The Golden Heart E-Book

Vanessa Winter

• Herausgeber: tredition
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 441

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2013

Beschreibung

When Aurea Vitae's travel begins, she is unhappily married. Her husband Devius, king of the world and a hot-headed Magus of Darkness, makes her life a living hell. As fate willed, she finds out that her former fiancé Ian Vehemens is one of her comrades, chosen to accompany her during her journey across Arcanum. Their feelings for each other reawaken, but their love seems to have no future. Will the golden heart help her find her true soul mate? And how is the mysterious God of Air Jae-Hwa connected with her?

Leseprobe

About the author

Vanessa Winter was born August 13th 1991 in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. She grew up in the scenic small town of Maulbronn.

»The Golden Heart« was created in 2009, when the author was trying to cope with the domestic violence of her relationship. As time passed, she expanded the story to the point of it being what it is today. Her interest in acting made her write four screenplays to the book series, that shall include seven novels.

The artist name „Winter“ stands for a heart of ice, not impressed by romance, belonging to a person who, however, writes about it.

THANKS TO

First off, I’d like to thank my family and friends who have always seen more in me than I ever have. Specifically, I thank:

- Junho Lee for the wonderful song and the support. There is no better inspiration for Jae-Hwa. Words aren’t enough to thank you, 2PM and KBS for changing my life and being so excited with me. Just want to hug you all.

- my sister and best friend Nadja for the first correction. I love you.

- Janina for the lovely hard-cover design

- Herwin for the map creation and the very nice chats. Cheers!

- Colin Morgan for taking my gift.

- Jun Kim & the whole team of KBS »A Song For You«, including Hottest

- Mario – for staying friends. Even though our ways will part, you were my first and biggest fan – hopefully this won’t change. We were simply too young to understand love. Thank you for helping me correct the English edition so eagerly. I hope you will find your true soul mate.

- Sevki – if it weren’t for you, I probably wouldn’t know K-Pop. You’re the kind of friend that allows you to be yourself. “Telepassy” for the win ;)

- Ting - my shooting star :)

- Papa– for loving your daughters so much.

- Mama – for being so proud of me and believing in me.

- Oma – for your constant, loving worry about me. I’m glad you enjoyed my story.

- Opa – for still being the man everyone can count on – at 86.

- Hottbeat Chile (my Latin manager), itsallabout2PM & Lee Junho Indonesia

- xuxu for your lovely letter

- @25smilingeyes

- Mariem Oraby – for your friendship and support

- My ladies, “female 2PM” Thai-Princess Maddy, energy pill Manu, khun girl Cynthia, adorable Ping and Maknae Hang. Nessi loves ya! ^-^

- Grazi^-^ First Hottest to call me Nessi

- so many other kind people making my life worth living

and last but not least YOU for reading my book :)

Vanessa Winter

The Golden Heart

Book 1 – Strength of Love

www.tredition.de

The Golden Heart, Book 1 – Strength of Love © 2013 Vanessa Winter

Cover Design: © Olga Drozdova (fotolia.com) Maps: © Herwin Wielink (fantasy-maps.com) Editor of English version: Mário Silva, Martina Günther Editor of German version: Nadja Wagner Others: Nika Bechtel, Olivia Brown

Translated from German to English by Vanessa Winter

Verlag: tredition GmbH, Hamburg ISBN: 978-3-8495-7431-4

Das Werk, einschließlich seiner Teile, ist urheberrechtlich geschützt. Jede Verwertung ist ohne Zustimmung des Verlages und des Autors unzulässig. Dies gilt insbesondere für die elektronische oder sonstige Vervielfältigung, Übersetzung, Verbreitung und öffentliche Zugänglichmachung.

Bibliografische Information der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek:

Die Deutsche Nationalbibliothek verzeichnet diese Publikation in der Deutschen Nationalbibliografie; detaillierte bibliografische Daten sind im Internet über http://dnb.d-nb.de abrufbar.

To Colin Morgan, the heart and Junho Lee, the soul of this story.

I dedicate this novel to everyone who still believes

STRENGTH

»There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast.«

(Charles Dickens)

TRAPPED

PRESENT

PARK JAE-HWA (AERIUS, GOD OF AIR)

»Let me go!«, he begged for the seventh time now, since he had heard the voices from outside. Using all languages known to him, he spoke to the Gods out there, trying to get through to what they once had been - human.

Jae-Hwa knelt on the ancient wood, his ear pressed tightly against the door, that had no doorknob on the inside. Gradually the voices started to get clearer.

»Everyone was informed.«

»Are you sure?«

»We can’t take risks, you know.«

» Trust me. The group’s on the way to the guest house.«

» What about Aurea?«

Aurea …

The mere thought of her felt like a blade, piercing through his heart. The cold steel awoke him, making him jump to his feet.

» The ship will be leaving the island today.«

Aurea was already about to meet her destiny, while he was confined to a cabin like a helpless animal, unable to protect her.

Jae-Hwa knocked wildly at the door.

»Damn it, open up!«, he now demanded in English.

»He’s pissed off«, someone sneered, who he recognized to be the God of Water, Kieve.

Kieve and Jae-Hwa had never particularly liked one another.

Somehow the feeling arose in him that the God of Water, known to the mortals as »Imber«, had something to do with his imprisonment.

His words upset him. He hit the door harder.

After what felt like an hour of knocking, he became aware of his now wounded hands. He was losing skin on his knuckles, had a splinter in his ring finger. His face contorted with pain, he removed it. Jae-Hwa’s hands healed instantly – he was immortal after all.

Well, nearly. There was only one weapon capable of destroying both body and soul of a God. The divine sword.

A silhouette appeared by the window above the desk.

Kieve.

»Make yourself at home, Jae-Hwa. You’re going to stay in there for quite some time. «

Even though he knew that the windows of the cabin, created by angels, could neither be opened nor destroyed, he threw a chair against one. As expected, it bounced off, falling to the floor. Wrathfully, he kicked it to the other side of the room. He felt like a lion in a cage, that could hardly expect to tear his ward to pieces.

»You…!«, he snarled with clenched teeth.

Yet he could not think of a right word for Kieve.

The time would come, the day on which he’d be free. Then he wouldn’t need words any more – violence was a language understood by everyone. He was going to take revenge for all the pain Kieve caused, for this prison – for being kept away from Aurea.

The shadow slowly disappeared from the window. Gur the cat, the only companion they had left him, brushed up against Jae-Hwa’s leg.

Jae-Hwa knelt down next to him, carefully picking him up. Gur’s claws pierced into his flesh, hurting him a little, but leaving no marks.

»You don’t like it, when I’m angry. I know«, he sighed, walking towards the bed, »We’ll see Aurea again, Gur. I promise.«

A promise he made to himself much more than to the purring cat.

»I need to see her again.«

DEPARTURE

PRESENT

AUREA VITAE

»I can’t stay«, said Aurea and she didn’t want to. She feared the everlasting. Every fibre of her body longed for the outland, the distance, but she hated hurting her mother, therefore avoided looking at her.

For a moment her mother’s green eyes turned blue like Ian’s, making her think of the morning he left her. Her knees went weak. She could hardly breathe.

»Aurea … Aurea!«, a familiar voice called.

Aurea played nervously with her engagement ring.

»You still have it«, her sister Notin realised.

Aurea hid the ring in a bag attached to her golden belt.

»It’s none of your business«, she replied, »I need to go.«

She turned around, leaving the house in a rush.

The rain was pounding mercilessly on her bare arms, reminding her that she had forgotten her white cotton robe in the house. Yet she didn’t turn back any more. No matter how much the cold was torturing her - It was time to go.

Certainly, she was plagued by fear and doubt about what she was going to do, but anything seemed better at the time than staying somewhere. Tomorrow night she would already be far away from this place. Her steps accelerated, the closer she got. Full of anticipation she could smell the ocean, hear the crew shout.

Soon it was within sight. The gigantic, white ship which was decorated with golden letters. The word »Aurea« was visible on the bow – even though not as shiny as in sunny weather. The ship was named after her.

She wondered whether this trip was going to be a nightmare. However, she told herself once again: anything was better than staying.

Even if she wanted to stay here, she had no choice. She needed to fulfil her duty, because without her the world was lost.

Insecurely, she walked up the ship’s ramp. The people she passed bowed before her, getting out of her way.

»Queen Aurea«, she heard a woman’s low voice.

They all respected her, because her husband’s wrath didn’t leave them any other option.

Every time she saw the Magus of Darkness, she felt threatened. Aurea’s past was shaped by darkness, pain, loneliness and breaches of trust. A person capable of controlling the dark could not be confided in.

She had been forced to marry him. Aurea despised him, hated having him accompany her during the travel. But being in the palace with him was even worse. Locked in, isolated from the rest of the world.

Her childhood had already been a prison. Now she needed to go through this a second time.

No, she didn’t want to think about her past now – especially not her childhood.

She made herself picture something else, while leaning against the railing. The wind gently tickled her face, as though it was trying to cheer her up, unsuccessfully.

Aurea played with the engagement ring she was so carefully hiding from her husband. Without it, she wouldn’t go anywhere.

It sure was an ugly thing. Actually, she didn’t like it at all. Yellow wasn’t exactly one of her favourite colours and it shone so brightly in the most awful shade of yellow one could imagine.

It wasn’t even heart-shaped like she had wished for, but rectangular and huge, covering her entire finger. Not that her fingers were long. They were very petite.

The ring didn’t fit to her and still she was holding on to it, loving it like the man she had never gotten to marry and remembering the day she received it only too well.

Her hand approached the talisman around her neck.

A YEAR AGO

Thousands of daisies surrounded them, radiating a sweet innocence. Ian’s grin turned away from her for a moment, seeing something or someone in the woods behind them.

»Ian?«, asked Aurea.

She felt him not really being with her right now. His thoughts were visibly wandering off.

»I’m sorry«, he said, »I made some salad for you.«

He held a plate towards Aurea, that contained a mix of various vegetables and flowers. She took it from him.

»Thank you«, she said and began to eat.

The slightly spicy taste of the petals was unique. Ian worked as a chef and he was an excellent one at that. Just when Aurea was about to tell him how much she loved the salad, Ian got up.

Aurea waited, looking at him quizzically.

»I need to pee!«, announced Ian.

That was unexpected. He disappeared into the forest.

Great.

She was all alone. Aurea hoped for him to come back soon, as she was starting to feel uncomfortable. Like he was hiding something.

Nothing but paranoia?

Waiting for him to return, she ate up her salad. A bee sat down on a flower in front of her. Birds were chirping all around. The sky was clear and the earth was vibrating – vibrating?

An earthquake!

Aurea jumped off the blue cotton blanket and tripped backwards. While she was falling, she watched the ground below her move.

The bee, including the flower it was sitting on, was thrown into the air, when some sort of muddy, one and a half metre high pedestal arose out of nowhere like a hideous stigma.

On top of it, at her eye level, there was a bright yellow ring shining so much in the sun that it hurt her eyes.

She started to understand what this was all about.

Ian was standing behind her. She hadn’t seen him approach. His hands were lifted horizontally above the earth, his arms stretched, his face focused.

Ian was an Earth Magus. He could move and shape anything made of earth. Like all Magi, he also could summon the earth from within.

She had never liked the term »Magi«. This had little to do with magic. It wasn’t about Merlinian magic, the kind of magic anyone could learn from the scrolls. It was nature. Earth was the element he was made of. Either you were born like this or not.

Earth Magi were mostly very rough using their Earth and most Magi, including Light Magi like herself, only used their hands for summoning. Ian was one of the few Earth Magi she knew who used their entire body very gracefully. When his piece of art stood in the heart of the field, he took a deep breath, leaning on Aurea who was about to get up and whispered:

»Will you … marry me? Aurea?«

His voice disappeared.

PRESENT

Someone pulled her hand off the talisman.

»Aurea? Aren’t you cold, dear?«

Aurea was back to the present. Her grandmother’s worried eyes were looking down at her. She was holding Aurea’s robe, she had forgotten at home. Grandmother Lora glanced reproachfully at the engagement ring and her talisman.

»You need to stop! The more you travel through your past, the harder it will be for you!«, she scolded.

»I know«, murmured Aurea guiltily, knowing she’d do it again.

Lora placed the cloak around her shoulders.

»Your gift of seeing the past is valuable. Don’t use it carelessly!«, she said, patting her hand to take the ring away, »I do like the colour! I can see why you’re holding on to the ring. Just don’t let your husband catch you with it.«

Aurea got slightly nervous, while her grandmother was inspecting the piece of jewellery. She removed it from her hands and turned around. Lora seemed to understand.

»Fine«, she said, »You’ll realise soon enough that getting rid of it is for the best!«

Aurea knew what was “for the best”, but her feelings for Ian didn’t allow it.

She waited until her grandmother went, then leaned against the railing again. Just when she was about to dive into her past once more, her thoughts were interrupted by a joyful exclamation.

»Ha! Aurea!«, a young man behind her called.

He was only a year older than her and had already experienced more relationships than some who were twice as old.

»Ardor!«, she replied, pretending to be happy.

Ardor’s white knight robe fluttered in the wind, while he was proudly heading towards her. He appeared tall and important, although he was quite short for a man. Ardor was hardly taller than Aurea and she passed 5 feet by only two inches.

In order to emphasise his importance, he was playing with his ruby red guns until one of them fell down. He calmly went back to pick it up. With a clicking sound he slid both of the weapons into their holster, grinning boldly at Aurea.

»There’ll be a dance tonight«, he stated.

The wind made his thick, black hair messy.

»I’m not in the mood for a dance«, she explained.

She never was.

»What a shame, darling.«

Devius. Her husband.

She quickly hid her ring. Devius came closer, pulling his shovel, which he kept as a reminder of having been a gravedigger.

Being the king of this world, he no longer needed to dig graves. The power and gold he now possessed because of Aurea had gone to his head.

Three of his servants were following him anywhere like a bunch of dogs. He said he required them for protection. She knew he primarily had them by his side to demonstrate his authority.

Or just to have someone to bully.

Luckily his servants wouldn’t need to get off the ship with them.

Aurea had only one servant. Catus. She hardly ever gathered help from him, but she was sure Devius would, for no other of their personnel was allowed to join their travel.

»Let’s see if I can convince you!«, said Devius and kissed her.

His hands were grabbing her upper arms tightly.

She trembled, knowing this way of persuasion. His only way.

The pain felt like a thousand needles inside her flesh.

His darkness.

Pain, obscurity, fear, death – these made one a Magus of Darkness.

She didn’t make a sound, trying not to faze Ardor. He wasn’t aware of what Devius was doing to her. Observers saw nothing but a simple kiss.

»My Lord«, she whispered.

The king unexpectedly hugged her. She felt uneasy, but wasn’t allowed to embarrass him in front of the people who just came aboard. She knew exactly what he’d do to her should she dare to.

»See you at dinner!«, he smirked.

Devius walked back to where he came from, his minions running after him. The cabins. Perhaps she should be heading to hers as well.

After all, the rain hadn’t stopped and her hair was dripping wet.

She had to prepare for the night. One last time she stared at the island of Lucida’s landscape, which she wouldn’t see for a long time.

»Don’t worry, mother«, she said wistfully, »I’ll be back.«

Ardor escorted her to her room, as it was common for a queen to be treated.

Her sister Notin was already sitting in their cabin on the bed of cedar, looking at her with the same green eyes their mother had. Aurea sat down next to her.

A dapper wave of Notin’s hand created a tiny storm in the middle of the room. It dried Aurea’s hair and clothes immediately. Aurea laughed. Her sister was one of Arcanum’s most gifted Air Magi.

She adored her.

One would think it to be difficult for Notin that her younger sister was the Queen of Arcanum. But she wasn’t jealous, on the contrary, she supported her little sister passionately. She was and would always remain her best friend.

Notin walked to the wardrobe, taking out a golden embroidered dress. It was floor-length and angelically beautiful. The dress was made of chiffon and silk with sleeves which were open at the sides, so she could freely move her arms.

»I bought it for you«, explained Notin proudly, »For the dance.«

»It’s gorgeous!«, Aurea gasped.

She hadn’t been this happy in a long time. It felt good. Aurea was touched that her sister had made such an effort to cheer her up.

She tried on the dress. Both were delighted with its beauty and elegance. Together they were standing in front of the mirror, Notin brushing her younger sister’s hair.

The ship had sailed off an hour ago. It was getting dark.

»Got any idea who will travel with us?«, Notin asked carefully.

Aurea wasn’t allowed to say much about their mission and knew very little herself. Who were they going to meet in the province of Earth, Ager?

She had no idea.

»No«, she replied truthfully.

»Did Lux at least tell you what kind of mission we’re on?«, her sister wanted to know.

»Yes, but I was told to keep it a secret until we meet the others«, she said, »Is there still a chance you might reconsider?«

»No way in hell!«

»Please … I’ll be okay on my own.«

»No! For the last time: I won’t leave you alone. Aerius said I’m part of the prophecy. I was chosen by the God of the winds. It’s got to have a reason.«

A cold shiver ran down her spine, when she mentioned Jae-Hwa’s alias Aerius. This man had betrayed her terribly.

»Don’t ever say his name again!«, she hissed, while remembering her last words to Jae-Hwa.

Should my sister die, I will destroy you.

And she would. Oh yes, she would.

»Please don’t accept!«, Aurea begged her sister, »They would find a replacement for Ardor and you.«

Notin didn’t react to her request. Silence was her response.

»Strange that Lux and the other Gods have chosen a common Light Magus for being our Queen. While we have always lived well under the immortals’ reign«, she said then, »You have gone through so much and now you’re even doing their dirty work.«

»I know it’s confusing«, admitted Aurea.

She grabbed Notin’s hand.

»Trust me«, she pleaded »It’s fine. I can handle it.«

Her sister wasn’t quite content with her answer. The tension in her face didn’t loosen.

Someone knocked at the cabin’s door and Aurea could see it was Devius, through the round window next to it.

Notin’s sudden hostile expression reminded Aurea of the day her sister had attacked Devius, her finding out there was no way to free Aurea from this marriage. She had never seen Notin this angry and she feared witnessing something like it a second time.

She tried to distract her.

»Notin, are you sure you’re all right with staying away from your husband for so long?«

She nodded, not appearing to be honest. Was she hiding tears?

»Go«, she said, »Don’t let him lose his patience again.«

Aurea reluctantly left her. Her heart broke hearing her sister cry, after closing the door. Before she could go back, Devius linked her arm with his and started walking.

Again and again she thought of Notin’s sad face. How happy she had been with her husband. She left her home – her husband, her dog … Only to risk her life for Aurea.

So selfless.

No … she couldn’t keep blaming herself. Jae-Hwa had told Notin.

He was the enemy.

Devius interrupted her thoughts.

»You look enchanting«, he said.

She smiled apathetically, thanking him. Was she all that enchanting or not? She would never know. It was possible.

Devius saying that didn’t feel special. She was longing for someone to give her the feeling of being the only woman in the world.

Ian.

She was so absent-minded that she didn’t notice how the room was decorated or what Devius was telling her about his work as a gravedigger. The food tasted bland, boring. Not even the wine was enjoyable. Neither was the music.

She kept dreaming of her sister, her mother, the mission – Ian. Every thought led back to him, making her go crazy.

Someone pulled her off her chair. Devius nearly choked on his beer. His brown eyes were filled with anger and resentment, when they saw Aurea’s servant.

»Don’t worry, Your Majesty! I’ll bring her back to you!«, promised Catus, pulling Aurea onto the dance floor.

She shrugged, looking at Devius awkwardly, not being able to free herself from her servant’s grasp. Suddenly she didn’t want to any more.

He spun her around. The music got faster, the melody making it impossible to resist the urge. All she wanted was to dance – dance and forget everything.

»Forget your past!«, Catus cheered her up, »You’re happily married!«

»Yeah … I should be«, she murmured.

She was still grateful. All Catus cared about was her condition, thinking she married Devius, because she loved him.

Many were staring at him. He with his brown, shabby coat, his greasy ginger hair – the beard. But it was all the same to Aurea.

She danced with him, the simplest cleaners and cooks. Finally with her sister who had joined them and needed some distraction, too.

That night was refreshing to her. She felt like a new person.

When the festivities calmed down and were about to end, Devius asked her for a dance. She was tired, glad that the music had also gotten more quiet.

They danced, embracing one another in the process. Normally she would feel uncomfortable, but her thoughts weren’t with him – nor with Ian or Jae-Hwa. They were with herself. She became aware of who she was and that she couldn’t be blamed for any of it.

When the last sounds faded out, she said goodbye to Devius and went to her sister who had already gone to sleep. Catus was lying on the bed next to hers. Aurea covered him, whose blanket had fallen to the floor. Then she gave her sister a peck on the cheek and went out.

She held her engagement ring with both hands.

»Ian«, she whispered »I wish you would’ve stayed with me. Will I ever see you again? There is so much I need to say to you. Without you, everything is so … cold. I have finally come to realise it wasn’t my fault. I always thought things would’ve been different, had I been honest to you. But you know, it wouldn’t have changed a thing. Devius is my soul mate, Celerina is probably yours. I hope you’re happy. You deserve to be.«

She kissed the ring. A tear ran down her face.

»Why am I still so mad at you then? I kept dreaming of your return. Maybe that’s why. I’m not doing well, Ian. Damn it, I’m standing here, talking to a ring. I feel terrible!«

She kicked the railing and became aware of the fact that she was slightly drunk. That should explain her emotional outbursts.

»I love you … and you know what’s funny about it? I don’t even know why! You made the thing with Catus happen, so you’d have a reason to run away with Celerina on our wedding day. I’m sure you already slept with her before. I mean, who could blame you, right? You’re a man and I wasn’t able to give you what you wanted. Had I been honest, had I told you why … would you still have cheated on me?«

She was annoyed at her hair covering her face, thanks to the wind. The tears made some strands get stuck on her cheek.

»Does she make tea for you, when you come home from work? Does she know your favourite? Your allergies?«

She lowered her head.

»Even though I miss you I’d never want you to have a life like mine. It’s not for you. You’re a dreamer.«

She turned around in shock, when she noticed Devius.

»Nice speech«, he commented, grinning insincerely.

For how long had he been watching her? He walked towards her, placing an arm around her shoulders.

»I … ha …«, she stuttered, trying to drop the ring into her belt.

Devius held her firmly, struggling to get his hands on it. She clenched her fist as tightly as she could, the ring inside. He couldn’t take it from her. It was her only tangible memory of Ian. Everything she had left.

Devius snapped his fingers. His servants were quickly by his side, cornering Aurea, forcing her to open her hand. He grabbed the ring. One of the servants held up a lamp, so he could look at it in the light.

»True love stories never have endings«, he read the inscription, »Is it from that guy who ran away?«

She didn’t reply. Aurea was shaking, worried about losing her piece of jewellery. She desired nothing more than having it back.

In safety.

Devius laughed.

»It’s a little ironic, don’t you think?«

Saying this, he wound up and threw the ring into the sea.

»No!«

With a splash, her beloved memory disappeared in the deep, blue ocean. It was gone. A biting pain on her left cheek woke her from her temporary numbness.

»This was for your dance with Catus«, he explained the slap and hit her a second time, this time on the right cheek, causing her to fall.

The servants were startled, but none of them dared to help her, which would mean risking to be hurt as well.

»And this for the ring.«

He went back to his cabin, as though nothing had happened

She started crying, when he was far enough not to hear. Some moments later she perceived footsteps approaching. She wiped away her tears and sat up.

»Your Majesty!«

Ardor sounded surprised. He hurried to her and helped her get up.

»What happened?«

»Nothing«, she answered cautiously.

He noticed her reddened face, touching it gently with his fingertips. She flinched.

»Your Majesty … who did this to you?«

»No one.«

Ardor looked around carefully.

»It was your husband, wasn’t it?«

Without replying she stared at the sea. The moonlight and starlight were reflecting like diamonds on the dark surface. It was incredibly beautiful. Yet all she could think about was her lost ring.

»He has no right to abuse you.«

»Devius is the king of this world. He creates the rights he needs.«

She smiled faintly about his concern.

»Had you decided for me, Your Majesty, I would never have run. I’d rather have kicked my own buttocks than hurt you.«

Even though she didn’t feel like laughing, his words made her chuckle. He was a kind man, but a hopeless womaniser.

When he leaned towards her, she kissed his cheek and whispered:

»You’re like a brother to me. I’m glad I have you. Good night.«

Heavy-heartedly she walked away, leaving dumbfounded Ardor behind.

»Good night »Sis«, she heard him sigh.

She felt terrible. But she preferred rejecting him this way, rather than having to watch his execution, should Devius ever know about his affection for her. Other than that, she was exhausted. Today’s efforts took a toll on her.

A NEW DAY

»Good morning, Your Majesty.«

Aurea opened her eyes, seeing Catus widely grinning at the end of her bed, drying his hands with a cotton towel.

»Your bath is prepared«, he explained, pointing at the golden tub that was almost entirely filled with water.

Slowly Aurea sat up, running her fingers through her hair.

To her own surprise she was fine. For the first time in years she hadn’t had a nightmare. Sunlight flooded the room. Blinded by the light, she needed to squint her eyes.

»What time is it?«, she asked.

»2pm«, replied Catus, smirking.

She had never slept this long.

»Unbelievable«, she could only croak out.

She jumped out of bed and looked into the mirror.

They would need every bit of their energy for the travel.

»You should hustle. We’ll be arriving soon«, Catus made himself understood, before he exited the room. He took one last bow.

Her heart began to race. Arriving soon? She quickly undressed, sitting down inside the warm water, which instantly relaxed her. Aurea closed her eyes, lying back. Despite the tub’s small size it was very cosy. A taller person wouldn’t have been capable of stretching their legs in it though.

She kept thinking of Catus’ words. They meant Aurea was soon going to see the whole world of Arcanum. To her, this was more than exciting.

Until she was 18 she had lived in Ater Cor’s dark dungeon in Caligo. Trapped and enslaved on the island of the Magi of Darkness.

After fleeing onto a pirate ship with a friend, she spent a year at sea, getting to see a harbour town every now and then. The next three years she spent on the island of light, Lucida.

They taught her how to use her powers. Healing powers, forces of light. The rest of the time she was imprisoned yet again.

Only now they called her dungeon a palace.

Thoughtfully, she was washing her body.

A shadow. There was someone by the window! He rushed to the side.

Ardor.

She leaped out of the bathtub, staggering towards the bed, hiding behind the curtain that divided the room. Her face turned red, but she tried to remain calm, which was well-nigh impossible.

Idiot! Skirt chaser! Take a deep breath.

She stormed out of the cabin, her hair soaking wet, to confront Ardor.

»What was that all about?!«, she embarrassedly ranted at him.

In her opinion she didn’t sound angry enough.

»I was going to inform you …«, Ardor started, but she interrupted him.

»How long have you been standing there?!«, she wanted to know.

»I was planning to go, I swear!«, he defended himself.

That stupid, white grin on his tanned face. He looked ridiculous

Before she could keep scolding him, he pointed at something behind her. She turned around and saw, what he meant.

They had arrived.

TISHA FORTE

Tisha entered the guest house that smelled of roses and vanilla, sneaking into the dining room so quietly, that they only noticed her, when she cleared her throat.

»Hi«, she smiled at all the curious faces, »I’m Tisha.«

For a moment there was a dead silence. Then a voice, coming from the kitchen, shouted:

»Welcome to Flora’s Guest House! Take a seat!«

She examined the empty chairs, whereupon she sat down between a man wrapped in blue garments and the friendlier looking one of twin brothers.

The over the top decorated place at the end of the table caught her attention, when she passed it. She frowned.

»For the Queen«, a young lady with curly, blonde hair answered her unvoiced question, »Ian used to go out with her.«

Ian … So that was the one, the Goddess of Earth wanted to see by Aurea’s side. Tisha thoughtfully touched her bag, feeling the bump, knowing what was behind it. An object of peerless magic, very valuable and powerful. An item they entrusted her with, so it would get into the hands of the right person.

Two pieces of cake later, she was able to judge the group a little better. There was the pretty blonde, Celerina, who was quite an optimist, yet would doubtlessly be the first to panic, should the group ever face danger.

Then there was know-it-all Kyan, a former monk. Even though he had only hinted vaguely at his past profession, Tisha read between the lines. Apparently, Kyan had been banished from the monastery, which he didn’t seem too proud of.

The twins Weldon and Clarus couldn’t be any more different. Pseudo pious talked without interruption, the other hardly ever said a word, except when complaining about his brother’s preachings.

To her, the only really likeable person was Leigh, the eldest of the group. In comparison to the others she seemed refreshingly normal. At the same time she made the impression that she had gone through a lot of terrible things, which was useful for their mission, of course.

She didn’t see much of Ian. He occasionally rushed from the kitchen to the hall and back, continuing to polish goblets. Just when she was about to call his name, the door swung open. Their expectant eyes turned to the Queen, who entered the guest house with a couple of comrades.

FEW MINUTES EARLIER

AUREA VITAE

Vast forests and undulating landscapes lay ahead of them. The province of Ager. At the town’s harbour, where they moored, she couldn’t distinguish anything.

A landing stage and a cave. Nothing else.

Aurea leaned forward, but she didn’t catch sight of anything that would indicate a town. Disappointed and confused, she walked to the ramp, dragging Ardor along and calling for her sister and Catus, like the Goddess of Light had told her to.

Slowly and cautiously, she approached the cave. Stairs led down through it, but she couldn’t see where they ended.

»The town is underground«, explained Catus, when Devius appeared by their side, »I’ve been there often.«

Aurea was surprised at how much Catus knew at his age. He was only a year older than her sister. She probably still had a lot to learn about him. She knew the Non-Magus for a year now.

Together they went downstairs and she heard the others that had been on the ship before, enter the cave as well.

A while later they arrived at the town. She was stunned, when she found a fully functioning village with a temple, market-place, beautiful half-timbered houses, a well – even an artificial sky and sun.

She noticed the entire group’s astonishment.

So this was Infernum. One of Ager’s two harbour towns. Had she not come through the cave herself, she wouldn’t believe that this place was situated below ground level, but Magi of all elements made its existence possible.

In the market-place she discovered a colourful crowd of people advertising their products. The air was filled with the smell of fruit and vegetables, which suddenly made her get hungry.

Even here they treated her respectfully. An old lady handed her an apple from her assortment of food.

It was strange, thinking about Ian having grown up in this town. She got reminded of her ring, which instantly killed her mood.

No citizen of Infernum, who hadn’t been to Lucida, had ever seen them, yet they bowed before the King and Queen of Arcanum.

While being so distracted, she had nearly forgotten the gathering place. Aurea approached a woman, who was shopping for dresses.

»We’re looking for Flora’s guest house«, she explained.

The woman laughed nervously, whilst replying:

»Flora’s guest house? Are you sure?«

»Completely sure«, Aurea said, wondering, what the lady found so amusing.

»Visit of the Queen. That’s why the owner has recently washed himself for the first time this year.«

»He’s an unpleasant man?«

»You bet. He’s always drunk, hates couples and keeps yelling at my children, whenever they play near his rose garden. For some reason he loves the flowers more than human beings. Sad thing.«

Aurea felt sorry for the man.

»What made him become like this …?«

Devius interrupted their conversation.

»Doesn’t matter. We need to know where the inn is.«

The woman blushed and pointed to her right.

»This way. Left alley at the end of the road.«

»Thank you«, said Aurea.

Devius didn’t thank her. He just kept walking towards the guest house, closely followed by Catus.

She spotted it right away. It was the town’s prettiest building.

A golden sign read:

»Flora’s Guest House«

The roses in the half-timbered house’s garden were in full bloom and the blue coloured walls seemed to be competing with the artificial sky’s hue.

This was it. The meeting point. In there, Aurea and the others would soon meet their fellows.

She could hardly believe an unpleasant man could run a place like this. Maybe he wasn’t that bad after all.

She gave her sister, Ardor and Catus a meaningful glance. They knew what her nod towards the door meant. Few steps separated the four from their destiny. It was time for her to tell these people about the mission.

Her hand approached the door handle. She felt her heart pounding wildly inside her chest. The others smiled encouragingly at her.

Aurea pushed the door open.

She nearly fell backwards, when she saw a familiar face behind the counter.

REUNION

PRESENT

AUREA VITAE

Ian put away the silver chalice he was polishing and headed towards Aurea. There it was, his typical smirk. Never before had she been so confused. She felt hot and cold at the same time.

Ian … it’s Ian!

»Aurea! The Eldest of Ager told me you’d lead our group, but somehow, I couldn’t believe it«, stammered Ian, hugging her tightly, »I missed you!«

He let go of her.

That was all he could think of, after such a long time? Anger rose up inside of her, but she tried to stay calm.

Ian was wearing a festive, green shirt to black pants. His beard was cleanly trimmed. He had gained some weight, though he was still slim. He looked good.

She realised, she never stopped loving his smile. Aurea felt helpless facing his charms.

So he was the nasty host? She never would’ve imagined Ian could be unfriendly to anyone. What happened to the proud owner of a luxury restaurant? Had he fallen this far, because of her?

She recognised a young woman with a mane of curly, blonde hair, sitting at the table with their other companions behind a pot of stew.

Their wedding singer.

The one Ian had run away with.

His misfortune was probably all her fault. She would’ve loved smacking her face with a big spoon of stew right now. But as she was considering it, she heard a hissing sound.

The shovel missed her ear – not by much – and ended up striking Ian’s solar plexus. He grimaced in pain.

She turned around, upset at her husband.

»Put it somewhere safe«, he told Ian, »Where no one can take it.«

It was already evident that the two would never like one another.

»Who the … hell would … take that?«, Ian grumbled, still transfixed with pain, while leaning it against the coat rack.

He limped into the kitchen to fetch a cloth he could clean the shovel with.

Aurea became aware of still standing in the hall. Only Notin stayed next to her. Perhaps for moral support. She indeed felt as though she was just about to fall over or lose her mind, so it was good to have someone nearby.

Devius crossed his arms, looking her way. When he understood why she hadn’t followed him, he narrowed his eyes.

»I see. It’s the moron who left you. That’s how you know each other.«

Ian now took notice of her, too. Did he expect she’d be capable of simply ignoring him?

»Yes«, she responded, »That’s him.«

All of a sudden, in a moment Ian’s and her eyes met, her long suppressed rage broke out. She threw her crown to the floor.

»Should Ian and Celerina be part of our group, I will not lead the mission!«

Her words appeared to have hurt Ian. He reached out for her.

»Aurea …«

She drew back. Devius grinned, when she slapped Ian who got a slight electric shock through her powers of Light in the process.

Aurea was startled at her own reaction.

»This must be some sort of bad joke …!«

Without looking back, she ran out of the guest house and slammed the door.

She had no clue about her destination, but at some point she arrived at a willow near an artificial lake. She took a seat, leaning against the crooked stem. There was no time for Aurea to catch her breath, or to think of what this mission meant. Someone had followed her.

Ian.

He had always been a fast runner. When she was about to get up, he held her. This feeling. She should have been mad, push him and leave town. Instead she kept staring into his saddened, blue eyes and wanted to stay in his arms.

Forever.

»Please«, Ian begged her, »Don’t go.«

She hesitated before taking a seat again. Ian sighed in relief and sat down next to her. So close that she could feel his body heat.

Aurea felt like kicking her own butt for desiring to be embraced by him. She didn’t want to get weak.

»‘Don’t go’ … I wish you would’ve given me the chance to say that to you.«

Tears were building up in his eyes.

»Me too.«

He appeared to be serious. Blankly staring at the lake he murmured:

»Guess it’s too late now. You’re married.«

»Well spotted«, she answered sardonically.

»Connected through the golden heart, right? Soul mates and so forth … I’m happy for you.«

His breath smelled strongly of Whiskey. He tossed a stone into the lake. It bounced across the surface. Ian flinched a little, for the splash it caused, had been louder than he expected.

»I’m not«, she whispered, which surprised him.

»Shouldn’t you be happy?«

She nodded, not really knowing what to say.

»The earth will be destroyed, if you don’t join the mission«, said Ian then, »Our enemy will possess the divine sword and kill the Gods. The Eldest of Ager said …«

»I know all of that«, she interrupted, »Lux had already told me before you left. But I don’t care.«

»You do«, he insisted, »This world is important to you.«

»My sister is important to me. My family.«

»And they will die, if you give up now!«

He was right.

But what if the prophecy was wrong? What if someone else could save the earth from doom? It was possible, wasn’t it?

»Tomorrow the Eldests of Zephyrus and Sol will arrive. Notin and Ardor will be just as lost as we are.«

Ian gave her a look of commiseration. The awareness, that he too had bound his life to the prophecy’s fulfilment, was painful. His life was at stake. Perhaps even his soul.

»Why did you accept?«, she asked.

»Strange, isn’t it … binding your life to a mission that will probably get you killed anyway. The Eldest of Ager told me Queen Aurea was going to lead the group. I would’ve given anything to see you one last time. Why did you accept?«

»I didn’t. Not voluntarily.«

He seemed to want to ask her what she meant, yet decided to remain silent. She was glad.

The past caught up with her again. Celerina, the singer, who sat at the table.

»It was you, wasn’t it?«, she dared to ask, »The Catus thing …«

Ian wiped the hot tear away, that was running down her cheek. His touch made her shiver.

»I certainly didn’t place him in your bed. Celerina did.«

Aurea blushed. A mix of jealousy and fury was burning inside her. At the same time, she was overwhelmed by shame.

»You made me look like a cheater.«

»I had nothing to do with it«, he sighed.

»What do you mean?«

»You didn’t receive my message?«

»What message?«, she wanted to know, »I only received one. The day you left me.«

»Catus and Ardor must have hidden it from you.«

»What?! They wouldn’t hide anything from me!«

Ian nodded patronizingly.

»Whatever you say.«

»I don’t get it«, she confessed, »Did you call it quits?«

»Celerina and I never were together.«

All that … it didn’t make sense …

»Why is she here, then?«

She decided, that she didn’t really want to know, but before she could stop Ian, he replied:

»She was chosen by the Gods to be one of your followers.«

She tried to fight her inner pain, finding it hard to hold back tears.

Then why did he leave? Why did he never come back?

»I don’t like it either«, said Ian, gently touching her knee.

They sat next to each other without saying anything for a while. None of them dared to look at the other, until Ian broke the silence:

»When I saw you with Catus, I was devastated. But then Celerina came to me and I knew that she was behind all this. I refused to leave you, so she put a spell on me and brought me onto the ship.«

She raised her brows. It was a little too much for her right now.

A man overpowered by a woman?

»What …?«

»Before our wedding, she had already followed me around and tried to destroy our relationship. I kept pushing her away and not telling you anything, for I didn’t want to make you worry – which turned out to be a terrible mistake. You chose her as our wedding singer.«

What he said, sounded like a badly practised speech. A quite awful one indeed. As though this weren’t enough he said:

»When we arrived in Ager, she told me she had no idea why she did all this and that she herself had been influenced by a spell. Of course, I didn’t believe a word of what she said. I just wonder why she did it? Not to be with me, that’s for sure. She left right away.«

She wasn’t far from pushing him into the lake head first.

»Ian, what are you saying? You do realize how it sounds, right?!«

Again, there was this uncomfortable silence.

When she got up, in order to go back to the guest house, he laid his long, cold fingers onto her face.

He held her so tightly, she thought he was going to kiss her. She felt very uneasy about it, yet a part of her demanded that he’d just do it.

»Please, believe me. I really missed you.«

She freed herself from his grasp.

»If you really missed me this much, you would’ve come back to Lucida. You knew where I was.«

»But I have. Twice.«

What?

He was lying.

She would’ve seen him. She would’ve known.

»Oh really? You must’ve been invisible, ‘cause I didn’t see you! Have you used your gift of creating illusions? I don’t care how many times you were on Lucida. You weren’t with me.«

She walked a couple of steps backwards.

»You had one year to find me. I don’t know what to believe. Maybe you were looking for an adventure and Celerina arrived just in time. And now … I’m married. It’s too late. I need distance …«

She left him standing by the willow and disappeared into town.

INFERNUM

PRESENT

AUREA VITAE

The town turned out to be bigger than she had assumed. Insecurely she tripped through the alleys. Where was she? She couldn’t find the market-place. Great.

Now the only thing missing was Ian following her and asking what she was doing in this desolate alley. Embarrassing. Just embarrassing.

She was beaming with relief, when she spotted a young woman in colourful clothing, who was also taking a walk. She was wearing unusually high and pointy heels, which was forbidden on Lucida, the island of light.

She adored the iridescent silk only a queen would wear.

Maybe she was chosen by the Gods to be the queen of Ager. Determinedly she walked towards the woman. Surely, she’d be able to tell her where to find the market-place

A man unexpectedly scurried around the corner, pushing the girl against the walls of a house. For a moment Aurea was in shock. The woman screamed for him to stop. She was calling for help.

He pulled up her skirt, grunting with pleasure. Aurea was going to intervene, do something to save her – but pictures of her past pushed their way back into her mind. They told her to run.

She knew the lady’s situation too well and feared she’d be his next victim. Her heart-piercing cries were crushing Aurea. She should neither watch nor run away.

There was no one else here to protect this woman. She had to step in.

Aurea focused on her light.

The lightning was sparking in her hands.

His infuriated yell echoed through the empty roads. The bolt’s effect surprised Aurea. It should have been a mere warning and was still far from what she could do. Nevertheless, the man fell to his knees.

»Are you insane?! What the hell?!«, he scolded.

»Keep your hands off her!«

»Why should I do that? Got a better offer?«

She tried to dodge his grasp, but didn’t manage to.

»Weird …«, snorted the man, »I thought Light Magi aren’t allowed to cause pain.«

She felt his foul breath on her face and turned her head in disgust.

»Interesting«, he decided, »I’m into pain. How much do you want?«

She didn’t understand what he was getting at.

»How much of what?«

»Gold, fool.«

He hit her forehead with the palm of his hand. She kicked his shin and he howled.

»Who do you think you’re talking to?!«, she asked.

Then she remembered, she wasn’t wearing her crown.

The man flashed his eyes at her.

»What? Are you the super whore?«

»I won’t let a rapist offend me.«

The woman now chuckled.

What was so funny? She had protected the lady from this bastard.

The girl in the colourful dress grabbed the man’s wrist and said:

»I’m a prostitute, stupid. Patrick paid me for this show. Now get lost and let me do my job!«

The woman pushed her into a puddle, looking for another place to continue what she and the man had started.

Pretended rape? As a game? As a way of satisfying a man?

A wench. She should have known, but Aurea only met these women on Caligo, where they weren’t even remotely dressed as elegantly as here. On Lucida prostitution was forbidden.

She found it distasteful as well. Especially that stupid game. She could hardly believe someone would fake something like that on purpose.

Undignified.

Embarrassed, she picked herself up, trying to wring out her dress. When she looked ahead, she nearly fell back into the puddle.

Devius appeared in front of her.

»Relax«, he said, »That was pretty stupid. But brave.«

What was he doing here? Hooking up a wench?