Requiem (Books 1 - 3 of "Whispers From The Past")

By Catherine LaCroix

Before Josselyn Thorn—Cyprus Reyner, Victoria d’Audrieu and Isabelle Rhodes had their own stories to tell. Requiem, the bundle of Whispers From The Past, includes Roar, Remember, React, and—as a special bonus—Raucous. Enjoy these tales as a sequel to The Whispers of Rings and let yourself share in their pain, loss, joy, and determination.

~~~~~ Excerpt ~~~~~

From Roar:

It was an inconsequential evening that changed the entire course of my life. I couldn’t say the day or the time, but I remember it was snowing. I was restless, inconsolable, and suffered from the curiosities of childhood. I’m sure my mother knew of my late night escapes, but never said a word. The moon washed over the snow in a gleam that would draw envy from the sun as I padded my way over the white landscape. It was late; far later than any eight-year-old should have wandered from their room, but I couldn’t sleep and nothing in my home ever helped with my fits of insomnia.

I wandered, the powdered streets of Lorelyn abandoned at such an hour. The chill air sometimes calmed the thoughts that rushed through my head—thoughts that should have never weighed me down to begin with. That’s when I saw you.

From Remember:

It was the first time I’d ever smelled salt in the air. Seen an expanse of water that continued infinitely. A steady breeze played at my hair and the warm evening air caressed my skin. The ocean mirrored the full moon, illuminating the picturesque scene before me. If it weren’t for the circumstances surrounding our visit, the City of Ends was easily one of the most stunning landscapes I’d ever seen.

“Victoria, love...I...don’t how to prepare you for this.” Jeremi’s fingers weaved into mine.

“I’m the one who asked to come here. I want to understand every part of your life. This weight...you should not have to bear it alone.” I met his gaze and smiled—the waves danced in his silver eyes.

“I don’t know what I’ve ever done to deserve you,” he sighed and kissed my hair. I leaned into him.

“Your actions answer that every day, my sweet. Nothing I see here will change how I see you.”

I inhaled the intoxicating air one last time before hooking my arm through his. Delaying the inevitable would lead us nowhere.

“Shall we go?” I asked.

“Alright,” he replied reluctantly.

From React:

I held a cool cloth to my blackened eye. Bruises and scrapes decorated my pale arms and legs. Thankfully I wasn’t bleeding too much—and most of it wasn’t mine. The other kid would miss a few days of tutelage.

“Where is she?” I heard my father’s booming voice from down the hall. I hadn’t expected him to be happy, but his tone was unnerving.

I sucked on a split knuckle in an attempt to ease the sting. When he rounded the corner he assessed the situation and shook his head.

“Come on, Isabelle,” he commanded, and I stood without hesitation.

“You have to admit, sir, she has your fire,” the man watching over me commented.

“Aye, too much for a girl. Let’s go,” with that he turned heel and I trailed behind him.

I concentrated on the ground as he led me outside of my language tutor’s estate. His strides were long and sure and I had to skip steps to keep up with him.

“Why this time?” he asked with the authority I associated with his work.

“...Stephan said I was just a stupid girl. When I told him to shut up he called me a bitch...” I explained under my breath.

“Surely, beating him to submission proved him wrong.” Father glowered down at me from the corner of his eye.

“Lord Radcliff says that’s the worst thing you can call a lady!” I retorted.

“I would agree with Lord Radcliff, however my daughter is no lady.”

I felt tears of anger well up in my eyes, and I hid them with the cloth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Boruma Publishing, LLC
• Release date: Nov 11, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370766673

Catherine LaCroix

After spending time as a musician, caterer and wine connoisseur, I've returned to my true love in life- the written word. I adore painting worlds filled with lush environments, deep characters and sensual romance. Whether it's hundreds of years in the future, or a thousand years in the past, I love to take my readers on fantastic journeys that will leave them begging for more.

Book preview

Whispers from the Past

Written by Catherine LaCroix

Artwork by Marlena Mozgawa

Books in this Compilation:

Roar

Remember

React

Raucous

Best Enjoyed After Reading

The Whispers of Rings

Copyright 2016 Catherine LaCroix

-- All Characters Depicted are Over 18 --

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold

or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person,

please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did

not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your

favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard

work of this author.

For Natsuki and Pete

Prologue

It was an inconsequential evening that changed the entire course of my life. I couldn’t say the day or the time, but I remember it was snowing. I was restless, inconsolable, and suffered from the curiosities of childhood. I’m sure my mother knew of my late night escapes, but never said a word. The moon washed over the snow in a gleam that would draw envy from the sun as I padded my way over the white landscape. It was late; far later than any eight-year-old should have wandered from their room, but I couldn’t sleep and nothing in my home ever helped with my fits of insomnia.

I wandered, the powdered streets of Lorelyn abandoned at such an hour. The chill air sometimes calmed the thoughts that rushed through my head- thoughts that should have never weighed me down to begin with. That’s when I saw you.

Dark hair succumbed to the wills of the breeze, bright eyes sparkled in time with the stars; you perched beneath an old oak tree, staring intently at the Isten Mountains. With the wisdom and courage of a child, I approached, taking a seat next to you.

What are you looking at? I asked, oblivious to the social anxieties I would learn later.

I’m…wondering what’s past the Istens, you replied with the graces of one a few years older than I.

With the all-encompassing dreams of someone who hasn’t been told that there are things that simply don’t exist, I told you with outright confidence, There’s dragons out there.

You laughed and my tenacity shattered. I poked at a few pebbles in the snow, avoiding your beautiful gaze and hiding my embarrassment. I wasn’t yet to be bested.

Well, you don’t know. What if there are?

What if there are? you replied, nodding, hiding your giggles. What’s your name?

Cyprus Reyner, I announced proudly, as my parents had taught me. Never fear who you are, they’d said. And yours?

Victoria d’Audrieu, you declared easily, your name rolling off of your tongue like a melody. Well met.

Well…met, I responded slowly, unassociated with the phrase. What’s out there for you?

Hmm, you contemplated my question with more credence than it was worth, a prince to save me, a world to see, cities far larger than this…

I’ll take the dragons, I responded with distaste, familiar with the fairy tales mothers told their daughters.

Would you fight them, Cyprus? you asked without missing a beat.

Of course! I responded with the fervor of a brave knight.

Why?

And, my love, that’s where you had me. Why? For fame? For glory?

I…well, someone would have to lead you to your prince, right?

You laughed and it was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard in my short existence. I shivered and you positioned yourself so your cloak covered us both. Your skin warmed mine, your laugh warmed mine- everything about you warmed my entire being.

My parents…they’ve always told me to stay away from Whispers, you remarked, while you pulled me closer to you. I knew what I was; everyone knew what I was. But you so freely commented on something I’d never been ashamed to be a part of. For a few span of seconds, I wondered if I should be.

Why?

I don’t know, you said, pushing back a strand of hair that fell across my eyes. You’re quite sweet.

Can we be friends, Victoria? My hope peaked as I leaned into you.

I’d like that very much, you smiled- it made the snow jealous. We watched the moon disappear over the Istens. Together.

I

After a few sleepless evenings of meeting Victoria beneath what I’d come to know as our tree, I couldn’t hide my exhaustion. One morning, after my father made his way to work, my mother sat down with me at our small dining table and passed me a mug.

It’s hot, make sure you sip it, she cradled her own cup between her hands.

Hot chocolate? No amount of sleep deprivation could hide my excitement. We only had hot chocolate on special occasions- the price was outrageous.

That it is, dearest, she smiled, deepening the lines in the corners of her eyes and mouth. Guinevere Reyner loved with all her heart and laughed without inhibition. I know you’ve been out the past few nights.

I had the decency to look guilty. I…um…

I know you have a hard time sleeping sometimes. Your mother is just worried, is all.

I made a friend, I admitted, sipping on my rare treat.

You did? Her blue eyes sparkled. I wasn’t known for my social circle. And who would that be?

"Her name’s Victoria! Victoria d’Au…d’Aut? Well…anyway, she’s eleven. She has a cat named Solonie—"

Ice cream? she laughed.

Yeah! She said he’s white all over and he loves to play in the snow. She loves the spring and books. She…doesn’t believe in dragons, though…

You don’t believe in fairies, she countered, tipping her mug towards me.

That’s because fairies are impossible. Tiny humans with wings that grant wishes?

Mhmm, the answer that drove me mad to argue. But I knew she was baiting me and I was too excited to take it.

Victoria wants to learn Alavei. I…was wondering if…if she came here and we were really careful—

I’m sure your father would be alright with you learning from his books. But you have to promise to never take them from the house.

I promise! Few things in the world were more precious to Doran Reyner than knowledge. Some nights he would read to me and others I would read back- but he was very protective of his book collection.

Are you going to see her tonight? She looked at me over her mug. Her raised eyebrows said she knew the answer.

…Yes. I confessed.

Don’t stay out very late. She can join us tomorrow if her parents allow, understand?

Alright, I conceded. One thing Victoria said on our first evening together plagued my thoughts. Mom…why would Victoria’s parents tell her to stay away from Whispers?

Well, my love, sometimes… She pulled her long fair hair over one shoulder and braided a section in thought. I didn’t know it then, but that was my mother’s tell. When she wanted to explain things in the best way possible, she would pause and braid her hair. Sometimes there are things people don’t understand. Like dragons. We’ve read stories about how terrifying dragons are, but, what if they only roar to seek companionship? What if they only attack humans because they’re just as scared?

I…don’t understand. A dragon’s roar was a fierce and terrifying thing, made only to frighten the weak. They attacked cities out of malice and nothing else. At least, that’s what my young mind had decided. My mother, the most patient person in all of Rhoryn, tried again.

"Cyprus, there are things in this world that people don’t understand. Maybe they’ve only heard of them in books or fairy tales or by word of mouth- maybe not good things. Maybe they’re afraid. But they never gave the thing they’re afraid of an opportunity to prove that in reality, it doesn’t act out of malice. That it doesn’t roar at them, but for something greater."

I thought on her words, considering them one by one. They just had to give me a chance? I would impress them as much as possible.

I’ll be a dragon who doesn’t roar! I’d analyzed more than that, but it was the best answer I could come up with it.

There you are, she smiled, finishing her drink. You’ll be the one to change their minds.

"Thanks, Mom! I’ll