By Order of the King
Orphaned at the age of 11, Skye was the sole survivor of a devastating fire that destroyed her home in a village in the Scottish Lowlands of 1301. By order of King Cinaed, her reluctant uncle was forced to take her in, though he left her upbringing to his maids.
As Skye grew older, her uncle saw her marriageable age as an opportunity to rid himself of her. However, Skye, haunted by the scars of her past and fearful of rejection, sent away every suitor her uncle brought to the castle.
When a new order from the King arrived, the entire family, including Skye, delightedly welcomed the news. But Skye’s heart was gripped by fear and uncertainty beneath her composed exterior. Her greatest dread was about to come true, threatening to upend her fragile sense of security and thrust her into an unknown future.
Unbeknownst to Skye, forces beyond her control set the stage for a journey filled with secrets, betrayal, and unexpected alliances. As the shadows of her past collide with the demands of her present, Skye must navigate a web of intrigue to uncover the truth and find her place in a world turned upside down.
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Chapter: Chapter 84 Talisha returned, holding a small leather pouch in her hands."This is it," she said softly, handing it to Hector. Her voice trembled just slightly, but she quickly turned away. "Now, I can get back to my work.""Yes, of course. Thank you, Talisha."As she left, Hector stared at the pouch silently for a moment. His hands moved almost mechanically as he loosened the string and tipped its contents into his palm. The locket fell out, cold and heavy against his skin.He let the pouch drop onto the table as he studied the locket. The delicate gold chain spilled between his fingers like liquid light. He turned the locket over in his hand. The intricate floral engravings still caught the light, and the details seemed sharper, almost painfully vivid. At its center, the blue sapphire gleamed."It's beautiful!" Skye's voice broke through his thoughts, drawing his attention to her admiration."Yes, it is," Hector said, though his voice came out hoarse. He clenched the locket tightly, his throat
Last Updated: 2025-03-22
Chapter: Chapter 83Skye gazed thoughtfully at the doorway through which Talisha had just exited. Had she made the right decision? Perhaps she shouldn't have agreed to let Iona into their home and, by extension, into their lives. She couldn't forget how Iona had treated her in the past; it was a constant reminder of how little she could trust her. However, according to Talisha, Iona's family had fallen into poverty, losing their former glory and power. Maybe Iona and her parents, indeed, were in need.She bit her lower lip, deep in thought. Would that be enough to prevent Iona's malicious intentions?"Have you changed your mind?" Hector's voice cut through her thoughts. He stood off to the side, observing every move and subtle change in her expression. Startled, Skye turned her head towards him but didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she paced back and forth, her thoughts in turmoil. Finally, she said, "Do you think she will try something? I can’t forget her past behavior, but considering her current si
Last Updated: 2025-03-07
Chapter: Chapter 82A sharp, icy breeze swept through the air, stirring Iona's hair. She shivered, pulling her cloak tighter around her trembling form. Her fists were slick with sweat, and her heart hammered against her ribcage.She knew that her actions were reckless. One wrong move could leave her life hanging by a thread. A single order from the king could end everything.As she pondered her situation, the weight of her misery pressed down on her. Her life had become a bleak, meaningless struggle. Yet, this desperate act offered her a chance to change everything. Even if she failed, at least she would have tried; she would have fought for a better future. For that alone, the risk was worth taking.Iona had bet her life on a perilous gamble, ready to risk everything. With determination etched on her face, she pursed her lips and stared at the imposing door ahead.Why are they delaying? Maybe they didn't hear?Just as she raised her hand to knock again, the heavy door creaked open, leaving her hand susp
Last Updated: 2025-02-21
Chapter: Chapter 81"I'm sorry I'm late," Iona said, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. "With those clouds hiding the sun, I couldn't tell if it was noon yet. I decided to come and wait for you anyway."Anise's eyes sparkled with excitement as she gestured for Iona to take a seat. "We have so much to discuss," she said eagerly. "Let's begin with why you decided to move to the town, I never expected you to leave the castle," Anise asked.Iona's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "There's a plan," she revealed, raising Anise's eyebrows."Plan? What plan?" Anise leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper."I want to make Hector fall in love with me and leave Skye. I want to be a princess in her place."Anise's eyes widened. "That would be amazing. But how?""I'll seduce him somehow. I'll have to find his soft spots first and use them to my advantage," Iona replied, determination gleaming in her eyes.Anise's eyes lit up. "And that means Skye will be out of the castle," she said."And out of o
Last Updated: 2025-01-06
Chapter: Chapter 80Maysie knocked on the door."Come in, Maysie," Skye called from inside. Maysie entered and found Skye pacing anxiously.The room was warm, the fire crackling in the hearth, contrasting sharply with the cold outside.Skye's face lit up with relief as she hurriedly approached and hugged Maysie. "You're finally here." Maysie's eyes widened in surprise; Skye wasn't usually this emotional."Mary told me that you need me. Are you okay?" Maysie asked, feeling Skye's fragile, trembling body. "You are trembling. Are you cold?""No. I'm scared." Skye whispered, her voice barely audible.Maysie looked at her, concern etched on her face. "Did something happen between you and Hector?""Not yet, but I'm afraid it will," Skye admitted, her eyes darting nervously."I don't understand, Skye." Maysie said, her brow furrowing."I will explain to you as we drink our tea," she said, gently guiding her toward the small living room. A large tray with tea and side dishes waited on a small table. Skye's hands
Last Updated: 2025-01-06
Chapter: Chapter 79"Wait, Toren," Malcolm called, but Toren continued without looking back.Fiona leaned out the carriage window, her eyes narrowing. "What should we do now?" she asked her husband, her voice tinged with frustration."Moving on alone is our only option," Malcolm said, pressing his lips together thoughtfully."Let's move on, then. The noise here is dizzying," she said, squeezing her temples with a pained expression.Around them, the square buzzed with activity. Merchants hawking their goods, horses clattering on cobblestones, and the distant melody of a street musician's lute created a cacophony. The air was thick with freshly baked bread, mingling with the earthy aroma of vegetables and the tang of salted fish.Several moments passed without the carriage moving. Fiona glanced at Iona, her jaw clenched. "What is your father doing?" she asked, her voice tight."I don't know," Iona shrugged, her eyes wide with uncertainty."Stay here. I'll see what's happening," Fiona said, pushing the carr
Last Updated: 2024-10-17
Finding The Heart of Magic
Many years ago, dragons discovered the supreme good that the Earth could offer to any of its creatures. A red gem, which the king of dragons named "The Heart of Magic" because of its shape, resembled a heart.
The magic gem fulfilled their greatest desires.
All the dragons in the world obtained a necklace with a small piece of the red gem that shone. All the dragons born afterward also carried the same necklace.
Then, when the gem got stolen, this light went out of every necklace, and the dragons lost these magical abilities that the gem had given them.
But before this could happen, after fulfilling these desires, the dragons used them against the humans, enslaving them, but when the gem got stolen, it was all over.
Dragons are still looking for it, and humans wish never to be found so that they do not go through the same thing again.
Princess Edith, after a family tragedy, she will be forced to go in search of the gem. Through the journey of investigation, she will discover that she possesses special powers that she did not know that she has until that moment.
Drake is the Dragon King's son and will be secretly sent to help Edith seek the gem.
Carrying his dark and heavy past on his back, he moves forward with his life with no regrets about his actions back then.
Everything is about to change.
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Chapter: Chapter 33I feel beads of sweat run down my spine and collect in the dimple at the base of my waist."Did you feel that?" I ask the knights wanting to know their thoughts on what had just happened. Maybe there is some logical explanation. Perhaps it's a unique phenomenon in this magical forest that I don't know about.I wish to be."Yes," Brian answers."What is it?" I ask again."It was just o breath of air."I narrowed my eyes and pursed my lips. "I'm not stupid, Brian. It wasn't just a breeze like all the others. Not a leaf was moved. How do you explain that?'The knight stops short and scratches the back of his neck."You notice that, don't you?" asks me."Of course I noticed. What is it? Why did it happen?"The other knights seem to have heard our conversation because they are approaching us."The truth is, we don't know what it might be. Various legends circulate in people's mouths, but it is difficult for me to believe all I hear." Ballyan informs me, and then I remember."Aida before I
Last Updated: 2022-07-28
Chapter: Chapter 32I remain frozen in my place while my heart starts hammering. I must inform the men immediately. Brian is closer to me, and I decide to tell him.I lean slightly towards him. "Brian," I whisper, wanting to get his attention first.He turns and looks at me. "What's up, princess. Why are you whispering?" he tells me with carelessness, and I want to bring him the plate I was holding on his head. But he is right. He doesn't know."Wild animals are here watching us. They may have surrounded us. Tell to Robert who is sitting near you. Everyone needs to be informed," I tell him, and he nods in agreement.From my seat, I watch the process as the information was transferred from one to another and how their behavior changed from the moment they learned.They left their plate on the ground and put his hand on the handle of the sword, ready for defense.When the information reaches Ballyan, he leaves his plate on the ground, and he carefully searches th
Last Updated: 2021-10-28
Chapter: Chapter 31EdithWe reach the edge of the forest very quickly. Knight Ballyan approaches me and tells me:"It's time to let go of the horses, my princess.""Okay," I answer, and Ballyan gives the order to the other knights.We dismount from the horses, and the soldiers who have followed us take the horses' reins and, with a simple "Good Luck," took the road back to the castle.We watch them walk away for a while, but when the dust raised by the horse's clattering of feet and drowns us causing us a cough, we decide to move on.We begin to enter the forest, and the drop in temperature is quickly felt. The vegetation is dense. Gigantic trees with massive thick trunks and low and tall shrubs cover almost all the ground. Somewhere we find some flowers with huge blossoms. This is the first time I see such flowers. They have lovely bright colors and a delectable scent.I gape for a moment about this incredible beauty of t
Last Updated: 2021-07-25
Chapter: Chapter 30EdithThe next day I wake up very early, and the truth is that I did not sleep very well at night.I sit on the bed and rest my warm feet on the cool floor.As I recall everything that has happened and everything that will happen, my heart starts to increase speed uncontrollably.I think of my father, and tears fill my eyes. I have to bring him back! I hope he is okay. There is no way to know this, and it causes me more stress and more stubbornness to succeed in my mission.The anxious knocks on my door say it's Una."Come in," I tell her while I get out of bed.Una enters carrying the freshwater while she looks at me with her big eyes full of anxiety."Everything is ready," she announces.I say "nice" to her, and I approach to wash my face."Also, breakfast is already served and is waiting for you" her eyes look at me intensely and clouds over.I finish washing, wipe my face
Last Updated: 2021-07-14
Chapter: Chapter 29EdithShocked, I watch my mother tearing her hair out and shout, "No, no, no, you're not going. I'm not going to let you go."I have just announced to her my decision to go and find the gem. At first, she looked at me, knitting her eyebrows in wonder. It took a few seconds for her to realize what exactly I was talking about. Then she widened her eyes and started screaming and pulling her hair. The truth is that I did not expect this reaction. Yes, I expected her to refuse my proposal for me to go, but I did not expect all this weeping and hair-tearing. Her reaction tore my heart. I had to be prepared for it. First, the father's kidnapping, and now I tell her that I will go and find the gem without being sure if I will ever return.It's an enormous burden for a wife and mother. Her family scattered without knowing if she will see them again. And all this so abruptly, so tragically suddenly. From one day to the next, she will be left alone. My eyes a
Last Updated: 2021-07-03
Chapter: Chapter 28Aida was infuriated with Brantley and Ladon. Although they had tricked her, pretending not to go ahead with their plan and giving her a deadline - apparently to throw dust in her eyes - they reassured her by carrying out their own satanic plan in the end.In the castle, she mobilized all her forces to not reveal her feelings, not to escape any word of her mouth that would betray her relationship with the dragons. They would think that she was involved in all this, and they would lose their trust in her. And most importantly, she would lose their love. And that would make her heart a thousand pieces. She was unsure if she could bear to lose the people she loves so much, who have become her family and have blind trust in her. All this can be lost in only a single moment.For tonight, her ally was the silver illumination of the moon which became her trustworthy guide. She was walking fast without noticing if there was anyone or any other animal around her. The boiling rag
Last Updated: 2021-06-25
Chapter: EPILOGUETwo years later The door of my parent's home was waiting for us, wide open. They stood there with a smile up to their ears and their hugs genuine for us. Those hugs were full of infinite love and affection for us. I got lost in their open arms, and the love I felt overwhelmed me for those two beautiful people. "Come on, son, come inside. Why did you stay on the doorstep?" I heard what my mother said to Eric, and I smiled. "Hello, Mrs. Joanne, Mr. James," Eric said, entering the house. My mother reached out and pulled him closer to us. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me mother? You will become our son in a few months. Oh! My children, you made us so happy!" Those two years that passed were the most beautiful of my life. The months passed beautifully and calmly without anyone threatening us with his presence. Our love remained just as strong and steady. So, a few days ago, he proposed to me, and I c
Last Updated: 2021-02-25
Chapter: CHAPTER 39Portia accepted his request and explained to him, telling him the whole truth. She also asked him for the help she wanted from him. "And what are you going to do with it?" he asked her suspiciously. "This is not of your job," she told him, somewhat hesitantly, fearing that he would not help her in the end. But that did not happen. "Very well. I will bring it to you". "And about the money, don't worry, I will have it." "Okay, but the money is not the only thing I want." "What else?" she asked him in wonder. "I want to spend a few hours together in a bed this time," he told her meaningfully. Portia thought about it for a moment, and she said okay for that. She would do anything to get what she needed to continue with her plan. "Very well then, meet me in an hour at the hotel." And he told her which hotel it was. "Okay. I'll be there but not in one hour. I need more hours. I am not in London." "Wher
Last Updated: 2021-02-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 38Marianne found free parking and left the car. The supermarket was right across the street, and had to cross the road to get there. Paul found this to be a fantastic coincidence because Marianne was in the right place for them to proceed with his plan and be visible to anyone in the supermarket. After all, that is what he sought. Let Eric see them. He accelerated his pace to catch her as he was ready to cross the road. Paul had approached her enough to hold her lightly by the arm. "Marianne, wait." Marianne, surprised, turned to see who it was. "Paul?" she said, not believing her eyes. "Yes me. I want to talk to you for a minute." "There is no way I can hear you and let me go" she shook her arm with force to release it, but Paul tightened his grip. "You have to listen to me. It won't take you more than a minute." "I don't want to listen to you. Don't you get it?" she countered. His hopes began to fade. If
Last Updated: 2021-02-23
Chapter: CHAPTER 37Portia and Paul were sitting facing each other with a cup of hot coffee in front of them. They had approached their heads and were talking almost in whispers because, of course, they did not want anyone to hear them make plans to hurt other people. Portia explained what he needed to do, ensuring that everything will go well and that the plan will work correctly. All this had become her obsession. "And it should be done in that way so Eric – I think that his name- sees you okay. Besides, that is the whole point." Portia pointed out to him, "to make him believe that is a big slut, so he will hate her and never want to see her again. He will break with her once and for all. And that will allow you to make her yours again. Isn't that what you want? To marry her so that you can have the inheritance that her aunt will give her? And as far as I can remember, it's big money." "Yes, I want that. That's what I always wanted. And after I got her inheritance in m
Last Updated: 2021-02-22
Chapter: CHAPTER 36Eric tried to go after Marianne, but a hand clutched his arm. He had forgotten that Portia was still there. "Let her go. Now I'm here for you. Now and forever. I'm crazy about you." Portia said to him with an alluring voice. He had made sure that she was the same Portia that Marianne had talked to him. He heard her disgusting voice full of fake passion, and that made him sick. He couldn't even see her in front of him, and he hated even her touch. Knowing Portia's aggravated past, Eric was easy for him to realize that it was another plan of hers to grab him from Marianne's arms as she did with Marianne's fiancé. How on earth did she find out where she set up her new life? He had to run to catch her. He shook her hand over him with force. "Don't you dare to touch me again," he said in disgust and ran to the exit. He hurried down the stairs and ran after Marianne. "Wait, Marianne," he shouted at her, but she did not turn to look at him; instead, sh
Last Updated: 2021-02-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 35Portia greeted the detective's assistant with a cheerful "Chao" and left the office. She got in the elevator that would take her to the ground floor. By the time she found and took her cell phone out of her vast, messy bag, she had already left the apartment building. He stood there in a corner and made the phone call he wanted. "Paul? I have amazing news. I found where our little runaway has been hiding for so long. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure that it's her house or her new boyfriend, and that's something we need to find out." At the other end of the call, Paul remained speechless. "Wait a minute! What did you say? Did Marianne find a boyfriend? " "Pff, what did you think? That she would mourn the deceased for a long time? " Paul got angry. "Come on, close your mouth, little snake." "Yeah, right. When you were fucking this snake, was it okay?" "Anyway, Portia, let's not start this discussion now. You know very well tha
Last Updated: 2021-02-20
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