The Key ( #1 Anna Kippling Series) YA Paranormal Romance / Epic Fantasy

by A. D. Duling

  “Hayden, we need to leave as soon as possible!” Anna declared and shut her book. Anna went to climb out of bed again, but his hand went to her shoulder and pushed her back down.

  “We will Anna… but not right now, you need to rest,” he said, “You’re not in any condition for a rescue.” Hayden stressed to her and pulled the blanket back over her.

  Even though the medicine had started to kick in, Anna still ached and she was too exhausted to really argue. She slumped back against her pillow in surrender and stared up at him, defeated. Corrine grabbed her tray of food off the nightstand and sat it down on her lap, “You need to eat as well and get your strength back before you go anywhere!” She scolded her. Anna smiled and gave a salute in reply. “Good girl!” the woman teased her back.

  “If Anna can travel in the morning, we’ll have to go mother…” Hayden prepared her.

  Corrine nodded and put the corks back in the medicine bottles, “I know son.” She replied softly and walked over to the door. She opened it and looked back at him, “I will tell your father to prepare for your journey,” She told him.

  “Thank you mother,” said Hayden, “I’ll be down in a few minutes to help…” he added.

  Corrine nodded and smiled at him, “Take your time…” she said and looked at Anna. Anna had already fallen asleep and was snoring a little.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  Anna opened her eyes and found the room dark. Disorientated, she bolted upright and yelled for Hayden.

  “Anna,” She felt a hand touch hers and she jerked it away, “It’s ok… it’s me,” Hayden assured her and lit the lamp.

  Anna nodded and rubbed her throat; Hayden walked around to the nightstand and poured her a glass of water. He handed it to her and she gulped it down, the cool liquid soothed her dry and aching throat.

  “How long have I been asleep?” she asked him, handing it back to him.

  “You’ve been asleep for almost eight hours,” He answered her.

  She reached down and rubbed her grumbling stomach, “Man! I’m already hungry again!” Anna said to him and Hayden laughed.

  “You only ate a bowl of soup for lunch Anna, that doesn’t hold up long,” He teased her and picked up a plate. “This should fix that,” said Hayden and he placed the napkin covered plate on her lap. Anna removed the cloth napkin and found a sandwich underneath. She sat up a little more and picked up a cut half and took a bite from it. “What happened with the imposter?” she asked him, chewing.

  “She’s sitting in a very wet and cold jail cell right now,” He answered bitterly.

  “Where’s my book?” Anna asked him, looking around a little worried.

  Hayden grabbed it off of the nightstand and showed it to her. “Safe, right here,” he assured her and Anna gave him a thankful look.

  Anna put her sandwich down and held her hand out for it. Hayden handed it to her and walked back over to his chair. She opened her book and asked, “Where is the Empress?”

  She still resides in the east tower of the Chancellor’s castle. It wrote.

  “How do we get to his castle?” she asked it.

  Go south towards the city of Heron; continue on westward through the Forests of Darkness and you will find his castle hidden there... It wrote.

  Anna closed the book and looked over at Hayden, “Can you get us there?” She asked him.

  He nodded.

  “Good, I think we should definitely leave in the morning,” She told him.

  “Do you feel up to it?” he asked her and she nodded.

  He stretched his body and stood up, “Well as much as I would love to stay, I really do need to get some sleep and preferably in a bed!” He confessed to her, smiling.

  Anna laughed as he walked over to the door. Hayden stopped and looked back at her, “I’ve already packed and I’ve asked a friend to join us… When you’ve finished eating, you’re more than welcome to take a bath,” Hayden suggested to her, “There are fresh clothes for you on the dresser,” He added.

  Anna laughed, “Are you implying that I stink?” she asked him.

  Hayden grinned, “I am and you do!” He teased back and then left her for his bed.

  Hayden was right, Anna did stink and as she submerged her body into the warm water of the bathtub that following morning, all of her aches disappeared along with her stench. Her wounds burned a little at first, but the warmth of the water felt too good on her stiff body for her to care. And after a long soak, Anna dressed herself in a buttoned up shirt, tucked into a pair of trousers that seemed once to be Hayden’s and cinched the belt that was included with them. She ran a brush through her hair and tied it up into a ponytail, before she threw her stinky clothing into the laundry basket and headed down to the chattering group below.

  Everyone was up and eating breakfast already when she walked up. Sitting next to Hayden sat a tiny blonde girl. He stood up when he spotted Anna and looked down to his company, “Anna, I would like to introduce my friend Valencia, who we call Val,” He introduced her.

  “Don’t worry Anna, I’m a lot older than I look and tougher too.” the girl spoke right after.

  Anna shook her head; “I didn’t say…” she went.

  “Val can read minds, Anna.” Hayden spoke up.

  Anna nodded and smiled embarrassedly. “Oh…” she said.

  “Don’t worry Anna, I won’t do it all the time!” the girl assured her.

  Anna laughed, “Good! Sometimes my thoughts get away from me!” she warned her.

  Val smiled, “I like you too, Anna Kippling.”

  Anna laughed again, “Hey! I thought you said you wouldn’t?” she chided her.

  Val grinned, “I said not all the time…” She played and stood up, “I have something to give you Anna,” she said and pointed over to the wrapped object lying at the end of the table. Anna walked over to it and un-wrapped the cloth over it; revealing a sword.

  Val walked over and pointed to the handle, “Your family’s name has been etched onto it and each of these jewels represents something,” She explained, “But this was Hayden’s doing, so I will let him explain,” Val stepped aside for Hayden.

  Hayden pointed to the first jewel of the four that lined it. “The emerald I picked to match the color of your eyes, it also represents your presence Anna,” He explained. “The diamond represents the light you have brought to Tatania,” Hayden then pointed to the third stone, “The onyx represents your strength and perhaps now even your stubbornness,” He teased a little and Anna gave him a playful glare. “The fourth one; the sapphire, represents your love, Anna,” He finished, looking at her warmly.

  Anna ran her hand along the body of the sword, admiring it.

  “I cannot thank you both enough for such a beautiful gift!” she thanked them.

  Val handed the sheath for it to Hayden and he sheathed it for Anna and gave it to her.

  “I had this forged and Hayden contributed the stones, but this gift was not from us,” Her new friend revealed to her.

  Anna looked from one to the other. “Then who did?”

  Chapter Twenty Six

  Hayden looked past her and she turned around. A couple stood behind her and Anna knew instantly who they were. Her Great- Grandparents walked over to her as she stared amazed at their youthful looks. It was hard to imagine the great part, since they looked to young. It seemed everyone aged slowly in Tatania; they looked not much older than her grandmother.

  “I was beginning to think you did not exist,” said Anna.

  Her Great- Grandmother walked over and hugged her, “When we heard you were here, we could not wait to meet you!” She exclaimed and kissed her cheek.

  “There is something I must tell you about grandma…” Anna somberly began, but the woman shook her head and hugged her again.

  “You don’t have to say anything…we already know,” She stopped her.

  “Can I get a hug from this beautiful young lady too?” Her Great- Grandfather broke in, lightening the mood.
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br />   The woman laughed and let go of Anna, “Of course you can!” She told him and wiped her eyes. She stepped aside and let her husband have a turn.

  He wrapped his arms around Anna and gave her a gentle squeeze. “I hope you are feeling much better, my dear. We heard about what happened to you the other night,” He softly spoke in her ear.

  “Still a little sore, but I’ll survive,” Anna hugged him back.

  “Of course you will, it’s in your blood!” he teasingly bragged and released her.

  “Do I call you Great-Grandpa?” she asked him.

  He laughed and shook his head. “No Way! You’ll get my lady friends thinking I am old!” he teased her and his wife smacked his arm. He rubbed it and gave her a playful wounded look, she shook her head him and grinned.

  “How about we take off the great so your grandfather won’t feel so old!” she playfully suggested.

  “That sounds great to me!” Anna played along.

  “Now wait a minute! I happen to like the great part! It makes me feel… superior!” he teased.

  “Gerald you are great at many things, but you are far from superior!” His wife playfully shot back.

  “Alright woman, I surrender!” he laughed, holding his hands up.

  “And I thought Hayden was bad!” said Anna, laughing.

  “Did I hear my name?” Hayden playfully stepped in and the women laughed.

  The newfound family walked over to the table together and joined the rest of them for breakfast. Her grandfather sat down and started up a conversation with Harmon, while her grandmother chatted with Val, letting Anna eat her breakfast.

  “You’ll not leave that spot, until you’ve eaten every bite!” Corrine teasingly threatened her as Anna took another bite in compliance.

  Her Grandmother noticed the pendant necklace around her neck and perked up, “You’re wearing her necklace…” she said.

  Anna nodded and chewed, “Yes and we just discovered the key inside it!” She shared.

  The woman shook her head, “I was not aware of that, but I do know something about the pendant that I think you will like… May I see it Anna?” she asked her and Anna pulled it up over her head and handed the necklace to her. Her Grandmother put it on and held the pendant in her hand. She then rubbed the stone and spoke, “Conceal me,” and disappeared.

  “Reveal me,” Followed and the woman reappeared.

  “Amazing!” declared Corrine, who walked back in just in time to see the display.

  “Yes… it is!” Anna agreed as her grandmother handed the necklace back to her.

  “Do you have the matching bracelet too?” Her grandmother asked her.

  Anna nodded and pulled up her sleeve and slipped it off for her.

  “Now I’m excited to see what this does!” She squealed as she handed the bracelet over to her grandmother.

  The woman took it and slipped it on her wrist, “With this bracelet you can go back in time, but only a matter of minutes,” She explained and then demonstrated rubbing her finger above the stone, “Rub your finger over the stone and say, give me time… and there you go!” She said, taking it off. “But… a word of caution my dear, please use this wisely,” She warned her as she handed the bracelet back to her granddaughter.

  Anna nodded and put it back on. After breakfast they all made their way outside to say their goodbyes.

  “We will pray for your safety and look forward to your return,” Her grandfather said and hugged her warmly.

  Hayden hugged his mother goodbye and climbed up onto Thunder. After the woman gave Val her hug, the petite girl mounted her own horse and trotted over to Anna’s. Corrine walked over to Anna and hugged her.

  “Be safe and take your medicine!” She scolded her and Anna hugged her back. Anna climbed up onto her horse and looked down as Harmon walked up behind his wife.

  “Try to bring him back undamaged!” He teased her, referring to his son and gave her a wink; Anna grinned her reply and nodded.

  Hayden trotted over to his father and reached over and tussled at his hair. Harmon reached up and slapped away his son’s hand, “Let me alone boy! You had better return home in one piece, for your mother’s sake, you hear me!” he threatened him, catching his son’s playful hand and held it.

  Hayden nodded and squeezed his hand, “I hear you!” He replied with seriousness as the father and son exchanged looks. Harmon gave him a nod and let his son’s hand go. Corrine blew him a kiss and pressed against her husband.

  Hayden gave her a wink and rode off, Anna and Val gave their final waves and followed after him.

  Corrine leaned her head against her husband’s and waved. “I’m already worried…” She softly said. Harmon wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist and gave her a gentle squeeze. “So am I,” He agreed.

  Chapter Twenty Seven

  Being that Heron was a neighboring city to Tatania, it took the three only two days to reach it. As the trio neared the grand city that night, Hayden directed them away from its entrance and over to a cluster of trees instead, “We are going to have to sleep here tonight.” He told them. Anna looked over to the city and could see guards lining every four feet along its grand wall.

  “Are we not welcomed there?” she asked him.

  “After the news of the Empress’s capture, the city’s doors have not opened to anyone during the night since,” said Hayden and he climbed down off of Thunder.

  Anna climbed down from her own horse and untied her pack and blankets from the saddle. Hayden came over and took the reins from her and then Val’s, to tie the horses up for the night. He guided them over to a nearby tree and proceeded to feed and water them after that. Anna helped Val set up their camp, which consisted of rolling out their two blankets next to each other. A fire wasn’t started to prevent alarm from the guarded city that sat on edge tonight. Anna was sitting on her blanket, when Hayden came over to them, carrying Anna’s medicine bottle, their food and the jug of water.

  “How am I going to mix it?” she asked him, taking the bottle. A metal cup landed in her lap right after and Anna grinned at him, “Oh…thanks,” She thanked him and filled her cup with the water from the jug he handed to her next. Anna added her medicine to it and then stirred it with her finger before she drank it. A blanket shot out in her peripheral and Anna looked over to find Hayden guiding his blanket down next to hers and she gave him a quizzical look.

  “Hey, this is only for your protection,” He declared and Anna laughed.

  “What about Val’s?” Anna asked him and looked over to the young woman already snuggled underneath her blanket.

  “I don’t cuddle,” Val’s muffled voice spoke out.

  “Well, there’s your answer,” Hayden said with a satisfied smile on his face.

  Anna laughed, “Well, I don’t cuddle either,” She responded to his comment.

  “You don’t?” he asked her, giving her a sad puppy dog look along with it. Anna laughed and patted her blanket for him to sit on. A large grin returned to his face and Hayden sat down next to her.

  “Hey Val… Are you going to come over here and join us in a jerky feast?” Hayden invited her over as he pulled their meal out of his satchel.

  “Too tired…” Val answered without stirring.

  “Suit yourself…” He replied, shrugging his shoulders. Hayden handed Anna some jerky and she took it. Anna took a bite and ate her dinner vigorously.

  “Hungry?” he teased her, noting her appetite.

  Anna smiled and finished chewing, “Not really,” She played along and he chuckled, “I am tired though,” She admitted.

  “Are you hurting any?” He asked her.

  Anna shook her head, “No, not so much anymore; just stiff,” She said and took a drink from the water jug, “Are you tired?” she asked him and handed the jug to him.

  Hayden shook his head and took the jug from her, “No,” he said, “But, you know I am feeling a bit cold…” he started and quickly received a shove in reply.

  A
frown appeared again on his face as Anna laid down, turning her back to him, “Goodnight!” she announced and closed her eyes.

  “Oh…I guess I’ll just clean up then…” She heard him say above her with exaggerated disappointment in his voice. Anna chuckled and looked over her shoulder at him. He smiled and then took another drink from the water jug, “Thank you, Hayden,” She thanked him and then turned her head back. Anna closed her eyes and relaxed herself as she listened to the playful grumbles from Hayden as he cleaned up their mess. What seemed only a minute later; Anna heard a voice call out her name and she opened her eyes. She looked over at Val and found her still buried underneath her blanket, sound asleep.