by Jake Adler
“What’s wrong?” Talina asked in alarm as she saw his face turn white with fear.
“I will tell you later.”
Having thanked Anatole and Marguerite for their warm hospitality and open offer of a return if they needed help again, Ethan and Talina collected their belongings and left. They stood silently for a moment as they stared up at the pale winter sky while deep in thought. An icy breeze suddenly whipped through the trees further down the street, causing them to pull their cloaks more tightly around themselves. It was then that Ethan realised that their attire was totally unsuitable if they wanted to blend into the city.
Talina still wore her blue silken blouse, black leather trousers and matching high boots and was warmed by a thick, black woollen cloak that looked more suitable as eveningwear or for a party rather than modern Parisian daywear. Ethan still wore his green woollen shirt and brown leather trousers, jacket, boots and beautifully engraved set of greaves and dark green woollen cloak. He wrinkled his nose in disgust as he also noticed for the first time that his clothing was also beginning to get dirty.
Their need for funds was quickly resolved when Talina produced one of the many jewellery items that she was carrying and they sold it at an independent jewellery store for a significant sum of money. Within a couple of hours, they had equipped themselves with a couple of fresh outfits more befitting of the crowds that surrounded them. Talina wore a practical pair of dark blue jeans, red cotton blouse and matching coloured jumper, black woollen coat, knee high leather boots and white silken scarf. Ethan wore a pair of distressed fashion jeans, expensive trainers, dark blue shirt, black woollen jumper and a brand new black leather jacket. On a whim he added a woollen cap with the initials NY crocheted upon its front. For the first time in many weeks, Ethan felt happy and content and he allowed himself a few brief moments to enjoy it.
After they had booked a room in a local hotel for a couple of days in preparation for the time needed to search Pére Lachaise cemetery and figure out their next move, they stopped outside a small café for lunch.
Ethan stared down at his coffee cup, disliking the fact that he had to end their relaxed atmosphere of the morning, “Alexon told me that a demon is hunting us.”
“I know,” Talina replied calmly, “I sensed it when we crossed over. My surprise was what actually made me lose my footing and hurt my head.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was trying to choose the right moment.”
Ethan grimaced, “I can’t risk visiting my parents.”
Talina nodded in sympathy and reached over the table to touch his hand, “At least they are safe. Once we find the ‘second seal’ it will all be over,” she removed her hand and frowned, “I’m sure Cara will be very happy to see you again.”
Ethan blinked, “What do you mean?”
“I saw you two together the night before we left.”
Ethan realised now why she had acted so differently towards him on the morning of their departure. Talina had clearly liked him from the very beginning but she had thought that he had a girlfriend. Although he was fond of Cara, he knew instinctively that there was something about Talina that he didn’t want to lose, “I can’t explain it but you mean so much more to me.”
They stared at each other as they tried judge the sincerity of one another’s words. Finally, it was Talina who broke the silence, “We must focus on our quest Ethan, but let’s revisit this again when the time is right.”
“We certainly shall,” replied Ethan and then surprised himself by leaning over the table and kissing her fully on the mouth.
Epilogue
The Dwarves had saved the city of Takrak and Ethan had ended the failing spell of Brid Clodagh to save the loss of magic from the world. He had spoken the words of power at The Throne of Vines and begun a new spell that had begun to send the creatures back inside the veil.
Yet his quest is not complete. Ethan has returned to his own world with Princess Talina to enact the ‘second seal’ but they have arrived to learn that GraJin now hunts them. The apprentice mages are imprisoned and the city of Ellington is ruled by Yariq. The High Dragon remains entombed by dark magic and the knowledge he holds that explains why the Northern races support the demons is lost. The enemy armies have begun their inevitable march of destruction. They will destroy everything in their path unless the reason behind their attacks can be determined or a way can be found to stop them.
* * * *
The power of the magic hit the demon square in the chest and flung it back towards the wall but it immediately sprang back and hissed in anger. It moved in a series of feints, aimed at confusing the High King of the Thirteenth Tier as it began to look for a break in his defences. Although its body ached from the battle it sensed that what happened next would decide the fate of the entire war. But the High King was too clever and had already anticipated its next move. Before it had a chance to leap again, a burst of magical energy held its body fixed to the ground as a great magical fire spread and burned through it until nothing was left but a cloud of ash. Only a faint, charred imprint of where its feet once stood was all that was remained as proof that it ever existed. Few of his kind had ever challenged the High King and even fewer had ever wanted peace. He curled his lips in disgust at the thought as he lifted his gaze towards the second of the three moons that encircled his world. Its blood red hue provided a good omen that tomorrow would be a good day to do battle.
The following titles by Jake Adler are due for release soon
The Dragon’s Cup: Book Two of the Nemedian Trilogy
The Devil’s Mirror: Book Three of the Nemedian Trilogy
About the author:
Jake Adler is a lifelong fan of epic fantasy. The Nemedia Trilogy stands as a tribute to fans of epic fantasy and those who love Celtic, Norse and Greek mythology.
Connect with Jake Adler Online:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JakeAdlerWriter
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jake.adler.712
Blog: http://magickingdoms.wordpress.com/
Thank you for reading The Wizard’s Magic Kingdom. I hope that you enjoyed reading this book and if you did, please leave a review.
Table of Contents
Copyright
Map
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
