

  Andy laughed as an idea sparked like a lightbulb. “Trunk, hide in my chambers at Castle Ferrin!”

  A second later the chest vanished. I hope it worked.

  Andy found Dad in the kitchen the next morning. Andy poured himself a bowl of cereal and joined him at the breakfast bar.

  “What are you going to do when Madison goes to college next fall?” The concern had begun to worry Andy as he thought about the situation—Dad all by himself in this huge house.

  “Oh, my company keeps me busy.” Dad’s forced enthusiasm was less than convincing.

  “I’ve been thinking.”

  Dad looked over. “Oh?”

  “I’m not sure, but running a company kind of sounds like ruling a country.”

  Dad leaned forward. “Where are you going with this?”

  “I’ve never done either. And there’s no one in Oomaldee who has. Well, except my ancestors. But they’re stuck in that hall. I can go ask them stuff, but it’s not like they’re available as things happen.”

  “And?”

  “I was wondering…would you join me, as an advisor?”

  A smile spread across Dad’s face. “You honor me.” Dad considered for several minutes and finally patted Andy’s arm. “Let me give it some thought. There’s Madison to think about.”

  “I know. But as king, it seems I can come and go between our worlds as I please. I’d need to double-check, but I think I could send you back here every once in a while, so you can be here for Madison. And I can visit too.”

  Dad raised his brows then splayed two fingers, “Copacetic.”

  They both cracked up.

  Andy Smithson Trivia

  Did you know L. R. W. Lee leverages symbolism extensively?

  The fog of the curse symbolizes blindness and oppression.

  The magic key unlocks doors and brings stone statues to life. Put another way, it symbolizes bringing forth, opening up, and revealing (that is, taking responsibility).

  Methuselah is not only a weapon and helper, but also represents justice as it divides good and evil. Consistent with life, justice requires diligence to uphold.

  Spheres have no beginning or end and represent the eternal. They also represent wholeness or dignity.

  Blue is the color of freedom, strength, and new beginnings. The color of the household of King Hercalon V is royal-blue for this reason.

  Purple is the color of royalty.

  The purple message spheres trumpet and then broadcast words from the King’s father in the Afterlife.

  Because of its resistance to heat and acid, gold is a symbol of immutability, eternity, and perfection. The gold envelopes contain messages from the Ancient One who knows the end from the beginning and orchestrates events.

  Daisies represent innocence, purity, new beginnings, and true love. They also bear testament that the sender can exercise discretion and keep a secret.

  Did you know that in keeping with traditional fantasy narratives, L. R. W. Lee uses the numbers three, seven, and twelve for a reason?

  Three is considered the number of perfection.

  Seven means security, safety, and rest.

  Twelve is the number of completion or a whole and harmonious unit.

  Did you know names are also important in this series?

  Andy means “brave” or “courageous.”

  Alden means “helper.”

  Hannah means “favor” or “grace.”

  Imogenia means “blameless.”

  Kaysan, the King, means “administrator.”

  Hercalon is a derivation of Hercules.

  Mermin is a parody on Merlin.

  Methuselah is the oldest recorded human at 969 years old.

  Stone of Athanasia—The term athanasia means “deathless” or “immortal.”

  Glaucin the merman—A derivation of the name Glaucus in Greek mythology. He was a mortal who became immortal by eating a magical herb and turned into a prophetic god of the sea.

  Have you noticed alchemy used throughout the series?

  Alchemy played a significant role in the development of modern science. Alchemists sought to transform base metals into gold or silver and/or develop an elixir of life that would confer youth and longevity and even immortality.

  In the series, the first instance of alchemy begins with the goldweavers, Max, Oscar, and Henry, spinning straw into gold to manufacture the wealth of the kingdom.

  The four elementals—air, earth, fire, and water—are seen on Methuselah’s hilt. They also acted as the base of potion to destroy the curse that would eternally plague the land. They were an exchange of sorts, trading the King, Mom, and Mermin’s eternal lives for the eternal life of the nation they loved.

  Did you know the titles of the books in this series manifest yet another layer of meaning? The titles reveal Imogenia’s evolution.

  Beginning with Blast of the Dragon’s Fury, Imogenia is furious at what has happened to her and she fuels her emotional hurt.

  In Venom of the Serpent’s Cunning, Imogenia turns venomous (or spiteful) and cunning in seeking ways to continually punish her brother as well as eliminate Andy.

  In Disgrace of the Unicorn’s Honor, we see Imogenia act in a manner disgraceful to the honor and station of royalty.

  In Resurrection of the Phoenix’s Grace, Imogenia’s grace is reborn as she begins to reflect on her actions.

  In Vision of the Griffin’s Heart, Imogenia realizes she is gripped by the hatred and distrust she has harbored for so long.

  Imogenia has come full circle by the end of Wisdom of the Centaur’s Reason. She is finally able to see reason and wisely turns from her folly.

  Book 7

  The Andy Smithson series concludes with an epic crowning adventure. Andy will be tried and tested like never before in his quest to restore the troika and defeat Abaddon. Will he succeed? Will he regain his throne?

  The final book of the series comes out Spring 2017!

  Enjoy this book? You can make a big difference.

  Reviews are the most powerful tools in my arsenal when it comes to getting attention for my books. Much as I'd like to, I don't have the financial muscle of a New York publisher. I can't take out full page ads in the newspaper or put

  posters on the subway.

  (Not yet, anyway).

  But I do have something much more powerful and effective than that, and it's something that those publ
ishers would kill to get their hands on.

  A committed and loyal bunch of readers.

  Honest reviews of my books help bring them to the attention of other readers.

  If you've enjoyed this book I would be very grateful if you could spend just five minutes leaving a review (it can be as short as you like) on the book's page where you downloaded it.

  Contact the Author:

  http://www.lrwlee.com

  http://www.twitter.com/lrwlee

  http://www.facebook.com/lrwlee

  Text Copyright © 2016 L. R. W. Lee

  All rights reserved.

  Woodgate Publishing

  Austin, TX

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, consult the website at www.lrwlee.com.