The Bespelled Knight

DEDICATION

This book is for Nathan . Most of them are as he inspires me to create worlds and often gives me ideas even when he doesn’t realize it.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Special thanks to my editor and cover artist, Victoria Miller. She creates the best art from very little information from me. I’m always amazed at her talent, and as an editor—I’ve never had better. Thanks for all the hard work you do and the help you give me to make my stories stronger. I really do appreciate it more than I could ever say.

Thanks to one of my favorite people, Elizabeth Evans. You inspire me to keep doing this writing thing. I love how excited you get when you know I’ve written something new. I hope you always feel that way as I continue on this journey, and also are willing to proofread my messes as I put them into words.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

My son, Nathan was instrumental in helping me plot and plan this book. It is as much his as it is mine in conception. Therefore, thanks for helping me to create a world I hope will inspire many. I love you and hope you do not mind me picking your brain too much. You do come up with some fabulous ideas.

Some ideas come when you least expect it and it is those moments of inspiration that live on inside of you for your entire life. This trilogy sprung to life from a dream, but the characters were inspired by some special people in my life. Princess Elodie is just another name for Elizabeth. Lulu is bases on my niece, Brooklyn, and Donia is named completely after one of my son Nathan’s friends. By the final book there might be more people that make an appearance. This book was fun to write and it’s sad there is only one more book left.

1

Princess on a Mission

The blue sky swirled with white mist as rain drizzled down on her. The magic infused with her blood refused to be calmed. Elodie had to figure out her new ability before it brought about a disastrous outcome. What would it take for her to gain some control? How difficult could it be to wield a bit of magic? On cue, the sky darkened, and then a torrential downpour unleashed its fury, drenching her into a sopping mess.

She swore under her breath and tried to wipe the water off her face to no avail. It would be so easy to give up and accept her fate as it stood. Life in a horror filled land infused with magic would greet her each morning—what a fabulous way to start the day. Sarcasm and general snarkiness wouldn’t aid her in the quest she’d set for herself. Her discomfort didn’t mean a damn thing.

Cale did—heck, even Daire meant something to her. The prince had somehow wormed his way into her life, and she’d started to care. So laying down and giving up was not a possibility. If she did, then she’d never see her home again and Fiona would win. That alone was enough to make her reassess her situation. She had to figure it out because it wasn’t just her life at stake. Cale had taken a chance, a foolish one nonetheless, but it had been on her behalf. Because of it, he was trapped in the skin of a dragon.

Elodie, Daire called out to her. Come back inside the cave. She could barely hear him through the drumbeat of rain.

After Cale had turned into a fire breathing beast, they’d had to find shelter and fast. Luckily, they’d located a cave nearby. It wasn’t far from where the dragon statue previously stood. The stone sculpture had disappeared with Cale far into the dark sky. They’d relocated to the cave to regroup and plan their next course of action. None of them had taken into account Elodie’s inability to control her magic. Now, days later, they were nowhere and had no way of moving forward. Lulu was becoming melancholy, unable to fly outside the cave. Kalypso had curled into a ball and bided her time by sleeping by the fire. Elodie had no desire to return to such a disheartening environment.

She shook her head defiantly. Not yet. She would win and gain even a minute amount of control over her magic. Once she conquered this small feat, she’d work on discovering everything she could do. First though, she had to make the rain stop. They’d been trapped in one place for several days as her anger and sorrow brought storm after storm. If she didn’t find a way to stop it, they’d never be able to search for Cale.

Elodie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She pictured Cale and how much he meant to her. Her knight and friend—the one person she’d always been able to count on. If not for him, she’d have given in to Fiona’s demands long ago. The anger that raged inside of her was a huge part of her, making it difficult to rein in. She had so many regrets and no recourse to fix any of it. Both Cale and Daire had been there for her. She’d repaid their kindness by lashing out at them at every turn—in thought and in deeds. They hadn’t deserved that from her. Cale had trained her and taken a big risk in doing so. Daire’s only fault was having the misfortune of becoming betrothed to her. She hadn’t once asked him if it had been his wish to marry her. She’d automatically assumed he had nefarious plans because of his relationship to Fiona.

A center of calm overtook her as she continued to examine all of her faults. Checking off each misdeed one by one and vowing to become better—to do better. Maybe she could save them all, or perhaps she was taking on more than she could handle. Elodie couldn’t be sure what her future held, but she was willing to fight for it. That meant not only rescuing Cale from his need to protect her at every turn, but also working on her anger issues. She could do it.

And, if she told herself that often enough, she might start to believe it too...

A tap on her shoulder brought her back to the world around her. The rain had lessened back to a mist. She breathed a sigh of relief and opened her eyes. Daire stood in front of her in all his perfection. His beautiful visage crowned with golden locks. Blue-green eyes that were shining jewels of adornment framed with long lashes, making him even more gorgeous than a male should ever be.

You’re going to make yourself sick, Daire said steadfastly. Please come warm yourself by the fire. Nothing good will come out of this relentless practice. Magic isn’t to be trifled with, and one wrong move could be devastating. Quit working yourself so tirelessly and let Lulu guide you.

I can’t stop, she replied. Cale is depending on me.

Daire shook his head. You know he isn’t. Cale would be the first one to tell you to leave him be and go home. You’re needed in Zelnon.

Elodie glared at him, fury razing through her like an out of control wildfire. Wind picked up speed and hail descended on them in a rapid staccato. "How could you suggest I leave him here? He sacrificed himself for me, and I won’t let him suffer because of it."

Please, he begged. Calm down before one of those ice balls hits its mark. The solid pieces continued to beat down, barely missing them as they whistled by. A large chunk dropped suddenly and landed in front of Cale, grazing his boot. He winced in pain and hopped around a second. Elodie! He glared at her, his eyes becoming dark with displeasure.

So much for her letting go of her anger... Elodie took a breath to calm the fire in her blood. With each exhale, the ice became smaller and smaller until it no longer fell from the sky. As much as she hated to admit it—Daire was right. Cale would insist she leave him behind. He’d demand it actually. Too damn bad... She was the princess, and Cale was supposed to serve her. She could make decisions without his guidance, and he would be saved whether he liked it or not. Determination replaced the fury boiling through her and brought about a center of tranquilly. The storm could start brewing again at any time. She had to take advantage of this moment of peace and make a plan of action.

I’m sorry, she said softly. Sometimes I wonder why you or Cale bothers with me at all. I’m a rotten person.

You’re not, he insisted. Maybe a little selfish at times, but what princess isn’t? His lips tilted upward in a charming fashion. Besides, you do have your moments when I rather like you. Of course, it’s not as often as I’d like...

She patted his shoulder playfully and rolled her eyes. By all means, don’t glorify my existence. Wouldn’t want me to start thinking too highly of myself.

Exactly, he agreed. A bit of humility is good for a person.

For the first time in days, her mood lightened. Maybe she was taking on too much. She had Daire, Kalypso, and Lulu at her side; each one of them had offered to help her at some point. Why did she believe she had to do it all on her own? That was ridiculous and counterproductive. If she wanted to save Cale—and she did—she should use anyone willing to aid in her quest. Thanks for the reminder, she said as she met Daire’s gaze. Sometimes it is hard for me to remember I have people I can depend on. For so long, I only had myself and then Cale...

You don’t need to explain. Cale’s important to you. I figured that all on my own a while ago. He glanced up at the sky. I think the rain has finally stopped.

He almost appeared...sad. Daire, for the most part, weaved his charm as easily as breathing. This was a rare side of him, and she wasn’t sure she liked it. Anything outside of his congenial good humor made him seem more human—less unlikable. When Fiona declared that Elodie would marry Daire, she’d hated him on principle. Now, she realized she’d done him a disservice. She’d believed him to be the mean little boy she’d last encountered when they were mere kids. Why she couldn’t recognize he’d grown out of the habit of pushing little girls into mud puddles, she didn’t fully grasp, but she understood he had changed. She had too, but not all for the better. Her mother’s, and then her father’s, deaths had altered her in fundamental ways.

We should go back into the cave as you suggested, Elodie replied. I think it’s time I had a chat with Lulu. She offered to teach me about my magic, but I foolishly thought I didn’t need it.

Good. His smile wasn’t as cheerful as he probably wanted her to believe. The edge of unhappiness still lingered in his eyes. It’s about time you wised up a bit.

She tilted her lips upward in an attempt to brighten the mood. You know me—stubborn ‘til the end.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. It took her by surprise, and at first, she didn’t quite know how to respond to it. Luckily, her reaction was taken out of her hands by Lulu herself. Rain is gone, sky is blue, night will fall, and it’s coming for you.

Elodie wanted to scream. Instead, she counted inside her head until she remembered to speak in an even tone. Lulu, dear, would you explain your warning a little less cryptically?

Lulu, as per her usual, flew high in the sky and danced across the blue horizon. Bright light followed her path as if attracted to the bird’s silver-tipped wings. She had to make Lulu tell her what her riddle meant. She was sick and tired of prophesies and obscure messages. Cale had been so much better with Lulu, even when she irritated him. For some reason, the feathered creature had taken a liking to the knight.

This is the first time the sky has been clear in a while, Daire said. She’s enjoying the freedom to fly unencumbered.

That’s nice and all, Elodie declared. But it’s rather rude to deliver a vague warning and then fly off without a by-your-leave.

Daire chuckled. She wouldn’t be Lulu if she did it any other way.

I know, Elodie said and sighed. But sometimes I want to wring her neck. There was no making her come back down until she was ready. That blasted bird had been a weird sort of helpful ever since Elodie encountered her in the killer flower patch. Maybe Kalypso has some clue as to what it all means.

A roaring yawn echoed through the cavern. Daire turned toward the cave and tilted his head. I think she’s even awake. She’s been sleeping through most of our time here.

Elodie couldn’t really blame her. She wished she could close her eyes and forget the trouble she was in. I envy her that. Managing even a few moments of rest has eluded me.

The silver-striped white tiger strolled lazily out through the mouth of the cave. She yawned widely and then licked her lips. I’m hungry.

So nice of you to join us, Daire said dryly. We’ve been suffering a bout of ennui without your titillating company.

"Do you wish