By: Taisha Speters
Prologue
Three laws were all they had, and she broke every one of them. Teeth chattering, her whole body shivered. When the Council received word of her traitorous behavior, they would never forgive her actions, royalty or not.
The realization crept in that she would have to spend eternity banished from her home. A young adult herself, her fingers ached through the gloves as the cold stiffened the blood inside. Snow fell from the dreary sky, covering the ground inch by inch. A bright full moon hid behind the dark clouds. Her footsteps were the only sound in the dark forest.
Legs aching, she pushed forward with each step. The cold air coursed through her lungs, burning her throat with each breath. She would reach the end. Soon.
Cradling a small bundle of blankets in her arms, she could hear the infant’s cries from within. Whispering comforts to hush the child, she desperately tried to stay one step ahead of him. Clutching the baby to her chest and sending a silent prayer, she would make it.
Footprints were left in the snow. Each one left an imprint of where she was going. The wind called to her in a low hum. Breezing through her cloak and hair, then down through her fingers. With a flick of her wrist, it burst from her palm in a flurry, swiping away all evidence of her trail. The child settled nestling into her mother’s chest, falling asleep in the bundle.
“Bresais!” A voice yelled from behind her. “I will find you if it’s the last thing I do! That child will never live!”
Hearing his voice caused tears to stream down her face. She continued to run, her chest searing with every breath inhaled. Bresais didn’t dare slow, knowing that if she stopped, he would murder the baby without hesitation.
Running to the only person in the kingdom that would protect her baby. Her sister, Anastasia, was to meet her at the edge of the woods, to smuggle the infant out of the realm. The future princess, who was forced from her own legacy.
Fear crept in, smothering her pounding heart in her chest. Bresais was filled with sorrow knowing that her baby girl, only a few days old, would be raised by another. The mortal realm would ensure her daughter’s survival, as she was the heir and savior to Belsaria.
She approached the end of the woodlands where Anastasia should be waiting. She gasped when she found it to be empty.
“Anastasia?” She whispered.
“I’m here,” the branches suddenly retracted as she made her way into the clearing. “Do not worry. I will take her to the mortal realm. He won’t stop looking for you, so make this count, Brea, okay?”
A small part of her broke at the nickname her sister had given her when they were younger. “I understand.” Glancing down at her rosy-cheeked baby, Bresais kissed her softly, handing her over.
“She’ll be safe with me. I won’t let any harm come to her. I promise.”
“I know you won’t, Ana. Thank you for this. For everything. I love you.”
An aura of warm magenta mist appeared around Anastasia. Dancing, like the flames of a candle. The light circled around her, billowing the cloak as it took on a circular shape, with a black center. Several buildings appeared within, and the same full moon stared back.
The rush of noise came through the portal from the mortal realm. Bresais didn’t ask where Ana was taking her daughter. She knew she made frequent trips to visit the mortals on multiple occasions. She wasn’t the only one that broke the rules. Ana turned and gave her sister a mournful look, stepping inside. The portal shut.
Bresais’ attention diverted to the sound of heavy footsteps approaching.
No! He found me.
A blood-curdling growl filled the air as he cursed. Working quickly, she conjured her own aura of aquamarine. The fog swirled around in a ring until its outer brim had a bright hue and the inside turned black. Another realm appeared, and she ventured into it. Before she could disappear into its safety, her father appeared. Lunging forward, he reached for her throat. He missed, but he grabbed her shirt.
Bresais screamed as it ripped, stumbling backward. Then fell through her aura as the portal closed.
Her father tripped as the portal shrank and disappeared. Falling to the ground, he swore again. Clutching the snow and dirt in his fingers, he said, “I will find you, Bresais. Mark my words. You and that child will be finished!”