CROSSING FORBIDDEN LINES
BOOK TWO
Guardian Series
By
J.W. Baccaro
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, businesses, and incidents are from the author’s imagination, or they are used fictitiously and are definitely fictionalized. Any trademarks or pictures herein are not authorized by the trademark owners and do not in any way mean the work is sponsored by or associated with the trademark owners. Any trademarks or pictures used are specifically in a descriptive capacity.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form (electronic or print) without permission from the author. Please do not participate in piracy or violating the author’s rights.
Editing By:
Bonnie Lea Elliott
Book & Cover Design By:
Wicked Muse Productions
®Forbidden Realm Publishing
October© 2013, J.W. Baccaro
I would like to dedicate this book to my mother Mary E Baccaro, in appreciation for the love you’ve never ceased to show me throughout the years. I love you so very much, Mother!
INTRODUCTION TO THE EPIC GUARDIAN SERIES
THE GUARDIAN BOOKS
THE ENTIRE SERIES
BOOK ONE
BOOK TWO
BOOK THREE
BOOK FOUR
BOOK FIVE
INTRODUCTION TO THE EPIC GUARDIAN SERIES
The Elemental Crystals were originally created to protect the earth. However, Abaddon the Demon Lord plans to use them to transform the earth into a realm of haunting darkness and witchery, forever.
In Prophecy Of The Guardian a young but powerful Nasharin Warrior, Darshun Luthais is drawn to one of these magical crystals of immense power. He learns he’s the fulfillment of the two thousand year old Prophecy of the Guardian. The Wizard Olchemy informs him that he is the protector and guardian the earth has been waiting for.
With Darshun’s ability to sense the Elemental Crystals, Olchemy devises a plan to obtain them. Accompanied by a small group of companions the hunt is on, in hopes to retrieve the long lost crystals before the Demon Lord claims them.
During the journey, Darshun encounters Aurora, the sole survivor of a now extinct people. He falls in love for the first time, and now resents the so-called Guardian of the Prophecy role.
Due to Darshun’s naïve spirit he’s caught off guard by Nayland, a mysterious dark warrior who confronts him about his abandonment of the quest. He reveals that he too, is a Nasharin warrior, though far exceeding Darshun in skill and power. Darshun’s father, Mirabel saves him from death at the hands of Nayland.
Outmatched and in bewilderment from the attack, a fire awakens in Darshun. He plans on reaching his father’s level of power with a journey to Shajin Island, where Nasharin Warriors train. He’ll be gone for only one day in Earth realm time, but due to the magic of the rigorous island, it will be seven long years for him. Entering the mystical realm of Shajin, he eagerly awaits its life threatening challenges.
In Crossing Forbidden Lines, Darshun faces a solemn heartbreaking betrayal by the woman he loves and is left dying from a hideous torture inflicted by the Queen’s guards. He is healed by a female Elf, Kelarin who he calls his angel.
Feeling his power to be tripled, he battles Queen Talvenya’s son and slays him. Thus, earning the Queen’s undying vow of revenge. Afterward, he faces the Demon Lord in a fierce battle which nearly kills him once again. After a mysterious Elder nurses him back to health, he returns to his father, Mirabel to help defeat the massive army of the Demon Lord.
When the Wizard Olchemy re-surfaces alive and brings his powerful red dragon, along with Darshun’s new Elfin family— they all prepare for a fierce battle in The Coming Of The Light.
The group defeats the Dark King’s Army and Darshun finally faces Queen Talvenya in a final battle.
In Sons Of Fire, the sides of Dark and Light take their places for the Day of Darkness. Minevara, Darshun's sister faces the Vampire Queen, and must save Nayland's life by battling him to the death. Kelarin, Darshun's love is kidnapped to be the Demon Lord's blood sacrifice.
After being bested by The Guardian, Darshun…Queen Talvenya comes to join the Light as King Loreus discovers he may be the ‘One’ chosen to carry the Sword of Purity. In Piercing The Darkness .This sword has been foretold to have the power to unite all the races of the Earth Realm. Kaylis joins them both for a journey to the dreaded Centaur kingdom. Darshun gathers many for the upcoming battles they all will have to face.
CHAPTER ONE
Goddess of Death
Drawing back a kiln-dried pine rustic chair from the rectangular granite table, King Adeleric of Zithel waved his hand forward while offering his guest, Aurora Athena, a seat.
With a bow of curtsey, she accepted, pleased at the veneration he gave her, along with the rest of the citizens.
After Darshun dropped her off here, Adeleric gave her a place to stay—a newly fashioned log cabin where a few other ladies dwelt. The ladies invited Aurora in with open arms, knowing she too had been a victim in the war, with her people slaughtered upon Mt. Mundoria. After Aurora settled in, there came a knock on the cabin door.
One of the women, rushed across the smoothly finished hardwood floor—her disruption of the air flickering the candle flames as she opened the door to greet a soldier.
Instead of the usual leather armor they wore, the soldier stood there garmented in steel plates, his helmet and breast plate, his leggings and greaves…every section of his body shielded with steel. In his hands, he carried a dark brown walnut chest—probably extra clothes, or additional armor.
The woman looked worried. “We’re not going to war so soon, are we?”
“Nay, just learning how to maneuver in this new armor our craftsmen created. I’m going to practice with the other soldiers now. But the king instructed me to stop here along my way, for I bring a message to the lady Aurora.”
“Oh?” Aurora rose from the rocking chair.
“The king wishes you join him tonight for dinner.”
“…me?”
“Aye.” He handed her the walnut chest. “Inside, you will find a bundle of outfits that belonged to his former queen. Choose what you like, and come to the tower at five o’clock.”
“As he wishes.” Aurora nodded her head.
The soldier smiled, and closed the cabin door.
Aurora turned to the other lady—who stared at her with a curious gaze. “Why do you think the king desires me for his company tonight?”
“I suppose because you’re new, maybe it’s a welcoming into his city? Or maybe he just desires the company of a female. Adeleric's been lonely ever since the sorceress Talvenya killed his bride, turned the poor queen to stone right before his eyes.”
Aurora placed a hand against her heart. “How terrible. Who is this Talvenya?”
“She's the queen of the city of Asgoth, a woman colder than ice, possessing frightening power. It’s been difficult for Adeleric ever since. They were best friends from childhood, began courting in their adolescent years, and married as young adults.” She studied the walnut chest Aurora held. “But as for lending you her clothes—I haven't an answer.”
Later that eve, delighted at the food placed before her. Her plate sat while lavished with two chicken breasts filled with garlic stuffing having light brown gravy drizzled over top. Another plate—smaller, was fancifully decorated with juicy red strawberries and blueberries, and as for drinks, she’d been given water, hot tea and a luscious desert wine seemingly made from sweet ripened raspberries.
�
�I apologize for the lack of variety,” Adeleric spoke. “The food, that is. Spring is nearly over; most of the fruits and vegetables we've planted will not be ready until the end of the summer. The Cullach never kept our gardens when they took us over, we had to start anew.”
“Oh, don't apologize.” Aurora wiped her mouth with a napkin. “This is more than enough. I'd only complain if you fed me swine.”
“The Cullach ate them.”
“Pigs eating pigs; how ironic. I really hate those boarmen.”
Adeleric arched a brow. “Pardon me, Miss?”
“You mentioned the Cullach. I refer to that race as 'boarmen'. After all, they look like pigs.”
“You’ll find no argument here.”
“Pigs that walk erect, ha!”
Adeleric said nothing, nor did he laugh, he just chewed on his piece of chicken, though he hardly ate any of it.
“That was a joke.”
“So I realize.” Finishing half of his chicken, he put it down or rather it slid from his fingers, the meat falling off the side of his plate. For a moment he stared at it and then at his mound of fruit. He pushed the plates away.
“Not very hungry, are you?” Aurora asked.
A silence loomed between them while his cobalt blue eyes grazed her. The same as when she’d first entered his chambers, dressed in a white tailored shirt with a collared buttoned neck. She also wore a short, wavy black slit skirt—suspended by a brown leather ring belt and calf-high black leather boots with sharp heels. An outfit almost all among Zithel disapproved of, and felt for sure the king would have cast her away for such a flirtatious look.
Noticing those curious eyes, Aurora inquired, “If my choice in the garments you gave me is inappropriate, then you shouldn't have allowed me the freedom to choose.”
“I think you made an excellent choice, Aurora Athena. That strawberry blonde hair and sea-blue eyes of yours brings out the elegance of the clothes beautifully.”
She narrowed her eyes. “Judging by the amount of glares I received coming here, you’re probably the only one who thinks that.”
“Zithel is a very moderate city. The people here wish not to indulge themselves so much in the pleasures of life.”
“It’s an outfit, that’s all.” She blew a strand of hair from her face. “If the men of this city cannot control themselves, maybe it’s not the place for me. I should have just gone on with Darshun.”
“Be at peace. I’m glad you wore it and it’s also the favorite attire of my wife, though meant for our bedroom only, the games we used to play during lovemaking.”
Feeling a bit wary of his comment, she nibbled on a strawberry, finding it hard to meet his eyes. “Why did you invite me here?”
“You remind me of her, have the same color hair, similar eyes and a strikingly similar figure.”
“I have a lover, you know.”
“I am delighted to hear that.”
She titled her head. “So—this is not a courtship dinner?”
For the first time that night, Adeleric smiled. “I find no desire to court you, Aurora. I never wish to be with any woman again. For I know my dearly beloved queen waits for me in the afterlife, and one day, we will reunite.” He stretched back his neck, pressing the goblet to his lips, and swallowed the rest of his wine, then slammed the goblet down onto the table. “Truthfully, I'm not sure why I asked you here tonight. Maybe I just wanted the company of another who makes me think of her, or perhaps—the company of someone who could've been my offspring—had we been given the chance to have any. For if I had a daughter, I’d imagine she’d look like you.”
“Your wife, what was her name?” Aurora asked.
Adeleric lowered his face. “Rosa.”
Aurora rose from her seat and went to him, bowing on one knee, placing her hand over top of his. His flesh felt cold, weak, like his spirit, she’d sensed it from the beginning with his frantic, saddened gaze. “What happened to Rosa?”
Wandering into the past by memory, Adeleric then told her of the six Draconian soldiers—the lizard folk, circling around both him and Rosa as they remained trapped in their chambers after the army of Asgoth had invaded and taken over the city.
Then, that Dark Royalty of Asgoth—King Tanarokai and Queen Talvenya, entered.
The queen approached him. Standing nearly a few inches away, her icy breath and violet gaze caused him to shudder. She asked him about the Wizard Crystals of the Elements, and how there was a rumor that one of them dwelt upon Arundel Mountain. Since Zithel had existed there for two and a half thousand years, she was certain Adeleric knew of the crystal’s location, perhaps had claimed it for himself.
Adeleric knew nothing, for every question she asked him—she received nothing.
Then, Talvenya turned to Rosa—who held Adeleric’s hand while trembling. The Dark Queen leaned closer to her, staring into her fearful eyes.
Rosa turned away, cringing.
Talvenya ran a finger across her cheek, her long black nail scraping the skin, and then she stroked her hair, sifting her fingers through the strawberry blonde locks. “So beautiful, she is, King of Zithel. You must feel blessed, to have been given such a woman of splendor. Surely, your gods have been good to you.”
Adeleric, fearing for his wife, tried stepping in between her and Talvenya.
As if Talvenya expected this, she placed her hand against his chest and knocked him back.
“Please, just leave her alone! I am the one you must deal with not Rosa. I am the king.”
Talvenya pursed her lips. “You speak as though a queen's authority bears no power.”
“You misunderstand. If you must speak with someone, speak with me.”
“Oh, but dear Adeleric, you've already stated your ignorance of the crystals,” Talvenya mocked, now sliding her hand down Rosa's chest, pressing her fingers against her left breast and tearing the clothing with her nail so that a nipple showed.
Rosa quivered, keeping her head aside, avoiding Talvenya’s stare.
“Please, just leave my wife alone!”
Talvenya didn't seem to like the anger in his tone. “I'm going to kill her.”
Adeleric rushed at her, but Talvenya smacked him across the cheek and he crashed to the floor, breaking his nose against the granite tile.
A Draconian soldier moved to bind him, gripping his shoulders.
“Leave him be.” She then exchanged a quick look with her own king, Tanarokai, as he just stood there silently with his arms crossed, watching his Talvenya 'play'.
Adeleric stood up, wiping the blood trickling from his chin. “Queen of Asgoth, don't do this I beg of you—please—refrain!”
Talvenya placed a finger under Rosa's chin, and lifted to see her face, smiling at those terrified eyes and cascading tears.
“I'll do anything you command,” Adeleric pleaded. “I'll search the mountain for you; will not stop unit that crystal is in my hands—for you. Only, don't harm my Rosa.”
She grinned. “Tell your husband to get down on his knees.”
“My knees?” Adeleric asked, before receiving another blow to the face from Talvenya's open palm. This time, he cried out in pain as his body hit floor once again, face-down. His cheeks were black and blue, swelled and bleeding, and his chest ached because of the hard tile he'd crashed onto. For a moment, he couldn’t breathe.
“Stop hurting him!” Rosa shouted.
Talvenya grabbed her by the throat and lifted her off her feet.
Adeleric could hear his Rosa gasping for air as her little legs wiggled back and forth. Quickly, he stood up. “I'll do whatever you say, just put her down!”
She released her, and Rosa almost toppled over.
Adeleric rushed over, stretching his arms around her waist to keep his wife steady.
“While you are standing so close to her Adeleric, you should kiss your wife goodbye,” Talvenya said coldly. “It shall be the last time you taste those blush-red lips of hers.”
Adeleric wanted to fight
her. He wanted to reach for his sword and separate Talvenya’s head from her body, see if such a cold hearted creature actually drew blood. But he knew he’d have no chance, especially with a number of Draconian soldiers gathered around, not to mention the silent Dark King of Asgoth, Tanarokai just standing there…watching. So, he complied with Talvenya's suggestion, only he tried imagining the idea as his own. He would kiss her goodbye, passionately, believing he'd see her again someday in another world, another realm, where hate and brutality ceased to exist. Reaching for her, he pressed his lips against hers wetting them, messaging them and inserting his tongue to taste her sweetness.
Her eyes were full of tears and overwhelming passion.
Adeleric wiped the tears as their gazes continued to lock. Then, slowly, he pulled back. “Do not be afraid, my love. No matter what happens, we will always be together that I promise you.”
“How touching,” Talvenya commented in a voice, cold as ice accompanied by impish laughter. “Now, I command once more, dear Rosa. Tell your husband to get down on his knees.”
She whispered, “Adeler—”
“Speak the words aloud.”
She looked to Talvenya, a submissive gaze accompanied by a sigh of sorrow, then faced her husband once again. “…Adeleric, get down on your knees.”
Adeleric obeyed, but tried imagining the command only came from his Rosa—not inspired by the Dark Queen.
“Tell him you love him.”
“I—I love you…” Rosa cried, “…with all my heart.”
“And with all my heart, I love you,” Adeleric pled.
“Now, extend your hand,” Talvenya commanded with a grin.
Rosa obeyed.
“Adeleric, King of Zithel, take your wife's hand.”
Crossing Forbidden Lines (Guardian Series Book 2) Page 1
