Soli Deo Gloria
Contents
Birthright
1. Home
2. Into the Belly of the Beast
3. Captured
4. His Captive
5. His Bride
6. The Wedding
7. The Wedding Night
8. A Potential Ally
9. Warring at Dinner
10. A Poison Most Rare
11. A Trap Fit for a Queen
12. Don’t Let the Razor Net Bite
13. Finding the Scorpio
14. Betrayed By a Kiss
15. Escaping Torva
16. His Means to an End
17. Flustering the King
18. A Surprise Assassin
19. Returning to Earth
20. Poisoned
21. Choosing Love
22. A Mother’s Love
23. Assassins
24. Downed Dragon
25. A Kingdom For a Life
26. A Game of Poisons
27. Getting Married. Again
Acknowledgments
Coming In 2020…
About the Author
Birthright
The apprentice wished his meal dagger were a more formidable weapon. From this distance, he could’ve easily planted a throwing knife into King Alaric’s chest from across the table, unseating him from his stolen throne.
King.
The word burrowed into the apprentice’s mind with the ferocity of frothing acid. The man—if one could call a half-blooded dragon spawn such—wasn’t worthy of the golden thread in his clothes. Even his late father, Vulcan, hadn’t acknowledged Alaric as heir to the throne. Unfortunately, King Vulcan’s disapproval had done nothing to change ancient Torvan laws.
Alaric cleared his throat and stood, holding his green dragon-like wings on either side as if they were a source of pride rather than aberrations. “Nobles of the Council, today a half-human, half-Torvan queen has been selected.” His voice echoed throughout the enormous Council Room.
A few had to stifle their gasps. Those in attendance had obviously assumed that the rumor of Alaric taking a Hybrid bride was just that. Though both Torvans and humans were similar in structure, humans were shorter in height, thicker around the middle, possessed weak hearing and eyesight, and rarely lived past a century. Overall, they were regarded as homelier, intellectually inferior, and completely undesirable.
“Her name is Kimberly,” Alaric continued. “Both she and her father have given their consent for her to be wed. Both are aware of Torva’s existence. The Queen’s mother was Torvan, and though her father is human, he understands the necessity of secrecy.”
The apprentice pursed his lips, lest he succumb to the smile tempting his mouth. Judging from the announcement, Alaric still remained ignorant as to what was really happening.
“I want to assure you Torva will remain safe, unknown to humans of malicious intent. Though many of you view Hybrids as inferior, you must treat her like the Queen of Torva she is destined to be.” Alaric’s gaze skimmed the crowd. “The Queen will be brought here within a week’s time. The Council is dismissed.”
Conversation erupted across the room. The crowd thinned at an achingly slow rate. It seemed the apprentice would be delayed in reporting to Master Sephtis. The apprentice’s gaze roamed the opulent Council Room’s black marble walls.
The room had been designed to magnify sound. Perfect for announcements. Less desirable for the buzzing murmur of nobles conversing. The words “queen,” “bride,” “Hybrid,” and “Kimberly” drummed against the walls. Though many likely pitied the King, since he would be marrying a half-human, the apprentice pitied the girl. Not only would she have to remain married to Alaric, at least until the apprentice killed him, but she’d also have to adjust to Torva.
Though Torva had been inhabited for longer than Earth, Earth’s technology far outpaced his people’s. After Cade, a Torvan country in the west, had used gunpowder in the Unification War, the other four countries of Torva—Taijeng, Zobasii, Arwa, and Silva—made laws to halt the advance of technology in hopes of preserving the peace. After the war, all the countries, excluding Zobasii, joined together to form the United Countries of Torva.
The apprentice caught sight of two peaks of leathery green poking above the flow of people. The crowd rippled before parting for Alaric as he strode toward the apprentice.
When Alaric halted before him, the apprentice resisted the urge to peer down at him and make a mockery of his height; he was, after all, short for a Torvan. Instead, the apprentice bowed reverently. “Your Majesty.”
Alaric returned the greeting with a nod. “I wanted to thank you for selecting the bride. Selecting her myself would have diverted my attention from other pressing matters.”
The apprentice nodded. “It was my honor.”
“Your service to the United Countries of Torva is appreciated.”
A Taijese nobleman—a marquess, judging by the copper in his clothing—had edged his way toward them, ribbons of sweat trickling down his narrow face. Despite the approaching Autumnal Equinox, the heat in the Council Room caused the apprentice’s tunic to cling to him. How did the Taijese stand such robes?
The Taijese Marquess bowed. “Your Majesty. I have some questions concerning your newly obtained legislative powers.”
Alaric’s smile was stiff with civility. “Nothing is official until I’ve wed Kimberly, but I’ll gladly hear your concerns.”
The Marquess released a stream of words from his mustached mouth as he jabbered about Alaric creating a law to repair the roads in Taijeng.
Taijeng… It’d been a long time since he’d visited Taijeng.
The apprentice tossed the thought aside. Perhaps he would travel to Taijeng later, but right now he couldn’t afford any distractions. He had a report to deliver to Master Sephtis.
The apprentice slipped between the nobles and the long ribbon of a table behind him. He fixed his gaze on the double wooden doors in the back—his escape.
When he opened a door into the hallway, cool air kissed his moist forehead. Even though his report had been delayed, the apprentice suspected his master would be pleased with the King’s announcement.
The pace of his heart quickened. After years of waiting, biding his time, and gaining Alaric’s trust, the plan would finally come to fruition. In a matter of months, the apprentice would kill Alaric just as he’d killed Alaric’s father. Alaric had taken everything he loved, so he would take everything Alaric loved.
His crown. His kingdom. His life.
Everything.
1
Home
It was crazy, the kinds of things people would do for love.
Westley rescuing Princess Buttercup. Hades kidnapping Persephone. Romeo and Juliet committing suicide.
Evelyn blinked in the overhead mirror of her sister’s car, checking her colored contacts. After this evening, she could add herself to that list of fabled love stories. She drew the eyeliner across her lid, careful to wing it like Kimberly, her half-sister, would. Kimberly’s Mustang vibrated with the pop music booming from the radio. Over the dashboard, she had a perfect view of Janessa’s mansion and its manicured lawn.
Kimberly was so going to kill her. Stealing an invitation to a graduation party Kimberly wouldn’t attend was one thing. Stealing her car was another.
But it would be worth it. She had to see her boyfriend again and find out what was wrong. Ever since school had been out and they’d graduated, it seemed she and Mason had spent less and less time together. He hadn’t answered his phone for two weeks. Evelyn had dropped by his place once—or twice—but he hadn’t been home. Some semi-reliable snippets of gossip had revealed he’d be here tonight.
&nbs
p; She fisted her hand around the empty heart-shaped locket dangling from her necklace. It was a locket she’d discovered years ago, given to her by her mother—and she was the reason Evelyn needed Mason. Evelyn smoothed her thumb against the imprint of the seven cursive words—words she’d long since memorized.
Dearest Evelyn, I’m sorry.
-Your Mother, Veralyn
She had to find her mother, and for that, she needed Mason. Once she found out why Mason was avoiding her, together they’d venture to Colorado to find her mother—and Evelyn would finally have a picture to fill her empty locket. Without Mason’s tech skills and his car, she’d be spending a decade combing through Colorado’s streets.
A familiar beat pumped through the stereo. She tapped her foot in time to the rhythm, letting the movement calm her. For years, she’d dreamed of being reunited with her mother, and Mason had promised her they’d go together to see her after graduation. After dating for all of high school, why would he ditch her now?
Maybe Mason didn’t love her anymore. And if Mason had dumped her, would her mother be tempted to do the same?
A whisper slithered through her mind, and a familiar chill crackled over her bones. Why would she want you? Why would anyone want you?
The words took her back to the day she’d discovered the locket.
It was the one time she’d dared to enter her father’s room. She’d found the heart necklace tucked into her father’s drawer. He’d burst in moments later, furious to find her rifling through his room. When he’d told her he’d regretted keeping her, she’d told him she didn’t care; she was going to run away to find her mother. And then he’d laughed, the dark sound rumbling in his chest like the nightmarish growl of a monster.
She sucked in a sharp breath of the humid Texas air, and her bones began to thaw. Her father—or Kimberly’s father, as he liked to be known—was wrong. Her mother wanted her. Evelyn felt it every time she pressed the golden heart between her thumb and forefinger, memorizing the seven words of the message over and over.
Evelyn’s gaze drifted to the mansion’s double doors, swung wide open to admit party-goers.
This was the moment when she’d sort things out with Mason, so they could find her mother. Evelyn examined her work in the tiny overhead mirror.
She smoothed back a frizzy lock of wine-red hair. According to the instructions on the box, the semi-permanent dye would disappear after twenty washes. She hoped so; she already missed her dirty blond hair. She’d lightened her skin from her usual tan to Kimberly’s snow-white hue with the assistance of foundation. The teal-colored contacts appeared a little unnatural, but they were closer to Kimberly’s eye color than Evelyn’s own golden eyes.
She released a shuddering breath, snatched her bubble-gum-pink purse, and shoved the car door open. She stepped over the curb before slamming the door shut behind her.
Evelyn strode toward the mansion in her heels. The heels lent her the height she needed to match Kimberly’s size, though Kimberly never wore high heels since she was already tall and willowy. Evelyn joined the back of the line before digging in her purse for Kimberly’s invitation. She clutched it in her sweaty hand. If she lost it, then she’d lost her key to reaching Mason.
It still stung that Janessa hadn’t invited her yet had thought to invite Kimberly. Sure, Evelyn had never been close friends with Janessa, but they’d graduated together, while her sister had graduated two years ago. She and Janessa had always been on friendly terms. So what had changed?
“Your invitation?” someone at the door asked.
A slight southern accent tainted the question. His face would have been strikingly handsome with those high cheekbones if his skin wasn’t puckered with acne. He was a football player from her high school, but his name evaded her at the moment.
“Here.” She held out the invitation, hoping he didn’t notice her trembling hands.
He swiped the invitation from her. After glancing at it, his eyebrows lifted. “You’re Kimberly? Kimberly Smith?” His accent thickened as he lengthened his vowels. Just because he was on the Coppell Cowboys team didn’t mean he had to talk like one. Thankfully, the southern twang was pretty scarce in the Dallas suburbs. Why Kimberly liked an accent was beyond her…
Evelyn examined her manicured hand. “You’ve heard of me?”
He smirked and cocked his head. “Yep. The other guys on the team talk about you all the time, you know.”
“Really?”
“Yep. And I’ve also heard you’re single.” He waggled his eyebrows. “Am I right?”
She inwardly cringed as his accent stretched out the simple word I, almost beyond recognition. Did Kimberly even know this guy? “I… Uh… If you’ll excuse me.” She tried to edge her way around him.
He stepped in front of the entrance, blocking her. “Can I have your number?”
There was that I again. The flirty cowboy types always got on her nerves. “Nope. Sorry. I’m taken. I’m actually meeting my boyfriend here.” A plastic smile stiffened her lips.
The football player/cowboy stepped aside, disappointment dulling his expression.
Blaring music nearly blasted her back out the door. She resisted the urge to plug her ears. Staircases on either side framed the foyer of the mansion. A chandelier dangled from the ceiling, smothered in crystals. Judging from the display of wealth, Janessa’s parents were almost as wealthy as her father. Underneath the arching staircases was the party room, judging from the snack tables, booming music, and tittering teens.
Evelyn strode toward the party. Her ears pricked at every male voice. She combed the crowd, searching for chestnut brown hair and blue eyes so pale they appeared gray. Her gaze snagged on a guy off to the side, holding punch glasses in both hands. Her heart trilled. She slowed her steps, trying to appear cool and calm, like she wasn’t dying to see him.
The guy glanced up. Their gazes locked, and she couldn’t stop smiling. His face wrinkled in confusion. Oh. Right. He was probably wondering why Kimberly was grinning at him like an idiot.
“Ahava,” she said. It meant love in her secret language. Even though it’d been a while since they’d seen each other, hopefully he still remembered what it meant.
After a few long seconds, his eyes widened. Then narrowed. “Evelyn?”
Not the reception she’d been hoping for. She forced a smile. “You haven’t been answering your phone lately.”
His shoulders heaved with a sigh. “I had a feeling you’d come to investigate.”
She folded her arms, waiting for his forthcoming apology. She’d forgive him in the end, of course—like she had when he’d commented on her weight, or left her at that football game, or bought her a pair of earrings, forgetting that she’d never had her ears pierced.
“I probably should’ve just done this by texting you… but I didn’t want to be rude.”
“And ignoring me isn’t rude?”
He cleared his throat. “Actually, I blocked you.”
Her tongue clicked against the roof of her mouth as her jaw sank. This was one of his jokes. He’d always had a unique sense of humor. In seconds, he’d burst out laughing.
He shifted from foot to foot, and the punch sloshed in the cups he held. “It was easier than just getting your calls all the time and not answering, you know?”
She slowly shut her mouth. “When I came by a few days ago… you were home, weren’t you?” Now he’d reveal the punch line of his messed-up joke.
“Well, yeah.” He shrugged. “I just didn’t want to be bothered.”
She hoped her glare would pierce through his nonchalance.
He set the punch cups on a nearby table. “I know this is hard for you.”
“What about my mom?”
“Your… mom?” A look of understanding lit his face before melting into pity. She was going to be sick. “Evelyn, your mom left your family because she wanted to be left alone.”
“You said we’d find her. Together.”
“It seemed tha
t was the only way I could calm you down when Kimberly’s dad upset you.”
Her hands balled into fists. “You lied?”
“I did what I had to. To be fair, I thought you would outgrow that obsession after graduating.”
She blinked against the sting of tears. No way was she going to crumble in front of Mason.
“It’s really sweet that you want to find your mom, Ev, but expecting her to adopt you or some crap like that is… unrealistic. Maybe you could, I don’t know, grow up a bit? Like look at colleges or get a job?”
All this time, he’d thought she’d get over finding her mom? That she’d “grow up”? “I’ve wanted to find her since I was six, since I realized I had another parent. I’m not just going to forget about my mom after graduating.”
“Listen to yourself, Evelyn. You’ve wanted the same thing since you were six? Sure it’s not time to start thinking about the real world?”
She wrapped her suddenly chilled arms around her waist. This wasn’t the Mason who’d talked to her for hours after she’d fought with her dad, who’d poured over all of her mom’s previous addresses with her, or who’d slipped thoughtful notes into her backpack.
This wasn’t Mason at all.
And yet it was—from the calculated way he approached a problem to how he spewed advice like a PEZ dispenser spat candy. After all the years she’d accepted his flaws and ignored a few obnoxious habits, this was how he reciprocated? By dumping her? By lying to her for years?
Her anger batted away the cold sinking into her skin. “Everything’s just so simple to you, isn’t it? If you have a problem, you ignore it. You let me think we were going to find my mother, and you’ve ignored me for weeks, just because you thought that was the easy way out. You run and hide because you’re a coward.”
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