Daegan (The Age of Alandria: A Companion Novella) (13 page)

Ask.
Maleina knew very well that
she
did not ask...
she
demanded and it was done or you were. Maleina had proven herself thus far and needed to reap the reward promised her—power.

“It will be done.”

The bloom snapped shut, extinguishing the glow of light. Maleina returned the orb to its home in a hidden drawer within her vanity, then shut and locked the drawer. She placed the key to be hidden away, snuggled in her cleavage, down the low-cut opening in her flouncy shirt encased in a leather bustier laced up the front. The rest of her dress was a straight skirt down to her ankles, yet revealing all that she could and still be called royalty with that slit up the side. Her colors were all natural as was the fiber of her dress, being a Faerie. Her hair was what stood out on her this day. It was coiffed high on her head in almost a cone shape with a mess of red curls being dramatically released from their bondage in very specific ways. Nothing was out of her control.

She pulled a worn chain, tarnished with time, from around her neck. On it dangled a single small and rare crystal forged by dark magic. It held within it wisps of blue energy. It gave her assurance. The life and energy humming from such a small trinket sent a buzz within her, igniting the vengeance that had been simmering for quite some time. Maleina sauntered out of her private chamber clutching the crystal, rubbing it between her thumb and forefinger with a wicked grin as she thought of what was to come.
It is beginning.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Daegan lay in bed that night after the family dinner that was nothing more than mostly uncomfortable silence. Rubbing his left shoulder where it was pulsing again, he had much to think on from this last mission, including everything before that. He felt in his soul something changing—something monumental. He did not know whether it was for light or for dark, but it felt heavy and ominous. Rheina sneaking around like she was unwanted in her own house did not help either. Her words spoken earlier outside his chamber, echoed within his mind: “
It is beginning
” was all she had said before she blended back into the shadows—the same three words he delivered to Adettlyn. He did not understand her elusiveness, but did trust her warnings after everything she had tried to reveal to him already.

The darkness within Alandria was festering with a new vengeance. He could also feel it growing within himself. However, his gifts were growing as well—he just did not know their purpose. The battle within him had begun. His loyalties were about to be tested. Unsure of the reason for his involvement or the intended outcome, he gripped the hilt of the dagger he kept under his pillow anchoring his aggression, as he decided he would be ready to fight with his life.

 A blinding pain shot through his skull. Gripping his head, he fell into darkness once more. This time he could feel the struggle for his mind internally.

“Daegan,” an intense feminine voice, a familiar voice, commanded from a distance as he felt his soul pulled to one side.

“Daegan,” a different voice, one made of many, called to him from the opposite side. It offered peace, but it pulled him to something unknown.

“Daegan. You are
mine
.” He was pulled more forcefully as pain tried to blind him and distract him from participating in the war over his own soul.

The soothing voices chanted words in a song-like pattern, drawing his soul closer. Then the soothing voices  became stronger, “She needs you. It is almost time.”

A blinding light broke the internal war. Daegan’s eyes flew open, as he lay on his bed unaware of what had just happened. He looked around with a new feeling of irritation and frustration at outside forces. Unsure of whom to trust and what was happening inside of him, he began to believe with all of his heart and soul that the message was true: 

It is beginning.

Glossary of Terms~

Alandria:
A realm parallel to our mortal realm inhabited by several races of magical beings and creatures. Created by the Originators also known as The Orchids.

Exhile:
Another realm, where the condemned souls of the non-human go to spend eternity in unrest or until they are devoured and absorbed into the land, whichever comes first.

Ferrishyn:
(fair-i-shin) They are the warrior race of Faeries, mostly male, in the territory of Feraánmar. They serve as hunters, guides, and guardians. Elite members become a part of the royal guard for the Paladin.

Earth Faeries:
The most common race of Faeries. They are cultivators and growers for Alandria, their magic strengthened from the earth itself even as they give back to it.

Ehsmia:
(a.k.a. The Hidden People), An ancient race of faeries that have been in hiding to protect their race from extinction—though they are already believed to be of legend, if at all. Their magic is stronger as they retain a fraction of the ‘old magic’, as opposed to the magic of Earth Faeries. Though they are blessed with long life, they are cursed with slow reproduction.

Elves:
At one point were the majority race in Alandria. They have a base magic as most do in Alandria, but some are gifted with more abilities than others. Their magic is strengthened from the light of the sun, moon, and stars. 

Shifters:
A race of beings that have the ability to shift into an animal. Those of greater strength and magic, may have the ability to shift into more than one animal form rather than just one.
 

The Orchids:
An illusive collective of heads from various races united together originally to flee darkness thus creating Alandria. Considered the Originators and make up the group considered the Elders. Their goal to unite Alandria against the darkness that stirs upheaval against the kingdoms.

The Droch-Shúil:
Is an evil entity. It is an ancient host collecting souls that went bad—the unforgiven dead. It grows with the strength and magic of the souls it consumes. Also considered a kind of demon.

Ferriers:
Not quite Faeries or Elves for that matter, an ancient creature nonetheless existing in Alandria but not of it. They are neither alive nor dead, but simply exist. They are not anchored to any particular realm as they are the ferriers. They escort souls to their beyond whether it be where they are transitioned into rest, reborn, or to Exhile. They are non-partial or so it is believed. They are not to be involved other than departures.

Ónarach:
A faction of Elves—mostly—that chose to go against their nature and against their race by taking the lives of Elders in order to consume their magic for their own gain transforming them into something dark. 

Paladin:
The governing rulers of a territory, specifically Feraánmar territory of the Faeries, that took reign when the King and Queen died.

Sol-lumieth:
A new power, a new magic, that was foretold in an ancient prophecy to return the light and life—the hope—of Alandria.

NaNai:
The ancient Oak trees that were originally used to contain and protect some of the ancient magic that was transported at the inception of Alandria. They were brought into Alandria and even scattered and deposited into the mortal realm by the original Elf lords of the forest. As the ancient magic fails, so do the great oaks.

*
Several races that were used in The Age of Alandria series are inspired from various mythologies throughout history.

Look for Book Three in

The Age of Alandria series

Summer 2014

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Daegan: A Companion Novella

Morgan Wylie, originally from the Pacific Northwest, now resides near Nashville, TN with her husband and daughter. She and her husband work everyday at their individual and combined creative pursuits while she learns to balance being “Mama”, wife, and mediator to the many voices and muses constantly chattering in her head. 

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