REDEMPTION: Queen of Souls (TORMENTED ROYALS Book 1)

by L. N. MALONE

  “That is acceptable. I also agree. My Jayson, while I do love him as any father would, his aggression and violent demeanor has become an issue among our people. I vow to never pass the throne to Jayson. My other Daughter Raine will rise to take the throne. She is levelheaded, strong, loyal much like Akasha she will make an honorable Queen.”

  “That is an excellent choice King Darin. While I am fond of Raine, she has always been honest and fair to my staff. However, I must say I am surprised. I would assume Akasha would be the next in line.”

  Darin sighs audible before responding. “It is not widely known however Akasha is not blood related. Our current law states that only someone blood related can be on the throne. I was about to change that law when Akasha herself stopped me. Akasha would be an excellent choice if she would accept the throne, however she has declined on several occasions. She is independent and does not want a throne given to her just because she is next in line. Much to my dismay, might I add.”

  I could sense the two of them had discussed this more than once and I did not want to add any additional fuel to that fire. “Well, as I said before Raine will be an excellent Queen. I look forward to watching her grow into her destiny.” I look around the room and Akasha catches my eye. The moment she looks, and our eyes meet, the tingling starts again. This time stronger and more assertive. I feel a force of some sort pulling me toward her. It feels like a wind blowing at top speed during a tsunami even though the room is still. Confused and shocked I clench my jaw trying hard to stay put. I quickly look away and the feeling calms and before I knew what I was saying I blurt out “I WANT AKASHA” with power and fire strong in my voice making everyone in the room flinch.

  Suddenly everyone’s head popped up and looked at me with great concern and fear. Darin gasps “No” Madeline gasps with her head down. My head is still spinning and wondering what in the world I just did. She is probably as spoiled as most female royalty are. My beautiful Julianna is just barely gone and here I am already bringing in a new person into our house. Unfortunately, I must follow through with my demand. To show uncertainty is to show weakness. I can use this to my advantage at some point I am sure, working itself out I am certain.

  “I do not understand. Why? How is this a fair trade?” Darin asks with worry and concern in his voice.

  “This is beyond fair. My daughter was taken from me and left like trash. I however have no intention of doing that to Akasha. She will live her life in the castle free to roam and well taken care of. All of her needs will be taken care as a new direct member of my house.”

  “She is human, and you have no relation with her. How would we know you do not plan to use her as a source of nourishment? There has to be another way to make up for what has been done.” King Darin says with a slight shake in his voice.

  Before I could respond Akasha stands up and says, “I would like to speak if I may.”

  She pauses as everyone looks at her waiting to hear what she would have to say and prepare for the worst. She looked directly into my eyes with this amazingly intense gaze and suddenly curls one side of her lip into a smirk and says “I will accept, with one condition. I would ask you allow my father access to some of your resources. Our lands are being washed by the darkness so our crops are not doing as well as they should. Our people are starving because of this.” She says directly to the point with her head held high and enough confidence to support an entire army.

  “You cannot be serious Akasha!” the king shouts. Akasha leans down to whisper thinking I am unable to hear her.

  “Father, our land is struggling. We do not have enough food for our people due to the darkness that spread across the land. If we do not try to make up for Jayson’s choices, then our trades will cease to exist. I for one would not blame The Vampire King if he chose to withdraw our trade. Jayson has put us in this mess, and we must try and use this opportunity. Maybe with time, the Vampire King will be more of an ally than just another House.” I can see she begins to soften a bit looking at the man who raised her. “Please Daddy, let me help. I will be ok. You have raised me to be strong and powerful even though I am not your true heir. I have always appreciated that.” Her eyes shift to me. “I know my place.”

  “Magi, you are my daughter no matter who sired you. You do I do not have to do this. There must be another way.”

  “My answer is final Father.”

  “If you are positive this is what you want to do. I will humbly support your decision. I love you my magi.”

  King Darin looks at me with sad eyes filled with regret and says “I accept King Armand if you will vow to not use her as a feeding pawn and that you will keep her protected. You have no idea how precious she is.” I look back over to where Akasha now stands. Beauty and fire shines through her eyes so bright. A strange and unfamiliar sensation runs through me and I am at a loss as to what it is. I have to look away, so I move my head toward Darin and his wife and slightly bow my head. “I will honor your request. I vow to do what I can to keep Akasha safe and protected while she is with me.”

  I turn to Akasha and look directly into her eyes as I address her next. “Akasha, I will discuss the future of your people with your father and take your request under consideration. The Darkness plague that is covering the lands are affecting many. However, there is much to think about in regard to opening our land and resources to your fathers’ people.” I look towards the King, “Darin, humans should never go hungry. We are all part of the circle of life. If one falls, we all fall. I will provide you with a total of five million dollars’ worth of resources for your people. Advise Jarvis to send a list to Mirella of what is needed, and I will approve before sending it out. That should assist you until I can think over how we can do future business. In the meantime, if anything more comes up please alert Mirella at once.” Surprise again lit the King’s face and a small grateful smile danced upon on the Queen’s lips. The fact that their peoples hunger worried them so deeply said something about their character.

  “King Darin, I believe you and I need to set up a meeting. We will have much business to discuss. I will have Mirella contact Jarvis to set it up.” Turning to Akasha I say, “It is time to depart.”

  “No! I must be able to say goodbye and prepare. I am not ready Armand you cannot make me leave yet.” She simply stated her voice not wavering as she narrowed her eyes at me.

  “You dare give our King demands when your coward brother is the reason, we are all here” Mirella says her voice expressing her anger and grief.

  “You dare forget your place and lot in life.” Akasha says void of emotion which is a contraction of how she has acted throughout this entire meeting.

  King Darin’s eyes are wide, and you can see the surprise and pride in his face when his daughter stood her ground. I looked them both over and pondered why the surprise face. Surely, he knew she had different sides in her personality.

  I look toward Akasha letting a small bit of power to be released in my words. “Enough! You have two days to say your goodbyes and prepare yourself. You should know Akasha, this is a mercy arrangement. DO NOT think you can demand anything from me. I am giving you time to say your goodbyes, however after such you will do as I say when I say.”

  Akasha’s eyes wide now simply nods in agreement. “Mirella will be here in two days’ time. Be ready by midnight after your ball to celebrate your birthday she will collect your bags and bring you to the house. Be warned however, she is not a patient shifter and will be on an extremely strict schedule, so be ready and packed. If you are not ready, she will wait no more than five minutes. If you do not show up, she will assume you and your father have changed your decision. In which case you both have also decided war is what the two of you wish and your brother’s life will be forfeited.”

  I stand up and everyone follows suit. The King and Queen nod in agreement in silent with a look of fear and wariness all around. Akasha, however looks calm and focused staring at me with questioning eyes. I turn to leave and had stra
ight for the limo and I can feel Mirella behind me. We get into the limo and she looks at me with narrow eyes and says. “Well, that was unexpected.” I just shrug and look out the window. What the hell did I just do? Do I really want this? I do not even know her. Why did I do this… ugh. Stupid death has me all over the place. Control this. CONTROL YOURSELF I yell at myself in my head. Inside I am crazy however outside I show nothing. Just a void of a life waiting to see where my life is now headed.

  Two

  Chapter Two

  Akasha POV: (Before the sit down)

  Overlooking the window, I see the shadow a man watching me from the darkness. I can feel the same tingle I have gotten the past five years since I have seen him watching me. He simply stands there, never saying or doing anything. I know we live in a world with other beings, and I know the scary stories that have been told for centuries of the various creatures that roamed the night. The first time I saw him though still scared me beyond belief. It was an unusually hot night. I had just turned fifteen and had the most revealing talk of my life with my parents. I was stressed and had went to sleep angry. When I woke up, I noticed the window was open. No, I was sweating! I thought. Just as I had gone to the window to close it, I saw him and screamed so loud it woke almost everyone in the house. I know this because just about everyone in the house came running into my room. The figure did not move or even flinch; it just stayed in the same spot. Lights turned on and I pointed to the creature. Everyone peaked out the window the guards searched the grounds however no one saw him. I saw him though, still in the same spot, still just standing there looking up to my window. I could feel his eyes on me burning through my skin. My parents said it was just a mixture of the bad dream and stress. There was nothing there and no one could hurt me. However, every night he showed up at the same time for the past year.

  Suddenly a knock on the door and a bouncy sister had me forgetting the shadow without another thought. “Knock, Knock! Are you nervous about tonight?” my youngest sister Raine asked as she as walking in her bright blonde hair bouncing with each step she took.

  “I am terrified to be honest. The thought of losing control scares me especially at such an important meeting. However, I suppose the important nature will help my focus.” I sighed as I turned around. She looked me over started slowing her eyes moved from the feet ending at my head. Her expression that started out in the smile ended in a look of disgust.

  “Oh, dear heavenly fart nerds!! What is going on in your hair? Did chicken make baby pigs in it?” she looked at me shocked. Laughter bubbles out of me uncontrollably. The words and phrases she come up with is absolutely crazy and hardly ever makes sense. Amazingly enough however, most people understand her just fine, crazy phrases and all. She is always truly adorable and the youngest of all of us. She is only seventeen however sometimes with her moods she can act as if she was twelve and at times fifty. Each day you can get a different Raine, and each day is filled with laughter and love.

  “Raine, you always have me in stitches.” I tell her in between laughing and trying to breath. She rushed in and within a half hour she had redressed me, did my makeup and was currently yanking on my hairy hair insisting she was fixing it. My mind started to wander thinking back to when I found out about my powers. Father wanted all his children to be prepared for all life possibilities. We trained for marriage, for social engagements and even in the art of war. I was to learn to fight while wearing a tiara and wedding ring. Most days I was training with Jayson, my older brother who was supposed to be next in line for the throne until he let his anger get the best of him. Now it will take all we have just to keep a war from starting.

  I remember the day like it was yesterday. One day Jayson and I were in a physical battle on the training mat. He was apparently in a mood and was extra aggressive that day. We had gone six rounds and he was getting more and more angry and frustrated. He kicked, I blocked then rounded behind him jabbing my elbow into his rib. Then his leg kicked out low and he grabbed me and threw me down the mat. He rolls on top of me pinning me to the mat. “Down you go, on the ground like you’re supposed to be. Beneath me.” He spat at me. “I am your sister you perv.” I screamed at him. He then proceeded to stick his long nasty tongue out bringing it close to my face. I felt the scratchy wetness as he slowly licked my cheek. Utterly shocked and scared I kicked but he would not budge. Suddenly the deep fear that I was feeling turned into rage and I felt coldness suddenly radiating inside my body. Jayson was sweating like a pig and the moment a drop of his sweat landed on my face something broke inside of me. Suddenly my hands turned curled around his arms and I felt ice starting to cover his arm. His eyes went wide with shock. He jumped off screaming as he tried to pry the ice off his arms. I scrambled back scared of what I was seeing, scared of what he would have done, scared of what I did do. I looked at my hands my palms were glowing a radiant powder blue like you would see on a baby blanket. The glowing slowed and turned to your normal red fire as my breathing slowed until it was gone. I looked up and noticed Father had entered the room and was standing next to Jayson. “Jayson, go to your mother and ask her to warm a rag and slowly melt the ice. You are beyond disappointing Jayson.” My father said with disdain shaking his head. He looks up to me with love and worry in his eyes. “My magi, I am so sorry. We were unsure.”

  Later that evening, Mother and Father sat me down and tried to explain the best they could of my past. I was found with a note attached nineteen years prior at their door. I was tucked in a basket with a note and a pink blanket with Akasha embroidered on it. I remembered how it sounded more like a story than real life however, it seems that the life I had been living for the past years was the actual story. Everything I thought was real was not and to top it off I was magical. The note was short and to the point. This child was born five days ago and conceived by two powerful hidden magical beings. It is not safe for her to be with them in the magical world. She has been named Akasha. Please look after the Magi. That was all that was written and how the nickname Magi that my father loved to call me came about.

  Everything changed after that. Jayson was stay to the west part of the home. He was not allowed to be near me and never alone after that. Father said it was better this way and that he had to come to grips with himself. We would see each other in common areas only. He never spoke to me or even tried to speak with me. At first, I was relieved, not having to confront what happened between us. Then, I started to miss him. He was not the best brother for sure, but he was still my brother.

  My parents took me in and had me tested for magic. However, every test was deemed inconclusive. Finally, after a year they decided to give up. They said how they loved me unconditionally and no matter I was their first-born daughter. I remember feeling warmth from the love they gave me without question. After that night we started the secluded training. Father insisting that since my powers have awakened, we must be cautious and be safe. Staying in the castle till we can develop my powers enough to protect myself. Since I learned about my magic, I also learned I am also able to sense and control people’s emotions. We know there are more powers within me however most magical people do not fully develop until their twentieth birthday. Which, for me, was just in two days.

  “There! All done!” Rain said with her loud squeaky voice breaking me away from my memories. “Geez, you can’t make your very first appearance in the world after learning about your powers looking like a pot belly goat that rolled around in Jell-O, can you?” she said spinning me around to face the mirror as I chuckled at her newest choice of words.

  “WOW!” I breathed looking at the girl in the mirror. She had deep black hair with bright green eyes that shined. “That cannot be me” I stated in shock. “It is you sis. You are absolutely beautiful.” She beamed at me. Rolling my eyes, I looked again in the mirror, spinning slowly as I did. My dress was a black silk cocktail dress that even though it flows it showed off my curves in all the right places with class. She had chosen a half updo on my hair with
my curls flowing down my back. I look over to Raine and see how different we look. She has the same blonde hair as the rest of our family with amazing blue eyes that shine like the sea.

  “Thank you Raine. I appreciate it truly. Father and I need to make a good impression tonight. Jayson really put us in a bind, and he will be lucky to escape this with his life. I cannot believe he has done this. She was amazing and absolutely loved by everyone, especially Armand.”

  “I know. The whole castle is talking about it. Julianna was such a lovely girl and always so kind. It was told that she would someday lead alongside Armand. I do not know how true that is. Either way it is a sad occasion and even more so how she was left. Swift and hard justice should be delivered to our brother whatever that may be. He deserves his fate for what he has done to Julianna and others.” She said in a voice that showcased her strength and dedication.

  “Princess Akasha, the car awaits” a housemaid came in and spoke.

  “Off you go Ash. Do not be nervous. Father will be there, remember to control your emotions and you will control your powers. All will be fine.” Raine said, trying to soothe me. I look at her one last time before I leave, and I can feel the love pouring out of her. She is truly a wonderful person and I cannot be prouder to call her my sister. With one final hug I say my goodbyes and take my leave.

  I greet Eddie our driver with a smile and a nod as he opens the limo door. I am greeted by my Father and Mother both dressed to empress. It still amazes me how beautiful they both are with their classic look. The ride was filled with small talk and nervousness. As the car slows the small talk comes to an end and silence fills the car. Each of us where nervous for our own reasons and no one wanted to or needing to vocalize their concerns. Mom is worried about Jayson and how Armand will want his retribution. Father is worried about preventing a war and I am worried I do not freeze everyone. When the car stopped, we all looked at each other silently trying to will each other strength for what is to come.