The Sweet Series Box Set: Books 1-4

by Bailey Ardisone

  “Kill him! Kill him!” more voices yelled. “Kill the traitor!”

  “You will join with Princess Nariella and ruin our kingdom!” another man bellowed. No….no, no, no.

  Ender spoke up, “Please! You speak of what you do not know! King Remycah has done no such thing. He is not fraternizing with the enemy!”

  Ohtar roared, “And here is the proof of their lies, my meek ones! For the enemy is among them even now! There she stands, a fellow conspirator against you, Nariella Ashwyn Woodlinn!”

  “The enemy we saw him betray us for! The one he rescued from the cliff!” a women added painstakingly loud, anger ravaging her vocal cords. “It is true! Remycah loves Princess Nariella! He has betrayed us!”

  My stomach heaved violently as the entire crowd roared in disgust and fury. They spit at my feet and face in a loathsome outcry. But then hushed whispers quickly began to spread. “The Queen! The Queen.”

  Within seconds, all bodies lowered to the ground in a wave as the beautiful Elven-queen slowly floated in front of Mycah. Her face was morphed into pure disappointment and contempt. She stood before her son for a long moment, not saying a word. Mycah opened his mouth as if to speak, but his mother suddenly slapped him across the face…hard. His head was thrown to the side, the crack of the impact echoing in the entire courtyard. His own mother publicly shamed him. She then simply turned around and went back the way she had come.

  My heart shattered into oblivion once I saw the devastation and failure in Mycah’s expression. He shook his head absentmindedly as his eyes found mine for the briefest of seconds before turning to Ender, who stared helplessly back. Ender closed his eyes in defeat and hung his head.

  What had I done?

  “String him up!” Ohtar commanded suddenly, dropping a rope that hung down to the ground. Immediately, two soldiers tied it around Mycah’s ankles. From the tower, they yanked it upward in a swift motion, causing Mycah to fall face-first against the stone courtyard. They reeled him higher and higher, until he was left hanging like a fish caught on a line.

  I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t bear to watch as they pummeled him with stones and rotten food. My body buckled, and this time, the soldiers let me crash to a kneeling position. Rydan shouted to Ender, “Do something!”

  But there was nothing Ender could do. He shook his head silently at Rydan. There was nothing any of us could do with knives still being held against all our throats, but even worse than that, apparently that creepy elf did some sort of voodoo that disabled our powers. Ohtar grinned wickedly as he watched the horrifying scene with happiness.

  “Kill the traitor! Kill the traitor!” the crowd chanted with a continued onslaught of attacks on Mycah’s hanging body. I couldn’t handle it.

  Instincts above else wouldn’t allow it. My blood churned into a boiling outrage, eliminating whatever enchantment that elf had put over me. An injection of adrenaline hit me full-force. Frenetic energy zapped through my veins, and without even thinking, I sent it catapulting toward the rope around Mycah’s ankles. It sliced the cords, snapping the line in half. He did a flip through the air and landed on his feet just in time. He head-butted the soldier that had tried to attack him, then found a sharp edge to rub his ties against to break free. My guard backhanded me across the face like a clap of thunder, and I hit the ground in a hard heap.

  “Don’t touch her!” Rydan shouted in alarm as he fought against the guard holding him.

  “Seize him!” Ohtar leaned over the side of the tower. “Seize him, you insolent dogs! Fetch more of the rope that is impossible for him to manipulate! Fetch it!”

  I didn’t know what that meant, but someone did as he asked. Rydan, Naminé, and Ender were all working to get out of the guards’ hold as the crowd of people scattered away from the scene out of fear. Mycah scaled the tower with his bare hands like a speed-demon, going after Ohtar. I couldn’t move or stand up, so I lost sight of what was happening once he jumped over the edge to go inside. All he had to do was kill Ohtar and this would be over.

  Was it wrong to pray for someone’s death? Because more than anything, I wished for that one thing. Ohtar had to be stopped, and I knew Mycah couldn’t do it alone. I needed to gather more strength so that I could figure out a way to break free everyone else. I worried that it’d all be for nothing though if they were still enchanted from using their gifts.

  Abruptly, my soul ceased to function as Mycah’s body shot out of the tower and plummeted below at an alarmingly high-speed. He smashed into the stone floor like a rag doll. Blood trickled from his mouth.

  A piercing scream tore from my throat, and I made every effort to reach him. Strong hands pawed all over my body to keep me from getting anywhere, causing a fierce anger to erupt in the pit of my stomach. A scalding-hot light burst from within my body and exploded into the atmosphere. The hurt and torment ripping my heart to shreds overwhelmed all senses, and the last thing I felt before my mind shut down was a firm grip around my torso. Then that was it. I was yet again trapped in that haunting darkness that refused to leave me alone.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  ~Naminé~

  “Goddammit, no!” Rydan cried in anguish. “Nari! Will you just—Let go of me! God!”

  As the blinding light gradually dissipated, my eyes adjusted to the new scene before me. Ender and Nariella were nowhere to be seen, though Rydan and I remained being held firm against our will. Remycah stayed still on his back. Was he dead? No, he couldn't be. It was not supposed to be this way.

  “Search for the two lost prisoners!” a knight ordered, and a few of the soldiers obeyed immediately.

  The trembling of my entire body would not let up. Ohtar’s guards hastily fetched Remycah and poured a potion down his throat, which I assumed would suspend his gifts. Then that would surely mean he could not be dead. They would not need to incapacitate him in that way if he were.

  “Where’s Nari?” Rydan whispered urgently from his place at my side.

  “I do not know. What should we do?”

  “Is there anything we can do?” he asked in return. “I can’t believe this is happening. We weren’t ready. We were so stupid to try this on our own.”

  “Silence!” the guard closest to Rydan ordered while kicking his leg.

  My eyes found Rydan’s and were locked into his silver gaze. Ohtar appeared from above, his voice booming, “We have won! My loyal people, we have succeeded in avenging justice. We have brought the traitor to his knees! And so we shall celebrate our victory!”

  The entire kingdom resumed their stance surrounding us at the foot of Ohtar’s citadel in a new vigor of rejoicing. A voice I did not recognize shouted, “We must execute the traitors on the night of the Hunter’s Moon!”

  A cacophony of clapping and cheering sparked a frenzy as everyone agreed to the timing of our execution. If I had to die, at the very least, I was pleased it would be alongside my brother, mother, and father.

  If it had to end this way, if we both had no other choice but to perish, I could not ask for a better way for it to happen than next to the one I loved—with my dearest Rydan.

  And so I would not fear death. No, I would not let the unknown choke me into weakness. I would bravely face my demise and go with my head held high. I would die with my honor and with my dignity held intact.

  The Kingdom of Aselaira was full of peril. It was beyond a saving grace or any hope of redemption. It had been folly of me to give in so easily to that sliver of false hope that none other in the kingdom held to—None other than Ender, of course.

  And yet, with my family by my side as we are led to our deaths by order of the false king, I would not regret the decisions I made that brought me to that point. I would not regret risking my life for the betterment of my kingdom. I suddenly related to a poem written by a human man I had read by chance whilst residing at Rydan’s home. I flitted the words over again in my mind:

  “Though nothing can bring back the hour

  Of splendor in the grass,
of glory in the flower;

  We will grieve not, rather find

  Strength in what remains behind.”

  Yes, come what may—I, Naminé Adrëa Elendel, would stand tall as that rough noose would be slipped around my neck, and never shall I cower in the shadow of a daunting requiem.

  Epilogue

  ~Nari~

  Mycah. Mycah.

  Mycah was dead.

  I buried my face into my palms as I gradually gained consciousness. Mycah was dead, and it was all my fault. The pain choked me as I scrunched into a ball, rocking back and forth.

  “Nariella?” I recognized Ender’s voice. “Nariella, give heed.”

  “What?” I whispered so softly, I barely even heard myself.

  “Remycah is not dead, though we do not have much time until he is. We must make haste.”

  “What?” I croaked, my head jerking to attention. My puffy eyes found Ender’s frightened ones. “What do you mean he’s not dead?”

  “If Remycah were dead, I would know it. However, our connection remains, therefore, he is not dead.” My father poked his head around a tree, checking for danger.

  I broke into a silent sob. I couldn’t help it. Only, these were happy tears. Thank you. Thank you to everything good and gracious in this world. Just, thank you.

  “There is much to do. Come, quickly now.” Ender took hold of my arm, but I collapsed back to the ground after trying unsuccessfully to stand up. I was in so much physical pain and exhaustion. It was overwhelming.

  “What’s wrong with me? Why do I keep passing out? And where the heck are we?” I gazed around, noticing we were out of the castle and hidden in a forest. Wait, where was Rydan? If Mycah wasn’t dead, what would happen to him? Panic flared ten-times over in my gut.

  “I can only assume your repeated episodes of unconsciousness stem from exerting too much energy or emotions that your brain and body cannot handle it. In other words, you reboot. As for where we are, it is a dangerous location that is not giving much cover.”

  “How did we escape? Where’s Rydan?” I crawled behind a tree as sweat dripped down my temple. I was hotter than anything that could be considered normal.

  “During your explosion of energy, I had the opportunity to carry you to safety undetected. The others were out of my means, and I had no time to assist any but you. Do not fret, we shall return on a rescue mission before it is too late. I overheard them shouting for the execution to take place on the night of the Hunter’s Moon.”

  “Oh, my god. We have to hurry.” I tried to stand up again, but gosh darn it. It was no use. I couldn’t do anything feeling like this.

  “I fear for your health, my child. With all that is required of us, you shall only be a hindrance to the mission in your condition. I may have to—”

  “I know—I hate this!” I cut him off and threw a rock out of frustration. I wished there was a way to find out more about this healing stuff. It was a weakness not knowing the ins and outs about a gift in my possession. I couldn’t help those I loved and only made things worse. What was the point of my dumb, stupid life?

  “We must find a Healer. What terrifies me is that they are so rare. I do not know if we have the time to.” Ender knelt to the ground next to me and took my hand. Fear plagued my chest and stomach. I couldn’t stand the helplessness.

  “Ender, what are we going to do? Even if we manage to rescue them, you were right about Mycah being rejected because of his love for me. Your kingdom is doomed!” My heart broke at the thought. I really wasn’t part of Mycah’s destiny, and it was just blatantly proven to me like a hard punch to my face. We could never be together. It was final. Even though I had been told that before, it never felt real until I heard with my own ears how angry it made his people. I felt sick to my stomach.

  “Nariella, listen. We must assemble an army. It is the only way. Yet, before we can begin, you must be restored to your full potential. Forgive me, I realize the trauma you endured by the Tavas, but you must seek your grandfather.”

  “My grandfather? What does he have to do with this?” My grandfather’s eyes that were deep purple but almost black popped into mind. Could he have been a Healer who lost his abilities? Despair squeezed around my stomach, reminding me that it didn’t matter even if he was. I wouldn’t have the chance to ask him about it. There was no way I could go back. “Ender, you’re crazy if you think I can waltz back into Lassaira and get out of there alive. There’s no way.”

  “Lord Döron is the only other Healer I know of. If there are dangerous aspects to being a Healer, we must find out about them before we do anything else. If there is a weakness, it would be advantageous of us to find out before it kills you. And, whilst your there, perhaps you could form a temporary alliance with their army.”

  “What?! Okay, yeah, you’re definitely insane. That is never happening.”

  “Will you listen? I have a plan.”

  Suddenly, a jolt of electricity had me struggling to my feet, but I failed. And yet, I was still so happy in this moment, I could scream. Lissë was finally here. I clawed at the ground and watched the spot I felt her coming toward, knowing without a doubt she’d appear there in only a matter of seconds.

  And there she was. She galloped diligently until she stood right before me. Without skipping a beat, she immediately lowered her enchanting horn to my body that was forced to remain on the ground. Gently, she touched it to my heart, and with a gasp of breath, I felt all turmoil and anguish evaporate from my veins instantly.

  She healed me. She healed me completely, until I was better than I had ever felt in all my life. My Fëa was all I needed. Without her connection in Kennebunkport to help restore my energy after reviving Zaylie, I had been slowly withering.

  It would always be her, and only her, with the ability to restore my soul to its true self.

  I stood up tall, feeling wholly refreshed, and faced Ender as I stroked Lissë’s silky skin. “Okay, Ender. We’re rescuing Mycah, Rydan, Naminé—everyone. And we’re redeeming that throne, even if it kills me. Tell me your plan.”

  To be continued…

  What though the radiance which was once so bright

  Be now for ever taken from my sight,

  Though nothing can bring back the hour

  Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;

  We will grieve not, rather find

  Strength in what remains behind;

  In the primal sympathy

  Which having been must ever be;

  In the soothing thoughts that spring

  Out of human suffering;

  In the faith that looks through death,

  In years that bring the philosophic mind.

  —William Wordsworth

  Elvish Guide

  Aglar {ah-glar} -- Glorious

  Amin feuya ten' lle {ah-meen foo-yah teh-n lay} -- You disgust me

  Aselaira {ah-seh-lie-rah} -- Mountain Home

  Burrbein {ber-bane}

  Cathar {kuh-thar}

  Cílon {see-lohn}

  Dae’Sûl {die-sool} -- Shadow Wind

  Döron {doh-run} -- Oak

  Dúlin {doo-leen} -- Nightingale

  Durdell {der-del}

  Edhel-N'dor {ed-hel-n-doh} -- Elf Land

  Ed' i'ear ar' elenea {ehd-ee-air-ahr ehl-ee-nay-ah} -- By the sea and stars

  Elda {ehl-dah} -- Elf

  Ëlemmiire {ay-leh-meer} -- A star

  Erulissë Asëa {air-oo-lee-say ah-say-ah} -- Grace Leaf

  Faarea. Dina, gothamin {fah-ray-uh. dee-nah goh-thah-meen} -- Enough. Silence, foe.

  Fëa {fay-uh} -- Spirit

  Helkaer {hel-kah-air} -- Icy one

  Isil'Elda {ee-seel ehl-duh} -- Night Elf (Moon Elf)

  Lassaira {lahss-eye-ruh} -- Leaf home

  Lle lakwenien? {lay lahk-ween-eyen} -- Are you joking?

  Lle tela? {lay teh-lah} -- Are you finished?

  Lómë {loh-may} -- Dusk

  Luïnil { loo-ee-neel} -- A star

  Ma
ite'Ona {my-teh-oh-nah} -- Skilled gift

  Mankoi naa lle sinome? {mahn-kohy nah lay seen-oh-may} -- Why are you here?

  Nadorhuan {nah-doh-hwan} -- Cowardly dog

  N’uma. Mani uma lle merna? {noo-ma. Mah-nee oo-mah lay meer-nah} -- No. What do you want?

  Nura'ringul {noo-rah-reen-gool}

  Nuuta {noo-tah} -- Damn

  Ohtar {oh-tahr}

  Óre'Dae {oh-ray die} -- Heart Shadow

  Sarqua {sahr-qwah} -- Fleshy

  Skultor {skuhl-tohr}

  Tavas'Elda {tah-vahs ehl-dah} -- Wood Elf

  Thank you to J.R.R. Tolkien for creating this ethereal language, and to grey-company.org and bladesofanarion.com for keeping the Elvish language alive. It was important for us to stay true to the Elvish tongue, and so we made it a priority to use real Elvish words in this story. However, some of these words/names are made up by Bailey Ardisone.

  Sweet Redemption

  (Sweet Series, Book Four)

  by Bailey Ardisone

  Copyright © 2014 Bailey Ardisone

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

  may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

  without the express written permission of the publisher

  except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  www.BaileyArdisone.com

  Cover art created by Bailey Ardisone

  Photograph by Felicia Simion Photography

  All rights reserved.

  Editing services provided by Rare Bird Editing.

  Elvish language sources: www.grey-company.org, www.bladesofanarion.net, and J.R.R. Tolkien.

  All rights reserved.