Sorcerer: Reign of Prophecy, #0

By nicolette andrews

Haunted by the ghosts of his past, Johai searches for a place at court. 

He thought he found his calling as a healer. But when a tragic accident turns the court against him, he takes a dangerous risk to be loved. 

As he walks a dark path, he risks his losing not only his humanity but himself. Now he must decide, how much is he willing to give up for power. 

A Prequel short story to the Diviner's Trilogy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: nicolette andrews
• Release date: Aug 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201181864

Book preview

Sorcerer

Sorcerer

A Diviner’s Prophecy Prequel

Nicolette Andrews

Magpie Publishing

Copyright © 2018 by Magpie Publishing

Cover Art By Nadica Borshkova

Cover Design by Cover By Combs

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Contents

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Sorcerer

Diviner’s Prophecy Excerpt

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Also by Nicolette Andrews

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Sorcerer

Iwoke up to screaming. As I had countless nights before, I shot up in bed. My heart leaped into my throat as panic choked me. It didn't matter how many times it happened, or how far in the past that day was. The screaming always brought it back in vivid detail. A cold sweat broke out of over my body. My clothes were sticky with perspiration. The candlestick I'd been reaching for clatter to the ground, as I knocked it down.

The high, keening sound drilled through my skull. When I'd heard the screaming as a child, I had thought it the wail of a tragic sea monster, trapped in the caves below the palace. Or the restless spirits of sailors lost at sea. Stories I told myself to pretend I didn't remember. But I did and so did she. That horrific day would never leave us. It had burned itself into my flesh.

Hands reached for me in the dark, bodies pressed around me, eyes hollow and devoid of life. Rapid, ragged breaths escaped from my lips as I tried to strike the match but my trembling fingers dropped it to the ground before I could light it. I fell onto my knees, patting around blindly for it.

By the time I got the damned thing lit, the scream had faded to a low moan. They must have calmed her at last. But there was nothing to be done for my nerves. The apparitions were gone, but my hands were still shaking. The ghosts inside my head were not so easily appeased. I would not be sleeping again this night.

When I exited my chamber there was a figure looming in the dark, his face a twisted mask. I stumbled backward before realizing it was my manservant, Filip, holding a candle in front of him. The shadows made his face look ghastly.

Is there anything you need, Your Grace? he asked.

I'm heading out.

He didn't question me and instead handed me my cloak. Though the hour was late, it wasn't uncommon for me to escape my chambers when she had one of her episodes. Which were becoming more frequent as of late.

As I exited into the hallway, the court magicker came rushing down the hall. I had to leap out of the way to avoid being trampled. Though gray had nearly conquered his once dark hair, he moved with surprising speed. That was a healer’s life, always needed at a moment’s notice.

She needs to be moved out of the royal quarters, the magicker grumbled to a maid who'd come to greet him at the door.

She's the king’s sister, where else would she go? the young woman protested.

What ails her will never heal. It's time.

Whatever she said in reply was lost to another ear-piercing scream. Perhaps they hadn't calmed her down after all. I hurried my steps to get away, but his words haunted me as I fled. Would I never heal as well? Even during her good times, the nightmares still came for me. What was the use in living if I could never get better?

As my mind was clouded by dark thoughts, my feet guided me on instinct alone. Then that first hint of musty, aged paper and acrid ink filled my nostrils. I inhaled deeply and as I exhaled the knot in my chest loosened. A shaft of silvery moonlight poured through the high windows near the ceiling and cast rows of books and scrolls in deep shadow.

A stifled giggle, followed by the rumble of male laughter, destroyed the tranquility of the space. My inner peace shattered, and I froze. There was only one reason a man and woman would be in the library at this time of night. Though I was deeply disappointed my sanctuary had been tainted in this way, I was in no mood for a confrontation. I turned to escape unseen, but in my haste, I collided with a stack of books left out by a scribe the day before. The stack tipped over with a thunderous crash.

Who’s there, said the man, in a tone bristling with hostility.

I knew that voice and he was the very last person I wanted to see when my emotions were raw. I stumbled toward the door, but a hand clamped my shoulder, stopping me in my tracks. He spun me around to face him. Despite the chill in the air, his chest was bare and his breeches were half undone. A few feet behind him a young woman peered at me from around a bookshelf. I could guess at the state of dress she was in.

Oh, Johai, it's only you. His lips curled into a smile.

Prince Adair was just showing me his favorite book of poetry, the young lady said as she came out from behind the bookshelf