They Weren't Supposed to Find Me

By Rowan Adriatus and Ornella Greco

A very long time ago, in a world that no longer exists, there were two kingdoms. The first, a kingdom of sun and crops, daylight and celebration. The second, a kingdom of moonlight and hunting, stars and magic. For centuries, the two kingdoms remained separate, but one king wanted more. Ten years after the war ends, Koven wakes up to work a regular day, unaware that mere weeks lie between him and the choice that will change his life for better- or for worse.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Sep 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781312678965

Book preview

Table of Contents

Table of Contents      2

Prologue      4

Chapter One      7

Chapter Two      13

Chapter Three      17

Chapter Four      21

Chapter Five      24

Chapter Six      31

Chapter Seven      35

Chapter Eight      39

Chapter Nine      42

Chapter Ten      48

Chapter Eleven      55

Chapter Twelve      59

Chapter Thirteen      63

Chapter Fourteen      67

Chapter Fifteen      70

Chapter Sixteen      82

Chapter Seventeen      86

Chapter Eighteen      88

Chapter Nineteen      92

Chapter Twenty      94

Chapter Twenty One      100

Chapter Twenty Two      103

Chapter Twenty Three      108

Chapter Twenty Four      111

Chapter Twenty Five      115

Chapter Twenty Six      119

Chapter Twenty Seven      122

Chapter Twenty Eight      125

Chapter Twenty Nine      130

Chapter Thirty      133

Chapter Thirty One      137

Chapter Thirty Two      142

Chapter Thirty Three      145

Chapter Thirty Four      150

Chapter Thirty Five      153

Chapter Thirty Six      155

Chapter Thirty Seven      157

Chapter Thirty Eight      162

Chapter Thirty Nine      165

Chapter Forty      168

Chapter Forty One      173

Chapter Forty Two      177

Chapter Forty Three      182

Epilogue      186

Prologue

A very long time ago, in a world that no longer exists, there were two kingdoms. The first, a kingdom of sun and crops, daylight and celebration. The second, a kingdom of moonlight and hunting, stars and magic. For centuries, the two kingdoms remained separate, but one king wanted more. His name was Alosius. Many years before, his sister Diana had been sent to the moon kingdom for an alliance, and never returned. He was angry, so in the heat of day, while the moon people slept, he stormed into their capital, his soldiers going to either side of the city, burning down buildings, lighting fire to homes and businesses, rounding up the people and putting them in shackles and chains.

Inside the castle, sword drawn at the ready, Alosius mounted the stairs to the moon king’s quarters. Marques Pleiades, the moon king, stood in front of his desk, waiting.

Where is my sister? Alosius growled.

Right here. Diana moved into view, standing beside Marques, hands entwining.

Diana, why do you stand with the man who stole you from your home? Your people?!

I have not stolen her. Marques replied. "She is my wife. She came to me, your offering of so-called ‘peace’, when truly you sent her to spy on my people. I offered her room, safety, love. She chose to stay."

Lies!

He’s not lying! Diana interrupted. I love it here, Alo. They cared for me, far more than you and father ever did. Stop this nonsense, don’t do this, please-

Diana, you’ve gone mad!

Alo-

You’ve poisoned my sister! Alosius raised his sword and struck, only to realize, mere seconds later, that his blade had cut down the very sister he was trying to save. Diana!

She had fallen to the floor, her shoulder bleeding profusely from the strike. He knelt beside her and she pushed him away.

You’ve done enough.

He stepped back, looking between her and Marques, who gently helped her to her feet.

You’ve corrupted my sister. Bewitched her with your moonlit guiles. Step away from her. Face me like a man.

Marques held his head high.

I will not.

Then your son, where is he, I shall fight him!

My son has fled well by now, you cannot fight him. You will never find him. He is already gone.

In blind rage of being denied, Alosius strode forward, pushing Diana aside and thrusting his sword through Marques’ stomach. The paler man stumbled back, catching himself on his desk as his blood painted the hand trying to stem the wound. Diana glared at her brother, who, upon realizing what he had done, seeing no sympathy in his sister’s eyes, immediately fled the room.

Diana carried her husband to their bed, removing a small blue vial from the bedside dresser.

Drink this, she urged, tilting the vial so that the liquid easily ran down his throat. She held his hand, brushing stray hairs away from his face as the painless poison took root, and his breathing slowed. When he was gone, she raised the vial to her own lips and drank the rest.

And so ended the reign of the moon.

Chapter One

Kovel! Kover! Kovet, whatever your name is!

Koven woke to the call of the taskmaster, rolling out of bed and tugging on his shoes, walking past the man and up the many stairs of the castle. He knew who was calling, he knew where he was going, and up the stairs he went.

There you are, star head. Isaro sneered as he entered.

Good morning, your highness. Koven muttered.

What was that?

Good morning.

"It is a good morning, isn’t it? Just like it should be. Only crazy people would sleep through a perfect day like this, don’t you think?" He taunted.

Koven rolled his eyes, biting his tongue and going about his duties, picking up after the spoiled prince. The room was a mess, like always. That had ceased being a surprise years ago. The lush chamber was badly treated, mud caked shoes from training sitting atop silk furniture, the socks the man had worn four days in a row hanging from his bedposts. Behind Isaro’s curtain, he spotted the one good thing in his master’s room, his cousin, and honorary sister Gianna, waving to her gently. She smiled back briefly before going back to what she was doing; mending Isaro’s torn clothes. He folded the rest of the prince’s clothes, setting them at her feet.

Safe? He asked softly.

For now, she replied.

He nodded and kissed the side of her head, going back into the main part of the room.

I hope you’re not giving my companion any ideas, Koven. Isaro warned, his tone light. He often made a joke out of how much power he held, but he knew there was nothing Koven nor Gia could do to stop him.

Of course not, Koven replied, sighing.

Better not, Isaro fluffed his coat in the mirror. You know the rules.

I do, Koven nodded. Oh how he did.

Get going now, star boy. Isaro shooed him out. "I need you to fetch me breakfast, which you should’ve done an hour ago, and my mail, and tell my fencing instructor that I’ve moved training to three today because I want a little extra time with my little companion."

Koven nodded, ignoring the twist of his stomach when Isaro called her his "little companion". He picked up last night’s dishes and hurried downstairs to the kitchen, dodging swinging spoons of angry cooks who didn’t want him there, or those who knew he was late and sought to give him a rap for it, dropping the plate and silverware into the wash bin. He slipped through them all deftly, thanks to his thinness, and picked up the prince’s breakfast tray. He’d almost made it out of the kitchen before-

You’re late, Ko.

I know, I know, Uberta-

Don’t you say that to me, young man.

Uberta, I have to get this up to him, you know how he is, I’m already late, you can give me a hard smack and a long lecture while he’s at fencing, alright? Koven darted out, ignoring the old woman’s protests.

He went back up to Isaro’s room, struggling to open the door, but eventually working it open, setting the meal on the prince’s desk. Isaro was standing by the curtain, hanging off of it loosely as he spoke to Gia.

I’m thinking of wearing my blue suit to the tournament tomorrow. Do you think I’d look alright?

I think you’d look fine, sir. Gia replied. Her voice was always soft, and Koven sadly remembered the days where it sounded so much livelier.

"But would I look good?"

I’m sure you would, sir.

Koven rolled his eyes, coughing to get Isaro’s attention.

Your food, your highness. He called.

Isaro came back from the curtain and looked over the plate.

Why wouldn’t you tell me the second it came? He asked.

You were already engaged in conversation and-

No, no, no. Food is much more important, star boy, now next time, you tell me. He poked Koven’s chest and Koven nodded.

Yes sir, he muttered.

Come again? Isaro slurred around a mouthful of food.

"Yes sir." Koven repeated, face scrunching up at the food that flew in his direction as Isaro chewed with his mouth open.

Alright then- Isaro swallowed, not even pausing to speak before he took another bite. Go get my mail, and remember to tell Romero that fencing is now at three.

Mhm.. Koven nodded and left, wiping the spit and beans and meat off his face in disgust. Spoiled sunburnt brat… Gross.

He went back down to the main hall, passing the throne room and the line of solicitors outside it, down to the post room.

Anything for his royal annoyance, Davi? He asked the gentleman who handled the castle’s mail.

Davi glanced at him.

You could lose your tongue for talking like that, Koven. He scolded.

No one here to hear me but you.

The old man shook his head and handed two red sealed envelopes to the boy, sending him off again. Koven slipped them into the small pouch at his hip, heading through the courtyard to the training grounds.

The training grounds were a once lush