Destiny

By Elizabeth Loraine

Bestselling author Elizabeth Loraine brings us another exciting edition of her series Royal Blood Chronicles.
In this eighth book, Destiny, we find Cain entering into a new quest. New characters are introduced, old love rekindled and new and old enemies revealed.
Allwain, Lord of the Wizards finds himself face to face with his biggest fear. The one enemy who keeps him awake at night; the one battle he hoped he’d never have to fight, but now cannot avoid.
Of course no Royal Blood Chronicle would be complete without Katrina and she again plays a major role in this novel. The Protectors are once again asked to complete a task that finds them and their world with more questions than answers about the children that were stolen from their lives. Were the Six the only reason they were hidden away or is there much more to the story?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elizabeth Loraine
• Release date: Jul 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310070754

Elizabeth Loraine

I grew up in Minnesota, married my husband of now over 30 years and had my two children (Matthew now 30 and Andrea 28). In the early 80's we moved from Minnesota to Florida and I've lived on the beaufiful Central East Coast ever since. I've always been creative, and my career life focused on interior design, painting and garden design. I didn't start writing until I turned 52. I loved the Vampire genre and after years of enjoyment found in the pages of other author's books, I decided that I wanted to know more about the characters than was there between the covers. What had these long lived vampires been doing, what had they seen and done throughout history? My two wonderful children were grown and my fantastic husband has always supported my career choices. So, my mind made up, I would take up the challenge of creating what I wanted to read for myself and offer the books to anyone else who loved this genre. Thus began the Royal Blood Chronicles. I am now working on ten book in the series, have written the first book in another series and Phantom Lives, my paranormal series has two books, Collier and Power. I'm writing book three of that series. Look for new books in 2014 Enjoy

Book preview

DESTINY

A Royal Blood Chronicle

By Elizabeth Loraine

Royal Blood Chronicles Book Eight – Destiny

Copyright © 2012 by Elizabeth Loraine.

Smashwords Edition

CHAPTER ONE

Gruen put his large arm around Cain. I wish there was something I could do for you, my friend.

Cain sighed. I know you do. Let’s keep going. If I didn’t have something to keep me busy, I don’t know what would happen to me.

You could have killed Calypso, why didn’t you? Liridon asked sharply.

Cain’s jaw tensed. She didn’t deserve a quick death. Don’t you think a slow painful death she never saw coming is more appropriate?

Gruen squeezed Cain tightly to him. I’m glad you came to help us lowly Grendal get settled in a new home. I’ll miss Katrina and the others though.

Cain winced and then wheezed, Gruen, you’re hurting me. Remember your strength.

Gruen released him and Cain rubbed his shoulder and shook his arms out. You’ll see all of us any time you want, and don’t think for one minute you’ll be free of us. We’ll still need your help after all. Cain turned to Liridon for substantiation. Isn’t that right, Liridon?

Ah…yes, of course. I’m sorry, I was just thinking about Letta and Loundin.

Give it some time. Of all of them, I think Letta is the most likely to forgive you and let you back into her life. You have to admit that Fredrik’s plan, a plan that all of you agreed to, was terribly misguided to say the least.

I know. And I guess I knew it at the time too. But you know if Katrina is right and Fredrik knew that The Six were the true Protectors, he did what was needed to safeguard them, whatever the cost.

And the cost was high, wasn’t it?

Yes, very, Liridon agreed.

Cain looked around. It’s getting lighter, we must be close. Cathos told us this level would seem as if we were living above ground. Have you ever explored this level, Liridon?

No, I had no idea it even existed. It looks a lot like the dark lands - Calypso’s illusion of the upper world.

Yes one of only many in the Underworld. When I was first welcomed to Ceron’s palace in Althar, I used his library and I remember reading that the Underworld consists of ten completely different layers, which circumvent the earth. Gruen, why don’t we rest for a little while? I’ll produce some food, it’s been a long journey out of Islandria and I’m sure the pack is hungry.

Good idea. Gruen turned and strode back to the pack of Grendal traveling behind them.

What about your family, Liridon?

They’re free and with my parents at last. As soon as we get the Grendal settled, I’ll go back and together we’ll decide what to do and where we want to settle. I’m thinking that the Fae Sanctuary in America will be perfect for us. Amparah has her home there, of course, and Marcella has said how much she enjoys living there, didn’t she? It’s peaceful, secluded and would be a good place to lose yourself. In fact, you could use a rest Cain, why don’t you come with us?

I feel so lost and empty right now. I don’t really care what happens to me. Seeing the concern on his friend’s face Cain conceded, All right, I’ll think about it.

You gave me good advice a minute ago, give it some time. He thumped Cain on the back a couple of times and Cain finally smiled.

Liridon thought how good it was to see his friend smile, even feebly. Good, now how about that food? You’re going to have to produce a lot of meat for this group. You better get started before there’s a stampede.

Later, Cain rested against a large boulder. He was exhausted after producing all the food for fifty Grendal, and was thankful that he was traveling with the smallest group of the gentle giants. He wondered if there was a different way to easily get to the new land, but thought if there was, Cathos would have already suggested it. He stretched out on the warm ground, then curled up on his side and drifted off to sleep.

Hello, Cain.

Who is it? Come forward.

He saw a womanly form, her identity obscured by swirling fog. Cain’s heart began to pound as he sensed who it was. "Idalia, is that you?"

Yes, Cain. I wanted you to know I’m all right. I’m free and happy in this other world. Our love was true, but we were not fated to be together. My love, I want you to be at peace. Visit the tree spirit; free your tortured soul once and for all. Do it for me Cain, please? It’s time to let go of your past.

The form began to fade. Don’t go, please don’t leave me again, Cain cried.

I have to. Do it for me, Cain. Free yourself and one day we will meet again, she said, her voice trailing away.

Cain jerked awake so violently that Max, Cain’s magical sword, sprang forward, immediately on guard. What’s happened? Max asked, twirling over him.

It, it was just a dream I guess, but it was so real, Cain panted, looking wildly around.

Max stopped twirling and came to a stop in front of his chosen master, You’re sure? When one of you ‘feel’ something it’s not usually just a dream, but real or portend of something to come.

You’re right, Max. It might have been a vision.

The Grendal had finished eating and loud snoring now echoed through the canyon as they took a rest from their journey. Cain wiped the sweat from his face and produced a cup of blood before pushing himself back against the boulder. The remnants of the dream had left tightness in his chest and he was still breathing hard. He gulped the blood down, closed his eyes and tried to relax, but Idalia’s words drifted through his mind, "Free yourself and one day we will meet again". Cain rubbed his eyes and decided once he got the Grendal home, he would do as Idalia asked.

Now, as they approached the valley Cathos had shown him, it appeared this part of the Underworld was devoid of evil. It was indeed like they were on the surface, this level was full of light, and though the sky wasn’t exactly blue, it seemed to have an atmosphere of its own, allowing for lush vegetation. Birds flew overhead and a river and lakes could be seen from the rim of the canyon.

It’s beautiful, Cain. Gruen’s look of awe said it all.

Yes it is. You’re all going to be very happy here. No one is ever going to hurt your race again. Cain looked up at his huge, but gentle friend and smiled as Gruen swiped a tear with his big, grey, paw-like hand. Let’s get you and the other Grendal settled in. I’ll make sure you have everything you need and then I have to leave you.

Do you need us to go with you? Liridon wondered, his voice full of concern.

No, it’s something I have to do on my own. I’ll be all right. I just need some time alone to make peace with everything that’s happened.

We understand, don’t we, Gruen?

Max will keep you safe, and we know that Cathos is only a call away, right?

By the end of the day, the Grendal were happy and safe. With Cain’s help, they had no problem creating dwellings and filling them with all the necessary goods. As a race, Grendal were strong, hard workers and Cain had them settled in no time. As the first group in their new home, they could prepare for the others coming from other Sanctuaries.

Cain walked to the stream and squatted down. He swished his hand in the water and then cupped his fingers so that he could drink. He caught his reflection in the ripples of the water and was surprised that his appearance showed him to be young and not how he felt inside, old and used up. He took another drink and then splashed his face with water. It was time to begin his new quest.

Early, before anyone else was up, Cain quietly made his way from the new Grendal village and out of the beautiful valley. He knew from experience the journey could be as important as the quest itself, which meant he would walk, not use his powers. For days he walked in solitude, making his way up several levels and then continued on the winding, dangerous path through the bowels of Althar. He used the time to review the early days of his life, on how he’d never known his father and how it was just as well. He wondered what would have happened to him if he’d been an only child. He thanked the Gods once again for Marcella. In spite of his mother and aunts, he survived Althar without being totally consumed by the evil that surrounded him. The reason he’d survived was because of the goodness of his sister.

He thought about his half-brother Damien, how close they’d become, how similar they were, and how Damien could have been consumed by the evil, had he and Cathos not intervened. Then there was Katrina. Beautiful, loyal, able to do whatever she needed to do to secure the peace in an almost cold, indifferent manner. But that didn’t describe who she really was at all. He sighed, and looked up and around. He’d be to the roots of the sacred tree of Elysewin the following day. Finding a safe place to sleep, he produced something to eat and Crimson to drink. Physically he was fine, but mentally he was exhausted and frankly he just didn’t care if he lived through the test that was in store for him when he reached Elysewin or not.

Having slept only a fitful few hours, Cain finally rose and continued on. He plodded along until his stomach clenched as a curve in the trail revealed the roots of the gigantic tree in the distance. With no idea what was in store for him when he reached the tree he continued on. After several more hours he stood at the base of the tree feeling uneasy, but determined. Years ago he had sacrificed himself to the tree, and been granted a wish. Looking back on it, he hadn’t once regretted his choice to use the coveted wish to bring Katrina back from the other-dimensional land of Faralea.

I’ve been expecting you, he heard from behind him. He spun around, surprised to see a beautiful woman. Angelic in appearance, she was blonde haired, with piercing blue eyes, and her alabaster skin radiated a golden aura. Cain’s senses told him that the woman was none other than the sacred tree spirit of Elysewin in human form. She stretched her arms to him. Come to me; I must embrace you.

Cain hesitated. It seemed everything he touched, or loved, he put in danger.

"Do it for me, Cain." He heard Idalia say.

The spirit cocked her head and gave him a questioning look. Cain closed his eyes, swallowed hard and resolutely stepped forward. As her arms curled around him, his skin tingled, and he began to see visions. A shot of pain surged up his spine as the spirit squeezed him even more tightly. The pressure increased until he was overwhelmed by a blinding pain as he felt her seemingly squeeze right through him. As the pain faded, the last vision he saw was of those he didn’t recognize.

The spirit was gone. And with her she had taken years of guilt and peeled away the layers of self-loathing. And although Cain still carried the pain of Idalia’s death, it was now bittersweet and felt further away somehow.

A disembodied voice called from inside the roots, Your quest is clear, Cain. Though Six are safe, Six others live in danger. They must not fall into the hands of your enemies. You are welcome to walk through the tree. Go, you are free to be who you were always meant to be.

Cain shook his head, Thank you, but I think I’d still rather go around if you don’t mind. He closed his eyes for a moment and a feeling like nothing he’d ever experienced before washed over him. He recognized it as peace. Thank you too, Idalia. We will see each other again. A single tear trickled down his cheek and dropped onto the ground. In that spot, a sprout instantly appeared and began to climb. Cain backed away and watched, fascinated as the rapidly growing vine attached itself to the roots, spread quickly, and soon covered one entire side of Elysewin with a beautiful emerald blanket of new life.

Cain took stock of himself, he felt lighter, stronger; and he had a new purpose. The spirit had confirmed his new quest and he knew what he had to do to prepare. He closed his eyes and transported himself