Kiss of Frost (The Dragon Stone Saga Book 1)(27)
Keep Reading for the first two chapters of Mark of Truth, book one in the Wicked Kingdoms series!
Prologue
Four Hundred Years Prior
Excerpt from the Declaration of Light Elven Breeding
As of this moment, inter-breeding of any Goblin and Elven species is considered treason against the Light Elven Kingdom. Any interaction of intimate nature between Goblin and Elf will be punishable by death for both participating parties. The abomination of the crossing of both species has produced a new branch of horribly unpredictable creatures that are too unbearable to look upon, let alone live within our society. Any fraternization or suspected fraternization will also be punishable by death. Any children previously born of one Goblin and one Elven parent will be allowed life outside of the Elven Kingdom, but not inside its walls or inside the walls of Kingdoms allied with the Light Elven Kingdom. Those of sullied blood will be exiled forevermore as will any found to be hiding or aiding them. Children born of any union between Goblin and Elf will be sentenced to death upon birth if death before birth is not achievable without harm to the Elven mother. We must strengthen our own kind, and sullying bloodlines with impure Goblin blood will only lead to the destruction of the Elven Kingdom rule and the end of our race.
King Bale McEver
Three hundred and seventy-seven years later, reading the declaration again, Callista knew only one option remained. She must keep her precious child hidden from discovery. Think, Callista, think. She couldn’t leave the child at the Goblin Kingdom, for surely those brutes would destroy the babe for being weak. The horror stories of babies not surviving long there unless they were born to cruel and harsh parents were numerous and she couldn’t damn her child to an existence of fighting for her life. Her child was forbidden. Her sullied bloodline considered treason. No one could ever know what she was. Callista, would bear this secret for the rest of her life, and the father would never know of their child. Now she must ensure that her little girl kept the appearance of a normal full-blooded Elven baby.
She stroked the points of her daughter’s little ears, humming to her softly as she rocked her. She must act as though her child were of inferior birth and leave her to grow in the human realm. It was the only way to keep her hidden from those who would harm her. Luckily, she had the creamy silver skin of a higher elf, and her emerald green shimmer was starting to become apparent. No disfigurements or added limbs as could happen with certain Goblin species, thank the Goddess. She was perfect, and she had to stay that way. Shielding her was the only way to ensure her survival. Callista would ensure her daughter was protected from discovery.
Her heart breaking, she sifted out of her chambers in the Elven Kingdom to the crowded and iron-filled streets of Indianapolis. Before she stepped foot in the city, she grimaced. The overpowering taste of metal filled her mouth. Plastic and rotten food perfumed the air with a pungent odor. The cramped spaces between buildings almost overwhelmed her determination to leave her baby here. Prolonged exposure to iron was harmful to full-blooded Fae, especially Elves. Due to Callista’s heritage, her precious daughter might have a better tolerance in this city than she did. Either way it would help dampen her abilities once she reached maturity.
Walking the short distance to the compound founded by similarly displaced elves, goblins, and other magical beings from centuries ago, Callista called forth a basket to lay her baby girl in. She wrapped the child in a hunter green silk baby blanket. Before she turned away, she placed a feather soft kiss on her babe’s forehead.
“You will be safe here, my little darling, and always remember, Mother loves you.”
She placed her into the basket and allowed herself one last tearful look before sifting back to her rooms within the Light Elven Castle. The soft sounds of her sleeping baby no longer with her left her chambers hauntingly silent. Sitting on the large chair she kept next to the baby’s crib, she wept silently. Callista’s chin trembled as she pressed her hand to her quivering lips. Pain washed over her as she clutched her stomach in one hand, her baby’s blanket in the other.
As she fell asleep, she vowed to do everything in her power to ensure her daughter would survive no matter what the foolish declaration stated.
The previous Light Elven King was delusional anyway.
Chapter one
Present Day-23 Years Later
“Shit! God. Effing. Damnit!”
I pick my ass up off the pavement and run after the ancient higher elf gone mad. Brushing the hair that escaped from my ponytail out of my face, I take off after him. Figures, the night I, Ever Leath, actually have plans, I’m chasing after this asshole who’s hell bent on wreaking havoc all over downtown Indianapolis. I grumble under my breath. Doyle’s deep rumbling laugh echoes in my ear. I’m not paid enough to deal with this shit. But it keeps people safe and keeps the peace between species, so I do it.
I pant as I chase after the rogue elf. “Laugh it up, asshole. First round is on you.” I run full speed ahead after the spry older elf. He stops dead at the end of the trash-filled alley. The rogue spins around and locks eyes with me. His body is visibly shaking.
His hysterical laughter bubbles up from his thin and cracking lips. My ears are pierced with pain every time I hear the incoherent babbling that emerges when he opens his mouth. His once dual-colored eyes flash between flat slate grey and green and blue. He looks left to right looking for an escape.