by T. N. Hayden
Child of Hope
Prophecy Series: Book 4
T. N. Hayden
Copyright © 2016 T. N. Hayden
ISBN-13: 978-1522746294
ISBN-10: 1522746293
ASIN: B01CU2ONYO
Child of Hope
Copyright © 2016 by T. N. Hayden
Cover Design © 2020 by T. N. Hayden
All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used factiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (May 24, 2016)
Jesus Christ
“The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.” Psalm 147:11
Juan G.
Thank you for all of your kindness and support. May God always bless you and yours!
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Dedication
~ Prologue ~
~ Chapter 1 ~
~ Chapter 2 ~
~ Chapter 3 ~
~ Chapter 4 ~
~ Chapter 5 ~
~ Chapter 6 ~
~ Chapter 7 ~
~ Chapter 8 ~
~ Chapter 9 ~
~ Chapter 10 ~
~ Chapter 11 ~
~ Chapter 12 ~
~ Chapter 13 ~
~ Chapter 14 ~
~ Chapter 15 ~
~ Chapter 16 ~
~ Chapter 17 ~
~ Chapter 18 ~
~ Chapter 19 ~
~ Chapter 20 ~
~ Chapter 21 ~
~ Chapter 22 ~
~ Chapter 23 ~
~ Chapter 24 ~
~ Chapter 25 ~
~ Chapter 26 ~
~ Chapter 27 ~
~ Chapter 28 ~
~ Chapter 29 ~
~ Chapter 30 ~
~ Chapter 31 ~
~ Chapter 32 ~
~ Chapter 33 ~
~ Chapter 34 ~
~ Chapter 35 ~
~ Chapter 36 ~
~ Chapter 37 ~
~ Epilogue ~
Acknowledgements
About The Author
Books By This Author
“A great Sorceress will rise with intense power.”
Palace:
Marc Donnie: King of Waden
Rose Donnie: Queen of Waden
Kaleb Donnie: Prince of Waden
Izik Donnie: Prince of Waden
Spencer Donnie: Prince of Waden
Nathan Trent: Knight of Waden
Brenton Kilton: Knight of Waden
Gizelle Lennox: Concubine of Waden
Liliana Remin: Concubine of Waden
Rebels:
Edwin Burrows: Leader
Sorceress
Ryl
Henika Chandler: Healer
Peyton Quint: Ambassador from Perso’s Creek
Delisa Quint: Soldata Trainee from Perso’s Creek
Valerie Barton: Soldata from Perso’s Creek
Ashlie Fenn: Soldata Trainee from Perso’s Creek
~ Prologue ~
Owlet, Waden
Atz 14, 529
Marc rushed into the room. “Rose!”
She spun. “Marc.” She ran, threw her arms around him, and kissed his lips deeply. He loved the way she smelled; the same as her name.
He breathed her in, and his fingers twisted in her long, golden hair. She was trembling when he released her, and she cupped his face in her delicate hands. “If we’re going to do this, we need to do it now.”
“Are you sure, my love?”
“I may be his wife, but you are the man I love.” She assured him, her sky-blue eyes bright and radiant.
He kissed her again, took her hand, and turned toward the door as it banged open. Rose gasped as she saw her husband. King Jenkin, one of Marc’s best friends, stood in the doorway, build strong, and body sturdy. He held a naked blade in hand, and he stepped into the room. “Marc, did you think I wouldn’t find out?”
“Find out what?” Marc stepped back, glancing for something, anything, to use as a weapon.
“Rose is mine.” Jenkin shouted and ripped her from him. Jenkin shoved Rose behind him and stepped closer to Marc, his sword gleaming.
“She loves me.” Marc’s voice lowered as he noticed the poker meant to keep her fire steady. “I’m sorry Jenkin. We didn’t mean for this to happen, but we are in love.”
“She’s my wife.”
“I don’t love you anymore!” Rose tackled Jenkin.
He spun, knocking her aside with the hilt of his blade. Bleeding from her head, Rose’s eyes locked with Marc’s. He couldn’t let Jenkin harm her again, and he grabbed the poker.
Jenkin turned, blocked Marc’s attack, and laughed. “Look at you. Rose is pregnant Marc, did she tell you that? She’s going to have my child.”
“I know.” Marc didn’t care. He loved her.
“You don’t care that Rose and I make love?” Jenkin circled his former friend.
Marc kept his grip on the poker tight as he also moved. He let a shaky breath loose. “I don’t want to fight you Jenkin.”
“There’s no way I’m letting you two leave together.” Jenkin lunged.
Marc blocked and swung his weapon around. Jenkin ducked the wild blow, and Rose jumped into the fight. She slammed into her husband, clawing at his face. His sword spun across her room, and Marc rushed to grab the weapon. Jenkin grabbed Rose’s hair and smashed her head against the side of her vanity. She whimpered as roses fell, a glass vase breaking beside her fallen body. Blood seeped from her face and side. Jenkin snarled as he grabbed a large piece of glass. “You are mine, and you will never be h—”
Marc’s blade sliced through Jenkin, the point coming closer to Rose than he wanted. Marc shook as he pulled the blade back. Jenkin’s body thudded to the floor, and Rose’s glassy eyes looked up into his own.
Marc helped her stand. He touched the cuts on her body. “We need to get you somewhere safe.”
“You saved my life.” She whispered as she touched his face. “I owe you so much Marc.”
“You are my life.” He kissed her hands. “I could never let him hurt you.”
“What of this child?” She touched her swollen belly. “He will never know his father.”
“Then I will be his father.” Marc insisted as he put his hands over hers. “You’re queen, and I shall now be your king.” He kissed her temple and gently touched her arm. “I’ll be a better king than Jenkin ever was.”
“Oh, I know you will be!” She threw her arms around his neck as she kissed him deeply.
Marc gently took her hand and softly placed a bracelet around her wrist. “This will help you remember the good from this night, and we shall always love each other.”
~ Chapter 1 ~
17 Years Later
Owlet, Waden
Dintz 1, 545
Gold columns, opulent fixtures, and lines of tables bearing food and drink decorated the sides of the royal ballroom. Prince Kaleb Donnie stood between his two best friends, Sir Nathan Trent and Sir Brenton Kilton, as the palace celebrated his seventeenth birthday. It felt strange, becoming a man instead of a boy. Kaleb still remembered the first sword his father had given him. The wooden practice sword hung on the wall of his room.
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p; “I am proud to announce that my son, Prince Kaleb Donnie, has accepted the commission to find and destroy the Sorceress of Legend. Each of my three sons will have the chance to kill the Sorceress when he turns seventeen, and the son who is able to fulfill his duty will be made the next king.” King Marc held his goblet high. “Today we celebrate Kaleb’s seventeenth birthday, and tomorrow he rides on this mission to fulfill his own destiny.”
Kaleb’s ears burned as cheers erupted around him, trumpets blared, and drums banged. He raised his own glass and drank the rich liquid.
“To our future king!” Brent clinked his glass against Nate’s.
“And my valiant friends.” Kaleb added.
“Who was that man I saw you talking to earlier?” Brent looked at Nate. “I didn’t recognize him.”
“Oh, that was just my cousin Cyril. He could only stay a few hours before he had to leave again. He’s a knight in the eastern region—”
“You are so brave.” Gizelle Lennox, brunette hair curled and draped down her shoulders, curtsied as she interrupted. Her grey-green eyes were made greener by the jade gown she wore, a gown which hugged every inch of her curves.
“Hello Gizelle.” Kaleb noticed Brent’s eyes set on her. His friend had loved the young courtesan for as long as Kaleb could remember.
“You have truly been honored tonight.” She lowered her long lashes and shadows danced across her cheeks. “I know the rebels will be no match for you.”
“Thank you.”
“I brought you more drink.” She held the glass for him.
“Thank you Gizelle.” He held the cup, but he didn’t drink the hard ale. Tomorrow he was going to leave Owlet for the first time in his life, and he didn’t want to have a harder start in the morning than needed.
“Is there anything else I can offer you?” She bit her lower lip, and her smile lit her face. Her bright eyes nearly glowed green.
“You know I’m not interested in your service Gizelle.” He answered. “I know my father and Izik have.” He couldn’t think of anything more awkward, sharing the same girl as his family. Concubines were aplenty in the palace, and Kaleb often wondered how his mother felt about the extra women.
“As you wish, my prince.” She curtsied, giving the men an eyeful of her goods, and left without another word.
Kaleb frowned as Brent and Nate each clapped a hand against his back.
“Most men can’t resist her.” Brent shook his head. “She’s so beautiful.”
“She’s the same as every woman here.” Kaleb looked at his friends. “I’m not looking for a companion or concubine. I want a woman of substance: brave, strong, beautiful, wise, and kind.”
“Someone magical.” Nate laughed as he played with the gold ring on his right index finger. “You’ll never find a woman to be with if you’re always so picky, Kaleb.”
“You know I don’t want someone magical. I suppose I’ll have to meet a woman from another kingdom.” Kaleb shook his head. “My mother’s from another kingdom, and my father loves her.”
“You’re going to travel to Najos to find a bride?” Brent grabbed a slice of maple bread.
“Hopefully I won’t have to.”
“That is where the magic is.” Nate laughed.
“Not everyone from Najos has magic.” Kaleb frowned. His mother was lucky to be born without magic in her bloodline. She was clean, pure, and Kaleb wanted to keep his own bloodline as such. “We will find the Sorceress destined to kill my father, and we will change the world, without magic. It’s a crutch, not a blessing.”
Nate nodded. “Well said.”
“To the death of the Sorceress.” Brent banged his glass against those of his friends.
Kaleb woke to a bright streak of light coming into his room. He tossed his covers off and walked to the window, grabbing his drapes to let more light in. Outside, the wind threw the branches of the trees around and whistled through the air.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to shake the dream of the woman. Her long hair was straight, dark, and fell to her hips as the breeze surrounded her. Her blue gown was soft, delicate, with flowers lining the top in a flattering way. He shook his head. He didn’t know what the Sorceress looked like, but she was absolutely beautiful in his dreams.
He opened the dark curtains all the way and turned as a knock pounded his door. He secured his loose pants and called. “Come in.”
Queen Rose entered, and he smiled at his mother. “Good morning.”
“Good morning, my son.” She embraced him. “I’m going to miss you so much, Kaleb.” His mother’s golden-blonde hair was pinned in an elegant twist, as it usually was. She wore a gown filled with different shades of blue and around her left wrist was the gold band she always wore, a bracelet that revealed the love she would always share with her husband.
“I’m going to miss you, too.” He hugged her back. “I can’t believe today is finally here. It feels like I’ve been waiting to hunt the Sorceress for years.”
His mother had once been married to another, King Jenkin Masen, who had wanted her as his prize. But Marc had fought to save Rose from her abusive captor. Now they ruled the kingdom together with their true love guiding them
“You will be careful, won’t you?” Rose sat on his bed as she looked at him with sky-blue eyes.
He nodded and kissed her forehead. “I will fulfill my duty as heir, and I will keep my family and friends safe. I won’t let this Sorceress bring down her destruction on our family.” He took her hands in his and frowned. “Are you alright?”
She tugged her long sleeve to hide the purple bruise. “I’m fine, Son. You know I’m not as graceful as people think a queen should be.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve noticed a bruise on you.” Kaleb had once asked his mother if his father hurt her. She’d looked so shocked, he had never mentioned it to her again. The thought was impossible. His parents loved each other.
“I’m fine; I promise.” She kissed his forehead. “Do you need help packing anything?”
“I got everything I need all ready to go.” Kaleb tugged a shirt on. “It’s going to be strange, traveling around with Brent and Nate. We’ll stay at inns to make sure we have a roof over our heads and warm meals. We’ll blend in with the rest of the population.”
“I’m sure you will.” She whispered. “You’ve never been outside the royal palace and Owlet. The country may be different than you imagine it to be. Be careful and don’t trust everything you see and hear.”
“You don’t have to worry about me.” Kaleb promised.
“I know. I hope you learn everything you can out there. There are things you will never learn in the palace, and I pray you will be open to the truth.”
“I will.”
Rose stood and took her son’s arm. “Come, let’s go eat something hearty for breakfast. You’ll need the food.”
He was silent as he allowed his mother to lead him to the royal dining hall. “Is Spencer going to be there?”
“He wouldn’t miss saying goodbye to you.”
Spencer Donnie was Kaleb’s youngest brother. Thirteen and more into reading than fighting, the youngest prince could normally be found beside his mother or eldest brother. Izik, sixteen, was cruel to their younger brother. Izik was strong, a great rider, and master at all his weapons. Kaleb and Izik had several conversations about heir and warrior. Kaleb knew his brother felt he was the more qualified to be king after their father was gone. If Kaleb couldn’t defeat the Sorceress and her destiny came to pass, Izik was more than ready to kill him to become king.
“Kaleb!” Spencer rushed to him as Rose and the prince entered the royal dining room.
Spencer threw himself into his brother’s arms, and Kaleb spun him as he laughed. “You’re getting too big for that.” Kaleb set his brother down. “You’ll be a year older next I see you.” He tousled his brother’s hair.
Spencer nodded. “I will see you again.”
“Of course, you will.”
&
nbsp; “Unless the Sorceress or other rebels kill you.” Izik said with a half-full mouth. “But I’m sure Brent and Nate will be able to protect you from the rebels. It’s the all-powerful Sorceress you have to be worried about.” He swallowed his food. “Killed by a woman, seems fitting.”
“Don’t talk like that.” King Marc shook his head at Izik. “Kaleb doesn’t have to worry about the magic of the Sorceress. All power has its limits.” His dark gaze shifted to his wife.
Rose joined him at the table, and Kaleb took his seat on his father’s right side. The food he ate seemed tasteless, and he couldn’t remember what he had. Today was the beginning of his quest, his mission. He trusted Brent and Nate with his life, and he knew he didn’t have to worry about their loyalty.
The Sorceress, on the other hand, was the wildcard. He didn’t know anything about her, other than she was destined to kill his father. What were her weaknesses? What were her powers? How would he find her? How would he kill her? He didn’t know much about magic, only that it turned people evil, like Filia Broxen.
“You are brave, strong, and wise, my son.” King Marc raised his glass. “I do not fear the future or this prophecy. You will do your duty.”
“I will, Father.” Kaleb nodded as his father drank.
~ Chapter 2 ~
Sir Nathan Trent pulled the belt to fasten it securely around his stallion as he glanced to where Kaleb and Brent were getting on their stallions. Nate took a long look at the royal palace as he mounted. Owlet had been his home the past six years, and he wasn’t sure what he would find in the outside wilderness of Waden. He touched the gold ring on his right index finger. Unlike the prince, Nate had grown up in Limpkin, a county to the north east of the royal city. Nate knew how harsh life outside Owlet could be, and he knew what to expect while traveling through the forests that covered nearly half of Waden.