House of Enchanted

by Sarah Noffke

Queen Emeri lowered her chin as the pool of potion shimmered and the images on its surface faded. Seeing her daughter’s face in the scrying bowl had made her throat constrict with a deep longing. But watching her being led away by the guards of Terran had made her stomach burn with fury. This was all Duke Phillip’s doing. He’d seen a perfect opportunity, and couldn’t pass it up. And in truth, he hadn’t gone back on their agreement. He’d allowed the secret to come out naturally. She could finally fulfill her longtime wish and kill him.

  “Now you know,” Emeri said, turning to face her mother, who was at her side. If she could have scried on her own she would have, but her magic was almost entirely depleted. It wouldn’t be long until she started to age like a nonmagical person. Her years would probably catch up with her quite rapidly.

  “Yes, Emperor Richard. I realize now that you two thought you could change your people by having Azure. You were incorrect, dear Emeri. You only would have sacrificed both your crowns. I’m grateful I found out about this long ago and made you keep Azure’s true identity a secret,” Sari told her daughter, smoothing her lilac velvet robe. She regarded her image in the scrying bowl, straightening the soul stone clip in her hair.

  “Thanks, but the whole ‘I told you so’ lecture is really not appreciated,” Emeri said.

  “Well, then next time don’t say thanks.”

  “What are we going to do now? Azure is a prisoner of Terran and Frederick will be made emperor, but he’ll be under the Duke’s control.”

  “I think we all know that Frederick is no different from his father. Duke Phillip has been secretly running the Land of Terran since I was queen. I always hoped he’d kick the bucket. However, their use, or shall I say, abuse of magic makes them age slower. He’s the reason for the silent battle between Virgo and the humans, and he’s the puppeteer behind the Consumer Party,” Sari stated.

  “I’m going to call a council meeting. The humans will have to negotiate for Azure’s return if the Crystals, the Light Elves and the Gnomes are present. Frederick will cave in the presence of older and wiser leaders,” Emeri said.

  “What you need to be worrying about is your soul stone.”

  “Mother, that’s my last concern. My daughter is a prisoner of Terran. And Richard, well, he’s a fucking coward who will be a prisoner as well,” she spat, narrowing her bright green eyes. Richard had been a coward since Azure was born, never standing up for his people. He’d allowed Phillip’s influence to take over Terran. That’s why the people were wasteful, and in her opinion, disdainful.

  “You need to stay out of this, Emeri.”

  “How can you say that? Azure—”

  “Is exactly where she needs to be,” the old witch interrupted, cutting Emeri off. “She’s a prisoner of Terran. Spread that around Virgo, and when she breaks out she’ll be revered. She’s been given the opportunity to earn the approval of her people and secure the crown. However, if you step in and rescue her, she’ll lose the chance to prove herself to the Virgoans.”

  Emeri opened her mouth to say something, then shut it again. Her mother was right. As much as she wanted to rescue her daughter—and she thought she probably could—that wasn’t going to help Azure’s long-term future. She was a strong and bright witch. Also, she still had her wand stashed in her shirt. Azure would get herself out of Terran, and when she returned she’d be seen as a brave and true leader, one who could protect her people from the humans.

  “Okay, well, we need to spread this news around Virgo then. Our people need to know that Azure has been taken a prisoner by the people of Terran,” the queen declared, turning and striding from her chamber.

  The End

  Author Notes - Sarah Noffke

  I remember the morning that Michael Anderle called me and we discussed me writing in his new universe. He kept saying the word Oriceran and I kept wondering, what the hell is that? But even with all my confusion, I knew this was a good idea. I’ve written five series in a different universe and knew I was ready for a new challenge. Originally I pitched the idea of Salem Witch Trials and how they were a result of the magic in Oriceran. When I actually came to write this series, the witch trials were much too dark for Michael’s audience. And so Azure and the soul stones of Virgo were born.

  Fun fact: I’m a Virgo. Another fun fact: Amethysts aren’t the birthstone for Virgos. It’s sapphires. Honestly, I chose amethysts for soul stones because they represent healing and rejuvenation.

  Here’s another fun fact. Monet’s name was supposed to be Monte. However, every time I typed it, Monet came out. And that’s how character’s names are sometimes born. Now I couldn’t imagine him as anything from Monet.

  I try to create symbolism with names in my books. For instance, most know that Azure means blue. And Emeri, as in the reigning queen, Azure’s mother, her name means industrious leader. I tried to create it so that the witches and wizards had names that were different whereas the humans of Terran had common names. Richard, Phillip, Frederick versus Emeri, Sari and Azure. I also tried to contrast the witches with the humans using dress, transportation and architecture. We have the old world charm of the wizarding community meeting the modern strictness of the humans.

  Writing the House of Enchanted was a wonderful experience. I laughed every time Monet graced the page. Loved and loathed that damn gnome. And I kind of have a secret crush on Ever. Well, I guess it’s not so secret anymore. But more than anything, I really was swept away with Azure. I once gave advice in an author interview. Someone asked, how do you make characters who readers want to read about. My answer was: fall in love with your characters and the readers will too. I feel as though Azure stole a part of my heart. And she continues to steal more with each book.

  Acknowledgements

  Sarah Noffke

  Thank you to Michael Anderle for giving me this chance. I’m still waiting for the roller coaster you threw me on to slow down.

  Thank you to Martha Carr for your amazing support. I love sharing the ideas that have come out of our collaborations. You are a creative soul.

  Thank you to the awesome authors who pushed me to do this. Jeff and Sarah I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for you.

  Thank you to Lynne, Steve, Andrew and Jeff for all the work on the books, covers and championing so much of the publishing.

  Thank you to my beta team Colleen and Heidi. You two keep me sane… or maybe it’s the other way around.

  Thank you to my amazing readers. I asked myself a question the other day and it had a strange answer. I asked if I would still write if trapped on a desert island and no one would ever read the books. The answer was yes, but the feeling connected to it was different. It wouldn’t be as much fun to write if there wasn’t awesome readers to share it with. Thank you.

  Thank you to my friends and family for all the support and love.

  Author Notes - Martha Carr

  Written September 5, 2017

  The first thing Sarah Noffke ever said to me was, “I’m willing.” Those were the magic words. We were talking about collaborating in a new Universe that Michael Anderle and I were co-creating. His sophomore project after the hugely successful Kurtherian Gambit Universe and my first.

  We were all hard at work laying the groundwork for an urban fantasy world that could include a lot of different authors. The one thing that Michael and I knew would be vital was to have good authors who were willing to work together and grow together into a great team.

  Today, the Revelations of Oriceran Universe expands and takes a big step forward with Sarah Noffke’s first book, The House of Enchantment. We’ve all come a long way since we first started talking about this project in January of this year. Things are actually turning out better than expected. I think I know the reason and Sarah touched on it with her very first words. She was willing… And then things took a turn into something even better.

  Michael and I have turned out to have some of the best kind of magic on our side because what we have created between the author
s and the fans is a kind of family. The willingness was the place to start but the stories and the conversations we’ve all been having since the first series was released have made it into something more. I know a lot about how readers are doing. Who’s struggling after Hurricane Harvey or dealing with chronic pain or has grandchildren to celebrate. Everyone else knows I have more running socks of Star Wars characters and food (bacon socks…) and have survived cancer a lot. You even know about The Offspring and Magic Mike.

  It makes sense. The authors of the Oriceran Universe along with LMBPN Publishing, create characters that are loyal, courageous and will be there when you need them. Along with a lot of laughter. Start with that as your base, mix in willingness, have a lot of good conversations and there it is. Family of our own making.

  So today, our family expands and our readers are already eagerly anticipating the newest addition. Welcome to the Revelations of Oriceran – the House of Enchanted – Book One – the Soul Stone Mage Series and Sarah Noffke. A new part of the journey we will all take together. I’m going to enjoy every step of it with you.

  Publisher Notes - Michael Anderle

  Written September 5, 2017

  First, THANK YOU for not only reading this book, but also the Author, and now Publisher, notes at the back.

  Here it is, the first book that will be published without my name on the cover. (The first book I wrote Publisher notes actually comes out this Friday. You can preorder it, so it had to be locked down at Amazon 72 hours early.)

  Due to some damned amazing people, who happen to have really cool birthdays (I’m a Virgo and I’m almost positive that Martha is a Virgo as well) we hope to continue entertaining you for a while to come.

  For those that have started with me on Death Becomes Her, you know I like to share a little of ‘what’s up’ in the background.

  Today, I’m going to share that two (2) whole parties are interested enough to have phone conversations from that area near LA, the big ‘H’.

  Well, I think they are both in LA area…yeah, yeah they are.

  Anyway, one phone call happens Thursday morning and I’m waiting back on a confirmation for the other conversation. Now, I’m not expecting much and I’ll lay out the ‘why’ for you.

  From what I can gather, the typical option price for a movie/tv series is on the low end $1,000 and on the high end $10,000 for a pretty good length of time (maybe 1-3 years.)

  Kurtherian Gambit revenues (including all books, audiobooks, ebooks, merchandise) mean that for me to pay attention to something like the money above, it is going to take away a good portion of my focus from writing the next Michael or Bethany Anne story, or helping the next author as we collaborate or the next person we want to speak with.

  For even $10,000 (which I’m assuming 20% will go to an agent, another $3,000 will go to a lawyer and then 40% goes to the government) it just isn’t worth the interruption to my time beyond some preliminary talks.

  Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see the visuals of the stories come to life, but I’m not willing to lose the focus that helped get us to where we are, because others come knocking with what is essentially not much money for us to worry about at the moment.

  We (and by ‘we’ I mean myself, the other authors, our team(s) that support us and you, the fans) don’t need to be screwed by Hollywood lawyers and that IS their job, generally speaking.

  So, I’m HAPPY and excited to talk with them. I’m just not expecting much to happen.

  J.K. Rowling sold the options to her first four (4) books for approximately $2,000,000 and while I’m not suggesting we are at that stage of awesomeness…

  We are definitely above $10,000. And that is $10,000 where we see something like $3,000 once the agent, lawyer and tax people get their cuts first.

  Since I put this down on paper, watch one of those amazingly gifted sales people get me to agree to something and cause me to have to write a ‘I’m eating crow’ next book.

  Wow, that would so totally suck.

  I’ll place it out into the world that I want to speak in six figures when we speak options for books and seven figures is alright, too.

  (I wants what I want, but it doesn’t mean I’ll get it.)

  That should cause Hollywood to laugh their asses off at me and you know what?

  I’m ok with that.

  Ad Aeternitatem,

  Michael

  P.S. I I’ve had a discussion with a lady since writing those words above. It seems I’m BEYOND ignorant where all of the expenses are in the beginning of anything to do with Hollywood.

  So, we shall see where it goes.

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  The email list will be a way to share upcoming news and let you know about giveaways and other fun stuff. The Facebook group is a way for us to connect faster – in other words, a chat, plus a way to share new spy tools, ways to keep your information safe, and other cool information and stories. Plus, from time to time I’ll share other great indie authors’ upcoming worlds of magic and adventure. Signing up for the email list is an easy way to ensure you receive all of the big news and make sure you don’t miss any major releases or updates.

  Enjoy the new adventure!

  Sarah Noffke and Martha Carr 2017

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  About Sarah Noffke

  Sarah Noffke, an Amazon Best Seller, writes YA and NA sci-fi fantasy, paranormal and urban fantasy. She is the author of the Lucidites, Reverians, Ren, Vagabond Circus, Olento Research and Soul Stone Mage series. Noffke holds a Masters of Management and teaches college business courses. Most of her students have no idea that she toils away her hours crafting fictional characters. Noffke's books are top rated and best-sellers on Kindle. Currently, she has eighteen novels published. Her books are available in paperback, audio and in Spanish, Portuguese and Italian. http://www.sarahnoffke.com

  Check out other work by this author here.

  The Lucidites Series:

  Awoken, #1:

  Around the world humans are hallucinating after sleepless nights.

  In a sterile, underground institute the forecasters keep reporting the same events.

  And in the backwoods of Texas, a sixteen-year-old girl is about to be caught up in a fierce, ethereal battle.

  Meet Roya Stark. She drowns every night in her dreams, spends her hours reading classic literature to avoid her family’s ridicule, and is prone to premonitions—which are becoming more frequent. And now her dreams are filled with strangers offering to reveal what she has always wanted to know: Who is she? That’s the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out. But will Roya live to regret learning the truth?

  Stunned, #2

  Revived, #3

  The Reverians Series:

  Defects, #1:

  In the happy, clean community of Austin Valley, everything appears to be perfect. Seventeen-year-old Em Fuller, however, fears something is askew. Em is one of the new generation of Dream Travelers. For some reason, the gods have not seen fit to gift all of them with their expected special abilities. Em is a Defect—one of the unfortunate Dream Travelers not gifted with a psychic power. Desperate to do whatever it takes to earn her gift, she endures painful daily injections along with commands from her overbearing, loveless father. One of the few bright spots in her life is the return of a friend she had thought dead—but with his return comes the knowledge of a shocking, unf
orgivable truth. The society Em thought was protecting her has actually been betraying her, but she has no idea how to break away from its authority without hurting everyone she loves.

  Rebels, #2

  Warriors, #3

  Vagabond Circus Series:

  Suspended, #1:

  When a stranger joins the cast of Vagabond Circus—a circus that is run by Dream Travelers and features real magic—mysterious events start happening. The once orderly grounds of the circus become riddled with hidden threats. And the ringmaster realizes not only are his circus and its magic at risk, but also his very life.

  Vagabond Circus caters to the skeptics. Without skeptics, it would close its doors. This is because Vagabond Circus runs for two reasons and only two reasons: first and foremost to provide the lost and lonely Dream Travelers a place to be illustrious. And secondly, to show the nonbelievers that there’s still magic in the world. If they believe, then they care, and if they care, then they don’t destroy. They stop the small abuse that day-by-day breaks down humanity’s spirit. If Vagabond Circus makes one skeptic believe in magic, then they halt the cycle, just a little bit. They allow a little more love into this world. That’s Dr. Dave Raydon’s mission. And that’s why this ringmaster recruits. That’s why he directs. That’s why he puts on a show that makes people question their beliefs. He wants the world to believe in magic once again.

  Paralyzed, #2

  Released, #3