Conquest of a Queen

By Noemi Betancourt

She wanted help from no man, yet she had a vulnerability that drew him to her...
For a quarter of a century, war has ravaged lands, torn families apart and destroyed lives. Even those oblivious to the war were affected. Isabel Kendra, a Puerto Rican chef raised by a single mother in New Jersey, flees from her home after being attacked on a dark and stormy night. She soon finds herself embroiled in battle against fallen deities, witches and monsters bent on her destruction while finding the balance between drawing on inner strength and accepting help from a dashing prince who insists on coming to her rescue.

She was no one’s pawn...
Groomed to be the perfect lady and trophy wife in Texas, Nancy has had every aspect of her life dictated to her and she’s sick of it! The sudden death of her parents sets Nancy on an adventure filled with spies and intrigue, magic and of course, an arranged marriage she wants no part of.

Deep within the dark depths of the earth an ancient enemy awakens from his slumber...
Determined as ever to conquer the world, the Goblin King wakes to an opportunity to win the war and only the magic of legends can defeat him.

Follow the swashbuckling tale of a gutsy Puerto Rican chef and an exiled queen as they summon ancient powers, expose a double agent and confound Prince Charming in the battle to deliver Baelcrest from the hellish grip of their enemies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Noemi Betancourt
• Release date: Jul 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311786500

Noemi Betancourt

Born and raised in the NYC area, Noemi has traveled the world as a military wife of 10 years and is now settled in a bungalow on the Sun Coast of Florida with her husband, a disabled vet from the UK and best friend, and the three dogs who rescued them. She was influenced at an early age by the works of Tolkien, L. Frank Baum, C.S. Lewis and David Eddings and currently writes Sci-fi/Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance, and New Adult stories.

Book preview

Conquest of a Queen

Noemi Betancourt

Copyright 2014 by Noemi Betancourt

Smashwords Edition

Chapter One

Isabel tossed her toque into the back of her jeep and flopped down behind the wheel with a sigh. God she hated weddings, all that fuss over a fairy tale concept, but her position at the country club made them one of her priorities. Her friends and colleagues never understood how she could be so negative about such a magical occasion but when your father walks out at 5 years old, you get to be a little cynical about things like love and romance. Besides, Isabel didn’t believe in magic.

The ominous looking sky rumbled as Isabel’s bright yellow jeep rolled into her driveway. Fat drops of rain pelted her as she strode through the front door. The first thing the brunette noticed as she brushed the wet curls from her face was that the light switch didn't work. Carajo! The storm hasn’t even started yet and I’ve already lost power.

A flash of lightning revealed the house was ransacked. Isabel stood in the living room, gaping, as she took in the chaos and destruction. Smashed picture frames littered the floor and her curtains and walls bore slash marks as if from a large blade. Her furniture lay upended and what wasn't smashed into kindling lay beside their cotton innards. A quick survey of the kitchen and dining room yielded the same results yet the doors and windows were still locked. Isabel fumed. Her house was sealed tighter than Fort Knox. How could this have happened?

Isabel pulled her cell phone from the pocket of her jeans to call the police but there was no signal. The deep rumbling overhead told Isabel the storm was far from over and with the power already out, reporting the break-in to the police would have to wait. Another crash of thunder and a gust of wind caused the French doors in the dining room to suddenly burst open and a large black bird careened into her. She fought to untangle herself from the frightened bird, feathers flying everywhere, before managing to push it away. A bright flash of lightning revealed the figure of a large man leaning in the doorway. Isabel’s heart thudded in her chest. This must be the home invader! Her mind flicked to the sharp knife set sitting in a block on the kitchen counter, and she wondered if she could reach it before the man attacked. A deep chuckle resonated throughout the room.

Fear not, little one, The baritone said. No harm will come to you this day.

Fear not? Had she been burgled by an unemployed renfaire actor?

The cops are on their way so unless you want to spend the night in jail you need to leave my house. She replied, hardening her tone against the fear in her heart.

Another chuckle and the silhouette waved his hand, straightening in the doorway. You and I have business.

The dining room lights suddenly sprang to life, giving Isabel a better look at the burglar. At 5’10" Isabel was not a short woman by any means, yet the stranger stood at least a head and a half taller than she. His raven hair fell to his broad shoulders in waves. He regarded her with deep purple eyes above a strong Roman nose, square jaw and a thick neck. His heavy muscular body was clad in a close-fitting leather doublet that opened just to his ribs to reveal a mass of thick curly hair beneath it with steel guards at his wrists. His trunk-like legs were encased in snug leather pants tucked at the knee into a pair of heavy black steel plate boots. He was a formidable looking man but bulky, and Isabel wondered if she could outrun the lunatic before he snapped her like a twig.

What business? she asked, still struggling to keep her voice from trembling. I don’t know you.

His lips curled into a smile that chilled her very soul.

I am Rakad, Lord of the Underworld and you have something that belongs to my mistress, Phaedra. He replied with a bow.

Isabel shook her head, it was a mistake, it had to be. What the hell was a lord of the underworld? What could she possibly have that the man’s mistress would want?

I’m sorry, Rakad, but you have the wrong house. She responded slowly. As I said before, I don’t know you or anyone named Phaedra so please leave.

The man’s face took on a stony expression, his amethyst eyes glowing with a fire that nearly stopped Isabel’s heart. He walked towards her slowly with a kind of spectral grace. It was as if his feet did not quite touch the ground. She looked down at his thick heavy boots upon the tiles and realized his footsteps made no sound.

Are you not Isabel, daughter of the Duke of Kendra?

I am Isabel Kendra, but my father is a worthless bastard who ran out on us when I was a kid. He isn’t Duke of anything.

Rakad’s lips tightened and he gave a quick nod. The Duke of Kendra is a spineless coward who abandoned his country and his people during the onslaught of Phaedra’s armies.

Isabel chuckled bitterly. Sadly there are plenty of cowardly men in this world.

Rakad nodded again, looking distracted. As in mine.

He refocused his gaze on her. Before your father left, did he not leave you some token of affection or trinket to remember him by?

Isabel’s hand automatically flew to her chest where, just beneath her red blouse, rested the beautiful silver dragon amulet her mother had given to her long ago. The morning after her father’s disappearance, her mother had slipped the chain and pendant over her head before they boarded the plane to San Juan. Leticia had told her to always keep it safe and tucked away because it was magical and monsters would get her if she ever took it off. As an adult she knew it was a ploy to frighten the child into not losing the necklace. Isabel often wondered why her mother had trusted such an expensive item to a small child, but her mother had a tendency to do odd things from time to time. Her habit of talking to the mirror in her bedroom, for instance.

Isabel steeled herself as she quickly dropped her hand, looked into Rakad’s eyes and replied, No, he didn’t.

A slow smile spread across his face and he chuckled. Isabel might have considered the man handsome if he wasn’t so damned frightening.

Come with me. I believe the sorceress would like to meet you.

Rakad turned back to the doorway and when he gestured an arm towards it, the air began to shimmer, her backyard replaced with a dimly lit stone room.

You want me to go in there? she gaped.

I do.

With you?

The Lord of the Underworld reached out and caressed her cheek with a single gloved finger that was colder than she ever thought leather could be. A chill went through her.

Are you afraid?

Isabel swallowed, her heart pounding and Rakad smiled, closing his eyes. Ah, I do find the sense of fear delicious, don’t you?

The air grew shallow and Isabel’s heart pounded in her ears as she fled from the room. There was no way in hell she’d allow this psycho to just lead her into a dungeon like a lamb to the slaughter. If she could just get to her jeep, she could get help and end this nightmare. My God, what was happening?

A dark feathery mass swirled before the front door as she reached it and she slipped and fell as it formed the shape of a man. Rakad leaned against the door, arms crossed and smiled. Now now, that wasn’t very polite, Lady Kendra.

Isabel spied pieces of wood on the floor as she clambered to her feet and backed away. He advanced towards her slowly, an amused look on his face even as she hurled the remnants of her couch at him. She turned and bolted again, this time heading for the kitchen.

Rakad approached the swing door to the kitchen when Isabel was suddenly upon him. The two crashed to the dining room floor and she pummeled him repeatedly with her favorite cast iron skillet until he lost consciousness. Trembling, Isabel glanced around before rushing to the window and tearing down the remnants of her curtains. She hog-tied Rakad as tightly as she could before fleeing back into the kitchen. Her shaking hands pulled the phone from the pocket of her jeans again and thankfully she had a signal.

911, what’s your emergency?

This psycho broke into my house, destroyed everything and attacked me. I need the cops to come to 17 East First Street, Bayonne, right away!

What’s your name, ma’am?

Isabel Kendra.

Where’s the man now?

He’s in the dining room. I was able to knock him out and tie him up.

Isabel peered out of the doorway of the kitchen and gasped.

Ma’am?

H-he’s gone!

Indeed, the dining room was empty save for the remains of her dining set and her curtains, the knots she tied still in place.

How in the hell? She started to say when she heard a crash in the kitchen.

Isabel spun around and screamed as Rakad burst through the back door. Dropping the phone, she grabbed her knife block and launched the knives at the man. As he advanced towards her this time he did not look so amused. Terror gripped the young woman as she realized Rakad didn’t even stagger as the blades bit into his neck, shoulder and abdomen. The blood trail on the floor showed the man was mortal yet he approached her still, his eyes blazing with rage. She threw the empty knife block at him but he simply batted it away.

His hand tightened around Isabel’s throat, cutting off her scream, and slammed her against the wall. The pendant around her neck leapt from beneath her shirt collar and suddenly a bright light blazed forth. Rakad screamed and shielded his face as he staggered back, falling against the kitchen counter. Isabel stumbled forward, recovered her balance, fled from the house and leapt into her jeep. The tires slid and screeched as she threw the car into Reverse and sped out of the driveway. A figured appeared in the road before her and a flash of lightning revealed the menacing snarl of her attacker.

Go away! Isabel shrieked as she shifted gears again and stepped on the gas.

She resisted the urge to back over the man again after feeling a satisfying series of thumps. In the distance she could hear police sirens rushing to her aid but she refused to stop. Right now all Isabel wanted to do was find her mother.

***

Rakad snickered as he rose, wiping the gore from his mouth as he watched the jeep speed away. People often ran from him, he was death personified. Running, screaming or crying was the typical response of those he reaped and made his job tedious and dull. The ones who fought back were few and far between and amused him the most. This was the first time he’d ever encountered a woman who didn’t drop to her knees and wail or faint dead away before he carried her off. He found Isabel’s combative demeanor fascinating and knew his mistress was correct in assuming she was indeed a threat. It would be a pity to destroy the girl once Phaedra got what she needed from her. Rakad had entertained the idea of keeping her for himself until he eventually tired of her. He could already feel the power within the young woman and considered draining her essence himself. It might be enough to restore his power and he would no longer be under the thumb of that detestable harpy!

Chapter Two

The storm was over when Isabel pulled into a space on her mother’s block and wiped the tears from her face with a shudder. She was just tired, she had to be. She worked a grueling 14 hour day in a sweltering kitchen and she was exhausted. Yes, that was it. It was the only thing that made sense. Why would anyone go through so much trouble for a piece of jewelry and what did it have to do with her father?

As Isabel climbed the steps of the brownstone, the door flew open and her mother stepped out. Her hair was in curlers for the night and the creases around her brown eyes and mouth from years of laughter and pain deepened as she laid eyes on her daughter. Leticia had gained some weight over the years, especially now that she was able to give up two of her jobs. Isabel preferred her mother plump rather than wizened and frail like her aunts who had become obsessed with dieting and fleeting youth. As it was her day off, Leticia wore her blue floral housecoat and slippers. Isabel met her mother on the landing and was crushed in a bear hug.

My God, are you alright? Look at you! Leticia touched the scratches and smears of blood on Isabel’s face and neck.

She glanced about quickly before wrapping an arm around her daughter’s shoulders and hurrying inside.

The police called to say you’d been attacked and your home destroyed! Leticia said as they climbed the stairs.

Destroyed?

Nothing left but a smoking crater. She shook her head.

Well shit, at least I don’t have to worry about the mortgage now.

They entered the apartment and Isabel watched her mother slip and twist 17 locks into place on the door. That’s weird, when did she get all those locks? She thought but instead said,

It’s the strangest thing. Some crack head tore through my house looking for something dad was supposed to have given me before he took off. Then he wanted to take me to some sorceress. I tried to get away but he just kept coming at me!

Isabel shook violently and she sat down heavily on the sofa, sobbing. Leticia rushed to her side, holding her and rocking until she calmed down again. "It’s ok, nena, you’re safe now."

Who was that guy, mom? Dad’s been gone 20 years, why would someone show up asking questions now? And he said the weirdest things too, like how dad was a Duke and had run away from an army or something.

Leticia paled. Isabel, who did the man say he was and did he mention the name of the sorceress he was working for?

Isabel laughed, shaking her head. He said he was Lord of the Underworld, if you can believe it, and the sorceress was named... Phoebe?

She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples to relieve a sudden headache. God, she could use some sleep.

You mean Phaedra?

Isabel looked up. Yeah, that was it. How did you know?

Leticia chewed the corner of her bottom lip, a sure sign of worry.

Mom, what is going on? Who was that guy? What’s he got to do with dad and why does he want my necklace?

Isabel held up the pendant and both women gasped. They both knew every detail of the silver dragon from the rubies embedded in the eye sockets and mouth open in a roar, to the tail wrapped around a crystal orb beneath it. Yet the wings they knew had always been folded and etched into the dragon’s back were now spread wide open. Isabel tapped them with her finger and found them to be as solid and immobile as the rest of the pendant, as if they had always been cast in that position. Mother and daughter looked at each other and Leticia said, Come with me.

They went into the bedroom where Leticia opened the massive wooden vanity that housed the mirror she liked to talk to. She reached into a drawer and pulled out two robes. She pulled on a blue silken robe with golden symbols embroidered on lavender cuffs and lapel. The other robe, white silk with silver symbols embroidered on light blue cuffs and lapel, she handed to Isabel saying, Put this on and I’ll explain everything.

Leticia yanked her hair free of the curlers and drew a long silver wand from her sleeve as Isabel shrugged on the robe.

"Do you remember when I gave you Papi’s pendant after he disappeared?"

You mean the day after dad walked out on us? Isabel snorted. Like a family trinket could make her forgive or forget?

***

It was the middle of the night when the murmur of hushed voices in the kitchen woke Isabel. Grabbing her Holly Hobbie doll she slipped out of bed, the edge of her nightgown brushing the tops of her feet as she padded over to the door. Her parents were fighting. About what, Isabel didn’t know, but occasionally her mother’s angry words drifted across the apartment, words like coward and danger. She didn’t dare call out. She was supposed to be asleep after all and she didn’t want to add to her parents’ anger. Isabel tugged on Holly’s braid, opening her slumbering eyes, and stepped out of the room. Whatever the danger, the little girl didn’t want to face it alone. She took another step, but the moan of metal chairs rubbing against the linoleum floor sent her scurrying back into her room. Peeking her head out again, the moppet saw her parents had moved into the living room.

We can’t come with you, Omar, her mother said, throwing her arms into the air. It would put Isabel’s life at risk!

Then travel the Pathways of the Prism and move her. She can stay with your cousins in Puerto Rico until it’s safe for us to return.

And how long would that be? What if something happens to both of us? Her mother shook her head violently. No, I won’t have Isabel thinking we both abandoned her.

Only her father.

It surprised Isabel that her parents couldn't hear her heart pounding in the heavy silence that fell between them. What was happening? Why were they in danger? Why did any of them have to leave?

I was a coward. Omar spoke so softly she could barely make it out. A spoiled, selfish brat who thought only of himself. I let everyone down, but I was too frightened to care.

He grasped her mother’s hands. You gave me strength, Leticia. You showed me what was right, taught me how to love. It’s my love for you and for Isabel that makes me strong now but I need to go back. I need to make amends for what I did. I need to put a stop to this before you and Isabel get hurt.

Leticia placed a hand on her husband’s face. If they gain your power all will be lost.

Omar gave a nod. Do what you must.

Isabel saw her mother hesitate a moment before placing a mirror the size of a compact on her father’s chest. The dim light of the lamp flashed off a small silver rod Leticia clutched in her hands over the mirror. Omar placed his hands on top of hers and their eyes locked. Isabel shook her head. No, whatever this was, it was wrong.

"Papi?" Isabel called, stepping out of the bedroom again.

Suddenly, it felt as if all the air had been sucked out of the room. A bright red light burned beneath her parents’ hands and Isabel clapped her hands over her mouth to stifle her cry, squeezing Holly into a headlock. After what seemed like forever, the light faded. Omar blinked once, his face blank of emotion, then turned and walked out of the apartment. Leticia looked down into her cupped palms and a single tear ran down her cheek.

***

Isabel shook her head. Though it had been 20 years, somehow she remembered the event like it was yesterday.

Leticia sighed. The first thing I want to tell you is that your father loved you very much.

Isabel stared as her mother tapped the wand to different parts of the mirror, which lit up when she began to speak. He comes from an alternate realm called Baelcrest and his family ruled a province called Kendra. For decades, war has raged in Baelcrest and when your father was about your age, the Duchy of Kendra came under attack by an evil sorceress named Phaedra. His father, your grandfather, was killed in battle and Omar became the new ruler.

The mirror fogged up and glowed before scenes appeared, illustrating her words. Isabel saw her father as a young man standing in the doorway of a dimly lit bedchamber while several men and women knelt beside the bed, crying. The scene changed and young Omar stood in another room filled with heavily armored men who dropped to one knee as an older man stepped forward and gave him a salute. Rather than return the salute Omar fled.

Kendra was one of many lands in Baelcrest to fall under Phaedra’s forces but it was the only land that was abandoned by its leader. Leticia explained.

Isabel reached out and tentatively touched the mirror as it changed scenes again. This time she could see a strange land mass stretched out before her with lakes and rivers, snowcapped mountains and desert. She gaped at her mother. Mom, how are you doing this? Are you a witch?

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