Forging Ahead: Touch of Insanity, #3

By Rosa Marchisella

Kharee and Foss return home to face their families. The bad blood between Kharee's family and Lord Erik deepens, forcing Foss to intervene. Things aren't much better when she returns to court with Foss to meet his infamous father.

 

To make matters worse, Foss volunteers for a mission to help find a missing person. A mission led by Ben. As their journey takes an unexpected detour into a dark land, Kharee's powers continue to grow, widening the rift between companions.

 

Touch of Insanity is a complete series with cliffhangers that require the books to be read in order.

Book 1: First Steps

Book 2: Abbey Isle

Book 3: Forging Ahead

Book 4: Each According Their Worth Book

5: Into Darkness

Book 6: The Fallen

Book 7: The Birth of Pain

Book 8: The Great Divide

Book 9: Tarna'Hala

Book 10: From Ashes

Book 11: Blood of Darkness

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ember Park Imprint
• Release date: Mar 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781989016060

Rosa Marchisella

Rosa Marchisella is the author of the gripping Touch of Insanity series and bone-chilling novella, The Greatest of Books. Her stories focus on fantasy, paranormal, and thrilling adventures. A dynamic and prolific story-teller, Rosa has earned critical praise as a writer, stage actress, vocalist, public speaker, and artist. Her hobbies include gardening, hikes, and playing games with her kids.

Book preview

Chapter 1

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Ileft my companions at Pappy and the Cat to sort themselves out and relished the quiet. It was a pleasant change from the strained hush of our journey back to Felton. I didn’t know why any of them insisted on traveling with me, but now . . .

I’m free.

I traveled the familiar road to my parent’s home. Dread clawed at my chest. Was Father home? What would he say?

I took a deep breath, and the soft smell of wildflowers soothed my nerves. The scent of sheep drifted on the breeze.

Almost home.

Happy brayed and kicked up dirt. He sped up to walk beside Dancer and brayed again.

Really? I asked softly. What would you know of it?

The little mule shuffled in mid-step and swiped Dancer with his tail. I laughed, and Happy hee-hawed along.

Kharee!

My head snapped up. The house I grew up in sat at the end of the lane. Cozy. Welcoming.

My youngest sister, Deni, stood in the yard. She waved with both arms in the air. Mother! Father! Kharee’s home!

Deni ran toward me across the lush green grass, gold curls streaming behind her. She threw her arms wide. I slid from Dancer’s back and raced to sweep her into an embrace. Our tears mingled as we hugged and rained kisses on each other’s faces.

My other sisters emerged from the house and bowled me over. Jack’s exuberant barking blended with their cries of joy as they surrounded me with laughter, chatter, and love. While I rolled with them in the tall grass, I heard Happy braying and dancing his mule-shuffle behind me.

Tamyan and Deni pulled me to my feet and led me to the house while Kerri-Lynn and Ni-Anne tended to the animals.

We approached the porch, apprehension filling my heart. Mother stood in the doorway with baby Jared in her arms. She looked timeless as ever, but weariness dragged at her shoulders.

Father stood behind her. Deep lines etched the hard planes of his face into an unfamiliar landscape. Pain dulled his eyes, and defeat rounded his proud shoulders. His red-rimmed eyes drank me in.

I was horrified by the change. I did this to him.

Tightness coiled in my gut as I climbed the porch steps awkwardly to the door. Would I be sent away? Had I destroyed their love and respect for me?

I reached out a trembling hand. Father, I—

The greatest man I knew turned and walked away. I choked on my tears and looked at my mother, frightened.

Mother handed Jared to Ni-Anne, who herded the younger girls into the house.

Shame-filled, I hung my head. I’d ruined everything. I’d caused too much damage.

Mother burst into tears and pulled me to her.

Sobs racked my body as we clung to each other.

I’m so sorry, I cried. I couldn’t go back to him.

No! Mother replied fiercely. It is we who should apologize, Kharee.

She wiped my tears away, and I shook my head, confused.

Your father and I should have broken free of that disgusting beast years ago. She pulled me into the house and closed the door on the world outside.

But, Father . . .

"It is a long story, but you are not at fault. You never have to fear coming home. We will always love you, no matter what. Mother smoothed my hair with trembling fingers. Your father is not angry with you, Kharee. He blames himself for what happened. He is ashamed."

Ashamed? Father was embarrassed to see me?

I pulled away from Mother’s grasp and ventured further into the house. Father was in the master bedroom, perched on the edge of the bed. The oppression of self-loathing and anguish smothered the usual atmosphere of love.

Father stared at his hands and ignored me. I knelt and put my arms around him. Tears dripped from the end of his nose to stain his pant leg.

I love you, Father. Please, don’t be sad, I begged. Don’t torture yourself over this anymore. I will always love you, no matter what.

Father pulled me into a hug and crushed me against his chest. His voice rasped in my ear. I thought I lost you. I thought I chased you away and would never see you again. I didn’t know what to do! I wanted to die because I thought you hated me.

I could never hate you, Father. You did what you thought was best, and only a man of love would do that.

Father pulled me onto his lap like I was a child. I wrapped my arms around his neck and let him hold me close.

I never want to lose you, Kharee.

Father’s face was red from crying, and his nose dripped a little. I took a corner of my shirt to wipe his face as he had often done for me.

I would die if anything happened to my little girl. Now you’re home, and we can work it out.

I nodded contentedly and snuggled deeper into his embrace.

It’ll be much easier now that we don’t have to worry about money, I grinned. While I was gone, I earned enough to take care of the family for a very long time. We have about three hundred gold.

Father startled, nearly dropping me on the floor.

Three hundred gold? The color drained from his face. His wide eyes reminded me of sheep when lightning split the sky. W-where did you get so much money?

I allowed myself a self-important smile. I did an honest job for The Church of Folan. They paid well.

Chapter 2

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My Dearest Son,

By the time you receive this letter, I will be in our gracious king’s dungeon. Again. It will be unavoidable. The ballad I am presently composing will undoubtedly offend His Majesty. They usually do. And, as usual, dear boy, only your silver tongue and rare savvy can secure a pardon to release me from the depths of—

Well, take your time getting here. I’ve just been informed the half-blind idiot who cooks for the prisoners has been replaced. The new cook is a young lady with shapely legs and a behind that makes a man’s front stand up and take notice.

Oh, speaking of young ladies; I’ve heard whisperings of a most interesting nature. I will be extremely offended if you do not bring her with you, and I need not remind you of how unbearable I can be when my feelings are wounded. I might have to write an ode on the disrespect that runs rampant through your veins.

By the way, what do you think of this verse:

And, oh, he was an ugly toad

Who always looked like he’d dropped a load.

You could see his pants hang and sag

And how it caused his boink to wag.

Do you think it’s offensive enough? Well, I suppose I shall have to wait and find out. Anyway, if I am to be imprisoned by the time you arrive, I must finish this silly ballad. Until later, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera, and all the fatherly mush which should accompany a letter from me.

Sincerely,

Wilfred, the Wondrous

(Still your father, no matter how far you run.)

Chapter 3

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My family listened, enraptured, as I told them about my adventures of the past months. Then, I opened the coffer to reveal the gold within. Lamplight danced across the gold and reflected in my family’s eyes as they stared open-mouthed.

Deni shoved her older sisters aside to peer into the box. "What is that?"

Gold, Ni-Anne replied breathlessly. Enough to buy Lord Erik and his family,

Not quite, Mother whispered, but it is a good start.

I blushed at the mention of Erik. Uh, speaking of his lordship. What did he say when he found out I ran away?

Mother’s back stiffened, and her chin jerked out defiantly. We have not discussed it with him.

I stared, stunned. You . . . haven’t?

We told Lord Erik we were so distraught by the dishonor he dealt to your fragile sensibilities we could no longer tolerate his presence.

Fragile sensibilities? Me?

Mother made it sound obvious. I had been disgraced and naturally had to disappear from the public eye.

He accepted that?

Thunder rumbled outside as if in answer, and the rain beat against the roof.

Mother sniffed in the uniquely condescending manner of elves. It does not matter what he thinks anymore.

Wha—

A loud knock at the front door startled us. Father went to answer it and returned a few moments later with Foss. The bard nodded to my mother and sisters and glanced around