Prophecy of the Seer

by K.N. Lee

  Her breath caught in her throat, but she held it there, forcing a smile, and nodding her head in respect.

  “You’re too kind, my king,” she said, attempting to bow. “It has been quite the journey home.”

  He chuckled, the sound grating on her nerves.

  Fake laughter.

  Her guard went up at the sound of it.

  “Home, indeed,” he said. “We shall restore you to the glory of your royal birth. And, your friends…”

  She held a hand out, gesturing to Liam. “Crown Prince Liam of Oren.”

  His red brow lifted, and he stroked the bright beard on his chin. “A Tryan? From Kyril?”

  “At your service,” Liam said, bowing. His bow was much more practiced. “It is an honor to be in your presence.”

  “Brilliant,” Ayaden said, grinning. At least that grin was genuine. He seemed to be truly charmed by either Liam’s race or his royal title. “And, dare I say…a fairy?”

  Lilae nodded, carefully observing the way his eyes landed on Nani’s bosom.

  “And, my—,” she cleared her throat, flickering a quick glance to Risa whose scowl matched what probably Ayaden felt in his heart. She knew not to call her a sister. Not when things were so delicate. “Friends, Risa, Jaiza, Nani, and Rowe.”

  “What an odd entourage you have here, dear little sister,” Ayaden said, and chuckled again, covering his mouth. Then, he composed himself and clasped his hands together, nodding. “But, I would expect nothing less from you.”

  A few snickers emerged from the people watching them from the sides of the room.

  The eyes of the court were fixed on her as she stood there, playing whatever game her brother had planned for her. Time would tell what he truly wanted.

  “Very well, then,” he said, and held a hand out to the young woman who remained seated. “Meet the Dowager Queen Sysil.”

  All color drained from Lilae’s face, and she nearly fainted.

  Ayaden seemed to notice, for his lips curled into a grin. “Our mother.”

  The swell of excitement that filled her body was too much to endure. She stepped forward, eager to embrace the woman she’d waited her entire life to meet.

  It was then that the energy shifted, and the world turned mad.

  Ayaden stood, and with a snap of his fingers, the woman fell to the ground.

  Lilae stumbled backward, in shock.

  The woman aged before her eyes, and pleaded with her in silent cries that left Lilae feeling dirty, and exposed.

  When the woman stopped moving, her eyes hollowed out and she began a skeleton of a person. Lilae fell to her knees, eyes widened.

  “What is happening?”

  The bones crumpled into dust and faded away before her eyes.

  Ayaden stepped before her, and took her by the chin.

  “Oh,” he said. “The spell has faded, and the truth is revealed. I simply wanted to you to meet the woman who betrayed a kingdom—the woman who betrayed a king and birthed a bastard.”

  Her heart skipped a beat then, and with reddened cheeks, and wet eyes, she looked him in the eyes.

  A wicked grin came to her face. “Well, brother. If I’m a bastard, then maybe you are as well.”

  The rage that filled his expression sent chills into Lilae’s soul.

  He snapped his finger.

  “Remove this parade of jesters from my sight.”

  Lilae shook her head, backing away.

  “I’d hoped to bond with a brother, meet my mother, and save my people,” she said. “Seems I’ll have to find another way to protect Auroria.”

  With that, she took the talisman from its place inside of her shirt.

  “Awaken,” she said, closing her eyes.

  The air was sucked from the room, and bright light outstretched in all directions as Runa emerged from the talisman.

  The massive golden dragon appeared in the center of the throne room, taking up much of the open space as the court moved out of her way.

  She bowed to Lilae then, and Lilae returned her attention to her brother.

  “But, seems I command the true weapon of Auroria,” she said, narrowing her eyes, and lowering her voice. She then tilted her head back, and stood to her full height, embracing the power that flowed within, and poured without, engulfing her with flames. “And, I have come to claim my crown.”

  Thank you for reading Prophecy of the Seer. The next book in the Eura Chronicles will release in 2020. Please subscribe for updates www.subscribepage.com/knleestars

  An Excerpt from Throne of Deceit

  The sound of hooves thundering down the main road rang in Elise’s ears.

  She jumped up from her spot on the ground. A summer breeze wafted through, sweeping ebony hair around her face as she peered downward.

  Sure enough, it was an armored messenger, astride a horse, with a red banner in his hand.

  Elise raced through the garden to the road at the outskirts of the grounds of Devynshire Castle.

  Bright sunlight cascaded through the trees, highlighting every ebony wave as she bounded down the grassy, poppy-littered hill.

  “Elise,” Lady Devyn, shouted after her, shielding her eyes from her spot on the blanket sprawled across the grass. “Where are you going?”

  “The messenger!” Elise shouted to her mother. “He’s here.”

  As she glanced over her shoulder, she caught a glimpse of her mother’s smirk as she waved her on.

  At eighteen, this would be her last year of seclusion from the world.

  Today, she just wanted to be a young lady, fuss over what elaborate gown she would wear, and try her charms on handsome suitors from all over the realm.

  Despite the fact that several eligible young men would be in attendance, her sights were set on only one—one very special prince.

  Practically giddy, she grinned to herself. To think, she might have her choice of husband in just a few short days.

  A giggle escaped her lips as she skidded to a stop, right before the messenger who leaped from his horse and gave her a bow with his head.

  “Good day, Harry,” Elise said with a slight curtsy.

  Harry cleared his throat. “Good day to you, my lady.”

  “Do you have something for me?” Elise’s eyes peered at his brown satchel, hoping to catch a letter or parcel with the crest of the kingdom of Arundell on it.

  “Hmmm,” Harry said, rummaging through his bag. “I don’t believe I saw anything for you today.”

  Shoulders slumping, Elise sucked her teeth. “Nonsense. You wouldn’t be here without a message,” she said, leaving the plush grass to stand on the hard-packed dirt road that led through the forest and to town.

  “Aye, I have a message for your mother,” he said.

  “It can’t be!” Forgetting decorum, she stood right before Harry and dug her hands into the bag.

  Instead of scolding her, he chuckled. “All right! All right,” he said and pulled out a cream-colored envelope with the Arundell seal of a golden lion.

  “You scoundrel!”

  Elise took the envelope, a smile spreading from ear-to-ear. He handed her another letter, and with a giggle, she ran back toward the castle.

  “You’re welcome,” Harry shouted after her with a laugh.

  Looking over her shoulder, Elise shouted back. “Thank you!” She gathered her skirts in her hand and quickened her speed.

  Smiling, her mother sat on her knees and ushered her back to their picnic.

  “What is it, dear?”

  Elise grinned, plopping back down onto their blanket and handing her mother the letters—one from Arundell, and another from the palace in Perth.

  She picked up Princess Polly, her pet pig, and held her in her arms as she watched her mother open the letters.

  Her grandmother Inora emerged from the castle to join their picnic.

  “Morning, Grandmama,” Elise said, and she nodded to her.

  “Good morning,” Inora replied. “What is all of the fuss ab
out? Another cut in the household budget?”

  Inora stood, towering over them, her hands clasped before her gray gown.

  Her auburn hair was worn in a bun with a black veil secured to it.

  “Just the best news ever,” Elise said as her mother held the seal up for Inora to see.

  “Prince Tolwin will be in attendance,” she said, and gave Elise a wink.

  Inora eyed the letter and nodded, though her mouth remained in a single line. “Is this what you truly want? A match with Prince Tolwin?”

  “What kind of question is that?” Elise asked. “Of course, I do. He’d be a perfect match. Not only is he the crown prince of an empire, but he is closer to my age than most of the suitors I would consider.”

  “She is the king’s only daughter,” Mother said, lowering the letter. “It could unite the kingdoms.”

  Inora snorted, and lowered herself to sit with them. “That would be true if King Caden were a rational man, Seyena. Alas, he is not, and chances are that he will keep Elise imprisoned in this place until her death.”

  Shoulders slumping, Elise and her mother shared a look of worry. She’d only ever heard stories of her father. How when he came to see her as a baby, he didn’t hug, kiss, or hold her. It was said that he looked at Elise as if she were a monster. Perhaps that was why he kept her prisoner in her home.

  “Let’s pray that isn’t true,” Seyena said.

  “Didn’t Prince Tolwin just run off to fight in the Tidelands?” Inora asked.

  “What does that matter? It is the duty of a prince to act in service for his kingdom,” Elise pointed out as she kissed Princess Polly’s snout. She fed the pig a strawberry, and then popped one into her own mouth.

  “It is also the duty of a prince to marry whomever his father chooses. Do you think the king would choose a bastard for his son?”

  That stung. All traces of a smile faded from Elise’s face. She stood and frowned down at her grandmother.

  “Thank you,” she said, taking the letter, as tears stung the backs of her eyes. “For reminding me what I am; a bastard—someone not worth loving.”

  She turned to head toward the forest where her favorite place of solitude awaited. The Crystal River ran through the Hempstead countryside and all the way to Perth. It was the only place she felt safe, or at home, despite the stone walls that made up the castle she had been forced to live in since she was born.

  “Elise,” Inora called after her. “That is not what I am reminding you of, dear. It couldn’t be further from the truth. You are loved, and you are more than a bastard. More than anything you have ever dreamed. When you see that, you will know the truth of your fate.”

  Ignoring her, Elise trudged away from the castle and to the grove where the falls frothed and pooled and glistened beneath what trails of sunlight shone through the ancient trees.

  Didn’t Inora understand that marriage was the only way she’d be free to truly live? She had to know that Elise craved a life of her own.

  Her father would never let her leave Devynshire Castle, unless it was by being bound to a man of great standing—one he could use as an ally. Of course, that wasn’t all she wanted out of life. But, Tolwin was the best option. He hadn’t been promised to any of the other eligible princesses in the realm, or anyone of great standing.

  She was the natural choice.

  Dark stones lined the river, and piled onto one another just before the white falls. She sat on the cool rocks with a sigh and kissed Princess Polly on the top of her fuzzy spotted, pink head. She brushed her hair back over her shoulder, and opened the letter.

  Just the fact that the prince had agreed to come to her coming-out ball was a sign that things might be changing.

  Princess Polly snorted and Elise smiled down at her despite the tears on her cheeks.

  She brought the letter to her nose and sniffed the parchment, hoping for a brief whiff of his scent. There wasn’t any. His father had probably signed the letter.

  Once she’d read it through, she placed it onto the water and watched it float down the river.

  She rested her cheek on her bare knees and followed it as it curved and vanished around the bend.

  The sound of the forest sang to her, and as she hugged Princess Polly close to her chest, she prayed for an escape from her life in exile.

  A Look at Mark of Chaos

  Three days before the darkness.

  I shouldn’t have been there that day—I knew that.

  These lush, green grounds were off limits for hunting. Whether it was for foul, deer, or hogs, it was strictly prohibited.

  I wasn’t there for either of those.

  Wild gryphon were my target.

  When you’re starving and—more importantly—your mum and sister are starving, you’re willing to do crazy things to make sure they get fed, even if that crazy thing entails convincing your best friend to sneak past palace appointed fences and poach in the emperor’s own backyard.

  A gryphon would not only feed my family, but the feathers, claws, fangs, and fur would bring enough money into my life to provide for the entire cold spell. I wouldn’t have to hunt again for months. For once, I could be free to truly live.

  If only for a little while.

  That was all wishful thinking, though, because the guards were onto me after only a few minutes inside the grounds. I was up in a tree, arrow nocked and ready to be released when the branch gave way and deposited me on my backside against the cold hard dirt. I should have known better. I wasn’t the hunter in the family. That sort of thing was left to my older brother.

  Eden had been my superior in nearly every way that counted. Now, he had also been in the ground for nearly three weeks, and that meant things like this were my responsibility.

  I cursed as the gray gryphon catch sight of me and outstretched its magnificent feathered wings. Frustrated, I watched it fly off into the blue-green sky with ease toward the mountains, taking all promise of a new life along with it. I was going to have to get better at this if my mother and little sisters were going to have a chance of making it through the cold spell.

  Even now, as I stood and dusted my worn leather pants, I felt a chill in the breezy air.

  It wouldn’t be long now. In the coming weeks, the clouds would grow, obscuring our suns and sending the entire Empire of Embers into our yearly lockdown.

  The gates of the kingdom would be shut tightly. Any assistance, which had never been much, would cease until the thaw came. We would be on our own again, and this time without Eden to carry us.

  I swallowed hard, realizing I had no time for excuses or the like. My brother used to tell me many things, but one always stuck out to me.

  Life is hard, Moira, he would say, even though he had a way of making it all look easy. We have to be harder if we’re going to survive.

  “Be harder,” I muttered to myself, looking at the sky and wishing to the Creator that it had been me who had breathed her last instead of my brother.

  A tear escaped my eye.

  It should have been me.

  Two imperial guards were upon me in an instant, sidling up to me on hoverboards that looked absolutely nothing like the third generation hand-me-down flyer I’d received when my dad died nearly a decade and a half ago. Where what was worn, a little rusted, and embarrassing to fly on, these were sleek, small, and emblazoned with the royal crest of Odin; two dragons poised and ready for attack.

  The crest was supposed to have something to do with the twin kings who ruled Freyr eons ago.

  “By the royal order of Prince Teagen of Freyr, you are hearby-”

  “Eat dirt,” I said.

  My jaw tightened as I fumbled for something in my pocket. Tossing out the tiny metal orb, I shut my eyes tightly and turned away.

  The guards were all decked out in metallic silver. Even their heads were covered with the sleek and bright armor, their faces shielded from both sight and the elements by a tinted black glass piece. That tinting wouldn’t help them now, t
hough, not against the glow of a sun orb.

  I felt the rush of heat as the thing exploded in front of me, sending out a blast of harmless, but very debilitating light. With my eyes still closed, I scrambled to my feet, hearing the guards scream behind me. They probably didn’t expect me to have one of these beauties. I didn’t blame them. After all, orbs and weapons of the like were for official kingdom use only and on the dark market, they were so expensive that there was no way I could afford one.

  It didn’t hurt that before my dad died, he worked as a weapons engineer for the empire. It also didn’t hurt that he’d taught Eden some of his skills. With my brother gone now, the weapons I had in my possession were finite.

  Finally opening my eyes, I darted out of the way of a tree I was about to slam headfirst into.

  Though I had been turned away from the explosion of the orb, and though my eyes were still closed, there were spots in my vision. It would keep the guards out of commission for at least a few minutes. They’d probably have to go to the infirmary. And, if they were the only guards on these grounds, it would mean I would be able to slow down.

  I knew the world better than that, though—I knew my luck better than that. So, I kept running. My legs kept pumping toward the gates—toward the hole that had been burrowed into it in secret, probably by some foolish kid as hungry and desperate as I was right now. It had been something of an open secret for as long as I could remember, and for just as long I’d imagined anyone willing to risk their lives like that must have been an idiot.

  I had never been this desperate before—never this hungry.

  The gate was in my line of sight now. I would pass it, slink off into the thicker, but emptier, woods outside and hope my friend would be out there as well. He had to hear some of what had gone on.

  Before I could reach the gate, though, something struck me at my back. It send me winding forward and crashing into the ground. I felt my nose crack as it hit the hard rock and leaves too quickly for me to brace myself. Spinning around, I tasted the sharpness of blood in my mouth.

  Looking up into the early morning light of the suns of Odin, I saw a young man standing over me. He stood on a hoverboard too, though he wasn’t dressed in the garb of the guards. He wore golden armor. His hair, as black as the evernight, wavered and rustled with the breeze. There was something about his crystalline blue eyes that tugged at me, though.