The Godmother: Starfire Express

By Katherine D. Graham

Flames rise on the horizon. The Godmother rises to meet them.

 

Eliza Farrington the Third is the top Fairy Warrior in the universe, undefeated in both magic and physical strength. She is also The Godmother -- the protector and trainer of the Crown Princess.

 

For twenty years Eliza has prepared her charge to bring change to the rule of terror the tyrannical Fairy King and Queen have inflicted upon the worlds. The Princess's kindness and mercy are already renowned, and her coronation is only a month away.

 

But the Dragon Emperor's legions landing on their doorstep threatens everything. 

 

When the Dragon Emperor presents the sole remaining royal Dragon Egg to the Fair Folk with a deadly proposal, can Eliza change the fate of her beloved Princess?

 

Or will the hate of multiple generations snuff out their only flame of hope? 

 

 

**The Godmother is a prequel to the Starfire Express series by Katherine D. Graham, author of the Amazon bestselling Epic Fantasy novel The Vow That Twisted Fate.**

• Language: English
• Publisher: Katherine D. Graham
• Release date: Jul 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201047542

Book preview

Chapter One

To challenge the Godmother to a duel meant certain death, but Princess Urma’s independence rested on challenging the legendary warrior—and winning.

This was no mere training session in the princess’s eyes.

A sly grin spread across Elisa Farrington the Third’s face as her goddaughter stood defiantly before her, armed with a single training dagger and magic. The kitchens weren’t their normal training grounds, but with invaders closing in around them, the open space provided a safer practice spot.

Every day the gangly Fairy princess challenged her godmother over something more and more ridiculous to avoid training, it seemed. This newest request, though—to go peek over the wall at the Dragon army, was reckless even for the princess.

For a woman about to claim the throne, Elisa said, you seem rather eager to throw your life away.

Let’s just go, Godmother, Urma pleaded, tapping her bare toes on the gray granite floor impatiently. We spar every day; it’s just one lesson. And if you’re with me, nothing can happen.

The Godmother stood her ground.

A hasty tongue utters naught but regrets, Your Highness. Hasty acts breed only destruction.

Urma rolled her eyes, then feinted to Elisa’s left. The Godmother easily dodged, smacking her goddaughter on the rump with the flat of her own blade. The princess toppled face-first onto the floor but recovered quickly.

"Such a weak offense, Urma. Leading with a feint. Use your strike to level the enemy in a single blow, remember. And if they live, then you test their fighting style."

Urma’s nostrils flared as she charged the Godmother again. Orangy-blue flames coating the princess’s blade merged with the Godmother’s golden flames with an ear-popping squeal.

"I know you do this on purpose, Godmother!"

Elisa knocked the princess backwards, then swung her second dagger around to pop her arm. A small trickle of blood dripped from Urma’s shoulder.

Do what, dearest?

Don’t ‘dearest’ me, the princess pouted. Her body was growing a deeper shade of pink as her temper flared. You always speak in riddles when you want to throw me off my—

In a flutter of wings and spark of silver smoke, the Godmother grasped the princess by the neck. The young Fairy’s eyes went wide for half a second as the godmother threw her down hard on the granite floor. Shifting into smoke, Elisa materialized her hand around Urma’s dagger and chunked it across the room.

Without thinking, the Godmother plunged the knife down to meet the princess’s temple.

Time froze.

For a half second, Elisa wondered if her goddaughter knew enough to deflect the blade. Their sparring sessions rarely escalated this far.

Cold fear wrapped icy tentacles around the Godmother’s heart.

Urma Farrington was the only heir to the Fairy throne. Years of training led up to this moment.

The blade clattered against the stone floor, and Elisa’s breath came flooding back into her lungs in a rush. Any air she gained was driven from her lungs when the princess punched her across the room with a magic-shielded fist.

The Godmother grimaced around a genuine smile then. The young fairy was only twenty, but her strength far surpassed her father’s in his prime. She had a chance of holding her own after all, it seemed.

If you’re satisfied now, Urma huffed, her previously immaculate blonde hair now frizzing out of its tidy bun and braids, let’s go see the Dragons.

An ice sculpture would have melted slower at a fire dance than the princess wilted beneath the Godmother’s smoldering gaze at that point.

Let me be clear, Elisa snapped. You defended yourself, but you did not win. You’re getting stronger, but I am not speaking metaphorically when I say that those monsters will eat you alive.

Even here, deep in the innermost corridors of the Fairy castle, the invaders’ bass drumming never skipped a beat. The Dragons had been pounding away outside the Fairy castle gates for the last three days without weakening, and all the Fair-Folk were on edge.

Why do you even want to see them? You’ll get more than enough of them when you accept the crown next month, the Godmother chided, crossing her arms.

Urma’s shoulders fell as she went to retrieve her blade from across the room. Never one to deal well with critiques of character, the princess tried unsuccessfully to hide her tears at the Godmother’s