The Guardians of Iressia: Book One: Awakening

By Cloé Doerksen

For too long, the magical kingdom of Iressia has been overrun with disease and starvation. The people are suffering and dying. Something must be done before it’s too late. Princess Seraphina Kinsley would do anything to save her dying kingdom, including finding the Guardians of Iressia to light the five towers that protect their kingdom from darkness.

With the help of her friend, Jer, she brings the Guardians together and sends them on the quest of a lifetime. The four young Guardians are just discovering their powers and learning to master the elements they control. Pressed for time, the four women set out to light the first tower, unsure of the dangers ahead. They only know that the dark sorcerer, Alastair, is hunting them and will do anything in his power to claim Iressia as his own.

The Guardians are rising once more to restore their kingdom to its rightful glory. Together, Princess Seraphina, Jer, and the four Guardians must learn to trust each other and discover the mysteries of their past in order to save their beloved kingdom. Discover this epic story of magic, danger, and romance in the first installment of The Guardians of Iressia.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Mar 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9781480875524

Cloé Doerksen

Cloé Doerksen is a French-Canadian math and science teacher. She spends most of her free time reading and writing. Fiction and romance novels have always been her go-to. She currently lives in rural Manitoba with her husband and four pets.

Book preview

Prologue

G enevieve’s screams filled the small house as she pushed with all her might. Having done this seven times before, she hadn’t expected it to be so painful.

The baby is breeched, the midwife called, wiping sweat from her brow. Gen, we’ll get you through this. You’ll just have to push a little harder.

Genevieve wanted to tell her that she was trying a little harder, but it still didn’t seem to be enough. The panic was now setting in. If she wasn’t able to do this, her baby would die.

It’s okay, my love, her husband murmured beside her. You can do this.

Gathering her strength, praying to the spirits above, Genevieve pushed as hard as she could, her face reddening with the effort. Her clothes were already drenched with sweat, her hair matted to her face. The labour had been the worst so far.

All in all, Genevieve had had a pleasant pregnancy. She hadn’t expected a difficult birthing, as she considered herself experienced. In fact, she had always been one of those lucky women who spent very few hours in labour and for whom the delivery never took more than a couple of pushes. Her sons had all been born healthy and hearty.

This one was different, and she sensed it the moment the labour pains began.

The baby is in distress, the midwife informed them. "Gen, give me one last big push. We need to get it out now."

Shudders racked her body as Genevieve gathered the last of her strength and pushed. She felt the giving and tearing of her body, and then she cried out as she felt sweet release. Her cries were immediately followed by those of her newborn baby.

It’s a girl, the midwife proclaimed, inspecting the child and cleaning her off before handing her over.

That’s why, Genevieve thought, suddenly feeling very tired. She hadn’t ever felt this tired before. She usually had so much energy, a passion for life.

This is our little girl, her husband said, holding her close so Genevieve could see her.

Gen sobbed as she took the little girl in her arms. She had dark hair, black as coal. Her little hands reached up as she cooed for her mother. She was a strong babe, one who would grow into a beautiful young woman. Genevieve knew the child would inherit so much more than she had bargained for.

Kailey, Genevieve said. Her name is Kailey.

Pain racked Genevieve’s body. She doubled over instinctively, crushing little Kailey to her breast.

What’s happening? her husband asked the midwife.

The midwife was grabbing clean towels by the handful, trying to stop the bleeding. There was so much blood, Genevieve realized. Too much blood.

Genevieve lay back down, caressing her baby for as long as she could before her energy ebbed away completely. She knew her time had come. She only wished she’d had the time to teach her daughter the ways of the world.

I love you, Kailey, and I will always love you. I will always be with you, she whispered, covering the little head with kisses.

Finally, she handed the baby to her husband. I love you, my darling. I’m sorry I won’t be there to help you with this one. Be sure the boys help out all they can. Tell them I love them, and say that I’ll watch over them, so they’d better not get into too much trouble.

Her husband, tears streaming down his face, bent down to kiss her one last time. Genevieve felt her energy leave her, felt her heart struggling to beat, to feed her body the oxygen it needed. She knew this was a better way to die than some. After all, she had managed to birth her precious daughter.

Genevieve took her last breath, filling her lungs but still craving oxygen. With her exhalation, she thought only of her family. And then there was darkness.

Dawn crept through the streets, her basket in hand. They were after her. She kept looking over her shoulder, expecting to see … what? Shadows? She no longer knew what was following her; she only knew that something was.

The attacks had gone on for a year at least. Young women, all around her age, had been slaughtered by Alastair’s minions. He was a dark man bent on revenge. Death and devastation followed him wherever he went. He had set his sights on Iressia but had been unsuccessful thanks to the kingdom’s defences. Those defences were now gone, and the people were suffering, being hunted and killed.

Dawn stepped carefully on the cobblestones to avoid detection. Any little noise could give her away. This late at night, she was the only one out, and they would find her in a heartbeat. At all costs, she had to deliver the package before they caught her.

How she had grown so careless was beyond her. She’d always been somewhat cautious. Then again, she’d always had someone looking out for her before. It was only the last twelve years of her abnormally long life that she’d been alone, truly alone.

Dawn shook her head to dislodge her thoughts of the past. She had made her choices and refused to regret them. The only thing was that, at a time like this, it was hard not to imagine how her life would be different if she had chosen a different path.

Dawn made it to her destination and crept to the door. She knocked and set down the basket, running her hand over it fondly. Then, before someone opened the door, she made her escape, running down a side street, refusing to look back. If she did, she would return for the basket and lead her followers right to it.

As she ran, her hood fell back, revealing long blonde wavy locks. Before long, she heard them behind her, giving chase. She knew that the faster she ran, the more they would want to chase her, but she didn’t care.

Dawn led her pursuers all the way to the docks. The full moon shone brightly overhead, illuminating the waves crashing along the rocky shore. The shops were closed, the boardwalk empty of people. The lone stone tower stood tall, rising from the water. This particular structure wasn’t a lighthouse to guide the ships at sea but had once been a magical beacon that protected the people of Iressia. Dawn’s stomach twisted as she noted the dark top where the blue flame had once burned brightly.

It had been extinguished the day she’d made her decision and would remain flameless indefinitely. Sometimes Dawn felt guilty, until she remembered the betrayal. Then she felt nothing but smug disdain. They deserved what was coming.

Her padded footfalls were muted on the wood as she raced down the boardwalk to the long dock. It was the only one that dared venture so far out to sea. Port Bruun opened onto the northern sea, inviting trades with the kingdoms in the north.

Once Dawn reached the edge of the docks, she spun to face her pursuers.

What do you want from me? she demanded of them, standing tall, the cold wind whipping her golden locks around her. She would not cower before these creatures.

Creatures they were indeed. They were brown slimy monsters with tentacles instead of arms and webbed feet to run the streets. They were as adept in water as they were on land. They’d been sent by Alastair to catch her.

Dawn knew there was no way of escape. It was her time, just as Genevieve had hers not long ago. It was a fate they had chosen, and she would resign herself to it with grace and dignity.

To bring you to our master, the three creatures said in unison, their voices breathy and grated.

Well, I’m afraid you won’t get the chance, Dawn replied, taking out her dagger. She would choose her time and place of death, not these monsters. They’d torture her, for spirits knew how long until she either gave them the information they sought or died in the process. Gen had had the easy way out, and so would she.

Without a second thought, and before the creatures could react, Dawn pierced her heart with the dagger. The pain was blinding, and she doubled over, blood dripping down the front of her dress and cloak. She took the remaining two steps backward into the Lazuli Sea. She had always wanted to die surrounded by water.

Marion ran for her life. They had come in the dead of night. She’d known her time was soon, but she hadn’t expected them to find her yet. She and Ben had been so careful.

Dodging trees and bushes, ignoring the scratches that now marred her face and arms, Marion continued to run, swift as the wind, hoping her followers had left the cabin alone.

It was Ben who had heard them first. She had stirred as he had risen from their bed, reaching for his sword. They’d had a plan. The monsters had only been after her, so she would lead them away, escaping to the fortified orphanage for protection. Ben would come find her when they were safe once more.

Except they hadn’t expected them to come so soon.

They’re here, Ben had said, creeping toward the door of their small cottage. Marion had followed two steps behind, ready to bolt when Ben gave the signal. Before either of them could react, an arrow had flown through the window, piercing his left shoulder, near his heart. Ben had cried out, crumpling to the ground. Marion had run to him, seen the blood and wept.

Stick to the plan, Ben had instructed her. Lead them away. I’ll find you.

She had kissed her love for the last time, fearing his breaths were numbered. She had glanced at the other room, which was still undisturbed, and knew she had to lead the monsters away, or else she would lose the ones she loved.

Presently, Marion’s belly encumbered her as she ran through the darkness and up the hill to the fortified orphanage up ahead. She had visited it countless times to read to the children and play with them these last few months. She knew they would offer her sanctuary.

Marion just had to make it there before her pursuers caught up with her.

When she thought she couldn’t run anymore, Marion saw the faint light up ahead. Redoubling her efforts to make it to the door, she hobbled faster, praying to the spirits that her pursuers wouldn’t catch up to her.

She was nearly at the door when she heard the chilling scream behind her. It resonated through the otherwise quiet forest, making the hairs rise at the back of her neck. It was the scream of nightmares.

Marion collapsed at the door and banged three times, putting all her strength into it, hoping someone would hear and come to her aid before it was too late.

Just as she was about to give up hope, the enormous wooden door opened, and Mother Greta’s stunned expression greeted her. Luckily, the woman recovered from shock quickly. She pulled Marion inside and shut the door, locking out the nightmarish creatures.

Marion? What’s happened? she asked, kneeling beside the sobbing woman.

They found me, she replied, weeping. Ben was shot. I had to lead them away. I had to give him his best chance.

Mother Greta held Marion as she cried, offering what little comfort she could. Marion was grateful it was Greta who had found her. She was the nicest of the mothers, and Marion trusted her. At least she was safe within the orphanage walls. It was an old castle, abandoned and later renovated to become an orphanage. It was protected by ancient magic. No evil could pass through the doors.

Come. Let me find you a bed, Mother Greta said. At this point, more of the mothers had gathered to see what or who had come to disturb them so late at night. They had a nice little audience as Mother Greta led Marion up the stairs and into a bed.

They sent one of the land keepers to investigate the cottage and its survivors. When he returned, he bore only terrible news.

There was blood, he said, hanging his head, unable to meet Marion’s desperate gaze. So much blood.

The following days, Marion sank into depression, and nightmares haunted her every time she closed her eyes. She could hear the creatures outside as they circled the orphanage on land and in the sky, adding to her guilt. She couldn’t eat, her face growing gaunt, the circles under her eyes becoming more prominent.

Marion knew she shouldn’t have let Ben stay with her. She knew she was a danger to those she loved. But she had grown lonely, and Ben had been such great company.

She had found him half dead in her forest and hadn’t been able to leave him there to die. She’d managed to take him back to her cottage and care for him. As he strengthened, she’d begun to love him, even though he had suffered a terrible depression from the loss of his wife and child. Marion had brought happiness to him once more. He had left everything behind, abandoned his old life, to be with her. She had warned him against it, refusing his advances at first, until she finally gave in. They had spent three wonderfully happy years together.

Until her life caught up with her, that is. She had heard that Genevieve had died in childbirth and that Dawn had mysteriously disappeared. Alastair’s minions had been hunting for the last year, killing any woman who could be one of them. Gen had managed to escape that fate, but Marion wasn’t sure about Dawn. If Alastair found one of them, it wouldn’t be long until he had them all.

Regret tore at Marion until it was not only anguish, depression and guilt she felt but also something else. Her cries filled the orphanage as, less than a week after her escape, she birthed a beautiful baby girl.

You are my beauty, she whispered to the child, barely having the strength to hold her.

That night, she dressed and, with difficulty, made her way to the large wooden doors. She could hear the creatures angrily laying siege to the orphanage. It had to stop if Marion was to protect her baby girl and give her her best chance.

Mother Greta tried to stop her at the door, begging her to reconsider, to think about the child.

Unless I confront them, Marion explained, they will only continue their attack. They must think we are all dead. They must never know I gave birth to a daughter.

Mother Greta hugged her and promised to look after the beautiful child.

She cannot know about me, Marion said. Not until she has come of age.

Mother Greta nodded. Don’t worry, Marion. I will ensure her ignorance and keep her safe here.

Marion thanked her friend one last time before opening the doors to the outside. Stepping out into the darkness, she felt the goosebumps all up her arms. Shivers racked her body. It was how the nightmare creatures incapacitated their prey. Soon, she would begin to see visions of her nightmares.

You wanted me? she shouted out into the darkness. Here I am! Come and get me!

Aria watched her two children play in the meadow behind their forest home. Her son was chasing her daughter around with a frog, their musical laughter filling the air. She couldn’t believe it would already be ten years since her daughter’s birth.

She felt strong arms wrap around her as someone kissed her neck. She sagged against the rigid frame behind her.

You should be in bed, her husband chastised her. You’re not well.

Aria waved away his concern. We both know I’m on borrowed time. I was never supposed to know her. I’ve been blessed.

A decade ago, when Aria had heard about Gen, Dawn and Marion’s deaths, she knew Alastair would come for her. She immediately went into hiding, cutting all contact with the outside world. She and her family lived deep within the Aurora Forest. The magical forest was their sanctuary and had given Aria ten extra years to live.

Just because your time is borrowed doesn’t mean you can throw it away, her husband argued. Now back to bed with you, or I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you there myself.

Smiling, Aria returned to bed. The smile, however, did not reach her eyes. There was something horribly wrong with the forest; she could feel it. The earth was sick, infested with disease and death. It had started almost twenty years ago and was getting worse. She knew it was why she’d given birth to a daughter. It was also the reason Aria taught her child everything she could.

That night, Aria could not sleep. She felt restless. There was something about this evening that didn’t feel quite right. She turned to her husband, who was sound asleep, and kissed him, telling him she loved him and thanking him for their wonderful years together. He stirred, smiled dreamily at her and went back to sleep.

Next, Aria went into her son’s room. She knelt beside his bed and brushed the dark locks off his face, kissing his cheek. Leaving them without a mother was the worst part. At least she had known them, and they had known her love.

Finally, she went to see her daughter. The little girl was sitting up in bed, waiting.

What are you doing up, Sweetheart? Aria asked, sitting on the edge of her daughter’s bed. The girl stared up at her with her enchanting hazel eyes.

The forest feels wrong today, she said. I can’t sleep because of it.

Aria tucked a lock of dark brown hair behind her daughter’s ear. It’s time, my sunflower. I have to go away now.

The little girl gazed up at her, her eyes shining with unshed tears. Are you sure you can’t come back, Mama?

Aria nodded. I’m sure, my little one, she said, her voice breaking on the words. Be thankful we had this time together. Cherish those memories.

Her daughter nodded vigorously, making Aria smile in pride.

Once I go, the forest should return to normal, Aria informed her, pushing aside the emotions that bubbled within her. If it doesn’t, you tell Papa, and then the three of you must leave.

Aria hugged and kissed her daughter for the last time. Leaving you isn’t easy, Sweetheart. I know I must do it to protect you and Papa and Mark.

Her daughter nodded, and Aria thought she understood, at least as best as a 10-year-old could. I’ll miss you, Mama, the child said.

And I’ll miss you, but I’ll never be far away, Aria promised. I need to go now. Promise to stay in bed until morning. Do not leave the house, or all of this will be for nothing.

The little girl nodded, and Aria kissed her forehead, tucking her in. Goodnight, my sunflower. Sweet dreams.

With that, Aria crept out of the house. She walked for hours until she could feel the evil through the brush. She was surrounded. She knew they had tortured poor Marion and that Dawn had taken her own life. Deciding to follow Dawn’s lead, as the beasts approached with glowing red eyes, Aria removed the cap from the glass vial and swallowed the clear liquid in one gulp. The last thing she heard was their outraged cries into the night.

Chapter 1

S he couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It was one problem after the other. Would she ever get some peace and quiet?

Princess Seraphina Kinsley of Iressia retreated to her study after another long day’s work. Her duties were arduous, but she was grateful her father was still king and she was merely his apprentice. Unfortunately she was taking on more responsibilities because her father intended to cede his throne as soon as he could.

Sera? said a voice behind her, making her jump.

The Princess spun around to see her closest friend, Jer, staring back at her, although friend wasn’t necessarily the right word when it came to Jer Esen.

Jer, you scared me, she said, her hand on her racing heart. Jer took a step closer and caught her hand in between both of his. She loved the way his light brown locks tumbled into his darkening grey eyes.

Sorry, he whispered, kissing her hand lightly. Sera giggled and pulled her hand away.

Not now, she said. Can you do me a favour?

I would do anything for you, Jer said, catching one of her locks in his hand and letting the dark gold threads sift through his fingers.

You can’t repeat this to anyone.

My lips are sealed, Your Highness, he said with a knowing grin.

The Guardians of Iressia are returning to us,