Contents
Copyrights
About the Author
Written by Stephany Wallace
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
A note from the Author
Next from Stephany Wallace
Trademarks
COPYRIGHTS
Reproducing this book without permission from the author or the publisher is an infringement of its copyright. This book is a work of fiction. The characters names, names of places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are not to be construed as real or used without the author’s authorization. Any resemblance to any actual events or persons, living or dead, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2019 Stephany Wallace
All rights reserved.
Edited by Stephany Wallace.
Proofread by Amanda Ryder
Cover Design by Stephany Wallace. All Rights Reserved. Interior Design and Formatting By Stephany Wallace. All Rights Reserved.
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No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
An S.W. Creative Publishing publication:
March 29th, 2019
www.stephanywallace.com
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bestselling Author Stephany Wallace, published her debut novel Hidden Magic, (Paranormal Romance) in late 2016. However, she has actually been writing since she was about 12 years old.
Thanks to the influence of her Literature teacher who was also a poet, she began to write Poetry, which allowed her passion for writing to grow. Writing songs followed as her love extended to music. An artist, at heart and soul, she enjoys all forms of artistic expression and occasionally indulges in drawing, playing her guitar, singing, and of course writing.
As any die-hard Star Wars and Disney fan would naturally do, she moved to Orlando to be closer to Disney a few years back, where she lives happily ever after with her family.
Shortly after her NPR debut, she won two awards as Best Debut Author 2016, Hidden Magic won the award for Best Debut Novel and her "Oh so #CynfullyDelicious" character Cynwrig Bresall won Best Book Boyfriend From Another Country.
She has several books in the works for publication in 2019
So stay tuned!
You can stalk her, I mean follow her here, to know a bit more about her and her upcoming books:
Join her Newsletter!
www.stephanywallace.com
WRITTEN BY STEPHANY WALLACE
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Paranormal Romance & Fantasy
Ancient Magic Series
*A Celtic Adventure & Paranormal Romance.*
Hidden Magic, book 1.
Renewed Magic, book 2.
Unwanted Magic, Eisha’s story, book 3.
Worthy of Magic, Art’s story, book 4.
Absolute Magic, book 5.
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The Winter Court Chronicles
*An Epic Fantasy Romance .*
Forgotten Kingdom, book 1.
Broken Kingdom, book 2.
Everlasting Kingdom, book 3.
Dragons of the Temple. Avra’s Story, book 4.
Secret Kingdom. Theo’s Story, book 5.
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The Curse of the Lycan Series
*A fairytale Retelling.*
Beast of Shadow & Light, book 1.
Slayer of Hope & Sorrow, book 2.
Knight of Iron & Stone, book 3.
Queen of War & Peace, book 4.
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The Pureblood Legacy Series
*A Curse of the Lycan Series Spin off .
An Urban Fantasy Romance*
Wolf Prince, Book 1
Dark Wolf, Book 2 (Coming May 14th.)
To check out Steph’s other books feel free to visit her Author Page:
Paranormal Romance: Website | Amazon
WRITTEN BY S.C. WALLACE
Adult Contemporary Romance
A Love Through Time Series:
Chasing Time, book 1.
Destined Time, book 2.
Somewhere Inside Series
Somewhere Inside My Mind, book 1.
Somewhere Inside My Past, book 2.
To check out Steph’s other books feel free to visit her Author Page:
Contemporary Romance: Website | Amazon
DEDICATION
To everyone who’s ever been through mental,
emotional, or physical trauma, overcome the pain, and found light through the darkness it leaves behind.
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You are a warrior.
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“Your wounds and imperfections are your beauty…”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To my amazing friends and Beta Readers:
Kallie Kennon, Jaime Lingerfelt Rodriguez, Shawn Wood, and Andie Ryder. Thank you for believing in me, supporting my crazy ideas, and helping me through this journey every day.
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Thanks for being excited about every single chapter. I especially love your book-boyfriend claiming battles lol. You have no idea how much you mean to me. I love you all.
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To my Proofreader: Andie Ryder. Thank you for helping me with the little typos I miss while creating these magic worlds, and the commas I hate #WriterStruggles. lol Love you, girlie!
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I also want to thank my mods: Chanell Renea, Kallie Kennon, Jaime Lingerfelt Rodriguez, Shawn Wood, and Andie Ryder, for helping me manage my page and entertain the fans. You are the best!
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Thank you to my ARC TEAM for their support. I love you all.
* * *
And last but not least, I want to thank my family for believing in me. I love you!
GUSTAV
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“G, are you sure you want to do this?”
Zelin’s skeptical voice reached me as we drove through the windy city. Chicago—home to the Cubs, Al Capone, deep-dish pizza, and my new home… at least for the next five years.
Although unintentional, my response was delayed as my gaze still wandered the magnificent skyscrapers we had left behind, while we exited the highway. We drove even farther away from downtown, and closer to the bay, into Lincoln Park.
Shifting my gaze through the window, I focused on the old town now greeting us. My finger was permanently pressed to the camera button of my phone, snapping pictures like a crazed paparazzi. Awe and excitement coursed through me, admiring the brick of the brownstones sprinkled along the streets, the mix of modern and classic architecture bringing a smile to my face.
It was all so different from my home back in Germany. Germany’s architectural design was impressive, but the town where I was from—Garmisch—was a little gem in the Alps, filled with old charm, history, and tradition. The modern hand of man hadn’t touched its streets and buildings, remaining the fairytale town you’d imagine it to be.
This was the first time I left its comfort to move out of the country.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life, Z.”
I smiled at her reassuringly. She sat beside me in the back of the rental car, squeezing my hand to the point it hurt, but I had no heart to tell her to ease up her grip. This was the first time Zelin had left Garmisch, at all, and though she was the second toughest woman I’d ever met—the first being my mom—she was not fond o
f change.
Using the word “tough” was an understatement when describing Zelin, but flying 5,000 miles to move to a different country, just to go to college, definitely counted as an extreme change. A bold move to make at eighteen years old—in human years that is—but once I made up my mind about something, there was no stopping me.
Franz parked in front of the house he acquired for us to stay in, during my time in college, and we exited the car. My gaze briefly went to the three SUVs parked both in front and behind us along the street, before settling on our new home.
“The estate occupies a triple lot parcel," Franz began to explain, while I studied the façade of the two-story structure for the very first time—we’d arrived in the city in the middle of the night, deciding to stay at a hotel.
"It has several outdoor spaces, including a beautifully landscaped central courtyard that floods the home with light. There are also several stone terraces, and a rooftop deck "sky lounge" that promises gorgeous city views."
I smiled at the “old man” while he took us on a tour of the premises, unlocking the sleek wooden door of the brick-wall before us. Franz was like my grandpa. He had been part of our family long before I was part of it, and resembled Alfred Pennyworth, Batman’s butler, in more ways than one—my mom’s words, not mine, but I wholeheartedly agreed. Franz was the high counselor to the ReinheitWölfe crown.
Yeah, I was royalty. Literally. Though, a very different kind…
“This way, young prince,” Franz called, walking into the front garden.
Before I could take the first step to follow him, Zelin’s arm connected with my chest, stopping me as she went from anxious to full on protector mode. The twelve guys that fanned around us stepped forwards with her movement, her knights.
Without a single word she extended her hand to the knight closest to her, receiving her silver sword from Emory—her second in command. The blade shone in the dying sunlight, almost glowing with a golden hue as she unsheathed it, and held it before her, fingers dangerously curving along the hilt.
I repressed a sigh while Franz wisely stepped out of her way, and she entered the garden with six of her knights flanking her. The other six remained by my side, guarding me in her absence.
“You know your sword is not necessary, right?” I yelled after her while she inspected the outside of the property. “You are not going to find anything there, other than the staff already settled into the house, you overprotective, paranoid, maniac!”
“Shut up, or I’ll make you shut up with my sword, and show you exactly why I need it!” she yelled back, and I laughed.
Franz grinned at our banter, while the knights behind me snickered. They were more than used to it.
Zelin was my best friend, but she was the most stubborn, antisocial, and scary-ass woman I had ever met. Though, first and foremost, she was my Eisen Ritter—Iron Knight—the most dangerous guardian there was for our kind, even though she was basically my age. So dangerous, the mere mention of the title brought fear into the hearts of those who knew of our race.
After several minutes she returned, sliding the sword back into her scabbard as she gave me a firm nod, finally satisfied with her inspection of the mansion that looked more like a mini castle.
I stepped forward, joining her on the stone pathway that led to the front door, but briefly stopped when I reached for the exterior wall. My lips curved as I felt the coolness of the brick and limestone exterior, in beautiful orangey-red hues.
“Are you sure about this?” Zelin asked again, her brows wrinkling into a slight frown.
My smile widened. “Well, if I wasn’t it’s too late now. We are already here.”
Scowling at me, Zelin huffed, and took her place beside me.
With a chuckle, I took her hand in mine and entered the house. Twenty smiling faces greeted us, half of them I knew—they had been reassigned here from the castle, to accompany me during my stay in Chicago—while the other half were local, so I hadn’t had a chance to meet them yet.
The men and women stood in uniform along both sides of the entrance, creating a path for me.
“This is Prince Gustav Von Reinheit,” Franz introduced, “and this is Zelin Von Reinheit, Gustav’s Iron Knight, and her knights, Emory—her Beta—Dale, Alois, Egon, Fonzo, Geron, Barnie, Ivo, Rey, Len, Rod, and Olis.
“Thanks for saving the best for last,” Olis added, though his expression remained dead serious.
The staff chuckled at his statement, offering us a head bow.
“Why are they laughing? I wasn’t kidding.” Olis added confused, and I shook my head, patting his back.
“It’s a pleasure to finally have you here, young prince,” Audrick, Franz's pupil as counselor, greeted once the rest of the staff was introduced to me.
I smiled, seeing his black eyes fill with joy when he stopped in front of me in a midnight blue suit, much like the one Franz wore. I hugged him, patting his back. “And I’m glad to have you here with us.”
“Has everything been prepared for their arrival?” Franz asked Audrick, who nodded.
“The luggage sent here from the palace is completely unpacked, and the house has been prepared with anything they can possibly need. I have also instructed the staff on everything they need to know in order…”
Their voices drifted as my attention shifted to the living room, the glass double doors that led to the internal terrace just beyond, and the wide stairs on the other side that led to the second floor—where the eight bedrooms we would occupy were located.
Glancing at Zelin I nodded towards the staircase. “Come on, Monkey. Let’s choose our rooms.”
She smirked, a mischievous spark in her onyx eyes as I gave her my back, and she jumped on me, honoring the nickname she’d earned. Hooking my hands under her knees, I rushed up the stairs to the second floor, with her arms wrapped around my neck.
The knights followed us.
“Right,” Zelin instructed, having already seen the house twice during her security sweep. “Third door on the right,” she added as the guys left us, separating into sets of two, and choosing a room each from the ones we had already passed.
Zelin and I entered a large room, the space as sizable as the rooms back in the castle. Modern but classic furniture was placed along the blueish-gray painted room, with dark wooden floors.
A California king size bed was set against the farthest wall, its contemporary wooden canopy design was appealing, though no fabric hung from it, resembling a three dimensional cube. A large screen TV, and a desk were also there, but it was the double doors that led to the terrace that called my attention.
“This is your room,” Zelin explained, jumping down from my back, and we walked together through the glass doors.
The fresh scent of wild lavender, cherry, and almond grazed our noses when the soft breeze whirled around us. Reaching the cement railing of the balcony, we looked down to find that the garden was literally in the center of the house, all rooms and areas had windows overlooking the terrace below.
A couple of black cherry trees were planted along the corners, while several flowered, landscaped grass patches, as well as hardscaped areas covered the ground. There was complete privacy, which we needed, considering the circumstances.
“We need to open the wall between our rooms,” Zelin complained next to me.
I sighed. “Isn’t the next room yours?”
“Yes, but there are thirty steps in between. Thirty,” she repeated, wide-eyed as though she was talking about miles instead of steps.
Iron Knights were the definition of overprotective. They never left their charge’s side, ever, usually sharing adjoining rooms with them—like we had done back in Germany, with only a door separating us from each other.
My gaze shifted upwards, looking at the darkening sky while I ignored her. My eyes closed as I inhaled the mix of swirling scents in the air, enjoying the hint of saltwater the breeze from the bay brought into the city, something we didn’t have back were
I grew up in Garmisch.
I was desperate to see Lake Michigan, since it was as close as I’d get to the sea here.
“Aren’t you going to say anything?” Zelin pressed, appalled at my lack of concern, and I sighed, looking into her bottomless onyx eyes.
“You can eat thirty steps for breakfast, Z. That is nothing. Especially for you.”
Her frown returned. “If something happens, and you need me—”
“If something happens,” I cut her off, “we both know a wall isn’t going to stand in your way. If you need to get to me, nothing will stop you.”
“I need a door in between our rooms,” she pressed stubbornly.
“It’s not happening,” I taunted, working hard to repress a smile. I loved riling her up.
“Oh, it’s happening. Just wait and see.” The flame of challenge entered her gaze with the words.
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