Heartless Kingdom

By Molly Lavenza

Two travelers. One treasure. Will feuding twin princesses be the key to finding the priceless riches, or will Soryn and Lucas become casualties of a deadly royal conflict?

Childhood friends Soryn and Lucas leave their small village in search of adventure, surprised at their good luck when a stranger in a cave tells them of a treasure hidden within the neighboring Kingdom of Dahut. In exchange for a bit of their food, the stranger offers directions on where these riches can be found, leaving out an important detail – the castle in which it is hidden is the home of Dahut's reigning royalty, twin princesses in a violent battle for the queen's crown.

Will Soryn and Lucas lose themselves in the brutal political fight between Princess Elana and Princess Vivian, or can the two of them preserve their friendship and their lives – while stealing the treasure from the depths of Castle Laurent?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Molly Lavenza
• Release date: Dec 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005738259

Molly Lavenza

Molly Lavenza is a student at Kent State University. She loves her home state of Ohio, her cats, little sister, and her boyfriend, whose dark, curly hair and obsession with Converse sneakers was the inspiration for Declan, the hero in The Changeling Covenant.

Book preview

Table of Contents

Heartless Kingdom

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty One

Chapter Twenty Two

Chapter Twenty Three

Chapter Twenty Four

Chapter Twenty Five

Chapter Twenty Six

Chapter Twenty Seven

Chapter Twenty Eight

Chapter Twenty Nine

Epilogue

About the Author

About the Author

Heartless Kingdom

by Molly Lavenza

copyright © 2020 by Molly Lavenza

All Rights Reserved

cover design by Parker Book Design

Chapter One

I’VE NEVER MADE ONE before, but Melina said you like apples.

Lucas took the plate of misshapen crust from the pretty girl who stood hopefully in front of him, smiling at her because he was truly grateful for her effort.

But he didn’t think he would actually eat whatever it was that oozed from the side of the dish.

What a sweet present, Tanny. I’m sure Lucas will enjoy every bite, won’t you?

Lucas’ lips twitched a bit, his smile fading just as he realized that Tanny was watching his response to his friend Soryn's comment carefully.

He wished he could kick Soryn, anywhere he could reach, but he couldn’t do it when any of the girls could see him.

Instead, he forced himself to smile as brightly as he could.

Are you jealous, Sor? Maybe you’d like a bite for yourself?

His feet moved faster than he could think, and he heard someone laugh as he tipped the plate up and pushed Tanny’s gift right into Soryn’s smirking face.

Or at least, he meant to.

A surprised grunt rose from the face behind the golden apple smear, and Lucas leaned closer, wiping at it with his free hand.

Soryn snorted, and Lucas noticed that his friend was standing to the side of the confused figure.

How had he moved so fast to dodge that pie?

The other villagers, who had gathered to wish Lucas and Soryn well on their journey, caught their breaths in a collective sigh, as if they were all unsure of what was to come.

It’s tastier than it looks. Not bad, Tanny. Not bad.

Dame Wooster licked at her cracked lips, and everyone in the village square began to laugh with relief.

But how had Soryn managed to get Dame Wooster in his place, when Lucas was sure he was only a few feet from Soryn’s smug expression as he pushed that dish forward?

The old woman, who took care of the sick and injured in their village, was moody on good days, unpredictable at nearly every moment.

And on her bad days . . .

It’s a shame to waste such a sweet treat on a troublesome child like you, Lucas. I’m glad I was able to take it off your hands.

She reached out and grabbed Lucas’ hand and pulled him close, close enough for the pie drippings to fall onto his freshly polished boots.

If he had a mother, she would probably be angry with him for getting them dirty before he and Soryn even left the village.

But he was an orphan, left at the village gates before he could even walk.

So the only one to reprimand him was Dame Wooster, who took his face in her broad, wrinkled palm and squeezed his cheeks hard with her bony fingers.

The big bad world will eat you alive, and when it opens its jaws, remember that I warned you, boy.

She cackled and stuck her grayish tongue out to lap at the bits of apple that stuck to her furry upper lip, and Lucas cringed.

Of all times for her to spout off her philosophical nonsense . . .

Way to get our trip started off on the right foot.

Soryn slapped Lucas on the back, hard, and looked down at Lucas’ sticky boots.

Lucas sighed and let his head fall back a little, catching Tanny’s frown as he glanced her way.

I’m sorry, Tanny, truly I am. At least it didn’t end up on the ground, right?

The ebony-haired beauty stomped her tiny foot and turned away with a whine, and a few of the other boys Lucas and Soryn had sometimes played with as children followed her.

Thanks a lot!

One of them called out, pleased that Lucas had effectively crushed Tanny’s romantic feelings for him, leaving her more amenable to the boys who would now compete for her affection.

There was so little to do here in the village, but clearly chasing girls and baking pies were on that list.

Neither of which appealed to Lucas right now.

Come on, we’ll need to see if my mother needs help with anything before we go.

Soryn was so concerned about leaving his widowed mother that Lucas had been worried he would back out of their plans, but even now, Soryn seemed  resolute, making sure that everyone in his family had what they needed before he and Lucas left.

No one was crying about Lucas leaving, that was for sure, and he didn’t mind. The idea of having anyone in tears as he stepped out of the village gates appealed to him as much Tanny’s pie had.

But Dame Wooster said it tasted better than it looked, so Lucas started to wonder if he had made a mistake shoving it in Soryn’s face.

Or rather, Dame Wooster’s face.

Hey, I’ll come with you!

Soryn was already far ahead of him, passing through the narrow street that led to his family’s small home, so Lucas ran to catch up.

His best friend had nine younger brothers and sisters, but they were all old enough to pull their weight now, and besides, Soryn had this goofy idea that during their trip he would find a way to better their lives on his return.

But Lucas didn’t plan to return, not after Soryn found whatever it was he thought he would find.

Or ever.

Soryn didn’t need to know that right now, though, so Lucas kept pace with him until the door of one of the raggedy homes burst open and three equally raggedy-looking children tumbled out.

Sor! Sor!

They called out for their brother, but one of them jostled past him and slugged Lucas on the arm.

How many times was he going to get hit before he managed to escape this place, anyway?

Come on in, you two, before you get dirtier than you already are.

Soryn’s mother peeked around the edge of the open door, her tone gentle as always, and Lucas smiled.

He would miss her, her welcoming arms and generous spirit.

Her beef stew, with bits of carrot and potato and something magical that made his belly full with only one bowlful.

The children chattered as they jumped around them both, making their trek the few feet into the house more difficult.

Lonnie, I don’t know why you have to step on my boots. They’re already mucky from Tanny’s pie.

Lucas’ rhetorical question was met with squeals, and he reached out to playfully slap at whoever he could reach.

If you two want to be off before the sun sets, you’d best stop fooling around with these goofballs!

Soryn’s mother pushed the door open wider, and the five of them fell into the small, open space as one big clump of energy.

When Lucas was a baby, he was shuffled around from house to house, sometimes left to sleep inside the church at the center of the village. The priest never had a mind to care for an infant, but he wouldn’t turn him away, and so little Lucas was kept in a clean, empty pig trough those nights the other villagers had reasons they couldn’t take him.

But as he grew, he noticed that all the houses looked the same, inside and out, and so he knew what to expect when he moved from one to the other, sometimes after only one night.

This one might have been the same structurally, but the comforting scent of tomato sauce and garlic, of bundles of lavender hung from the low rafters, and of smelly feet made it easily identifiable as Lucas’ favorite place to spend his time in the village.

It didn’t hurt that Soryn’s mother and siblings clearly adored him, too.

How long will you be gone?

Will you bring me a present?

What if a dragon eats you?

Bella, the youngest of the litter, perched on Lucas’ lap as soon as he sat down on the worn wood floor, crossing his legs just in time to catch the sandy-haired girl’s bottom with the cradle he made.

What kind of a question is that?

He stared at her with mock indignation as Soryn shook his head at him. If I get eaten by a dragon, I’ll have to wait until he poops me out, and then I’ll probably need a good bath.

Everyone but Soryn erupted into laughter, but Lucas watched his friend’s lips twitch a little as he fought a smile.

Don’t you always?

Soryn stepped around Lucas and Bella, who leaned into Lucas as if she could escape her older brother’s touch with a grin.

Now, be sure to eat up, because you have no idea how long it will take you before you find someplace to get a hot meal.

Both boys had spent time asking the villagers about their knowledge of neighboring towns, which were few and far between. There had been little contact with anyone outside of Cerwyn Village for as long as anyone, even Dame Wooster, could remember, and what information they did have in the church archives was limited.

Lucas was glad of it, because he had little patience for reading through documents or studying maps. It felt too much like school for his taste.

I’ll have you know, Sor, that I ducked under the fountain for a solid ten seconds this morning.

The warm gush of water that burst inexplicably into a pool at the far edge of the village, near the first hill that led into the mountains, was often used by those who wished to bathe, but it was usually too cold in the mornings for Lucas.

Besides, the women liked to use it then, and he didn’t want to get beaten for showing up and seeing something he wasn’t supposed to. Strangely enough, this morning several girls told him to go ahead of them, and stared while he tried to remove his clothing without exposing any of his private parts.

That only made them giggle, until he splashed at them so they ran away, screaming indignantly.

Thank you.

He took the wooden bowl of thick stew in his hand as one of Soryn’s brothers offered it to him, feeling the warmth of the food through the bowl.

Of course, he would miss this. These times when he felt welcome and cozy, loved and wanted.

How could he not, with one little girl in his lap, wriggling so he worried he would spill his dinner, and two others, one leaning on each of his sides.

Oh, wait . . . one of them was a boy, his hair a tangle of length that often made him hard to distinguish from his sisters.

But Lucas needed to get out, and now that he and Soryn were sixteen, it was time for them to find out what was out in the big bad world for them to discover.

Soryn might want to come home eventually, but who knew what they would find? Perhaps Soryn wouldn’t want to return.

Perhaps he wouldn’t find whatever magical thing it was he was sure would change his family, and the village’s, life for the better.

Either way, Lucas was ready to go, with or without his lifelong friend.

Oh, who was he kidding?

He slurped at the stew from the side of the bowl, ignoring the spoon Soryn waved in his face.

There was no way he would leave without Soryn.

Aw, no one will care how we eat once we’re outside these gates!

Soryn smacked him on his head with the wooden spoon, and Lucas thought it was a little harder than absolutely necessary to get his attention, protesting as he looked over at Soryn’s mother, who smiled as she shook her head at them.

You two . . . you’ll need to pay attention to what you’re doing when you’re out there, you know, instead of playing around like these other kids here.

She was right, Lucas knew. There was so much out there that no one in the village knew about.

Of course, there might be a lot of nothing out there, too, but surely it was more interesting than life here.

Same old, same old, day in and day out.

Was there anything worse than being so bored?

Chapter Two

LUCAS LIKED GIRLS, but that didn’t mean he wanted them to slobber all over him.

Soryn, on the other hand, smiled calmly, accepting the barrage of kisses and hugs as if he was a reigning hero or something. Lucas just rolled his eyes, turning away from the girls and walking right into Dame Wooster.

I’m sure you’re expecting a big fat smooch from me, but I’m done with all that at my age.

He held back a groan.

The very idea made him cringe.

Part of me wishes I could come along with you, just to see what trouble you’ll get into with that stupid mind of yours.

Lucas leaned away from her, but someone was at his back so he couldn’t move too far.

When you come back, I’ll make all the apple pie you want!

Stuck between Tanny and Dame Wooster, he wasn’t sure which of them was more dangerous.

Quit romancing the ladies, Lucas. We need to get going before the sun goes down much further.

Soryn punched him on the shoulder, right on the bone.

Would he make it out of Cerwyn without another bruise already? Lucas wondered, shaking his head as he rubbed his arm.

I’ve got both of our packs, but I’m done hauling yours around. It’s time you took care of yourself for once.

Lucas opened his mouth to counter his friend’s accusation, but Soryn stepped away, leaving him alone again with the village’s oldest resident.

It’s a good thing you have such a smart, level-headed friend coming with you. I have no idea why you think you have to leave, when we have everything we need here in the village.

The insults were never-ending, Lucas considered, especially today. But he didn’t answer, because he knew it wouldn’t help.

Besides, she meant well, and so did most everyone else in the village who tried to tell him how he should change to improve himself.

To be more mature.

More trustworthy.

Stronger. Smarter. Better.

What was wrong with Lucas as he was?

Soryn’s mother had decided it was best for her and his siblings to stay back at their house, as there was a crowd waiting to wish the two boys well and it wouldn’t do anyone any good for them to become emotional at the last moment.

Still, Lucas thought it would be nice to see Lucas’s mother as they walked away from the gates, since she was the closest thing to a mother he had ever known himself.

A boy his own age gave him a friendly push, and Lucas moved towards the open gates, following Soryn’s lead not because his friend had insisted that it was time to go, but to avoid any more pain.

Take care!

Be safe!

Watch out for dragons!

Lucas squinted. Maybe one of Soryn’s sisters had come out to watch them leave after all.

He sighed.

Finally, it was happening. They were outside the gates, waving at the crowd still inside, and as they backed away, Lucas felt a wave of excitement rush over him, like the cold splash of water in the fountain on the days he bothered to bathe.

This is going to be incredible, Sor. Just you wait.

Soryn stopped waving, and as the two of them turned away, Lucas heard the groan of the wooden gates as they were pushed closed.

He frowned.

The sound was a little unnerving, as if there was something final about it.

As if they could never return.

He took a deep breath and shook his head at the thought. What did he care if the gates never opened again for him? He didn’t plan to come back anyway.

Do you really think you’ll find something to bring back? I mean, something to make life better for everyone, like you keep saying?

Lucas wasn’t sure why he bothered to ask, knowing that this was Soryn’s dream. It was the primary reason he wanted to leave Cerwyn in the first place.

Soryn just shrugged.

I won’t know until we get further out and start . . . well, start seeing the rest of the world, won’t I?

He had always insisted that whatever he was searching for was out in the wide unknown, just waiting for him to find it, but now Soryn seemed less certain.

Lucas wasn’t sure how to respond. Why had Soryn always been so sure of this, but now that they were outside of the village and walking away from everything and everyone they knew, he was acting like it wasn’t a sure thing?

Ow!

Lucas stubbed his toe on a huge rock that came out of nowhere, or at least it felt like it. Maybe he had been too busy wondering what was wrong with Soryn and not paying enough attention to where he was stepping.

The day was still young, past the hottest hours but with time left before the sun would begin to slip down over the horizon, and Lucas was beginning to relax, the intensity and hurry of their last moments in the village fading away.

Companionable noises followed them, the crunch