The Unfading Lands The Complete Set

by Katharine E Hamilton

  “That I may now stare at you for as long as I wish.” He winked at her making her blush as he waved to the crowd. The villagers tossed well wishes and roses up onto the parapet as Elizabeth and Clifton greeted them with happy hearts. A new life had started, a new chapter for her. She knew life in the East would be different, but since the rise of the South and the ever-present threat of the Unfading Lands stormed into their lives, she knew the North would always be her home. They would return here in due time. All of them would return here. She turned as her sister stepped onto the parapet and in between them to bestow the royal blessing upon their marriage and to hug Elizabeth.

  “I will miss you, sister.” Alayna stated quietly as she squeezed Elizabeth to her in a tight embrace.

  Elizabeth smiled and bit back her own tears as they giggled softly. “I will return soon enough.”

  “Aye, I know you will.” Alayna slipped her arms from Elizabeth’s shoulders and held her hands in front of her as Clifton stepped forward and bowed. Alayna waved away his formality as she hugged him tightly as well. When she slipped from his grasp he gently reached into his tunic pocket and withdrew a small folded piece of parchment bearing her name in her father’s handwriting. “This is yours, my Queen.” Clifton stated quietly. Alayna nervously took the letter and tucked it into her skirt.

  “You two be careful. I will be anxiously awaiting the next reconvening of the Council. Should you need me before then, all you have to do is send word.” Alayna soberly sought Elizabeth’s gaze. Nodding, Elizabeth grinned. “I will be fine, Alayna. You take care of yourself.”

  Alayna nodded as well as Prince Ryle stepped out and shook his brother’s hand in congratulations. “She will be well looked after.” He promised, the light touch to Alayna’s shoulder confirming Elizabeth’s hopes he would stay behind. Her heart relieved itself of the worry of her sister being alone and she smiled at the thought of Alayna being looked after by Ryle.

  “Well,” King Eamon stepped beside his son and waved to the people as well. “It is time we take our leave.” He turned to Alayna and hugged her. He pulled away from her slightly and looked into her calm gaze. “Take care my dear. If you should need anything, you know where to send for me.”

  Alayna nodded. “Thank you, King Eamon. Safe journeys.”

  “My boy.” He reached around Prince Ryle’s neck and pulled him into a firm embrace. “Take care of our Queen.” Ryle nodded. “I will, Father.” King Eamon squeezed Ryle’s shoulder as his eyes clouded with unshed tears. He took a deep breath before releasing his son’s shoulder.

  The Eastern royal carriages pulled to the main entrance of the castle, the horses’ bridles and the carriage covered in white roses and greenery. Clifton and Elizabeth made their way to the first carriage and they waved one last time before ducking inside. King Eamon bowed to King Anthony and his children and then turned and gave a final wave to his son and Alayna as he occupied the second carriage.

  To the sound of hooves and shouts of joy, Princess Elizabeth of the North and of the Realm united with the Eastern Kingdom.

  ∞

  Edward sat upon the log in his clearing and stared at the parchment in his hands. His father’s handwriting bold and confident. The fluid strokes crossing the page conveyed words of love and leadership. He shot a gaze to the rocks across the line, to the place his father drew his last breath. He had watched as his father gave into his sickness. The ease in which he passed his last letter and then sat on the stone. He had waved at Edward. A final small tilt of the hand as he gently closed his eyes and welcomed death. Edward pinched the bridge of his nose to halt the tears.

  There would be time for grieving later, he thought. For now, every ounce of his being would be used to destroy the boundary. If the boundary line did not exist, he would have been with his family, would have been with his father in those last moments. He stood and paced over the damp earth and tried to plan his next move. Lancer would give up on him soon if he did not embrace the power. He would not be able to cross by blood, but Edward knew Lancer would not relinquish his personal pursuit of Edward’s loyalty.

  He gripped the horn of his saddle and whipped his long leg over the side and into the stirrups. He needed to enter the reflection room on his own terms. He needed to see what lurked within its walls, without the distraction of Lancer’s empty words. As he trotted up to the castle, he quickly dismounted and shrugged away the welcomes of guards and attendants. He was on a mission, and his mission was darkness. He traveled the halls, his boots echoing on the stone floor, until he reached the door of Lancer’s reflection chamber. He glanced both directions and spotted no one. He then reached for the old iron handle and slipped inside. The room was dark, as was its usual condition. He stepped towards the middle of the room, his heart heavy, his thoughts whirling, and his hatred for the boundary line fueled his anger as he grabbed his sword and sliced the palm of his hand in a quick flourish. He did not feel the pain; he only felt anger. The rush of the heat in his veins had his heart pounding in his chest and the desperation of his emotions surfaced to an eruption. He screamed, a battle cry of anguish and ferocity.

  “How dare you?!” He screamed into the darkness. “How dare you take away my father?! How dare you take away my family?! How dare you take away my life?!” His cries bounced off the walls and no one answered. The flames did not light. The room was silent. He fell to his knees and sobbed. How could he sit back and watch his family die? How was he to break down that boundary that separated him from his family? How was he to fight an invisible force? Hatred versus hatred, he thought. Oh, and he hated whatever force enabled the hold Lancer possessed on the boundary line.

  Suddenly, the flames ignited, and the sconces burned bright around the room. Edward’s gaze looked to the door in fear of Lancer emerging. Spotting no one, his gaze then traveled down to the black smoke emerging around his knees. His breathing hitched, his blue eyes darkened, and the pain in his heart from his loss, overcame his senses and he allowed his hatred for Lancer to consume him. He felt the sting, that first initial pinch of pain as his hand pulsed. He stretched out his arms and wailed to the ceiling. Hatred was the key, he realized. The key to embracing the power. The key to the Land of Unfading Beauty. The key that locked the boundary line and the key that would open it. For he reached out his blood-stained hand and watched as the blackness seeped into his wound. His allegiance to the Realm drove his hatred towards Lancer and the Lands. There would be no turning back, he knew. He would risk his blood, his very life, to save the Realm. His father’s Realm. And he would do so with the very weapon Lancer believed him incapable of embracing. Hatred.

  Katharine E. Hamilton

  PROLOGUE

  Nine years ago…

  The sun glistened off the Rollings River and cascaded a myriad of colors atop the water’s soft ripples as it wound its way through the trees. Cecilia took a small bite from the tart apple she carried in her knapsack and sank back against the tree trunk and watched as a small bundle of birds chirped away within their nest in the large willow on the other side. The other side of the boundary line. The boundary line that separated the Realm of King Granton from The Land of Unfading Beauty. A line she was taught to fear. She watched as a little blue bird was nudged out of the nest by his mother. The sporadic flapping of his little wings, the uncertainty in the feeling of air beneath his feathers, the little bird struggled until he reached mere inches from the ground. At the last second, the small creature dove upward and swiftly made his way back to the nest. A proud mother, no doubt, Cecilia thought with a small smile. The smile quickly faded as she thought of her own mother. How long had it been since she last felt an ounce of love from the woman who brought her into this world? She shook her head and tried to erase the feelings of hurt that washed through her heart.

  Her mother had not been the same since her father’s death, a death that she blamed Cecilia for initiating. No doubt even more pain came every time she looked upon Cecilia, her fair hair and sapphire eyes the spitting
image of her father’s. She thought of those days on the water with her father. Days to fish and float up and down the river. The feel of the sunshine on her face and the sound of crickets hiding in the reeds. Those were the best days… until her father drowned. She shook away the thought.

  She caught sight of the little bird leaping from the nest on his own and testing the boundaries of the air with enthusiasm. How she wished to be free as a bird some days. She glanced down at the blisters on her palms and the dry and cracking knuckles of her hands. She helped her mother with the wash for the village. What little income they possessed came from washing other peoples’ clothes and linens. Her mother took pride in the fact that she once washed the linens of Queen Rebecca of the Northern Kingdom. Cecilia took pride in nothing related to washing others’ belongings. She wished for the wealth to pay someone else to do her own laundry. Maybe not wealth, she corrected herself, perhaps just enough to spare her the pain of raw hands. Lye-soaked buckets and washboards had filled her days since she was seven years old and the effects showed on her skin. Now, at twenty-two, Cecilia wished for a change. Was it her fate to end up like her mother? Alone and bitter at the life the world dealt her? Or could she change her fate?

  Looking across the boundary line, everything Cecilia had witnessed the last several months had only been happiness and beauty on the other side. The people that passed by always wore smiles. The animals always pranced with an energy she envied. And a man with the most charming smile always made sure to toss a wave her direction when he passed. Her heart longed to join in the happiness.

  “Cecilia! Cecilia Gale!” Her mother’s voice drifted through the trees. She sighed as she stood to her feet. Duty called. It was time for her to go home and help her mother sort the afternoon drop offs. She stretched her back and picked up her knapsack. She glanced once more at the small bird that now perched upon his own branch several above his mother’s nest. She could be like that, she thought. If she crossed. She would just be a mere stone’s throw away from her mother, yet far enough to start her own life. A life away from the pain of loss, away from the monotonous routine of washing, drying, and folding. Away from the dull life she had come to know. She heard her name once more and tuned her mother’s voice out. No more, she thought as the charming man stood before her surrounded by other smiling faces. What would it be like to converse with him and the other people who always seemed so happy? Sighing, she cast a tentative glance in the direction of her mother. No, she would not go back. She was an adult now, a woman. A grown woman, she determined. It was time for her to leave the nest, to take a leap of faith and plunge into the unknown.

  Toes buzzing from the warmth of the boundary line, Cecilia took the plunge, and Cecilia Gale of the Northern Highlands stepped forward, leaving her old life behind. Embracing the hand of a handsome stranger, she crossed into The Land of Unfading Beauty.

  NINE YEARS LATER…

  CHAPTER 1

  Elizabeth gazed out the side of the carriage as the trees rolled by in a mass wave of green and wood, the light pine smell fluttering through the carriage and mixing with the scents of masculinity surrounding her. Her blue gaze travelled to Prince Clifton, her new husband. He glanced her direction, and she blushed before turning to gaze back out the window. What was to become of her now that she headed to the Eastern Kingdom? She had wished to speak with Edward one last time, but Clifton had carried the messages since her injury, and she had yet to venture out of the castle walls until her departure for the East. She brushed her fingertips over the elegant fabric of her wedding gown, the silver thread over the pale, blue silk felt smooth to the touch. She was a Princess of the East now, she thought. A wife to Prince Clifton, the future king. She shook her head. It was all too much to think about at the moment. Her mind wandered to Alayna and the stress she must be feeling now that she occupied the Northern Kingdom alone. Elizabeth found herself kneading her hands in her lap, worried for Alayna and the loneliness she prayed her sister did not experience.

  “Is there something on your mind, Elizabeth?” Clifton asked softly, a look of concern in his meadow green gaze.

  She smiled shyly. “I was just thinking of Alayna. I already miss her.” She flushed at the admission and glanced down at her hands.

  “I’m sure she misses you too.” Clifton added with a faint smile. Nerves and worry etched his face as he tried to appear calm and confident. “It will take some getting used to for the both of you… not being around one another every day.”

  “Yes.” Elizabeth commented softly, a hint of sadness in her voice. “Yes, it will.”

  Clifton shifted uncomfortably and lightly tugged at the collar of his tunic. “Mary will arrive ahead of us.” He continued. “I asked her to make our quarters to your liking.”

  “Thank you.” Elizabeth responded politely, her insides fluttering like butterflies at his usage of our quarters.

  “I hope the Eastern Kingdom pleases you, Elizabeth. Though we will have days of reconstruction and repair ahead of us since the South’s assault, I believe you may find it quite lovely.”

  “I’m sure I will.” Her gaze travelled back out the window, and Clifton rubbed a hand over his jaw as he struggled to make conversation with his new wife. He knew Elizabeth would miss her own kingdom and sister, but her adventurous spirit had encouraged him up until today. He thought she would be up for experiencing a new journey, but her quietness and disengagement preyed upon his own nervousness and doubts.

  “Do you think Prince Isaac and Princess Melody had successful journeys back to the West?” She asked quietly.

  “I’m sure they are still on the road much like us. It is a full day’s ride for them as it is us.” He answered.

  “Perhaps once we are settled, they can come visit?” Elizabeth turned to him with her question and he nodded, forcing a faint smile. “Of course.”

  He watched as a relieved smile washed over her face and her gaze travelled over him. “I meant to tell you how handsome you looked today… at our… wedding.” She finished in a whisper. She watched the flicker in his eyes as they changed from anxious to relieved. He flashed his wide smile and reached for her hand. “Thank you, love. You were quite a vision yourself, and still are, as you sit with me.”

  They both slightly relaxed and Elizabeth lightly rested her head upon his shoulder and listened to the horses’ hooves travel over the rocky terrain. Though she had spent several days recovering from her amputation, exhaustion still came swiftly, and pain… oh, the pain was still unbearable. She knew she had yet to make a full recovery, but with the latest events, her own body took secondary attention compared to the rest. She felt the sting of pain filtering up her leg and held back a wince. She sighed as Clifton leaned his head on hers. “Get some sleep, my love.” He whispered. “We will reach the Eastern Kingdom in the morning.”

  She felt him lightly kiss the top of her head as she rested against him and her pulse raced. Her biggest adventure was about to begin, she thought, as she threaded her fingers through Clifton’s. Though she was nervous about married life, she felt confident they would be happy. Though she missed her siblings and her friends from the West, she felt a slight thrill at the upcoming introduction to the Eastern Kingdom.

  ∞

  Alayna hugged Princess Melody of the Western Kingdom tightly around the shoulders as both women fought back their tears. Alayna smiled and pulled Melody out in front of her. “You are welcome to visit anytime.”

  Melody smiled in thanks. “I just might take you up on that, my future Queen.” Melody’s blue gaze travelled over Alayna’s shoulder to where Prince Samuel of the Southern Kingdom stood next to King Anthony.

  Alayna followed her gaze and grinned. “Perhaps you can make the trip to see us for my coronation and for Samuel’s as well.”

  “I would like that very much.” Melody’s blonde hair bobbed up and down when she nodded enthusiastically. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned as her older brother, Isaac, stepped forward. He smirked and reached ou
t his arms. “Don’t I get a hug?”

  Alayna rolled her eyes and briefly hugged the pompous prince. Though she had seen a slight change in his cavalier attitude, she was still not fully convinced Isaac had changed his colors. Her sister, Elizabeth, however, felt otherwise. He studied Alayna’s caramel gaze for a moment. “You miss her already, don’t you?” He asked quietly.

  Alayna turned to him in surprise.

  His lips tilted into a half smile. “You aren’t the only one, Princess.”

  Alayna’s head shifted slightly to the side as she surveyed Prince Isaac. His cheeks slightly flushed as he bowed and hurried away. His father, King Anthony, stepped forward, his red tunic crisp and bright. Her heart ached that her father, King Granton, was no longer here with her. Seeing his good friend made her wish for his company. “My dear,” he began as he lightly patted her shoulder, “You are not in this alone. Please remember you have friends. Your father would want us to help you in this transition.”

  “Yes, my Lord, I know. I thank you for your willingness. Though my father wished for my coronation to be this week, I’m afraid everyone needs to get settled after all the excitement. Once the kingdoms are stable again, I will send word of a date.”

  “I think that very wise.” Anthony replied. “I imagine your sister will hastily return once she and Prince Clifton have made their appearance in the East. The prince’s connection with the boundary line must be utilized.”

  “I agree. Though I would like to give my sister time to adjust to married life prior to her coming back here.” Alayna added. King Anthony nodded with hesitation. Alayna could tell he did not wish to leave her, but his duty was to his own kingdom. She forced a confident smile. “Until our next meeting, King Anthony.” She curtsied as he bowed.

  She and Prince Samuel stood on the parapet and watched as the Western entourage slowly trotted away. Alayna watched the carriages until she no longer saw them on the edge of the horizon. She sensed Prince Samuel’s disappointment as well.