by Sarah Noffke
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CONTENTS
Dedication
Legal
Oriceran US Map
Oriceran Map
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Epilogue
Author Notes - Sarah
Ackknwledgements - Sarah
Author Notes - Martha
Publisher Notes - MA
Social Links
About - Sarah
Martha Carr Series List
Other LMBPN Books
DEDICATION
From Sarah
For my daughter, Lydia.
You are the real magic in my life.
From Martha
To everyone who still believes in magic and all the possibilities that holds.
To all the readers who make this entire ride so much fun.
And to all the dreamers just like me who create wonder, big and small, every day.
HOUSE OF ENCHANTED Team
JIT Beta Readers
Alex Wilson
Erika Daly
James Caplan
John Raisor
Joshua Ahles
Kelly ODonnell
Kimberly Boyer
Micky Cocker
Paul Westman
Peter Manis
If I missed anyone, please let me know!
HOUSE OF ENCHANTED (this book) is a work of fiction.
All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Sometimes both.
This book Copyright © 2017 Sarah Noffke and Martha Carr
Cover copyright © LMBPN Publishing
LMBPN Publishing supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.
The distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
LMBPN Publishing
PMB 196, 2540 South Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89109
First US edition, September 2017
The Oriceran (and what happens within / characters / situations / worlds) are Copyright (c) 2017 by Martha Carr and LMPBN Publishing.
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Prologue
The two moons of Oriceran shined a light on Phillip, the Duke of Terran, as he stood at the edge of the Dark Forest, the collar of his trench coat partially obscuring his face. He was dressed in a bespoken charcoal grey suit, the Kingdom of Terran’s idea of a regal costume, borrowed from ideas they regularly stole from Earth.
Humans who lived in Terran were rare deep in the forest. Even magical beings avoided the place. But he needed help and he needed to keep it all a secret.
The forest was dense and covered thousands of acres between the Light Elves kingdom and the mountain range where the Gnomes lived. Most beings had the sense to stick to the paths that were created for a short walk but never venture further to the uncharted areas.
However, not everyone listened. Illegal doorways to Earth, in another dimension separated only by a veil, were often conjured from the Dark Forest. That wasn’t all that went on under the heavy canopy by anyone trying to solve a problem in the darkness.
Phillip started when he heard the ancient wizard, Charmsgood hobble through the trees. He was revered among friends and enemies alike as one of the most powerful potion masters in all of Oriceran.
Humans were the only beings on Oriceran without magical abilities. Only their wits helped them survive and sometimes thrive. But in the Dark Forest he was well aware that might not be enough.
“Damnable vines!” The wizard wasn’t in a good mood. The long trek from Virgo, west of the mountains near the Conca gorge, to the middle of the Dark Forest wasn’t helping.
A noxious vine was slipping across the leaf-strewn grounds, seeking to wrap itself around the wizard’s knobby ankles.
“Don’t even think about it,” Charmsgood threatened, pointing a weathered and knotted wand at the vine.
The vine froze a few inches off the ground before sliding away.
“Why on fucking Oriceran did we have to meet out here? You couldn’t come into Virgo?” the wizard grumbled. He glared at the man standing in the darkness, surrounded by a cluster of trees.
“You know the answer to those questions.” Phillip was much taller and leaner than the wizard. His chiseled jaw was working back and forth as he plotted, hoping things would go his way.
“You have the gold? I make most of my patrons come to my shop, so you’d better keep your word about paying double for this potion,” Charmsgood muttered. He felt around in his shimmering blue robe for something. “I wouldn’t even be here if the forest near your kingdom didn’t need the help.” He nodded in the direction of the Land of Terran that bordered the northern side of the forest near the ocean. Many of the human beings who chose Oriceran as their home lived there.
“The emperor agrees. That’s why we’ve sunk this low,” Phillip snapped. His impatience and worry were growing. The feud between the Kingdom of Virgo and the Land of Terran went back for generations and fouled up
even the simplest things between them.
The wizard fumbled around in his robes but looked up and stared at the human before him. The lavender of his eyes matched the ring on his finger, a round lavender amethyst. “Sunk so low that you’re relying on help from a wizard? One of my kind, that’s what your people say, I believe. I have half a mind to turn around right now and not give you this.” He pulled a cloudy bottle filled with crimson liquid from an inside pocket of his robe.
Phillip sighed, not at all worried. “You only have half a mind,” he sneered, tugging the bottle out of the wizard’s hand. “You’re sure this will restore the plants and trees?”
Charmsgood narrowed his eyes and resisted the urge to turn him into a toad. The nearby creeks didn’t deserve that. Besides, this was the emperor of Terran’s brother. Mess with a hair on his head, start a war. “Give me the gold,” he demanded, holding out his hand.
“You need it badly, don’t you? Poor wizards. You create spells and potions, but you still need gold to get the job done. Magical toys. Such a sad species.”
“At least I know I’ll always be able to eat.” The wizard waved his wand, making an apple appear in place of the potion, and back again. He was letting his anger get the better of him.
Phillip shook his head and clicked his tongue. “First, answer my question. How does the potion work?”
Charmsgood squeezed his wand in his hand, fighting the urge again. It was almost overpowering his usually calm nature. It would be for the best if I put my wand into the safety of my pocket. “Yes, fine,” he sputtered, slipping his wand into his robes. “It will restore dying plants and trees. A single drop is all it takes to restore an entire acre.”
Something swooped through the trees above them. Charmsgood started and looked up, but saw nothing overhead in the lush trees. It was an eternally healthy forest, drawing on energy from the ground that gave everything that was native to the planet magical abilities.
All but the humans who emigrated from Earth a long time ago. Most human beings lived in peace with the magical beings of Oriceran. The people of Terran took a different turn a long time ago.
“This had better work,” Phillip said, slipping the bottle into the pocket of his brown trench coat.
Humans wear a lot of brown. The color of dirt. Why wear dirt? Charmsgood didn’t trust the duke.
“Stop sucking the magic from the forest.”
Phillip looked shocked, quickly regaining a sneer.
“That’s right. I know you’ve found a way to do it. Or you’ve trapped some magical creature that will do it for you.” Charmsgood glared at the duke, narrowing his eyes. “Still illegal.”
“We don’t use dirty magic like wizards and witches. Jealous much,” Phillip sneered.
“You’re using something. Your kingdom managed to find a way for humans to live hundreds of years longer. It’s not right. Mind sharing that secret? Didn’t think so. Another contemptuous human being from Terran. What a surprise.”
There was another swish overhead as Charmsgood looked up again. The night was especially dangerous in the Dark Forest when hungry magical creatures looked for their prey.
Charmsgood looked cautiously back at Phillip, still glancing up at the sky. “Just give me the gold.” He snapped his gnarled fingers, waving his hand.
There was a twisted smile on Phillip’s thin lips. “I have no intention of paying you. I can’t afford for you to return to Virgo at all and tell someone I relied on you for help.” He looked up, listening to the sudden beating of wings overhead. Phillip stepped back and watched calmly as Charmsgood frantically searched the canopy of trees.
He fumbled for the wand in his robe, his large ring catching on the garment. Clawed feet appeared as he froze, his heart beating rapidly. This was all a set-up.
The harpy dove feet-first, its hungry eyes targeted on the wizard, wide wings spanning six feet beat wind into the wizard’ face. It easily maneuvered through the branches overhead despite its size.
The bird’s face was pointed with a large, hooked beak, and had the body of a woman covered partially in feathers.
He grasped his wand just as the beast screeched—a sound so piercing it rang in his ears and rattled his teeth. He pulled the wand from his robe as the harpy swooped down. Its talons pierced Charmsgood’s shoulders, lifting him off the ground. The wand tumbled to the forest floor far beneath him. Charmsgood tried to cry out, but the searing pain in his shoulders from the sharp claws robbed him of his last breath. He watched Phillip stare casually up at him as the harpy carried him away. The night’s hunt for food was successful and the harpy could return to its nest to feast.
CHAPTER ONE
Azure and Monet were in the highest tower in the House of Enchanted most days. Even though they were well past children’s games, they still hung out together in the large room at the top where there was a view. The only room big enough to play Elements, the magical card game that wasn’t occupied by other witches or wizards. They had played together since they were younger.
“I never want to grow old,” said Monet, a young hundred-year-old wizard. “It’s too stuffy in this room.” He pulled at the collar of his robe.
“You always say that.” Azure was a young witch, the same age as Monet and heir to the throne of the House. “Then you say it’s too cold outside on the grass. Can we skip that part this time? Don’t be like that. You’re such a baby,” she said, playfully nudging him.
Monet threw off his robes and fanned himself with the six playing cards in his hand.
“And you’re such a bitch… Oops, I meant witch,” he shot back, winking at her.
She didn’t return the wink as she picked up a card from the deck. Never good to encourage Monet when he was getting ready for a rant.
Elements was their favorite game, and best played in a large room where there was space enough to dodge the minor explosions that served as penalties. All the other rooms in the House of Enchanted were occupied by some council meeting, or other clan business. Privacy was hard to come by. The House was extra full lately from witches and wizards who had traveled from all over the kingdom of Virgo for the upcoming coronation. Some would lodge in the House, usually occupied only by Azure, her mother, the queen, and her grandmother, the Queen Mother, Sari.
Azure thought about her next move carefully. Finally, she discarded the Three of Wands. Monet flashed her a devilish grin, his light-green eyes sparkling.
“You’re up to something, you always are.” Azure smiled.
“People say it was because I was born during a meteor shower.”
“Yeah, that’s the reason. A meteor shower.”
“You’ve made it another round, but I fear your pretty white dress and blue hair won’t stay dry for long,” he said, pulling from the deck. He looked shocked and covered his head with his arms as a flood of water fell from the ceiling, drenching him.
Azure broke into an easy laugh, quickly pulling her long gown up off the wooden floor where the water was puddling. She took her wand from her bluish-gray hair, pinned into a bun at the back of her head, and flicked it at the water. It evaporated immediately.
“See where talking shit gets you?” she asked, looking interested in his answer.
Monet slapped the card of showers down on the discard stack. He tossed the other cards onto the table. “I had a winning hand!”
“Almost. Until you didn’t.”
“The whole hand is ruined. Literally ruined.” He shook out his wet arms as the cards dissolved into mush. “This has got to be our hundredth deck!”
Azure broke into giggles as she carefully held onto her dress.
“Oh, just you wait! You’re going to get the fire penalty and then watch who’s laughing when your cards burst into flames.” There was a drop of water on the end of Monet’s nose.
Azure smiled and dealt a new hand just as a loud eruption of voices echoed up from one of the bottom floors. Virgoans are so damn loud when they get together.
“Are yo
u nervous?” Monet asked, looking up over his cards. Dammit, a troll card! That’s trouble!
Azure bit her bottom lip and shook her head, keeping her eyes lowered.
“You’ve never been able to lie to me, so don’t even try,” he warned.
She pressed her cards against her chest and leaned forward. “Wouldn’t you be, if you were me?”
Monet blew out a long breath and nodded. “Fuck, yeah! There would be no sleeping potion strong enough to help me rest. I’d chew my nails until my fingers were bloody bits. Hell, I’d run so far away from Virgo that no one could ever find me.”
“You’re not helping.” Azure suddenly felt cold as a shiver ran over her skin. She pulled the shawl attached to her white satin dress over her arms that were covered in goosebumps. The dress was new, and like everything the witches of Virgo wore, finely made with a large bell-shaped skirt and intricate needle work.
“You were born to be queen,” Monet declared, hesitating as he took another card. He sighed with relief. Not a penalty card.
“Thanks,” Azure muttered, peeling a card off the deck. The Six of Potions.
“No,” he said with a laugh. “I mean, you’ve been preparing for this your whole life, and everyone is looking to you to lead our kingdom. What if you fuck it all up and we waste away because humans from Terran poison our wells? Or what if…”
“Magical questions. No real answers to what hasn’t happened yet. So, shut up, Monet, or my first order as Queen will be to banish you to the uncharted parts of the Dark Forest.” She gave off a shudder.
Monet shrugged. “You wouldn’t do that. Sentence me to something believable like collecting ogre toenails or having evening chats with your gran about her glory days. You want to know a secret? I’m kind of intrigued by the Dark Forest. I don’t see why everyone is so scared of it. They’re just stories. Do we even know of anyone who ever disappeared in the forest? Bunch of fraidy cats. Could be there are things in there that would be useful.”