Their island adventure over and the coronation finished, Elina and Marcus settle down for a quiet life together. Their joy lasts for two days before chaos erupts.
That chaos is the arrival of a monstrous beast at the city's wharf, a creature never before seen even by Marcus. Its arrival is explained when Amos the burke topples back into their lives to accuse the loving pair of attracting the creature. They must seek the help of Marcus' old friend to try to avoid further catastrophe.
Their travels take them to the legendary Wisen Academy where spells and trouble are being woven. Little do they know that an old foe is making havoc among their friends back at the capital.
Torn between helping the citizens and helping their friends, will Elina and Marcus be able to save everyone, or will the ultimate sacrifice be made?
Have you ever had one of those days where nothing went right? I was about to have that, but not before I enjoyed a lovely late-morning sojourn with my husband.
I tilted my head back and smiled up at Darius. “You make a wonderful pillow.”
He chuckled, and I could feel the vibrations of his chest against my back. “I’m glad to be of use.”
We sat at the lake on the hill overlooking the long dock. A gentle breeze blew past us, rustling the long grass and disturbing a rabbit that munched on its early lunch. Ducks swam across the rippling surface of the water, some with little ones trailing behind them.
I leaned against his chest and sighed. “This is perfect.”
Darius wrapped his arms around me. “Do you think so?”
I laughed. “Don’t you?”
He brushed the backs of his fingers against my cheek. “We could be doing more enjoyable.”
“We could, but not here,”
I opened my mouth to reply, but a shout from the direction of the palace interrupted me.
“Your Majesty!”
Darius stiffened and whipped his head about. I sat up at his sudden seriousness. “Isn’t that just Praesel shouting at us?”
“Yes, and Praesel never shouts,” he told me as he stood, helping me to my feet.
Praesel rushed up to us, out of breath and clutching his chest. He gathered himself and straightened. “Your Majesty, terrible news. A monster has been sighted off the coast!”
Darius’ eyebrows crashed down. “Monster? What sort of monster?”
“By all accounts, it is a giant squid fifty times larger than any that has been seen.”
“Where is it headed?”
“Straight for the wharf.”
Darius tightened his grip on me and leaped to his feet. He set me down and turned me around so we faced each other. “I need you to stay here.”
My mouth dropped open. “But why?”
He set his hands on my shoulders and looked me square in the eyes. “Because my people-our people wouldn’t want their new queen to be injured by this monster.” He looked up at Praesel. “Have all the queens sent to their rooms, and have Verstand watch over them until I return.”
Praesel bowed his head. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”
I grasped the front of his shirt. “But I want to be with you! I know I can help!”
Darius clasped my chin in his hand and smiled down at me. “I’m not even sure how I’ll help in this situation, so it’s best that you stay here with the others. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He pecked a light kiss on my lips before he swept past me and hurried up the hill.
I rushed after him, but Praesel stepped into my path. He crossed his arm over his chest and bowed low at the waist to me. “Allow me to escort you back to the palace.”
My shoulders drooped as I watched Darius disappear around the trees. “Alright. . .”
Praesel’s eyes twinkled at me. “It is admirable that you wish to help His Majesty, but this is a situation that has never occurred. He is worried that some unforeseen danger would arise in dealing with the monster and that you would come to harm.”
I crossed my arms over my chest and frowned. “And what about him?”
Praesel stepped to one side and swept his arm toward the palace. “He is King Marcus Tullia, the dragon king of Calida. Very little can harm him, but a broken heart would destroy him.”
I closed my eyes and sighed. “Alright, but I still wish I were going with him.”
“Of course you shouldn’t be going with him!”
The scene had changed to my chambers, where I sat on the bed and leaned my cheek against one of the foot posts.
Hilda stood in front of me with her hands on her hips and a frown on her face. “Who knows what dangers are out there! Perhaps this creature has children!”
Bianca stuck out her tongue. “I hope not. I don’t like squid.”
Hilda rolled her eyes before she spun around to face her old acquaintance. Bianca and Farah sat at the small table, enjoying a game of cards. “Is your stomach all you can think about?”
“When I’m this frightened, yes,” Bianca countered as she played her hand.
A knock on the door made her jump, and she scattered the entire deck onto the floor. Farah sighed and laid her hand on the table. “Well, I guess we’ll have to play a game of pickup.”
I perked up at the knock. “Come in!”
The door opened and Verstand stepped inside. Her eyes flickered over our group. “Do you all intend to remain here until His Majesty has returned?”
“We thought it better to stay as a group,” Hilda confirmed.
“Is there a problem with the queens?” Farah inquired.
Verstand stepped inside and closed the door behind her. “A few of you are missing, no doubt shopping in the city.”
Hilda leaned her arm against the same post as me. “Please tell me Jana is among them.”
“Actually, she is,” Verstand admitted as she folded her arms over her chest. “She received her monthly stipend as you all have.”
Hilda wrinkled her nose. “The money does flow off that woman.”
Farah looked up from the floor where she was picking up the cards. “At least she keeps many shops in business.”
I stood and walked over to the window that faced the city. The wharf was too far off to make out anything more than the glistening rooftops of the warehouses. I wondered if Darius was standing beneath one, looking out on the creature.
Standing there in the sunlight, my light was suddenly blotted out by a small shadow. I squinted my eyes and watched the shadow grow larger and larger. Whatever it was, it was careening toward the window.
I stumbled back and prepared for a shattering, but the palace opened a porthole in the window. The tiny round ball of fluff flew through and rolled across the ground before it crashed into the small table. The stand toppled over onto the intruder, blocking my view of whatever had fallen through the hole.
“What in all the realms?!” Hilda screamed as she lunged at me and tackled me to the floor.
Verstand rolled her sleeves up and marched toward the table. “I will not have a fiend invade the sanctity of the queen’s chambers, especially not an intruder who hasn’t learned how to use the door.” She reached the table and dove behind it. A terrified squeal came from the intruder, and Verstand revealed herself a moment later. She had a family ball of fluff wrapped in a death hug against her chest.
“Let me go!” Amos demanded as he squirmed in her grasp. “Let me go, you hag!”
Verstand’s eyebrows crashed down and she squeezed him tighter. “You were saying?”
Amos’ eyes bulged out of his head and a strangled cry escaped him before his air supply was cut short. “Please! I have an important message for the young queen! It concerns the monster!”
Verstand narrowed her eyes at him. “What about it?”
He twisted around and his eyes fell on me as Hilda helped me off the floor. “It concerns that queen. We tried to warn you, but would you listen? No, of course not. The burke doesn’t know what he’s-ack!”
Verstand had tightened her grip on his throat. “Get it out now, creature, or you will not say another word.”
Amos gathered enough air to speak his peace. “She’s the reason for this thing’s arrival. It’s all her fault the city is in danger.”
