A Forbidden Fate (A Forbidden Fate Series Book 1)

by Kaven Hirning

Torrent, the great hulk of rage and death, with the blood of his enemies dripping from his sword, freeing an animal caught in our mayhem. He always does this and, when questioned, only shrugs. “Why should they suffer for the sins of their riders?”

She’s…gorgeous. The kind of beauty that knocks a grown man to his knees. The kind a kingdom would worship.

“Touch you, and it will kill us both,” I say quietly.

“That’s right, Little Sparrow. It’s the man you almost married. Have you missed me?”

“I don’t think a princess has to do anything she doesn’t want to do,” he says.

“By the way, you really shouldn’t listen to Teddy. That’s definitely not how heirs are made.”

“I’m not sure,” he admits. “But when something is as beautiful as that, I have to assume it's a girl.”

“You know, you kind of remind me of her,” he says.

His hand slides beneath my chin, and my palms grow damp. He leans in so very, very close. “I just hope you don’t fly away,” he whispers.

He likes to tempt fate and ignore rules, and I’m nothing but another lock he craves to pick open. A door whose knob he cannot turn.

“Speak like that to her again, and I’ll cut out your tongue,” he says in a low growl.

No, she hasn’t forsaken the plan. She hasn’t gone anywhere. I can feel it.

“Wounds from a fight are just reminders,” he answers coolly. “Reminders that we care enough about something to fight for it.”

Men need heirs, and women need protection. Marriage is not based on romance or love; it is a product of duty.”

When I first saw the Princess, I felt light. I felt awake.

When she looked at me, right before I wanted to kiss her, I felt like she knew more of me than anyone else. With one look, she stole my secrets. That’s why I showed her the sparrow, the secret I guard closest to my heart. I wanted to put her right next to the bird and keep them both. All for me.

I decide that I’ll do whatever I can to make her smile like this more often.

The Little Sparrow with her fawn eyes. How I wish I could catch her and keep her with me always.

“Why?” Her voice isn’t that of an older woman. It’s a golden gong that could resonate throughout an entire kingdom. It’s powerful; it’s many women speaking at once.

“You did this! You killed her! My Revna!” My father flares, rising and swiveling to meet King Vaskis’ stare.

Idalia's daddy did it o.o

Her laugh spills from her like liquid. If only I had a cup, I’d gladly scoop it up and merrily drink it.

I follow this familiar feeling, hoping it will lead me to her again.

“I’m sure the woman lucky enough to marry me will be more than prepared. And if not, it just so happens that I’m a mighty good teacher. Across all aspects of marriage, of course. But particularly in one area of expertise,” he says with a broad wink. “If you know what I’m saying.”

When her back is to me, I realize my heart is racing, and for a second, I could swear it beats in unison with her song.

Many who live within these trees know better than the outside world that sooner or later, we must all make a choice. We either choose to uphold the light, or we embrace the dark. We can build, or we can destroy.”

Yet, you humbly serve gods who do worse! Your gods lord above you all from a secret place, watching thousands die each day! Women and children suffer before their eyes, and what do they do? They remain silent. They remain hidden. Tell me, why should anyone worship such a thing?”

“The Great Darkness is in your blood, Idalia. Should you choose to face your fate, you will not survive it. However, should you choose to ignore your fate, the world will be swallowed whole, and all light shall pass away.”

“Let wisdom be your staff,” she murmurs. “Grip it firmly. Let compassion be your crown; wear it proudly. And above all, bring joy with you wherever you go. Cling to it with all your might.”

At this moment, before our deaths, I reach out my hand. If we die here, die now, I will not have her pass alone. I will die with her skin on mine.

“We’re going to keep going, Idalia.”

“No, of course not. I don’t know one damn thing about them. I’m a bird man, remember?”

“Lach, Lach, quiet, old Lach! Do you remember that bird that hurt you in the aviary? I think about it often, and it makes me laugh. Have you spoken to Prince Braizen? How is he? Did he grow up to have warts and bad skin? I hope so. Do you know we almost kissed? Ha! Can you believe it? That despicable, traitorous Prince and I were to be married. I, for one, am glad we are cursed. Now I never have to see his ugly face again! If you are ever in his territory, please tell him I am not thinking about him, and I never have. Verdana wishes you water and good wishes and bread and also, water. -Idalia.”

The stars are old Kings who have passed away, taking their rightful place in the Great Lands!

Mufasa?

The Sparrow has found her permanent nest in a new aviary.

There are times in a person’s life when a singular moment seems to last longer than it should. As if the gods themselves plucked it straight out of time and lengthened it between their hands like string. Stretching and pulling until mere seconds extend into what feels like an eternity. Depending on what you’re doing at that exact moment, this can be wholly wonderful or completely unbearable. I watch Lachlan’s face, at how his eyes glow as Idalia runs towards him, and the gods stretch time for me. She flings her arms around his neck. This singular moment is not wholly wonderful.

I nod, trying to ignore the heat rippling through my body at the sight of him touching her.

“I wouldn’t get too excited about it, though,” I add with a shrug. “She’s a real pain in the ass once you get to know her.”

“Lach refers to them as potions. I prefer to call them Teddy Tonics.

“I’ve heard stories, you know? Many servants frequent the taverns, and the women talk a great deal about the Baellilean Prince.” She leans in and smiles widely. “They say he can go again and again.”

“You’ve traveled together all this time and haven’t touched? Not once?” Deria fans herself with one hand. “My, that must’ve been hard!”

Her joyful smile means that she’s alive and that she’s safe. It means she’s happy. The wild cheers melt into a muted symphony, like music playing in a distant room. Her eyes find mine, and her look sends a frisson through my body. A dead man I may be, but that look, that smile…that is a sin worth dying for.

Everything has gone silent. The chattering crowd, the music. All I hear is her breaths, a symphony of its own, in unison with mine. We’re the only two people here. We’re the only two people who’ve ever lived. Though she may be Verdanian, she is not made of ice. No, she is a fire. An unholy, consuming flame that is setting every inch of me ablaze. How long can she look at me before I completely turn to ash?

“That’s where I think she is. Up there, shining brightly over our darkest times. I pray she knows that I look to the sky each night, searching for her in every constellation.”

So, I slip away and kick off my heels. They’re much too fancy to wear in a tavern.

“I want you to tell me where to put my hand as if it’s your own.”

Bringing my hands behind me, I begin to untie my dress. As the fabric loosens, I whisper, “Tell me where you’d touch me first.”

“I would undress you faster.” He smiles arrogantly, breaking the tension immediately.

“Little Sparrow,” he whispers. His voice is low and rough.

“Take it off.”

“Idalia,” he interrupts my gawking and tilts his head downwards. “That hand belongs to me now. Do as I say.”