Stone and Fire: Magical Kingdoms, #1

By Marie Robinson

A cursed princess, four dragon guards, and a hidden evil.

I'm Princess Maeve, the first in my family to have magic in four hundred years. But magic is forbidden and I've never been able to use it.

If I had been, I wouldn't have needed rescuing by creatures of legend—dragons.

Now I'm in a tower, guarded by four of these beasts. But on the first full moon, I learn their secret.

When my dragon guards turn into men as gorgeous as they are dangerous, my feelings change. Suddenly I want more than just their protection. A lot more. And they want it too. 

But beyond the bond forming between us, they need my help—my magic can break their curse.

If only I could discover the secret to my power.

Our world is under attack, and sinister forces are targeting me—and my dragons.

Can I brave the flames of the evil at the center of my kingdom—and will my heart withstand the heat of four dragon lovers?

Readers who loved The Cruel Prince and Five Hundred Kingdoms will dive into this world filled with magic, mysteries, betrayal, and a princess determined to save herself in new twist of fairy tales.

Please note this is an adult fantasy romance, and as such there are adult situations which may include violence, romance, alcohol use, mature situations, etc. This is book one of four in a completed series, so while this book is a complete story, it is not a standalone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Lion and Raven Press
• Release date: Aug 21, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393148692

Book preview

Prologue

After the Mage Wars, the kingdom of Caledonia expelled the Fae from their lands. The kingdom had suffered many losses due to their alliance with the Fae and the new king would not risk another war.

The Fae Council and Godmothers from across the lands cautioned him in this action. The magical beings had suffered grievous losses as well and an alliance would be more necessary than ever before. But the king was young and his heart full of pain.

And so, with trepidation, the Fae Council ordered an exodus of magical creatures from Caledonia. They found safety in other kingdoms, the rulers grateful for the magical blessings they provided.

Slowly, the kingdom of Caledonia forgot about their magical brethren, regulating their histories to folklore and tales. But the Fae Council had not forgotten about Caledonia and its rulers. On the eve of every new coronation, the Council would send a messenger to the new king or queen and remind them of their abandonment. Their message was not to ask for new alliances; nay, it was to remind the new ruler that there would be no help from the Council if they faced a magical threat.

Caledonia had abandoned their magical allies and so the magical creatures abandoned Caledonia.

---

For four hundred years, Caledonia had no great magical threat. But on the eve of the debut of Princess Maeve, a darkness rose from the shadows and threatened the princess and the entire kingdom.

Chapter One: Maeve

I ’m going to kill you, I shouted at the quickly retreating figure. I looked down at my dress, now entirely sopping wet from the water bucket my older brother had doused me with. Only my right arm had been spared, as I had flung it away from my body, a treasured book held in my hand. At least Fergus had known to aim away from the tome, else he’d be facing Tabitha’s wrath as well as mine.

As it was, I was going to be late for my lessons with my mentor. I huffed, blowing a lock of curls out of my face with little success. My father claims I have my mother’s wild hair, unwilling to be tamed no matter the force used.

I looked down the hall, empty even of servants, and muttered curses at my brother, who had escaped. He was lucky I couldn’t get my magic to work. Else I’d curse him with big fat warts all over his hands. I doubt Princess Elinore would be excited to marry a man with warts. It would serve Fergus right; he was too beautiful by far. His only saving grace was his heart was as pure . . . even if he did enjoy harassing his younger sister.

Resigned to my fate, I grimaced and turned back towards my quarters. I winced as I heard the schlep-schlep of the wet fabric against the stone floors. Maybe the servants would thank me for helping clean the hall. I loathed being wet. And it smelled like Fergus had used water from a trough.

Even with my chambermaid’s assistance, I was still unacceptably tardy for my lessons with Tabitha. At least I didn’t smell like musty horse water.

My apolo— I cut myself off as the woman sitting with her back to me held up her hand. I nodded and sped over to the seat across from her, head down in embarrassment, hands folded politely over the book in my lap.

You’re late, Maeve. I heard the quiet clink of a teacup being set down on its platter. Did you dry yourself using your abilities? Her voice was deep for a woman, commanding respect of all those around her. Even my father rarely stood up to her, and he was the king.

My face burned with shame. No, Mistress Tabitha.

She sighed heavily, and I chanced looking up at my mentor.

Her violet eyes stared at me, a familiar look in them, and I bowed my head again. I knew it frustrated her that I hardly tried to use magic to solve things.

I didn’t see the point, Mistress, I admitted after she continued to stare at me. I knew we wouldn’t progress into my lessons until she was satisfied. My magic simply doesn’t work for me. It was easier to return to my chambers and resolve the issue with the assistance of my maid.

You have magic, Your Highness, Tabitha said. Whenever she said my title, I cringed. I remember her swatting my bottom when she found me putting spiders on a visiting lady’s gown and now she was calling me by my title. It never felt right. You must learn to make it work for you. You must not be ruled by it.

Yes, Mistress Tabitha. I didn’t bother to argue. I knew she wouldn’t, but sometimes I think she still wanted to bend me over her knee. At least, I hoped she wouldn’t. I will remember that next time.

I looked up when she didn’t respond, and I saw a wry smile on her lips. I gave her a hesitant one in return.

She waved her hand and the teapot between us lifted and refilled her cup as well as a second. We sat in polite silence as we enjoyed the tea. I was nervous, though, and my teacher knew me well enough to guess the reason.

Your debut to the kingdom is in three days, the older woman casually observed. It will be a grand event.

I struggled to swallow, the tea not helping my suddenly dry throat. I have heard little of the occasion, Mistress. I tried in vain to keep my voice free of frustration, but by the cock of her eyebrow, I knew I hadn’t succeeded. One would think, being a key part of the main event, I would know more of the goings-on and the planning.

One would, yes.

Tabitha was the epitome of regal and collected. I wanted to be her when I grew up. Not to mention her casual control of magic. It was a shame we had to keep it secret. My kingdom wasn’t too friendly towards those who showed magical abilities, but it so rarely happened that most people forgot magic existed.

But when I turned sixteen and suddenly felt like static electricity was bubbling under my skin, it seemed my father had been prepared. It turns out my nursemaid, and now mentor, was adept at magic. I remember asking how he knew it was a chance and Tabitha said it was because my mother had minor magics.

Once again, I wished that I could have known my mother.

Your Highness, Tabitha called me back from my wandering thoughts. Perhaps you are ready to begin today’s lessons? Tell me, what did you think of Master Percival’s essays on the arcane?

He certainly uses too many words when writing, I grumbled without thought. But my teacher simply laughed and motioned for me to continue. I hauled up all that I could remember from the collection of dry essays written by a man who clearly felt he was a true master and enjoyed discourse.

We spent the entire afternoon discussing Percival’s theories on arcane energy displacement and transference. By the time a knock sounded on the door, my brain felt wrung out.

Tabitha reached into the small bag, which never seemed to be far from her person, as the servant at the door entered to clear the table between us. The woman pulled out another book and slid it across the table towards me.

It was a similar faded brown as Master Percival’s and I could smell its age. I held back a sigh and resigned myself to ordering many pots of tea over the next few evenings to keep myself awake.

This is your next assignment, Maeve, she explained. Aside from your ongoing practical applications, of course. I will expect to discuss it the evening after your ball.

Yes, Mistress Tabitha. I reached for the book. At least I had four days to read it. It meant I could take a break today. Maybe Fergus would sneak down to the river with me and I could plot my revenge on him. Perhaps a frog in his boots. Something about frogs made him squirm and I found no end of delight in that fact.

I felt restless, watching the servant leave the room with the tray with envy.

Go, she relented. I’ve clearly lost you for the day. Attempt to use your magic but remember—

Always where no one can see, I finished for her in a rush. I stood quickly and bobbed in a polite curtsy before leaving, afraid that she’d call me back to assign another test.

But she didn’t say anything as I slipped through the door, and I felt the smile on my face as I walked, faster than appropriate for a princess, to the courtyard Fergus favored to do his own studies in.

For all actions and permutations of the energies of an arcane nature, there is an equivalent and inevitable antithetical action in both the physical and arcane realms that the arcanist must formulate all possible realities— my brother cut himself off with a spat of academic disgust, snapping the book closed and looking at me in amazement. Seriously, this one is worse than that Master Percival, and I didn’t think that was possible!

I was lying in the thick grass, enjoying the sunny afternoon. Fergus had been all too eager to skip his studies and join me at the riverside. Being the crown prince, there wasn’t much his tutors could do so long as he passed their exams and kept Father happy. Fergus was honestly quite intelligent, but he couldn’t stand his studies. I enjoyed mine, for the most part. And while my studies were supposed to be a secret, I trusted no one else more than my brother.

Don’t remind me, I sighed and looked over at him.

He was two years older than me, a man of twenty-three years, and a good head taller than me. We shared our coloring, fair-skinned and bronze hair, but where mine embodied the wilderness, his obeyed and lay flat against his scalp, similar to our father’s. Only I had inherited our mother’s green eyes, which I teased him about whenever he decided to insult my appearance.

And you have to finish it by the night after the ball? he asked, sitting on the rock he’d been pontificating from. Does Tabitha expect you to read at the ball? Fergus asked with horror.

I tossed my arm over my eyes, groaning. At the rate I read Master Percival’s, it’s likely I’ll have to. I pitched my voice to a simpering girl. Oh, I’m terribly sorry, Lord Hershford, my companion this evening is Master Corthagerus. He’s been dead for centuries but he knows how to entertain a princess.

I heard Fergus snickering and cracked a grin. I can’t believe Father wants to introduce you to Lord Hershford’s son, my brother said. He’s a right arse, he is. But a sniveling one. I hate dueling with him. He claims I only win because he can’t really fight the heir to the kingdom.

I’ll meet whoever Father wants me to meet, I said, sitting up. But if Father thinks I won’t allow myself a say in my own matching, he’ll have quite a storm to deal with. I eyed him wickedly. Speaking of introductions, how is Princess Elinore?

Fergus blushed so hard his cheeks matched the flames of his hair. S-she’s fine, he stuttered.

I felt my eyes go wide, sensing there was more to it.

Fergus, I challenged, holding back a devious laugh. Have you already met the princess?

No, of course not, Fergus denied. She’s still in Latia. But we may have been writing.

I squealed. Tell me everything, I demanded.

What, no! he protested. Our correspondences are our own.

I got to my feet and ran over to him, battering him on the arm. I’d tell you if young Lord Hershford wrote me!

That’s different, he defended. "I actually like Princess Elinore."

He realized his mistake of admittance as soon as the words slipped out. He knew I’d never leave him alone after that.

Fine. Yes, we’ve written, Fergus said. And we have many things in common. Including pestering younger sisters.

His voice was soft and I relented. I sat next to him on the warm rock, settling my gown around my legs. I leaned my head against his shoulder with a sigh. Do you love her?

I felt him squirm but I couldn’t bring myself to tease him, not when he clearly held some form of attachment for the foreign princess.

He coughed to clear his throat. I think I could easily love her.

Good. I wrapped my arm around my brother’s. You deserve to be happy, brother. And from what Mistress Tabitha says, Princess Elinore will be a good queen.

He patted my hand, silent.

We sat together in the sun, the only sounds that of the meadow and the babbling river as it raced over boulders.

I shall be certain to inform her, dear brother, I said with a mischievous grin, of your love of frogs.

I yelped and laughed as Fergus shoved me off of the rock. I got to my feet, running away as he chased me with hollow threats.

Chapter Two: Maeve

The following day was my celebration, and as I prepared for bed, I brushed out my hair while grinning at my beautiful ball gown in the corner. I knew that I should be reading Master Corthagerus’s book, but the gown was too beautiful. The emerald green fabric shone in the candlelight, its gold embroidery burnished, and I knew it was designed to flatter my copper-colored hair and fair skin. It was the finest gown I’ve ever had, as I honestly preferred the simpler and more comfortable linens. I have even dared to horrify my maids on occasion, calling for loose trousers and long tunics.

A knock startled me out of my musings and I set the brush down on my vanity before I gathered my dressing gown close and called for the visitor to enter. Anything for an excuse to not read that book.

Tabitha, in her own faded, nearing tattered, dressing gown shoved open my door and was quickly followed by two palace guards. I rose to my feet, confused.

Tabitha, I called. What is the meaning of this?

She rushed to my side, wasting no time. Come, Maevey. She called me by her pet name but it did nothing to soothe me. You must leave at once.

What—

She grabbed me by the arm with surprising strength and pulled me towards the hall. I struggled against her, looking back towards my ballgown. But the ball—

It will go on, but we must keep you safe, my teacher said.

Only then did I notice the two guards held crossbows. A chill ran down my spine. Keep me safe?

Are we under attack? Where are you taking me? What is going on? Where’s Fergus? She still did not answer my pleas. Tabitha, please!

She stopped so suddenly I nearly ran into her. The old woman turned, her eyes crackling with her power. We had hoped this day would never come, my child. An enemy of your father spoke of a curse at the celebration of your birth. We had hoped it was pure fearmongering, as there were no signs. But still, your father employed me as a safeguard. But the arcane has been stirring and we cannot dismiss the threat to you and the kingdom on the night of your presentation. So we are sending you to safety. Somewhere no one but me and a few others on the Fae Council know of until we find a way to defeat it.

Tabitha turned from me and pulled me once again down the corridor. My mind was floundering. A curse against my father and the kingdom? The Fae Council? Weren’t the Fae only in stories used to scare children?

The foundations of the palace shook, and I clutched my teacher’s arm as she muttered under her breath. The guards eyed each other and raised their crossbows. I discovered the bolts in the crossbows glowed faintly purple, in a way that didn’t let my eyes focus on them. I realized they must be enchanted, and as I saw how serious the situation was, the double doors at the end of the hall exploded inwards and black mist flowed in.

I felt a scream catch in the back of my throat, my arcane ability raging under my skin, begging to be used, but I had no way to access it because of the blasted curse. The loud twangs of the crossbows being fired into the encroaching darkness made me jump. Dark purple light lit up the cloud but seemed to do nothing more than illuminate the many-limbed creature within.

Tabitha pulled out a wand I had never seen before. When she taught me, she had always used a simple wand of a light wood with no embellishments, or her hand alone. This one, though, looked old, and I knew, instinctively, that it was ancient, and that Tabitha was so much more powerful than I had ever believed.

Your duty is to the princess, Tabitha said as she stepped forward.

Tabitha, no— I scrambled for her arm, to keep her from confronting the darkness. She shook me off with ease and the guards closed in around me, loading new bolts into their crossbows.

Tabitha ignored me and snarled something as she raised her wand. A blinding light shot from her wand, piercing the darkness, and it screamed. I fell to my knees, covering my ears, my heart racing in my chest. I felt strong hands cross my arms, hauling me upwards. I looked, bewildered, into the stoic guard’s face. I looked to my mentor, whom I had known for many years, as they pulled me past her and towards the darkness. My slippered feet had no traction against the smooth marble floors as the guards tried to pull me with them. We stepped directly into the light, which encased us in warmth and sheltered us from the darkness.

I could see the courtyard just beyond the doorway and hope filled my chest.

The darkness began to push back against the light, though, and the guard behind me shoved me forward, clear of the magical darkness and into the real darkness of the night.

I gasped and covered my mouth, horrified as I looked back and saw the darkness consume the guard who had pushed me to safety. The other guard remained hard, shouldering his crossbow and scanning the courtyard for something. I moved closer to him, pulling my dressing robe tight as the bitter chill of the wind whipped my hair around my face.

What do we do now? I shouted over the wind. It was getting louder. I had never heard wind so violent, not even in the storm season. There was something sinister about it.

Godmother Tabitha arranged secure transport, Your Highness, the guard answered me.

What? Here? I asked, looking around, not understanding.

A blast of light startled us, the guard whirling around, his crossbow aimed. We didn’t relax when we saw it was Tabitha, jumping through the darkness in an orb of light.

Godmother, the guard shouted.

Godmother? What in the world was he talking about?

Tabitha ran up to us, the orb of light dimming before she reached our side.

You are untouched? she demanded of me. Did the darkness touch you? Even one small stroke of its tendril could be dangerous.

N-no, I stuttered, looking at my covered arms. I don’t think so. But the guard—

A