Royal Dreamer

By Sonja S. Key

As a young girl, Simone Julia Heuse could interpret dreams. She loved helping people find peace upon realizing what God spoke to them through their dreams. But revealing the meaning of people's dreams is sometimes costly and dangerous especially when a dissatisfied customer seeks to kill her.

Simone's world collides with Prince Lance Eliot Rousseau when he rescues her from the assailant. He recruits her to join with him in rescuing Huguenots who are being driven out of France by King Louis XIV's new 'Dragonnades Policy." This wicked policy allows the dragoon troops to invade Huguenot homes and steal their possessions, wreck their homes, and assault the women, and kill the men unless they convert to Catholicism or leave the country.

Because of her ability to interpret dreams, Simone is summoned to the royal courts of King Louis XIV of France who struggles under a strange malady and is haunted by terrifying dreams of death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781667800615

Book preview

cover.jpg

Royal Dreamer

Copyright © 2021, Sonja S. Key

ISBN: 978-1-66780-060-8

eBook ISBN: 978-1-66780-061-5

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted to any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Shutterstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only. Certain stock imagery © Shutterstock.

Other Books by Sonja S. Key:

Huguenot Romance Trilogy #1

Book #1 – Love Under Siege

Book #2 – Love in the Abbey

Book #3 – Love and Betrayal

Huguenot Romance Trilogy #2

Book #1 – Royal Imposter

Book #2 – Royalty’s Kiss

Book #3 – Royal Dreamer

One may hear God’s voice in a dream in a vision of the night,

when deep sleep falls on men while slumbering upon the bed.

Then He opens the ears of men and seals their instructions,

that He may withdraw man from his purpose

and cut off pride from him. (Job 33: 15 – 17 KJV)

Contents

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

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-Two

Chapter Forty-Three

Chapter Forty-Four

Chapter Forty-Five

Chapter Forty-Six

Chapter Forty-Seven

Chapter Forty-Eight

Chapter Forty-Nine

Chapter Fifty

Chapter Fifty-One

Chapter Fifty-Two

Chapter Fifty-Three

Chapter Fifty-Four

Chapter Fifty-Five

Chapter Fifty-Six

Chapter Fifty-Seven

Chapter Fifty-Eight

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Chapter Sixty

Chapter Sixty-One

Chapter Sixty-Two

Chapter Sixty-Three

Chapter Sixty-Four

Chapter Sixty-Five

Chapter Sixty-Six

Chapter Sixty-Seven

Chapter Sixty-Eight

Chapter Sixty-Nine

Chapter Seventy

Author’s Notes

Royal Dreamer Characters

Chapter One

La Rochelle, France – 1672

It was the stench of smoke that woke Simone. Her eyes burned and watered as she tried to open them, but they refused to obey her command. Tears puddled in her eyes blurring her vision. She tried to raise a hand, but they were both bound behind her back. Why? Sweat glided down her cheeks. She labored to breathe. Fear struck her heart causing it to beat faster and faster. Something was wrong! She jerked at the thing that bound her hands. That was when she felt the stake against her back. She tried to move her feet, but they were tied to a heavy sack. She kicked the sack with one foot. It was a soft sack filled with … gunpowder?

She heard two women talking nearby. She stilled herself to listen. She could barely detect what they said.

I think she is awake. Poor girl, the first woman said.

The second woman grunted. She’s a witch, not a girl. She is wicked. I refuse to feel sorry for her. Let us gather more firewood before it gets too dark. The men will be here soon to stoke the fire.

Help me! Simone screamed at the women. I am innocent!

The older of the two women noticed her companion crying. She took her by the shoulders and said, We must go. We should not be watching this—it is too horrifying. She turned her friend away from the gruesome scene and they disappeared into the dusk.

Simone struggled to free herself. She had seen women burned at the stake twice in her life. She knew she only had five minutes or less before the fire reached the gunpowder. When the gunpowder exploded, she would die as the planks beneath her burned and the chain around her neck tightened bringing instant death by hanging.

I don’t want to die! she screamed.

She jerked and twisted trying to pull up the stake at her back. It refused to move. The flames drew closer. Sweat poured down her face dripping into the flames causing the fire to surge. Her throat swelled and blistered from breathing in the hot air and fumes. She was at the point of fainting.

Suddenly, the ropes that tied her to the stake broke. She jerked the chain from around her neck. She fell to her knees. The flames were inches away from the gunpowder bag. She grabbed the bag and threw it onto the sandy shore. She crawled to the edge of the platform and threw herself over the edge landing on the soft sand. In the distance, she saw the young woman who had cried for her disappear into the dusk. The woman had saved her life.

She heard horses approaching. The men were back!

She struggled to her feet using the piers that supported the platform. Her legs weakened beneath her. She looked for a hiding place. There was nothing before her, but the long sandy beach bordered by huge rocks. On her left the ocean waves pounded along the shore. She was boxed in and there was no place to hide.

She forced her legs to move. As she walked, they got stronger.

The men on horseback grew closer. The roaring waves silenced her movements, but once she cleared the platform, she was exposed.

She reached the edge of the platform and then lifted her skirts and burst into a run. Her lungs ached as she gasped for air. At first, she stumbled but soon her legs gained strength and she sprinted forward. Ahead, she spotted the main entrance to the Port of La Rochelle. If she could make it to the entrance, she would be saved.

She was five feet from the port entrance when two men on horseback surrounded her. They circled her several times, but then the two men jumped from their horses and grabbed her. She struggled against them, but their grips were too strong.

Simone screamed and struggled against the man who had accused her of witchcraft. He clasped his hand over her mouth and began dragging her back toward the burning platform. The other man led the horses and followed close behind them.

The older man dragging Simone whispered into her ear, It is a perfect day for a wicked witch like you to die.

Chapter Two

La Rochelle, France

Lance Eliot Rousseau and Troy Moreau disembarked the ship toting their sea bags on their shoulders. Lance plopped his cavalier hat on his head.

What is that? A cavalier hat? You must think you are D’artagnan of the three Musketeers! Troy scoffed.

I like being cavalier just like D’artagnan. You are more like Aramis—young and handsome but lack intelligence! Lance bragged and sideswiped Troy who stumbled but quickly regained his balance.

You are jealous because I am two inches taller than you and I attract all the women, Troy said.

Lance laughed and dropped his sea bag and charged Troy throwing one arm around his neck and forcing him to the ground. They wrestled on the sandy shoreline until they lost their strength. They lay laughing on the ground until a scream pierced the air.

Lance sat up. Was that a scream?

Troy said, I think so. He looked around and spotted two men dragging a woman down the beach. Yes, it was a scream. It came from that woman there … He pointed toward the two men on the beach.

Let’s go! Lance yelled. He jumped up, drew his sword, and ran down the beach leaving his sea bag behind him on the ground.

Troy stood up, drew his sword, and raced after Lance. Troy yelled, Wait up! It seemed that Lance was always running headlong into danger ignoring the consequences. Troy liked that trait in Lance for he was never boring. It was always exciting to be around him.

The soft sand silenced Lance’s and Troy’s attack. They caught the two bandits by surprise. Lance clubbed the older man on the back of his head with the hilt of his sword. The man collapsed to the ground unconscious.

Simone fell to her knees too weak to stand.

Lance kneeled beside her. Are you alright, milady?

Simone gazed at Lance giving him a slight smile. I’m not sure … Lance caught her as she fell into his side.

Troy jerked the other man off his horse and onto the ground where they wrestled. Troy straddled his opponent and beat him in the face with his fists until the man quit resisting him.

Lance called out to Troy. Search his saddlebags for some rope and we will tie them up.

Troy nodded and found the rope. He took a canteen from the man’s saddlebags and wet the man’s face. The man raised up shaking his head trying to block the water from his face. Troy stood the man up and tied his hands behind his back. He dragged the man with him as he also tied up the other older man jerking him awake and up on his feet. He handed the canteen to Lance.

Lance poured the water onto Simone’s lips. She opened her eyes. He helped her to stand but Simone fell against him unconscious.

Get the horses, Lance yelled to Troy.

Troy, dragging his captives with him, grabbed the two horses and led them to Lance who leaned Simone against Troy while he mounted one of the horses. After Lance was settled into the saddle, Troy lifted Simone up to him. Lance settled her in front of him and leaned her head against his shoulder.

Troy tied the two captives to either side of one horse and mounted it.

Lance pulled up alongside Troy. We will take the two bandits to the constable’s office. The woman stays with us.

Troy nodded in agreement and kicked the horse in the side as the two bandits were pulled along the beach.

They arrived at the constable’s office and Troy went inside explaining to the local constable what had happened.

Lance waited outside holding the two horses of the bandits until the constable sent two men to take them into custody.

The constable asked, What about the woman?

Lance said, She will remain with me until she gets better. I will take good care of her.

The constable asked, Who are you?

Lance replied, I am Lance Eliot Rousseau, and this is my friend, Troy Moreau, we are here to join the ranks of the Huguenot army stationed here in La Rochelle. You can reach me anytime at Vauclair Castle which belongs to my parents Prince Raoul Rousseau, Stadtholder of the Netherlands, and Princess Angelique.

The constable gave a slight bow. I’m sorry Your Highness. I did not recognize you or your friend. Of course, you are free to take the young lady. The constable backed away.

Lance moved his horse closer to the constable. Could you have two of your men deliver our two sea bags to the castle?

The constable pointed out two men and sent them after the two bags.

Thank you, Lance said and turned his horse toward the port gates. Troy rode close behind him and the two constables followed them with the sea bags.

Once they reached Vauclair castle, Lance handed Simone down to Troy who held her until Lance could dismount. As soon as Lance hit the ground, he took Simone from Troy and carried her into the castle while Troy collected the two sea bags from the constables.

Troy joined Lance just in time to open the bedroom door for Lance to enter. Lance said, Turn down the covers on the bed.

Troy rushed over and pulled back the covers while Lance gently laid Simone down and pulled the covers over her.

What do we do now? Troy asked.

We let her sleep. Lance turned and walked into the living room. Troy was at his heels.

What are you going to do with her? Troy asked as he followed Lance into the kitchen.

Lance searched the cabinets for food. He found some noodles, carrots, and beef which made a tasty soup for their patient. He placed the ingredients on the counter, found a knife and began to chop the carrots.

Lance said, I will make the soup while you light the fire in the fireplace. I can cook the soup over the fire. When the lady wakes up, I can feed her the soup which will help her gain some strength.

Troy rushed to the fireplace and grabbed some wood from the wood bucket nearby and set fire to the flames.

Troy talked while he worked on the fire. I wonder who she is? Who wanted to burn such a beautiful woman at the stake? I don’t believe she is a witch.

Neither do I, Lance said as he sliced the beef into small pieces. No witch could have such bright, brown eyes and long dark lashes and jasmine scented hair. Lance tossed all the soup ingredients into an iron bowl and handed it to Troy.

Maybe she is a gypsy. I heard there are over two hundred gypsy bands in France. Troy hung the bowl over the fire to cook.

Lance thought about the woman’s long black hair that cascaded down her back to her waist and those bewitching dark eyes. Around her neck she wore a small dream catcher, barely visible beneath her white blouse.

You could be right. That could be the reason those men thought she was a witch and planned to burn her at the stake.

Troy shivered, How could that happen? It is the seventeenth century. People never get burned at the stake here. It is too barbaric. It is just not done!

There’s no use speculating about her. We will find out more about our guest when she wakes up. In the meantime, we can enjoy our soup and then unpack our sea bags, Lance said.

Troy gulped down the soup and then headed upstairs to his room.

Lance grabbed a quilt from the closet and settled in on the daybed where he could watch the alluring mysterious gypsy woman.

Chapter Three

Vauclair Castle

A burst of bright sunshine awakened Lance. He covered his eyes to block it. Then he sat up. He glanced at the bed where the woman had slept—it was empty. He jumped up and ran to the living room, but it was empty. He heard laughter coming from the kitchen. Lance rushed to the kitchen and found the woman and Troy sitting at the dining table eating scones. He sighed.

There’s Lance, Troy said. The woman turned to glance at Lance.

Lance walked to the table while Troy fetched a couple of scones and set them before him.

Lance sat down, waiting until Troy filled his coffee cup before he spoke. How are you feeling today, milady?

Quite well, thanks to you and your friend. Thank you for rescuing me. You saved my life, Simone said and sipped some coffee.

My name is Lance …

Prince Lance Rousseau of the Netherlands. Troy told me what happened. I am grateful to Your Highness for rescuing me. I am in your debt.

You owe us nothing, milady. Troy and I love adventure. We were glad to help. We must get you home. What is your name?

The woman lay her napkin on the table and looked at Lance and then at Troy as if she were trying to decide if she should reveal her identity.

She sighed. Very well. My name is Simone Julia Heuse. I live here in La Rochelle about four miles east of here.

Do you have a family?

The woman sighed. All my family is dead. I live alone in a small shack near the ocean.

I’m sorry for your loss, milady.

Troy blurted out, Why were those men trying to kill you?

Lance yelled, Troy, no. Give her some time.

Simone said, It is all right, Your Highness. I have nothing to hide, but you may find my circumstances unusual or disturbing.

We will take that chance. Tell us whatever you wish, Lance said.

I was born in the Americas in the northern region near Canada. I am of the Chippewa tribe. After my father died at the hands of the Sioux Indians, my mother married a French fur trader and we moved to La Rochelle. Both my mother and stepfather died seven years ago leaving me alone. Since then, I have earned my living by interpreting people’s dreams.

Troy laughed, Lance, I told you she was a gypsy.

Lance put a finger to his lips, Ssh, Troy. Let her finish her story.

Simone pointed to Troy. I’m not a gypsy. I am a Chippewa Indian or in our language it is called the ‘Ojibna’ tribe.

Troy sighed, Sorry, milady.

Lance motioned to Simone to continue. The older man who was chasing me is Burrell Severin and his son Aubrey. They tried to burn me at the stake. Simone’s eyes blurred with tears and soon they were streaming down her cheeks. She dabbed the tears with her napkin, took a deep breath and continued.

Three months ago, Monsieur Severin heard about my ability to interpret dreams and came to my home and asked me to interpret a dream for him. It was a dark dream. I questioned whether I should tell him the substance of the dream, but he insisted. I told him the meaning of the dream about losing all his possessions and he should find another source of income. He hated my answer. He jumped up in anger and overturned my table while he cursed me. He threw some coins on the floor and stormed out of the house.

Later, I learned the dream had come true. He came looking for me. He caught me at home alone. He and his son tied me up and dragged me to the beach where they had built a wooden platform. While they were gathering wood, one of their women had mercy on me and cut the ropes from my hands setting me free. I started running down the beach. You and Troy came along just as they were dragging me back to the platform to burn me. They told everyone that I was a witch and some of the local people helped them … Tears streaked down her face. She jumped up from the table and ran to the window, turning her back to Lance and Troy. Sobs echoed throughout the room.

Troy shoved back his chair, but Lance put up his hand.

Lance whispered to Troy, Wait. Let her weep. It will strengthen her. He and Troy sat down at the table and waited for Simone’s sobs to subside.

Once the weeping stopped, Lance and Troy walked up to Simone and encircled her with their arms.

Lance said, You are safe here, Simone. You may stay with us as long as you wish.

Simone sighed and hugged each man in turn. May I wash my face?

Lance nodded to Troy who showed Simone the way to the washroom. He left her alone and returned to the table. He sat across the table from Lance.

I feel sorry for her, Troy said.

I do too, but we must not treat her as a victim. She is a strong woman. We will help her however we can.

A few minutes later, Simone returned to the table looking refreshed. I am sorry for the breakdown. The ordeal was more than I could handle. Thanks for your help. She sat down at the table.

Troy refilled Simone’s coffee cup and set a plate of fresh hot cinnamon scones on the table. Both Simone and Lance placed a couple of scones on their plates. They kept the conversation lively and humorous as they told Simone some of their exploits as Huguenot soldiers. Laughter filled the air. When Lance glanced at Simone, she was smiling. Her eyes lit up and soon the tragedy was forgotten for a time.

The next morning, Lance explained to Simone that he and Troy were scheduled to report to the Huguenot outpost at La Rochelle.

Lance said, Shall we take you home, milady?

A grim look covered Simone’s face as she turned her head away toward the window.

Lance regretted his suggestion. I’m sorry, Simone. You can remain here with us as long as you wish.

We could sure use a good cook, Troy chimed in.

Simone sighed. I should return home. I do not want to interfere with your plans. Could you two take me there. I fear some of the people might be waiting for me to return and attack me.

We will take you home after we finish our breakfast, Lance said and ate the eggs and toast on his plate.

Later, both Lance and Troy took Simone home. They provided her with a horse. She rode close to Lance’s side with Troy just behind them.

Simone’s house was a rundown shack just four miles outside the city borders. The house set alone on a small hill overlooking the ocean. Her nearest neighbor was a half mile away. The distance concerned Lance and he shook his head at Troy. Troy was thinking the same thing.

When Simone rode up to the house and dismounted, Troy rode up closer to Lance and whispered, Do you think we should leave her here alone?

Lance shook his head. We will follow her inside to make sure she is alone and then we will decide.

Both Troy and Lance dismounted and followed Simone into the shack. They entered the open door and stopped. The house had been wrecked and ransacked. Shattered pieces of glass, plates, and overturned tables filled the room. The carnage continued throughout the four-room house. They found Simone kneeling amid a stack of dream catchers as she added others to the pile. Tears streaked her face as she frantically gathered the dream catchers.

Lance and Troy helped her gather every one of the unique works of art.

Lance knelt down beside Simone and whispered, It is not safe for you to stay here. You must come home with us.

Simone spotted one more dream catcher hidden nearby. She leaned over to pull it from behind a crushed cabinet.

He helped Simone stand up. I’ll send some men to clean up the house, but you must stay with us until it is safe to return here. After the men who attacked you are locked up, then you may return home.

Troy helped Simone onto her horse, and they rode back to Vauclair Castle.

Chapter Four

Huguenot Encampment

La Rochelle, France

The next morning, Lance awoke to the sound of birds chirping at his window. Slithers of light invaded his bedroom urging him to arise. The clanging of pots and pans in the kitchen told him that Troy was awake and preparing breakfast. Lance entered the washroom. He splashed handfuls of cold water on his face, dressed his tawny tousled hair with oil, and pulled on his royal blue britches and jacket.

Once dressed, he stared at his French Coat of Arms which consisted of the cherished Huguenot Cross. The cross was the symbol of the Huguenot Christian faith which represented the death of Christ and His victory over death and sacrilege. The cross had four petals consisting of eight points that stood for the beatitudes. Between the arms of the cross were twelve fleurs-de-lis, made of three petals each, lodged between the arms of the cross representing the twelve apostles. Between each of the twelve petals were small hearts that symbolized loyalty. A white dove pendant hung in the center of the cross and represented the Holy Spirit.

Lance sighed. Every time he looked at the cross, it filled