Conquering Kings: Two Girls Versus The Galaxy, #3

By Matthew J. Peterson

Having learned her true identity as the heir to the throne of Ekt, Vicky must defeat The Pirate King once and for all.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matthew J. Peterson
• Release date: Aug 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386190172

Matthew J. Peterson

Hello!  If you're checking out my profile than you're interested in what I write, which is awesome. Maybe we're even kindred spirits. Who knows?! I write fantasy fiction for readers young and old. My inspirations are all the works Hayao Miyazaki and classics like Peter Pan and Wind in the Willows, as well as Folktales the world over.  Writing is my happy place and I hope you have fun visiting the worlds that I've created. I'm also a children's music teacher and I live in Seattle with my wife, Jana. Check out my Instagram page "mattypcreations" to learn more about me and to get in touch.  

Book preview

Chapter One

Vicky awoke from her nap to find that her reality hadn’t changed at all; her mother was still a captive of The Pirate King and Vicky was still heir to the throne of Ekt where The Pirate King ruled with an iron fist.  She looked around the room, at the royal suites that the Queen of Oceanica had provided her, and her gut twisted.  The setting should have felt exciting, should have given her confidence, but it only made her feel small and unworthy.  Mira and Landra were there, too, both looking their usual strong and confident selves, exactly the opposite of how Vicky felt.  She might have cried had she not just experienced a very pleasant dream, a dream that had been like a gift to her anguished brain.  She sat on the edge of the divan upon which she had slept and tried to recall the dream, as if by doing so, she might soak in just a little bit more of the joy she had felt while in it.

She was walking through a dark cave and there were sparkles dancing all around her, like little stars that were turning off and on at random.  She could hear a soft humming up ahead that slowly formed itself into a beat.  It was as if somewhere a DJ was putting on a show.  She finally arrived in a huge space filled with a crowd of every species imaginable who were dancing to an extremely catchy song.  Vicky couldn’t help but bob her head and tap her toe to the beat.  The crowds thronged around an outcropping of yellow crystal, the same crystal that filled the cave and caused light to shimmer everywhere.  Atop the outcropping was a DJ who looked very familiar to Vicky.  It was Zorp, only instead of his tattered garb he was dressed in a flashy silver robe.  Just as she laid eyes on him, he jumped up onto the table and began spinning on his head.  For the next few moments he breakdanced in the most awe-inspiring ways and the crowd went absolutely nuts.  Everyone, including Vicky, was jumping and screaming out encouragement to Zorp.

Go, Zorp! Go, Zorp! they cried.

When he finally finished, everyone turned toward her and, all at once, all of them, including Zorp, bowed to her.  Vicky froze, unable to respond to their adulation in anyway. 

Then she woke up.

Recalling Zorp’s crazy outfit and dance moves, she began to laugh.

I like hearing that sound, said Landra, coming over to her.  Feeling rested?

Vicky sighed.

Had a cool dream with Zorp in it, she said.  Wish I was still in it, actually.  It was a huge dance party.  For a moment, I actually forgot my woes.

He’s so intrusive, said Mira.  Thinks his dreams are all that.

Still feeling overwhelmed then? said Landra.

Is everything Jaya said still true? said Vicky.

Yes, it is, said Landra.  She began to rub Vicky’s back.  It was comforting, but it also made Vicky feel like a child.  And she knew that with what lay ahead, she could no longer fall back on childish behavior.  Even though she desperately wanted to.

Look, at me, she said, quietly.  Pathetic.  Not exactly royalty material.

Oh, come on, Vicky, said Landra.  You’re just feeling the enormity of the burden that’s been put on you, and you’re behaving incredibly natural, if you ask me.

Nothing makes any sense, said Vicky.

Mira hopped up and began pacing the room. 

My thoughts, exactly, she said.  What I can’t figure out is why I would choose YOU for my most recent mission.  I mean, what are the chances?  I was looking at hundreds of girls.  She paused.  Wait a minute! She slammed a fist into her open hand.  Zorp!  He sent that dream into your head because he’s telepathic.  He must have sent me telepathic messages too so that I would choose you.  And he probably messed with my Finder, which is one of his inventions, by the way, so that your profile would pop up.  But how could he do that to me!?  He’s not supposed to use that type of magic on me!  We’re partners!  I’ll never trust him again.  Never!

Landra looked at Vicky and rolled her eyes.

Relax, Mira, she said.  You’re being just a bit dramatic.

And that would also explain why Lila was keeping a close watch on us, continued Mira, unabated.  Remember when she visited us on the deserted island before we went to Pirate Island?  That was so out of character for her.  I knew something was up.  Those two, I swear!

So they knew who Vicky was before you did? said Landra.  Big deal.

Mira glared at her.

I deserved to know! she said, kicking the air.

Vicky laid back down.  Mira might as well have been an angry rhino, the way her behavior was bombarding Vicky’s nervous system.

Calm down, Mira, please, said Landra.  This isn’t helping.

But if you really are a queen, Mira continued, unfazed.  Why send you on dangerous missions in the first place?  Hmm?  Why not protect you?  That makes absolutely no sense, either.  None!

What’s worse, Landra, us or pirates? said Vicky.

Pirates, by far, said Landra with a laugh.  You’re just being human.  When pirates get overwhelmed they become reckless.  The might kill someone over a simple misunderstanding.  But to answer your question, Mira, I think that Zorp knew that Vicky going on a few missions with you would provide the best training for the days ahead.  In order to retake the throne successfully, she will have to become a warrior.  Both physically and emotionally.  You may feel like you’re losing your mind majesty, but I’d say it’s just expanding.

So you really believe Vicky’s a queen, huh?  said Mira.

Yes, I do, said Landra.  In fact, I can see it.  I remember the prince, of course, and I remember the king, too.  You don’t grow up on Ekt without having their faces imprinted on your brain.  Vicky has the prince’s eyes and the king’s nose.  And I’m guessing she has her mother’s cheekbones.  No doubt she is a beauty.  It’s amazing actually.  Just seeing the resemblance stirs hope inside me.  That’s the effect true royalty can have.

This is crazy, whispered Mira.  Vicky.  A queen.  Vicky who was so dang green and is still pretty dang green.

Get over it, said Landra.  She’s got what it takes. Trust me.  And whatever she doesn’t have, you and I can help her develop.  The sooner you accept her as a queen, the better for everyone in the galaxy.

Now who’s being dramatic? said Mira.

Not me, said Landra.  Ekt was once the center of the universe.  Why do you think pirates took it?  If we can win it back and put a true royal on the throne...it’ll be a game changer.

I’m with Mira, Vicky said, quietly.  I don’t think I’m up for this.  And I think I am actually losing my mind.

You’re going to be fine, majesty, said Landra.  Mira.  Pour us some tea, please.

Good idea, said Mira as she walked into the kitchen.  Look at me, serving the queen.  Absurd.

Mira, said Landra, giving her an admonishing look. 

Yeah, yeah, I get it, no problem, Mira grumbled.  I’ve got a good one.  ‘The Cave Monks of the Hillihilli Mountains’.  Good friends of Zorp’s.  These guys meditate like twenty hours a day.  Zorp and I entered one of the caves and the peacefulness was all around us, and we just sat there with them.  I was way blissed out.  Like no worries.  Made a tea of it, of course.  It’ll calm you right down, Vick.

She came over to the divan and handed Landra and Vicky their teas.

Well, that sounds really nice, said Landra, blowing on her tea. Something to calm your mind, majesty, and allow you to see a bit clearer.  Look, you’re going to have a hard time convincing me, an Ektian who became a pirate, totally forgetting her former identity, who had to stare at an ugly painting to remember herself, that your mind can’t handle this.

She’s got a point, Vick, said Mira.  You remember Sliver, don’t you?  Might as well have been a totally different person.  But look at her now.

Exactly, said Landra. 

But you were trained for that, said Vicky.  I have no training.  And on top of this whole queen business, my mother is being held prisoner!  By The Pirate King.  Hello!  They may be torturing her, or worse.  Her face fell into her hands.  She may even be...how can I not think about that?

Please take a sip from your tea, said Landra.

She reached over and pressed Vicky’s tea hand up toward her mouth.

I don’t even think Mira’s tea will help me, said Vicky.  This is too much even for Zorp’s magic.

Just drink, said Landra.

Underestimating my tea, said Mira, shaking her head and sipping her tea.  Maybe you are losing your mind.

Sipping