by M. R. Polish
“I thought you were dead.” So many years and so many trials she faced alone thinking he was gone. Tears unashamedly fell in pools, hitting the dusty ground.
He reached up and touched her necklace. “This is what kept me alive. Because the power inside of it is only good when the person is alive. Not only did you need my help, but Marin wanted my powers. He thought if he had the necklace then he would have them.”
“Oh, Father, I’m so sorry. If I’d known you were still alive I would have come sooner.” Karis clasped a hand around his.
She turned to Brady and took his hand. “Father I want you to meet Brady. He’s the reason I’m alive and here today.”
Brady held his hand out, but King Perious pulled him in for a hug. “Brady, my boy, thank you for saving my daughter.”
Zeus gave Karis a quick tap on her shoulder. “Atty’s already gone, I’m going to help.”
King Perious scrunched his brow together. “Who else is here?”
Karis worried how Atty would find him. “Azul.”
“Don’t worry, he’s strong,” her father said, not ceasing to amaze her with his confidence, even after such a long time in a prison.
They walked to the edge of the landing outside the cell and watched as Zeus followed Atty up the next tower. The iron doors of the cell popped loudly as Zeus ripped them off.
Azul staggered out, barely standing. His swollen face had welts and cuts all over.
“It’s about time you finally saved me,” Azul said as he grasped Atty’s arms the best he could and pulled her to him. He gave her a quick kiss before pushing back. “Let’s get the hell outa here.”
Atty nodded, her jaw dropped.
They all descended the towers and met at the crevice. Hades stood there, waiting for them. “The war is over. I told you all I wanted was to go home and take my place as Baratrum’s ruler. I hope you understand why I took you. We all had something that tied us to our homes and you were my string.”
Karis nodded. “Then peace will be between our worlds.”
The sounds of the battle no longer echoed through the encampment of cells. Stepping out on the other side of the crack, Karis rubbed her eyes. The real sun was rising for the first time in years. Hades was the rightful leader of Baratrum, and the world was welcoming him home.
Hades was the last one to come through the crack.
Brady walked over and punched him. “That was for taking Karis.” He wrung his hand as he strode away.
Rubbing his jaw, Hades cringed, but then relaxed. He chuckled. “I deserved that.“
Nodding, Brady took Karis’s hand. “I think we’re square now.”
Karis smiled and mouthed a thank you to Hades. Taking her father by the arm, she whispered. “Let’s go home.”
King Perious raised a finger, and swirled it around. Now that he was out of his cell he could once again use his mighty energy. Energy that was killed for, sought after, and had his daughter banished. It was his energy that Marin wanted to badly that he became infatuated with owning power. It was when he was born that the prophecy was foretold.
Shamike’s humid air tasted of salt from the sea. “Shamike, we have returned and brought our King home!” Karis cried out to all who were there.
The men kneeled and women dropped to their knees. “Long live the king and his daughter!”
Brady wrapped Karis in his arms, and not caring who saw, leaned in and let his lips crash upon hers. He needed to know that she was there and safe. His hands caressed her back, and his lips devoured her mouth. Pressing himself closer, his soul blended with hers and nothing in any world mattered but her. She was his happiness. She was his universe.
Epilogue
How did she let Brady talk her into this? Her dress didn’t even fit the way it should and all everyone would see was her enormous baby belly. She sat on the bed and huffed. This was supposed to be the best day ever, but all she felt was bloated and uncomfortable.
What was the big deal about being a family before the baby came? If they waited their baby could have walked down the aisle with them. It would’ve been cute.
Standing, she smoothed out her dress and fixed the crown of white rose buds that Alexis made for her from the bushes in the garden. A fresh tear entered her eye as she thought about how she not only thought she’d never have a wedding, but that her father would never walk her down the aisle.
Rubbing her stomach, she concluded how life was good to her. It was hard not to be reminded of the old saying, good things come to those who wait. Because, she waited a very long time by herself before Brady crashed into her life.
It was hard to say goodbye to those she lost along the way too. Diana… Tharious… She tossed her slippers down and decided against them. She didn’t care how improper it was for a princess to go without shoes at her own wedding.
She smiled. What a relief it was to be known as the princess again and not the queen. She was so not ready for that responsibility, no matter how hard she tried while her father was gone. She hoped there would be many more years to train and prepare before she had to take on that title again. But now she had someone to help her, just as her father had Tarine and her grandfather before he passed.
She sighed.
Tarine. Oh, Tarine, he was like a second father to her but unfortunately he never made it out of Baratrum. Knowing she was the last person to speak to him, through her necklace, gave her chills.
Her father crushed the pendant and then had it burned. He didn’t want his daughter to ever be a victim of some power hungry tyrant again.
The baby kicked her ribs, drawing her mind to the present and reminding her the time was near.
Thinking of those things wouldn’t bring them back.
A sharp pain wrapped around her middle. “Oh no, you are not coming out until after this ceremony now. I already have the dress on.”
Breathing through the pain, she flung her door open and walked as fast as she dared to find Brady while the contraction was gone. She made it all the way to the entrance of the gardens where the ceremony was being held. Still no pain. Humm… Maybe it was false.
Her father, King Perious, rounded the corner. He stopped to take in her sight. “I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful, except your mother.”
Karis smiled. “Thank you. But I’m afraid I look like an unnatural bride with the baby being the one who will steal the show.”
“Aw, but see, that is natural. And I see you as well.” He took her arm. “Ready?”
She nodded. Butterflies flapped their wings raptly in her stomach—not that there was much room in there for flying creatures with the baby taking all the room.
The doors opened. Rows of guests filled the space. Lavender colored seats trimmed in yellow ribbon, and the same coloring for flowers lined the aisle. The grass blades tickled the bottom of her feet as she chose to go without shoes. But all she saw was Brady.
His muscular frame stood patiently waiting for the woman he loves. Her heart skipped a beat, or two, or three. His double breasted gray suit fit him exactly the way a suit should, with just the top buttons buttoned, and a yellow tie.
It was hard to take her eyes off of him to notice that anyone else stood up there as well. Atty and Alexis were there as her support. There would be no better woman than Alexis to have as a maid of honor, even though it pained her to not live out her childhood fantasy of having Corina, but after the war ended no one could find her.
Brady’s best man, Azul, cast a glance at Atty, and Magnus looked at his wife. It was perfect. That was her family in every way.
Evan, who went back to Earth, would always hold a special place with her, but it was better this way. Besides, the last time Karis heard anything about him, he looked Arika up and they were now traveling the world together. Probably making chaos for humans, but at least they were finding their happily ever after.
Karis made it all the way to the end of the aisle when another pain sliced through her stomach. She cried out and bent over.
>
“Karis, are you okay?” Brady took her hand and bent over with her.
Breathe. Just Breathe. She could feel the pain descending. Standing up she gave him her best smile. “I think we better hurry with this ceremony because I’m not putting this dress on again.”
Vows were never something Karis listened to at a wedding, but this time they were hers and she clung to every word. This was her happily ever after and she wanted to hear everything it included. Apparently, the baby was just as excited because another contraction tightened around her.
Brady held her hand and locked eyes. “You can do it. Just breathe. I love you.”
She nodded but couldn’t say anything. Her heart raced. What if she couldn’t do it? She’d never thought about having a baby. What if she was the one woman who just could not do it?
The pain ended, and the vows continued. Brady leaned in and kissed her. His hands reached up around her head and pulled her in deeper. His other hand still held the one he just placed a ring on, and they both rested on her stomach.
“Okay, now we need to get up stairs,” Karis said, breaking the kiss. She could already feel the tightening of another contraction.
Brady picked her up and swiftly carried her to their room in the palace. Alexis and Atty were already there. Alexis barked orders to anyone who would listen and demanded fresh hot water, towels, and blankets.
“I can’t do this,” Karis whimpered as another pain gripped her insides.
Brady wrapped his hands around hers. “You can. I’ve seen you take on evil men twice your size because you’re not scared of anything. You saved me from an airplane crash, you traveled around different worlds, and you can turn into a freaking mermaid. I promise. You can do this.”
Just as he promised, it wasn’t long before Karis was kissing the top of her daughter’s head. She held her up for Brady to hold. Now her future was complete. Nothing in any world could ever give her as much happiness as the sight of her husband holding their new daughter.
The End
Wolf Spell Preview
Prologue
Eighteen years ago…
“Run Adonia!” Torres cried out to his wife as she hurried from the grove. He stood with his muscles tense, ready to defend his beloved and their unborn child. Her heavy footsteps became distant on the forest floor, giving him hope that she escaped.
For years, magical people have fought against each other. Nicholas, the leader of the dark witches, demanded power and authority, but when he found out Adonia carried a child after hundreds of years it became worse. For she was the most powerful witch and her unborn child would be the first magical guardian.
A distinctive low moan sounded from down the mountain. Torres twisted, holding his hand up to shield his eyes from the afternoon sun to scan the trees. He was not sure how many there were, but he was certain with Hela, his spirit wolf’s help they could hold them off long enough to let Adonia flee safely.
A man emerged from behind the trees to his right. Torres’s heart clenched around the grief he carried for his people as he recognized the man in front of him. Only now, the once proud warlock had fangs and craved blood.
The magical race was quickly becoming extinct. Nicholas was turning them into vicious creatures of the night against their will. Crossbreeds, who were half-magic and half-vampire.
But there was a problem. The crossbreeds were not surviving. They were dying off before Nicholas could find a way to utilize their full potential as his bonded slaves. Nicholas was irate and hastily searched for a solution to his problem. He needed Torres’s unborn child. The council of the five witches prophesied her to be one of the most powerful in the magical line. Nicholas needed her to complete the transformation spell, and seal the fate of the world into his hands.
Torres spun around, looking for more. Surely, Nicholas would send more than one dying man to capture Adonia.
The man sent a small power surge out to seize Torres, but he was faster. Taking a deep breath before charging at the old man, he lunged. Hela was quickly on his heels, helping to take the crossbreed down.
Torres only had one magical ability, but it would be of no help here. He needed to rely on his physical training and use his inner wolf. He dodged the next blast of magic then rammed his shoulder in the middle of the man’s chest, knocking them both over. Without hesitating, he reached for the belt he’d worn over the last two hundred years, pulled out a wooden stake, and stabbed him.
With the stake firmly embedded in the heart, streaks of black spread out, covering the entire body until it was a charcoal color. Torres jumped off the decayed crossbreed and scanned the tree line for more intruders. He would have to come back later to take the head and burn the body. A full vampire decomposed and turned to ash when killed, but a crossbreed needed additional actions to assure their death. The small amount of magic inside of them could keep them in a deathlike state, waiting to be awaken, unless the beheading and burning protocols happened. He worried that if Nicholas ever found a way to use his child, it would be enough to revive all the crossbreeds who resided in the sleep-like state from death.
A scream echoed up the mountain. Torres listened and heard another one, knowing instantly that it was his wife. Never before did his legs carry him so fast. He jumped over fallen trees, and then trudged through a small creek that fed the river lower down.
For a short moment, he stopped to make certain he was on the right path. Hela grumbled beside him. “Follow me.”
Torres didn’t hesitate. His wolf had never let him down before. He followed close behind the great silver wolf. Hela slowed and disappeared into the spirit world, becoming invisible to anyone around, even Torres. But Torres knew he was still there, he could feel him, inside his chest the familiar bond tugged at his soul confirming it.
Muffled moans and crying broke the silence. Stepping lightly on the forest floor, Torres followed the sounds, finding Adonia tied with rope. The crossbreeds were dragging her along the path.
He could feel his anger boil in the depths of his soul as he watched them with his wife. Jumping out from behind the bushes, he grabbed whatever stakes he had left in his belt, and began swinging.
He had gotten at least ten down before one rushed at him swinging a large branch. He ducked, but the limb caught him on the back of the head. The blunt force knocked him down, making the whole world dark.
Adonia screamed in pain. Never before had she experienced such severe pain. She took another deep breath, and tried to concentrate. Locked in an underground cell was not her ideal place to give birth, but she no choice.
Under the earth, inside the warded cells of dirt, except for minute bursts of energy her magic was void. Every time she tried to use her powers, it drained her even more.
Another contraction squeezed around her abdomen. She clenched her teeth and groaned. It was hard to focus on her breathing. Finally, it let up, and she gasped in short pants.
She hoped her husband was okay. Praying the crossbreeds didn’t kill him back in the woods. Tears stung her eyes. It shouldn’t be this way.
Another contraction tightened around her stomach. She could feel it was time to push. Adonia thought the pain would not end, but then she heard the most beautiful sound. Her daughter cried, her precious—Esmerelda.
With what little magic she had left, she held her daughter close, and summoned a protection spell to keep her baby safe. She knew it was only a matter of time before Nicholas would send someone in after her.
Adonia kissed and kissed her, holding her tight. Her tears washed her newborn infant. Light filled the darkness and a woman descended down into the void. Adonia knew the time had come. She struggled with all her strength, holding on as long as she could, but the woman snatched the only thing she had left in the world.
Chapter One
Arabeth
I ran my hand along the familiar wooden railing. Each step downstairs brought a painful stab to my heart. The flowing black dress I wore danced around my ankles with each m
ovement. I pulled my sweater around my chest tighter, wrapping it around me to create a cocoon of comfort.
I could feel my cheeks grow hot, and I brushed off the fresh tears that continued to flow since my mom’s death, trying not to ruin my freshly applied makeup. On the last step, I hesitated. It was as if contact with the cold tile would cause it to crack and swallow me whole. I gulped another sob back and touched the toe of my shoe down. The tap from the sole hitting against the floor echoed in the deserted room.
I kept my arms folded around my chest, and stood there with my eyes closed. I took in a long breath and anticipated the familiar scent of lilacs that my mom smelled like. I exhaled and opened my eyes—a stale and bitter stench came from a row of empty beer bottles lined up on the marble countertop. I couldn’t remember the last time my dad drank.
I clenched my fists as I stormed across the kitchen floor to the row of alcohol containers. It took all the restraint I had not to yell out loud. I had come home for her funeral, but maybe it was a mistake to stay in this house. All of the bittersweet memories filled me. Every fight they ever had, every curse, and every slammed door.
Grabbing each bottle, I threw them on the floor, and watched as shimmers of glass exploded around me. Tiny brown slivers danced across the tile, and my world crashed down along with them. I was so angry that my hands shook. It felt good to throw something. A petty tantrum I know, but in some weird way I needed to do it.
“What are you doing?” I jumped as my dad’s unexpected voice filled the room.
Turning as he entered the kitchen, the sight of his six-foot frame, tailored in a black jacket made me freeze. His sun-tanned skin the perfect complexion against the white collared shirt. Every strand of his thick chestnut hair was perfectly in place, and his face was clean-shaven. Something he rarely did. I was in awe as I looked up at him—he towered over my five foot six inches. I never saw him wear a suit before, and it caused my gut to twist as I became more conscious to the reality of the day.
