Through the Veil Read online

  THROUGH The VEIL

  The Sylvana Chronicles – book 1

  K. J. Aminadra

  Published in 2018 by Flourish Publishing

  Copyright © 2018 Karen Aminadra. All Rights Reserved.

  First Edition

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  The author has asserted their moral right under the

  Copyright, Designs, and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified

  as the author of this work.

  All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

  A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library.

  THROUGH THE VEIL

  Lindes lives an enchanted life.

  As the daughter of Thilion and Eliadis, Lord and Lady of the Elves, she wants for nothing.

  Niece of the Queen and next in line to the throne of Sylvana, she is protected and kept safe from the outside world.

  Until one day her world comes crashing down.

  The King of Aendaria is power hungry and greedy. He cannot wait for her to come of age.

  His orc army is ready.

  Elf blood will flow.

  Lindes must flee for her life to the human realm.

  The time has come for her to grow into the woman she is meant to be.

  Deep gratitude to Stiles & Lee.

  A great shout out and enormous thanks to Katy Collins. You are amazing. Thank you.

  Thanks to Heather Rhind for all your help.

  CONTENTS

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  One

  Flight in the Night

  Lindes’ face burned as hot tears ran unchecked down it. She stared at her parents as they slammed the carriage door shut and leaned out of the window. Their image seared permanently into her memory. She whimpered as she realized she might never see them again.

  “Come, Milady.” Goran’s strong powerful voice called behind her. “We must leave before someone sees us.”

  Lindes’ throat clamped tightly shut. She couldn’t respond. She continued to stare motionless at her waving parents. Her mother blew her a kiss, and she could tell by how her father’s lips moved that he sent her blessings and protection.

  With a lurch, the carriage moved forward and Lindes’ heart reeled with it. Her eyes stung with tears. She hated fleeing.

  “Milady,” Goran’s voice was more insistent. “We ought to move.”

  Lindes turned, sniffing back her tears.

  His eyes locked with hers and she caught the heartbreaking pity in his expression. “I’m sorry. It is for your own safety.”

  She knew he was right and wiped her face with the back of her rabbit-skin gloves. “I wish I understood. King Agnar has always been kind to me.” She shook her head in disbelief. “I cannot believe he would invade our land.”

  “And yet, it is so. His forces are amassing on our borders. He means to invade.”

  Lindes’ head spun and she reached out to steady herself.

  Goran grasped her hands.

  “Why?” She groaned, closing her eyes against the spinning world.

  “I can only suppose it is because our land is rich in ore. Agnar desires power and riches above all else.”

  Lindes caught the bitter note in Goran’s words.

  “If he controls Sylvana too, then he will hold most of Mid-land. Then, he would most likely invade the small principality of Rastry to the east. That would make him the most powerful king in our world.”

  “Then no one from the south could travel to the northlands without passing his territory,” Lindes’ eyes widened.

  “Precisely, Milady.”

  Lindes’ grip on Goran’s hands tightened. “Then we must do as my father bids. I must leave.”

  Goran nodded.

  “What is the other side like?”

  Goran’s eyes glazed over as he looked over her shoulder. “I cannot rightly tell. I remember tales of that world. They call ours the underworld.” His eyes returned to hers.

  “Underworld? Under what?”

  His laugh was comforting and deep throated. “I cannot say. This world is unseen to those who walk on their side.”

  Lindes pouted. “Tales and stories weren’t part of my education, Goran.”

  “I’m sorry,” he grinned. “Shall we walk as we talk?”

  Lindes nodded and held tightly onto Goran’s arm as they trudged through the thick snow.

  “I believe the humans have always known about elven kind and the fae, or fair folk I think they call us. Few of them have ever crossed into our realm. Even fewer decide to return.”

  “There are humans here in Sylvana?” Lindes stared up at him in the moonlight.

  “Yes, I believe there is a human living within Aloris.”

  “With the high elves?” Lindes sighed. “I haven’t seen Edren and Lathaniel since I was a child.”

  “Such beauty,” Goran’s voice grew thick with emotion.

  “You have met Queen Lathaniel?”

  “Only once did I have the pleasure of meeting her.” He cleared his throat. “I shall never forget.”

  Goran urged Lindes on. She did not recognize this part of the forest and her eyes darted around to spy something familiar.

  “Not far now, Milady.”

  Lindes could no longer feel her toes and her face was growing numb. Goran lifted a branch in the thicket before them and Lindes stepped beneath it. She gasped. Through the undergrowth, they found themselves in a clearing. The moon shone brighter here and Lindes lifted her face to it, basking in its light. She reluctantly tore her attention away from the moon and looked about her as Goran rushed forward, muttering enchantments under his breath.

  She stamped her feet to rid them of the snow and frowned at the pine-needle covered ground. “There is no snow here.”

  “This is an enchanted grove.” Goran moved clockwise in a circle in the center.

  Lindes smiled and moved forward.

  Goran held out his hand and stopped her. “Not yet! It is not ready!” He returned to his muttering.

  She heeded his rebuke and knelt down. There in the center was a ring of white daisies. “Daisies in winter?” she breathed in disbelief.

  “Yes, this is an enchanted place, remember?” Goran stopped beside her.

  Lindes stood up. “What did you do?”

  “I have opened the way. The veil is thinnest here.”

  “The veil to the other side,” Lindes gasped as she watched the air above the circle of daisies begin to move and shimmer like a summer haze.

  “This is where you step through to the human world.”

  Fear gripped her insides and she folded her hands together. “Can’t you come with me?”

  “Sadly, no. I have kept you safe since you were born but now I must pass that task to another,” he looked down at her.

  Lindes looked up into his deep brown eyes and saw nothing but kindness and affection there for her. “Who?”

/>   “I do not know,” he swallowed. “There are some of our kind on the other side. They have been contacted and warned of your arrival.”

  “Warned?” Lindes blanched.

  “You are hunted, Milady. King Agnar wants you.”

  “But the marriage is already arranged. It has been so since I was a baby.” She turned to face him, “I do not understand this, Goran.”

  “King Agnar does not want you for his son. If you marry Darian, his son, then you will still be the future Queen of Sylvana.”

  “Yes…” she prompted.

  “He does not want that. He wants Sylvana for himself. He will not share it with anyone.”

  Lindes’ mouth fell open, “You mean, he…”

  “Yes,” Goran nodded, his face serious and grave. “King Agnar means to kill you.”

  Lindes felt sick and held her stomach. She turned from Goran and ran to the edge of the grove. She felt ashamed and weak as she vomited. “Forgive me,” she gasped, straightening up again.

  “There is nothing to forgive. You have loved Agnar as a father for many years. You were to be his daughter.”

  Lindes placed her gloved hands on her cheeks. “I have to go?”

  “Yes. You have no choice.”

  “What about Darian?” She turned and looked pleadingly into Goran’s eyes. “Does he know about his father’s plans?”

  “Who can tell?”

  Lindes stepped toward the daisy circle. “Please tell him I will return when it is safe.”

  “I will.”

  She didn’t need to look at Goran to know he did not believe it would ever be safe for her to return. She heard it in those two syllables. “What is the other side like?” Her voice cracked with emotion.

  “I have never been there. But we have been careful in choosing a time of enlightenment.”

  She turned and frowned at him. “Enlightenment?”

  “Humans can be somewhat close-minded. You shall step through at the beginning of a new millennium.”

  “Oh,” Lindes blinked back at the haze. She hugged herself, her body warming from the lack of snow in the grove. “What about my parents?” she whispered.

  “Your father will go into battle with his army. It shall be my honor to join him. You mother shall take refuge in Aloris with the other ladies.”

  Lindes nodded. Deep down she knew this was how it would be. “Will I ever see them again?”

  “I cannot answer you, Milady.”

  Her chest tightened at the confirmation of what she already knew. “What about messages?” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I will be able to get messages through, won’t I?” She looked desperately up at him.

  “One of the Sacred Ones will come and open the veil. They will come here and perform the eight sabbat rituals.”

  “Eight times a year?” Lindes’ stomach sank to her knees. “But…”

  Goran reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. “We cannot risk opening the veil more often. War is coming.”

  Lindes nodded. She shook her head in an effort to be more rational, but her heart was breaking. Silently she wept. Her body shook as she sobbed. Goran was still beside her and she was grateful he didn’t hurry her. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.”

  “I understand.” His fingers squeezed her shoulder.

  A sobering thought brought her glove across her face, wiping the tears away and straightening her shoulders. “I know nothing of the humans. What are they like?”

  “They look like us,” he removed his hand. “Their ears are different.”

  Lindes looked up and caught his mischievous smile. “How?”

  “They’re rounded.”

  Lindes’ hands shot up, covering her ears. “They don’t have pointed ears?”

  “Which reminds me,” Goran lifted his hands, the gemstone in the ring on his forefinger glistened in the bright moonlight. “I’m sorry, this has to be done.”

  “What has to be done?” Lindes asked with her hands still on her ears.

  “You will have no peace if the humans can see your ears.”

  “You’re going to alter them?” She stepped away from him.

  “No,” he chuckled. “I am going to shield them from the humans.”

  “Oh, you can do that?” She brought her hands down and moved forward again.

  “It is relatively easy to fool a human. They’re easily persuaded.” He placed his hands on either side of her head, “This won’t hurt. It's just a simple spell.”

  “How long will it last?”

  “Until it is removed,” he frowned at her interruption. “Now, stay still.”

  Lindes closed her eyes and breathed out slowly to calm her nerves.

  “Asculi,” he tapped the tops of each ear, repeating the word until it was done.

  “You speak the tongue of The Sacred Ones?” Her mouth dropped open.

  “Yes,” his smile spoke of pride. “I am one of them.”

  Lindes gasped. “I did not know!”

  “Few do. It does not matter.”

  “It matters to me. I am sorry I did not know. I thought you were just…” she paused. “Forgive me. I underestimated you.”

  “There is nothing to forgive. You were never meant to know me other than as your guardian; a role I have been proud to have. Now that time is over. Please,” he closed the gap between them.

  Lindes shifted her feet, uncomfortable with his closeness.

  “Allow me to give you a gift of sacred wisdom. It will give you the knowledge you do not yet possess. I wish only to be of further use to you.”

  She studied his face. The lines spoke of a greater age than she previously believed. She lifted her chin. “Very well.”

  Goran placed his hands on her head, closed his eyes, and began to mutter words she knew were from the ancient tongue.

  A warm sensation spread from his hands, down her head, and flowed onto her neck. She shivered as it touched her shoulders. It felt like warm honey as it trickled over her body as he spoke. As she relaxed into it, she could feel the power emanating from his touch. All too soon it was over and he lifted his hands from her head.

  She gasped for air, “I have rarely felt anything so powerful. You have a gift.”

  “Thank you, Milady.”

  She gazed up into his face. She felt a pang of guilt that he had only been a shadow presence in her life since her birth. “I shall miss you, Goran.”

  His face reddened but his gaze remained steady. “And I shall miss you too, Milady. I wish you all the happiness, joy, and luck of the fae.”

  “It is time?” she asked, her heart heavy with sadness.

  “It is time.” Goran stepped toward the shimmering circle. How opened his arms wide and spoke another incantation.

  Lindes swallowed down her nerves.

  The veil swirled faster, the colors mixing hypnotically. It turned Lindes’ stomach to watch. In the center, the haze began to clear. Through it, she could see another grove. As the stillness began to grow, the image of a woman appeared.

  “Ah!” Goran nodded and grinned beside her.

  “Who is that?”

  “Her name is Melody. She is fae.”

  “Really?” Lindes leaned closer, straining to see.

  “She has been on the other side for nearly one hundred years.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “She is a legend among the Sacred Ones.”

  “One hundred years…” Lindes could hardly believe her eyes.

  “She will be a fine teacher and guardian.”

  Lindes turned to Goran, tears welling in her eyes. “This is goodbye, then.”

  “Indeed.”

  Despite his confident tone, she read the sadness in his eyes. “Thank you, Goran.”

  “You’re welcome, Milady. Good luck.” He nodded and struck his chest with his fist in salute.

  “Good luck to you. May we meet again.” Reluctantly Lindes turned to the open veil to see Melody smiling at her through it.

  “
May we meet again,” Goran repeated.

  With a deep breath, Lindes strode forward, leaving her world and all she knew behind, and stepped through to the other side.

  Two

  The Other Side

  Lindes’ skin tingled as she passed through the veil to the other side. She giggled at the sensation, surprised that it was no more difficult than passing through the surface of water.

  Waiting for her stood Melody, grinning from ear to ear. Lindes could feel her happiness.

  “Lindes!” She called out in a melodious voice, giving a clue to how she came by her name. She enfolded Lindes in a tight embrace.

  Lindes squirmed, her arms sticking out at odd angles as Melody held her close. It felt strange and Lindes tried to break free. No one hugged a princess in Sylvana.

  “Oh,” Melody stepped back. “I’m sorry.” She held Lindes firmly by the shoulders. “I forgot about the hugging.” Melody pulled a face and shrugged. “Humans do it all the time. I’ve just gotten used to it, I suppose.”

  Lindes’ face stung as her cheeks burned with embarrassment. “It is a pleasure to meet you,” she replied awkwardly, her eyes darting away from Melody’s face.

  “It is an honor to finally make your acquaintance, Milady.” Melody stepped back and released her grip on Lindes’ shoulders. “Now, that is the last time I shall speak like that to you. The humans are suspicious beings. It’ll be best if you’re my sister or cousin. We’ll say you’re here to stay with me for a while.”

  At her smile, Lindes felt warm inside. “Yes, very well.”

  “And, I’m afraid, you’ll have to learn to speak less…well, formally.”

  “Oh,” Lindes frowned. “Why are you afraid?”

  Melody’s smile widened and her laugh sounded as melodic as her voice. “I’m not afraid. It's a human expression. You’ll learn them soon enough, I’m sure.”

  Lindes pursed her lips together and took a deep breath in through her nose. She could not calm the butterflies in her stomach.

  She watched as Melody studied her face. “You do not have to be so worried. Everything will be fine. I will homeschool you until summer. Then, in the fall, you can go to the local high school and finish your education there.”