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Chapter 28
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One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Chapter 29
“Good morning, Urban!” Nicolette greeted, bounding up so she could hook her arm through mine and turn us toward Vienne and Anniston. “Happy Donnelly Day! Do you know the history of our realm? I’d be happy to share it with you.”I gazed across her dark curls of hair to meet Vienne’s gaze. My one true love didn’t seem too ashamed to look me in the eye today. In fact, she offered me a small, polite, pleased smile and nodded hello. Relieved that she didn’t seem to be experiencing any regret, I looked down at Nicolette as the princess stayed between us to lead the way outside.“Brentley told me the kingdom’s history, I believe.”“Oh.” Nicolette’s shoulders fell slightly as if disappointed she couldn’t tell me all about the two men who’d been banished from Lowden and eventually discovered the village of Mandalay.“But I’ve never heard of Donnelly Day,” I told her.And just like that, she brightened once more. “You haven’t? Oh, but it’s the best day of the entire year. We celebrate from
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I woke to an angry baby and pounding headache.“Sorry, my lady,” a maid was telling me, her voice high and distressed as she jiggled a wailing Anniston in her arms. “I tried to keep her happy and quiet to let you sleep off all the festivities from last night, but I fear she won’t be calmed until she has her mother.”Nodding, I sat up and held out my arms so the girl could hand me my child. But, wow, I must’ve slept hard. I hadn’t heard Anniston wake or the maid enter my room to help with her.When she instantly calmed at the sound of my crooning voice, it warmed something inside me that made me forget all about how much I’d drunk the night before.Anniston had a way of making everything better. I smiled at her as she fed, tracing her cheek with a single finger and sighing. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, you know that, little girl? The very best.”She opened her eyes when I spoke, meeting my affectionate gaze with her own content expression. And though being wit
Last Updated : 2021-11-24One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Chapter 31
The next day was another lovely day in the kingdom. Though it never grew as hot around the castle or down in the village as it did in the rest of the Vast Desert, this morning was crisper and cooler than usual, enough so to require a shawl and an extra blanket for Anniston when we left my room.Feeling restless and in need of a walk, I bundled her close and started down toward the garden, only to come across Brentley and Allera out and about among the flowers, laughing and talking by a row of bushes where Brentley was slipping a daffodil behind Allera’s ear.I turned to leave them in peace, but Allera caught my eye and smiled. “Morning, Vienne. Lovely day, isn’t it?”Pausing, I nodded and sent her a return grin, even though a nip of jealousy tugged at my heart. If only my own arranged marriage had worked out as successfully as hers seemed to be.Although, actually, no, that wasn’t what I wished at all. If I wanted to be perfectly honest with myself, my thoughts veered more cruelly
Last Updated : 2021-11-24One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Chapter 32
The blast was so profound it knocked me back until I nearly stumbled to my knees. My ears rang, and the heat from the fireball that had once been the carriage nearly singed my eyebrows.The shockwave left me momentarily dazed, causing me to waver like a blade of grass in a windstorm as my equilibrium sputtered. Then I blinked, trying to orient myself.The first thing I was able to hear past the shrill ringing in my own ears was Anniston’s cry as she thrashed against my chest, her fear making her frantic. Then I heard Yasmin’s earsplitting screams next to me, followed by Allera yelling Urban’s name as she raced up the hill toward the fire.I blinked and shook my head before lifting my hand against the heat to block it from my face, only to see Urban’s unmoving form lying sprawled on the ground next to the flames, covered in black soot, torn clothing, and fallen debris, his arms and legs splayed at odd angles, and more blood gushing from him than I’d ever seen gush from any human.My
Last Updated : 2021-11-24One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Chapter 33
With the threat from dark magic turned real, I temporarily put field training on hold in order to send out all the soldiers to Mandalay and around the castle so they could keep their ears to the ground for any news they could discover.Not twenty-four hours later, we caught a lead, and I requested an immediate audience with the king.“You asked to see me?” Caulder said as soon as I was admitted into the Throne Room. “How’re you doing, by the way? Any permanent injuries from the explosion?”“I’m well, Your Majesty.” I lifted my arms and rotated in a circle to show myself off. “All wounds have healed completely and without consequence.” I glanced Soren’s way since it was his wife’s fault I was doing so well.The dick narrowed his eyes but refrained from speaking.“That’s good to hear.” Caulder nodded. “What would you like to discuss then? I hope it’s an update on the search for dark magic.”I glanced around before answering. The king had beefed up on security substantially. Soren,
Last Updated : 2021-11-24One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Chapter 34
Once we returned to the Throne Room to report the events of the morning, I didn’t have to say a word; Soren detailed it all to the king with emphasis on everything he was sure I’d fucked up.“I don’t trust him,” he accused, pointing at me. “I’ve never trusted him. He needs to be punished for this.”I snorted, folding my arms over my chest. “For not catching the dark magic on the first try? Are you fucking kidding me? I got us closer to him than we’d ever been before.”“What’s all the commotion about in here?” Yasmin asked, sailing into the room. “Don’t leave us girls out of all the good stuff.” A winded Vienne hurried in after her.I stared openly at Vienne until she discreetly glanced my way. Once we made eye contact, however, her eyes flared open wide before she quickly and guiltily glanced away again. I narrowed my stare, wishing I could drag her from the room in that very moment and get my answers right then, but I had to go through this hoopla of a circus first.As Caulder ex
Last Updated : 2021-11-24One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Chapter 35
She took me out of the castle through the secret tunnel.First, we went along a narrow corridor that passed behind the kitchens and down a dark stairwell, where she had to grab a torch resting in a wall sconce at the top before descending. At the bottom, I found myself in a dank, cool wine cellar.“Hold this, will you?” She handed the torch to me so she could turn to a stone wall and dig the fingers of both her hands into a crack I wouldn’t have noticed otherwise. Then she gritted her teeth until the tendons in her neck strained and she began to pull open a concealed doorway.Feeling the fool for standing there, holding the light while she did all the muscle work, I dryly said, “I could’ve done that for you, you know.”Once the door was opened enough for us to pass through, she straightened, blew out a breath and moved some hair out of her eyes with her fingers. “I didn’t mind,” she told me brightly, reaching back to retrieve the torch.I handed it over, asking, “Who usually holds
Last Updated : 2021-11-24One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Chapter 36
Urban’s blue eyes were wide with equal parts excitement and apprehension. I took his hand, and his fingers latched immediately around mine.“He’s really quite tame,” I assured. “But it’s best to stay behind the wall Grandfather built just to be safe. Elliott’s been having accidents lately. We never know where he’ll spray his fire. We think it’s because he’s getting old.”Urban nodded mutely, his eyes still huge with shock.We started to step through the doorway, only for a group of the same four men from before to meet us in the entrance, carrying another sheet of glass.“Watch out,” they called cheerfully.Urban and I ducked out of the way, and he twisted at the waist to watch the men gently lay the sheet down on top of the pile.“So, that’s how they get fire hot enough to melt the sand in order to make clear rock,” he murmured to himself. “From fucking dragon’s breath.”“Yes,” I said. “It’s also possible to make glass from normal fire heated hot enough, but the glass never com
Last Updated : 2021-11-24
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One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance About the Author
Writes romance fiction from YA to adult, contemporary to fantasy. Most Kage stories lean more toward the lighter, sillier side with a couple meaningful moments thrown in. Focuses more on entertainment value and emotional impact.Lives with hubby, two daughters, cat Holly, and nine cuckoo clocks in southeast Kansas, USA. Farm girl. Parents were dairy farmers. Was youngest of eight. Big family. Day job as a library assistant. Harry Potter House Gryffindor, Patronus White Stallion. Supernatural Team Dean. Game of Thrones Team Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister. The Walking Dead Team Daryl. Outlander Team Jamie Fraser. Teen Wolf Team Stiles. Avenger Team Thor...or Hulk (can't decide). Justice League Team Flash. Arrow Team Stephen Amell. Stranger Things obsessed. Heard Laurel, not Yanny. Started out reading with the Baby-Sitters Club. Then moved to Sandra Brown, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, and LaVyrle Spencer in high school. Now all over the place with romance reading.Published since 2010. W
One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Behind the Book
Oh, what an adventure learning cartography for a fantasy world was.At first, I just knew I wanted the land in my world to be formed in the basic shape of a semicolon to honor those semicolon tattoos that mean the bearer is a survivor of self-harm/anxiety/depression or things of that sort. This was kind of my symbolism for pushing through, not giving up, and valuing perseverance.Aside from that, I had no clue what to do. So I just started googling fantasy maps and how to make them. I somehow stumbled my way upon freefantasymaps.com where there were these mapmaking competition entries. I fell in love with the style of this one map entry I saw there, called The Land of Mórthyr, created by Warren Godone-Maresca. But yeah…when I tried to emulate his technique, let’s just say it didn’t work out so well. But I fiddled around with one version for four hours before thinking I’d just settle for that, even though I wasn’t completely satisfied with it.The dissatisfaction followed me, and bug
One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Thank You
Much love to my family!! Poor Kurt, Lydia, Sadie, and even Holly the cat have to suffer through every time I go off into my writing mode and I’m not mentally present, even when I’m right there. Thanks for being my foundation and still loving me for who I am.And to the rest of my family: Even though we lost our glue—our matriarch—I love you guys more than I did before, and I feel closer to you than ever. Whenever I get to missing Mom, I just have to see one of you, and there she is. You keep her memory alive.Thanks to the family members who always read the first, roughest drafts of my stories. This time, I believe it was Alaina, Shi, Kayla, Jamie, and maybe even Morgan. Your initial responses are the most important to me! Big hugs.Then there is always Amanda, who is my go-to beta reader. I swear, her feedback is almost as long as the story itself, and I love, love, LOVE that. I enjoy seeing the story from her point of view; it helps me fix and polish more than anything else. Her h
One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Epilogue
The castle’s chapel was full again.But this time, the marriage was not for my sister or even for an arranged union. This time, it was for me. And I was finally being united with my one true love in holy matrimony.The good king Brentley had pardoned Vienne from her spousal mourning period of a year since her first husband had turned out to be a traitor to the throne. So, we decided to have the ceremony as soon as we had the kingdom put to rights again.Which had taken too fucking long, if you wanted my opinion.Honestly.Far Shore hadn’t readily agreed to believe that Soren had been the sole culprit behind their raised clear rock tariffs. They were still bent out of shape over the fact that Donnelly had chosen High Cliff for an alliance, not them. And they were particularly enraged when their only prince, Murdock, ended up dead. They wanted to make us hurt. Badly.So, after receiving word that they’d sent out another round of troops to fight us for annihilating their first wave
One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Chapter 43
Dawn was approaching, and the sun had nearly crested over the horizon, when I finished for the night and started for my room. As I neared it, however, I felt Vienne’s presence grow stronger with every step I took, causing a smile of realization to spread across my face.As soon as I opened the door, I saw the lump on my bed under the covers where she lay.I immediately started toward her but a whimper from the corner of the room waylaid me. I turned to blink in surprise, not realizing a crib had been stationed there until the baby inside it started to stir. Shaking my head, I smiled before changing my course to check on the babe.Anniston had kicked off her blanket and lay on her back windmilling her legs with a speed that made me chuckle, while she gurgled, blowing bubbles from her mouth.“Well, hello there.” I picked her up, grinning softly. “It’s nice to see you in such good spirits. Happy to be home again with your mother, I presume?” Then I nodded and shifted her up against my
One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Chapter 42
“Who the hell are you?” Allera asked as Vienne’s grandfather stepped into the dining hall, hobbling toward us with his wooden staff in hand.“Wren Mandalay?” Brentley breathed in astonished wonder, gaping at him. Then he shook his head slowly. “I thought you died ages go. How long have you been alive?”Mandalay sent him a quizzical glance. “Since birth, I’d imagine.”Flushing as he realized how ridiculous his question had been, Brentley shook his head and revised, “I mean, why did no one know you were still around?”“Probably because I didn’t wish it to be known.” Mandalay finally reached us, slightly out of breath. “I only came tonight because I heard we’d been invaded and that the king had fallen.” He glanced toward the banquet table and sighed sadly. “My condolences.”“Can you bring him back, sir?” Nicolette asked, moving to her dead brother’s side so she could touch Caulder’s leg mournfully.“What’s that?” Mandalay wheezed out a cough before he shook his head. “Oh, dear child
One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Chapter 41
I hurried forward to check on Urban, but Yasmin tsked and pointed at me, freezing me into place.“Oh, no,” she said. “We can’t have you bringing him back to life again. That’s becoming all too tiresome from you two.”Meanwhile, Allera knelt before her brother so she could cup his face in her hands. “Breathe, Urban, breathe.”Behind her, Brentley drew his sword. “Yasmin, stop this. Let Vienne and Urban go, now!”“Or what? You’ll stop me?” Rolling her eyes, Yasmin pointed at him and snapped her fingers. A crack of splintering cartilage followed. Then Brentley’s head tipped drunkenly to the side, his neck broken, before he collapsed to the floor, dead.Allera gasped, abandoning her choking brother to leap to her husband and try to catch him as he fell, gentling his landing.“No!” she sobbed. “No, no, no. Brentley...”Yasmin pointed at her next, immobilizing her in place, just as she had me, making Allera’s body freeze in an awkward position, hunched over Brentley. If she’d been lef
One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Chapter 40
Soren jerked his arms from around my weeping sister as soon as my accusative gaze landed on him.“What the hell?” he said, scowling at me, his body tensing and already bracing for a fight.Which was actually pretty smart, as Urban pounced, striding forward and demanding, “Let me see your sword.”Soren gaped at him, lurching backward. “Absolutely not. Why would you—hey!”Urban grasped the hilt of Soren’s sword where it hung from his waist and yanked it free from its scabbard. My husband haughtily shoved him back, but Urban didn’t seem to notice; he was too busy examining the blade.Nicolette covered her mouth in horror, her muffled words shrieking, “Oh God. It’s covered in blood.”Soren sent her a dry scowl. “That’s because I killed at least a dozen Far Shore soldiers .”“And one of them must’ve been wearing the same tunic as Caulder,” Urban announced. “Even though none of them wore tunics. A piece of cloth got caught on your hilt.” Gritting his teeth, Urban tugged at a ragged bl
One True Love: A Love Mark Fantasy Romance Chapter 39
“Well, while the boys are outside having all the fun and we’re trapped in here during the battle, is there at least some safe room we can go to?” Allera asked, pacing the Blue Chambers impatiently.“Whatever for?” Yasmin asked with a laugh. “Don’t you have any faith in your darling brother to keep us safe?”“He’s not the one I’m worried about,” Allera muttered under her breath. Then she spun to me, revealing all her vexation as she begged, “Vienne?”I sighed, readjusted the sleeping Anniston in my arms—whom I couldn’t seem to part with after she’d been returned to me—and said, “We could always go down to the wine—”But Yasmin sharply bit out, “No! We have no reason to hide. The men have everything well in hand, I’m sure. Besides, I hate the wine cellar. It’s so dank and cold down there. I wish to stay up here where I can see what’s happening.”“If you want to actually see the battle,” Allera bit out irritably, “then why aren’t we up in the East Salon, watching through all that nif
