The White Forest (Mages and Kingdoms Book 2) Read Free Page B

the little she did know came not from her mother or even Sir Duncan, but from a man who tried to suck her dry and kill her.
    "Well, that's why I'm here," Amelie said, sitting up a little straighter and feeling determined.
    "That's not why you're here." The added voice made Amelie and Simon turn. Walking into the room was the pleasantly plump woman whose smiling eyes Amelie found comfort in. She remembered in her delirious state the feel of Henna's hands and the hiss of Henna's breath as she fought to bring Amelie back to health. "Well, not entirely anyway. Yes, living among mages will help you learn about the piece of you that you've despised. Perhaps you will despise it a little less once you do. But you are here-" Henna waved around at the cabin. "-in this realm because you have a good heart and a helpful power. Two things this kingdom desperately needs."
    Amelie's eyebrows knitted together in confusion. Henna used the handle of the rocking chair near the fire hearth to aid her body in a slow descent. She seemed tired and worn from the day. She heaved a sigh once settled. "I see the look," Henna said, dusting off her skirts. "When I say here..." Henna trailed off and then glanced at Simon. Simon immediately picked up on his cue and turned to Amelie.
    "What she means is we are in the White Forest, but not exactly. This pocket of woods, this cabin, the stream behind the house, it's all contained in a realm I created."
    "Another realm?" Amelie was amazed.
    Simon nodded, a hint of pride evident on his face. "Yes. I created it on my own. The other gatekeepers don't know about it. It keeps this place hidden. With Henna's moonstone, I was able to concentrate my magic."
    It was Amelie's darkening face at the reference to moonstone which bade Henna to declare rest for her charge with promises to answer more questions at a later time. The later time came in the form of the short walk to oak tree and the examination of century beetles.
    Amelie stood in front of Simon now, smiling to alleviate his worry that Serena had offended her.
    "I understand her hesitation," she assured him. "I am also slow to trust and would probably have been much less tolerable if the roles were switched."
    It was true that these mages trusted her with their very lives. And five mage children. A thought reader, a truth seeker, a dream weaver, a memory keeper, and Amelie was surprised to learn, a persuader. All death sentences at the hands of the Royal Readers. All seeking refuge in Simon's created world away from the detection of her Majesty. Amelie understood the gravity of their trust and knew she would never do anything to betray it.

Chapter 3
     
     
    Seth
     
    Everyday was much the same. Down the stone hallways flecked with low hanging maroon and gold tapestries. Out the side oak door. Down the steps that were guarded with marble lions, one chipped into a regal sitting position, the other immortalized in a crouch.  His feet met crunching gravel which winded towards the gardens or to the stables depending on which way one turned.
    Walking the path soothed the dark haired prince. From his room to the Candor palace stables, he walked this route each morning. From there he saddled and mounted the largest horse, a white creature named Swift. The stable boy no longer attempted to ready the horse as he too now knew the routine. A cursory glance was all that was afforded, if even that. Swift was missing from his stall each day and it no longer alarmed any of the servants.
    Prince Seth's morning ride took him to the perimeters of the palace grounds, well into the forest where he spent the better part of the morning crouched over small streams or inspecting wildlife, trying to use his eyes as Talon or Amelie would to spot healing secrets in the greenery.
    It was a mindless activity, one he could do without a care, for the outcome wasn't to discover a new remedy. Unless there was a deep magic in these plants that could kill the pain in between heartbeats then there