Helene, our oldest daughter, was a bright and gifted child. She showed signs of her gift from an early age and at times surprised me with her intuition. I feared for her path more than any of my other children. She had not only inherited my power, she was conceived while Johai was in his full power. When I looked into the violet eyes of my child, I saw the power residing behind them, and that terrified me, as much as I loved her. These moments were rare, and most often she was a normal child, playing and laughing.
A few years later we had our son, Jon. We argued about the name, but in the end Johai agreed. I wanted to honor the man who had died to protect me. Jon was more like his father than his namesake, more inclined towards studying than swords, which suited Johai just fine. Jon was dark haired with the blue eyes of his father. More often than not I found the two of them bent over an old tome. And my son always seemed to have ink smeared on his hands.
A year later, my youngest daughter was born. I had become pregnant with her shortly after I gave birth to Jon. Joelle took after her father’s side of the family, with blond hair like spun gold and warm brown eyes. She was the most outspoken of the three, and I feared she took more after my personality with her willful nature.
I grew to love Sabine’s son, Leonel, as my own blood. He and Helene were inseparable as I had predicted. While Helene was withdrawn and thoughtful, Leonel was rash and impulsive. I saw glimpses of his father in him. He had his father’s pride and his mother’s looks. At times when I looked at him, I thought I was looking at her again.
We were content for many years and untroubled. The renewed peace treaty held, and we enjoyed our simple country lives. Thirteen years after the end of the war, I had a visitor I had not seen in many years. I was in the study with the children. It was a rare occasion when I had their attention. Jon was not teasing his sisters, and Leonel was not whispering to Helene. There was a knock on the door. The children all jumped up as one, trying to get to the door and be the one to answer it. I set aside the book I had been reading aloud to the children and sighed. I suppose we should take a break.
The boys were the first to reach the door, but since Leonel was larger than Jon, he was able to shoulder Jon aside. He swung open the door to see a surprised maid waiting outside.
“Maea,” Leonel shouted. “The maid is here!”
“Thank you, Leonel.” I patted his head as I walked past. “I can see that.”
The maid was wringing her hands. The staff knew better than to interrupt me when the children were at their lessons.
“Your grace,” she said, “I am sorry to interrupt. There is a woman here for you.” She paused and looked to the children, who were lined up beside me, watching her with wide eyes. “She is dressed strangely—I think she may be a foreigner.”
Four small sets of eyes swiveled in my direction, looking for an explanation. It was not uncommon for us to have visitors. Many heard of my powers, and at times I was called upon to use my gifts. What caught my attention was Helene’s troubled expression. Her brows were pinched over her round violet eyes.
Joelle covered her hand with her mouth and looked at her sister. “It’s just like your dream!” she shouted.
I raised my brow at my daughter. Helene was still little more than a child, all long limbs and wild untamed hair. She knew that she was to tell me about any visions she had; it was part of her training.
Joelle realized her mistake and said, “Or perhaps that was my dream?”
Helene shook her head and looked at me. Of my children, only Helene had the gift of sight.
“Why did you not tell me?” I asked her.
“The woman frightened me. She has white hair and a scar on her face. I thought if I did not say anything, she would never come.” She looked down at her feet.
Jon clung to the hem of my skirt. “Mama, you cannot go! The woman sounds scary,” he cried.
I patted his dark curls. “I will be safe, darling. It’s just a guest. Why don’t the four of you go play?”
The children dispersed with one last look from Helene. Leonel took her by the hand, and the two of them disappeared down the hall. I followed the maid to the parlor where we greeted guests. A statuesque woman with long white hair was waiting for me in the entryway. I paused. Helene had foretold the coming of this visitor after all. She turned as I approached, and smiled.
“It has been too long, Maea.”
I fumbled for words for a moment. I could not believe my eyes. Elenna stood before me but was not as I remembered her. Her hair was white like Johai’s, and her eyes had changed from black to the violet of a diviner’s. Half her face had been burned; the scars were pink and shiny.
“Elenna... you’ve changed.”
She nodded. “That I have.”
I took a step towards her. “What happened?”
“The Sea Chamber changed me. When I took on the power to open the gateway, it altered me. I am no longer as I was.”
“Are you a diviner now?”
“Yes.”
“Why did you not tell me before?”
“Because I was ashamed of my appearance. I thought I was to die in that chamber, but the first diviner had other plans for me.” She smiled, and it stretched the scars on the side of her face. “For the past thirteen years I have been the Biski’s oracle , and I have been learning about our family history.”
I had heard about the oracle, but I had never given it much consideration. I thought it was just some charlatan or a du-toath who had taken on the mantle my grandmother left behind with her death.
“Why come now after all these years?”
“Because I have news for you.”
My stomach sank. We had peace for a long time, but I had not forgotten that feeling of premonition, the prickling on the back of my neck. Something was coming, and Elenna was just the first sign of it. My mouth turned down.
“We should talk, then. Let me get us some refreshments.” I rang for the maid, and when she came back with wine and cheese, we settled in to talk.
When the maid bustled out of the room, I pressed Elenna for information. “What news do you have of the south? I hope all is calm.”
She raised her hands up. I saw a flash of the tattoos on her wrist. One marking her as du-toath, the other marking her as a dreau. I wore a similar tattoo on my wrist. Elenna was their leader now. All this time she had been so close yet worlds apart.
“There is no threat of war. Do not fear, cousin.” She grinned.
I smiled at the affectionate name. I eased back in my chair. I was glad. I had seen war up close, and I had no desire for more. “That is good.”
She folded her hands in her lap. “Your daughter, she shows signs of the gift?”
I gazed at my friend. I had told no one of Helene’s abilities. Johai and I wanted to keep her separated from the world of politics and the burden that her heritage would bring her. Her dreams had started around the time of her first bleeding, but even before that she had shown promise as a diviner. I knew one day she would take my place as the head of House Diranel, but I hoped that would be years from now. For the time being, I wanted her to enjoy her youth.
I took a sip of wine to delay answering. “Yes. She has the sight.”
Elenna nodded as if confirming what she already knew. “I have come to speak with you on the matter of the oracle’s apprentice.”
I stiffened. “You are young yet. Do we need to think of this so soon?”
Elenna smiled. “Yes. I will not live forever, and your daughter is very special. You must have seen the signs; she is more than just a diviner. She has the power of something much greater than that within her. She was conceived by a sorcerer and a diviner. She will need to learn about her powers and how to control them.”
“I can do that, as can Johai; he was a sorcerer, as you remember.” I was bristling, but I did not want to acknowledge what Elenna was saying.
“I know you love your daughter, but you cannot deny the truth. She is special. I have come to extend an inv
itation for her to join us when she reaches her majority. She must learn the women’s mysteries and train to take her place as the oracle.”
My gut reaction was to decline. This in some ways could be worse. At least in Keisan I could watch over her, in the wild lands of the Biski—I might never see my daughter again. The very thought made me sick.
“I will have to think on it,” I said.
Elenna inclined her head. We spoke for some time of other things, and I promised to travel south to meet her again at the next gathering. It had been too long since I visited my mother’s people, and if my daughter were to join them, it might be good to bring her along. I offered Elenna a place for the night, but she declined, which I knew she would. Elenna walked different paths now that did not easily confine her indoors.
When she left, I headed upstairs, intent on a long bath to ease the tension I felt. Instead, Helene and Leonel cornered me before I could reach my chamber.
“Mother,” Helene said, “I want to go south. I want to learn about the mysteries.”
I stared at my daughter. She was so young. Only thirteen. She was not ready, not yet.
“I don’t think—”
“I will go with her and protect her,” Leonel said. His voice cracked, and he jutted his chin out, showing his maturity.
I smiled at them. My children. When did they grow up? I could see now they were not the babies I had rocked and played with. They were becoming adults. Soon fate will tear them apart. Leonel must go to Sanore, and it seems Helene to the south to the Biski. They are close, and it will not be an easy transition. The two of them had always been close, and though Leonel favored his mother’s coloring, with olive skin and dark curls, he was in many ways Adair’s son. Especially his eyes. When I looked at him, sometimes I saw Adair looking back at me.
I sighed. They were both too stubborn for their own good. “Leonel, when you come of age, you shall be returning to Neaux to learn what it means to be a future king.”
His face fell. “I do not want to be king,” he muttered.
“Your aunt Arlene has no children, and you are next in line to the throne. You have no choice.”
Helene reached out her hand and held his. He smiled at her, but my daughter was staring at me with solemn eyes. “I have to go and learn, Mother. You know I must.”
I shivered at the tone of her voice. The premonition was true. I had seen much, and I knew among all my children, she held the most power.
“We shall see, in a few years when you are older,” was all I said.
I turned to walk away, but though I denied her now, I knew both she and Leonel had a long path ahead of them, and this was only the beginning.
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About the Author
NICOLETTE IS A NATIVE San Diegan with a passion for the world of make believe. From a young age, Nicolette was telling stories whether it be writing plays for her friends to act out or making a series of children’s books that her mother still likes drag out to embarrass her with in front of company. She still lives in her imagination but in reality she resides in San Diego with her husband, children, a couple cats, and an old dog. She loves reading, attempting arts and crafts, and cooking. Connect with her at her her website, on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
Cast of Characters
DANHAD
House Diranel and Slatone:
Maea Diranel—Duchess of Diranel and Slatone; diviner; Wife of Johai Slatone; Mother of Helene, Jon, and Joelle; Foster mother to Leonel Raleban
Johai Slatone—Duke of Slatone; Husband of Maea Diranel; father of Helene, Jon, and Joelle; Foster father of Leonel Raleban
Leonel Raleban D’ Aux—Prince of Danhad and Neaux; Son of Sabine D’ Aux and Adair Raleban; Foster son of Johai and Maea
Helene, Jon, and Joelle—Children of Johai and Maea
Beau—Head guard of House Slatone
Former Royal Family
Adair Raleban—Former King of Danhad; Son of Florian and Duke Ilore; Duke of House Ilore; husband of Sabine D’Aux Raleban; (deceased)
Sabine D’ Aux Raleban—Former Queen of Danhad; Princess of Neaux; (deceased)
Dallen Raleban—Former King of Danhad; Husband to Idella Raleban; (deceased)
Idella Florett Raleban—Former Queen of Danhad; widow of Dallen Raleban of House Florett
Sarelle Raleban—Princess of Danhad; daughter of Dallen and Idella; (deceased)
Florian Ilore—Princess of Danhad; Sister to Dallen Raleban; widow of Duke Ilore
Duke Ilore—Husband to Florian Ilore; Father of Adair Raleban; (deceased)
Edalene Ilore—Princess of Danhad; Daughter of Florian Ilore
Garrison Slatone—Brother of Dallen Raleban and Florian Ilore; Father of Johai Slatone; Priestess of Mrawa
New Royal Family
Layton Florett—King of Danhad; Duke of Florett; Son of Damara Florett
Reane Florett—Queen of Danhad; Duchess of Florett; wife of Layton Florett; daughter of Algernon Magdale
Damara Florett—Dowager Duchess of House Florett; Maea’s Foster Mother; Mother of Layton Florett;
Members of the Twelve Great Houses:
Mikel Wodell—Duke of House Wodell; Husband to Isabelle Wodell; Father of Maea Diranel; maintainer of Blackthorn
Johen Malchor—Jerauchian Ambassador to Danhad; Grandfather of Johai Slatone
Gareth—Court Magiker and healer
Algernon Magdale—Former Duke of House Magdale; former advisor to the King (deceased)
Ester Hana Magdale—Duchess of Magdale; Wife of Algernon Magdale; daughter of the regent of Jerauch
Payton Magdale—Duke of Magdale
NEAUX
Neaux Royal Family
Arlene D’Aux—Queen of Neaux
Marie-Celeste D’Aux—Princess of Neaux
Reginald D’Aux— Former King of Neaux; Husband to Celeste D’ Aux; Father of Arlene, Marie-Celeste and Sabine (deceased)
Celeste D’Aux—Former queen of Neaux; Wife of Reginald D’Aux; mother of Arlene, Marie-Celeste and Sabine
Reynard D’Aux—Prince of Neaux; brother to Reginald D’Aux (deceased)
Neaux Court
Jon Sixton—Son of a merchant; heir to house Sixton; former ambassador to Neaux; former husband of Maea Diranel (deceased)
Eeland Yette—Lord from the family Yette; advisor to the queen
Gerardn Buree—ambassador from neaux to the tribes of the Biski
Commander Bellhue—commander of the diplomatic expedition to the tribes of the Biski
The Tribes of the Biski
The Du-toath
Elenna—daughter of Tilowa; Clan of the Horse; Du-toath; Oracle of the Biski people
The former Oracle—Maea and Elenna’s grandmother
Helene—Maea’s mother
Running River Clan
Thero—Elder of the Running River Clan
Yellen—Thero’s first wife
Wey—Thero’s second wife
Nia—Thero’s third wife
Shiwa—Thero’s fourth wife
Uner, Muhel, Nojen—Wey's brothers
Hett—Thero's second oldest son by Yellen
The Stone Clan
Aland—Leader of the Stone Clan
Laena—Daughter of Aland
Jomeg, Gerand—Men of the Stone Clan
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