couldn’t move, her body on another plain.
Astan. Please do not allow my brother to kill my body. Release the seal, and set me free. My spirit can help him defeat Gratain.
The notion of deception ran through her mind for the first time. She never once thought that the being within would be able to communicate with her. I’m not sure if I believe you.
I understand that this must be frightening, but please hear me! I have tried to speak with the others, but you are the first to have such a profound gift of telepathy. The true seal is created by the blood of one who is immune to the curse. One is only born every one hundred years; you are that soul. Gratain will kill you to prevent me freedom. He continues to spread the curse. You must have noticed the rise in Whyre numbers!
I have. And, though she didn’t want to admit it, Tarak had suggested that Esmond would kill her. What do I do?
Accept my presence and pull me through the barrier.
I— If he moved to deceive her, she would be defenseless, but something in his voice, a desperation mingled with untold woe convinced her. I accept. She reached out and waited. A warm presence flooded her, brimming with gratitude. With him in tow, she pulled free from the seal, feeling all the while like a bee heaving a dragon through an ocean.
When she opened her eyes, the world was coated in gold. In the hallway beyond the destroyed doors, Esmond in equine form battled a ferocious dragon. Yet she wasn’t scared. Are you with me?
I am. All you need do is alert my brother; he will recognize my essence in you and act accordingly.
Tired and cranky, she snorted. “Right. Easy enough.”
Her vocalization drew the attention of both creatures. The unicorn dropped its horn and hoofed the ground, golden eyes turning to blood. The dragon grinned, exposing its mighty fangs in a look that mimicked a rapid cur. It nodded in her direction and pounced on the unicorn, pinning it to the ground with black talons writhing with silver energy.
Perfect!
Lily fell to her knees as Astan’s essence ripped from her body and flew into Esmond. A demonic scream of rage echoed as a green fog flew from the unicorn. The dragon snapped its massive maw at the cloud when it attempted to enter the unicorn again. Another cry echoed, and then it lunged after Lily. She rolled from its path, striking her head. An evil cackle followed her into darkness.
9
Lily woke with a start. Her sheets were saturated, and her breathing labored. The beams from the full moon danced through the window of her room, creating shadows resembling evil clouds and heroic dragons. The door to her balcony sat open, the crisp night air dancing with her sheer curtains.
Shaken, she slid out of bed. The floor was cold on her bare feet, but it was a welcome reprieve from her terror. She slid to the door and moved onto the balcony. The castle and the town beyond shimmered silver in the moonlight, the inhabitants slumbering peacefully, unaware of the trauma endured by their princess in her sleep. All was quiet.
She was about to return to her room when something over the horizon caught her eye. Her arms tucked around her abdomen, and she leaned over the baluster, straining to see the movement. When she focused, she identified two shadowed shapes: one of a dragon and the other a unicorn. In that moment, she realized that her nightmare was far from over.
About the Author
Amanda Mondoux was born in Nashua New Hampshire in May of 1980. Her primary passion growing up resided with animal care, making it easy to understand her later profession of a veterinary technician. And then there was reading, and of that she did plenty. Her love for writing developed later in life, and has flourished since. Amanda’s love for fantasy and mythology started at the young age of six, her first “adult fantasy read” being JRR Tolkein’s “The Hobbit.” Her education was then split between English and writing courses and classes pertaining to animal care, and the two curriculums served to enhance the reality and beauty of the worlds she creates.
Forbidden Era
“We turn back and find another way.” Lex’s whispered words emerged as hissing.
“Uh, right.” Zear and Wrastal exchanged glances. The red-head grimaced. “Well, you see, that’s a pretty long—”
“We will not move any further in this direction.”
“Right.”
Wrastal shifted her weight. “Any particular reason, your highness?”
“There is nothing for us ahead.”
“But there is an exit.” Myraza covered her mouth and gawked at the prince through wide eyes.
Yet Lex laughed. It began low and even and then grew into uncontrolled bursts that verged on the edge of hysteria. His shoulders shook as he turned. “The exit would be there. Irony at its finest seeing how I’ve been trying to avoid this path.”
“Was it because of the room?”
His laughter stopped and he walked towards them. “Doesn’t matter. We, meaning Myraza and myself, are not going through this way.” He grabbed her arm to try to drag her with him, but he stumbled when she didn’t move.
“We must. We are out of food and the exit is near.”
Lex spun on her so fast that she flinched and the two knights had their hands on their swords. “We can’t go in there!”
Myraza shied away from his anger, covering her face with her arms. Memories of Kinian’s wrathful attacks escaped from their locked cell, and with them emerged a fear so profound that her soul chattered—utter terror without a name or face. “Please do not hurt me. I am sorry. Please!”
His mouth opened, but nothing emerged. Remorse weighed at his face. “I’m sorry, Raz. I would never intentionally hurt you. It’s just that I can’t go in there.”
Wrastal lifted her gloves in defeat. “But we can’t go back. It’s been days and we’re out of food and water. To turn back now is to assure our deaths.”
“I’m gonna put my neck out here.” Zear’s hand fell and he stepped forward. “I’ve never seen you like this. Ever. I know you pretty well. Not as good as Faiz, but better than most. I’m willing to bet that whatever is ahead has something to do with your magic.”
Lex glared.
He held his hands before him. “Calm down. The only thing concerning me about this situation is your actions. You—”
“You’re scared.” Wrastal met Lex’s gaze. “If that’s the case, then tell us what it is that can make a fearless man tremble, and we shall find a way to smite it.”
Lex turned to Myraza. “Remember what I said to you in my room?”
Her eyelids fluttered as the memory surfaced. “Yes. ‘You and your abilities scared me. Part of me fears you just as I fear myself, magic in general.’” She opened her eyes. “Does this mean—?”
“That room is part of the reason.”
“Together we can do it.” She forced a smile. “You are not alone this time. You also told me that friends give a person strength.”
“They do at that.”
“We cannot go back, and you know it.”
“I do. I hope that I was right about strength.” He spun and started walking. He regarded the two knights out of his peripheral. “Takes good friends to show such bravery. Mind sharing that?”
Zear put a hand to his head. “Wow. You really spun me about there. You’re good at that. Yeah. I’ve got your back.”
Wrastal nodded. “I admit that I’m scared. Regardless, I’ll combat it with you.”
Myraza skipped forward and took Lex’s hand. “Me, too!”
Lex avoided eye contact with anyone. “Thank you. I apologize now for anything that happens.” He moved forward.
“No need.” Three large strides placed Zear beside Lex. “What are we up against?”
“Yeah. A little warning should be nice.” Wrastal stepped beside Myraza.
“Me.” His speed increased. “I relinquish my position and my royal blood for this event. It will not be considered treason if either of you are to smite me.” He glanced at both stunned knights. “I trust both of you to prevent my fears from coming to life no matter what the cost
.”
“That has a nice ominous ring to it, my friend. Then again, it’d take something like losing sanity to scare you.” Zear took a deep breath. “Well, we’ll think positive little thoughts.”
“Should we be concerned about Raz as well?” Wrastal’s face was drawn.
“It’s possible.”
That sent chills down Myraza’s spine. “If I’m bad, then I want you to stop me.”
“Enough already!” Zear tore his sword from its sheath. “We’ll do whatever is needed. Stop talking like it’s going to happen!”
The path took a sharp turn to the left. Lex pointed. “Sorry, but it will happen. It’s around that corner, and I already feel its effects. We will enter into a cavern lined with jewels. Something glows in the center, hovering over a black void. That’s what attacks my mind. The only path is on the other side.”
“What is it that glows?” Myraza felt something, but it eluded her attempts at identification. Her mind felt as if wrapped in a warm blanket, soft and secure.
“I don’t know.” Lex stopped and clenched his eyes shut. “Back away from me.” With his jaw set and his friends a safe distance from him, he stalked forward.
Wrastal studied Myraza and then pulled her further from the prince. “You do not seem affected.”
Her vision blurred and her head grew light. She tugged her arm free and swayed after Lex. “I am.”
Route of Veracity
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