Zephyr Spheres and Astra's Necklace

By Myles B. Hibbett

Finally, Crystotopia is safe enough for Zephyr to return to Danus. Peace negotiations are taking place to end the fighting between the allied kingdoms and the evil alliance, the Dark Forces. But part of the negotiations involves an arranged marriage between Zephyr and a prince. Things go awry when Zephyr is given a strange necklac

• Language: English
• Publisher: Myles B. Hibbett
• Release date: Feb 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9781960197344

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MYLES B. HIBBETT

Zephyr Spheres and Astra’s Necklace

Copyright © 2023 by Myles B. Hibbett

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

ISBN

978-1-960197-33-7 (Paperback)

978-1-960197-34-4 (eBook)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prologue

Chapter 1 Scorn’s Suggestion

Chapter 2 Wish Upon a Moon

Chapter 3 An Awkward Request

Chapter 4 Cor’s Proposal

Chapter 5 Madam Vitaria’s Gift

Chapter 6 Wind Chaser

Chapter 7 The Suitors

Chapter 8 The Mystery Racer

Chapter 9 The Ambush

Chapter 10 A Startling Revelation

Chapter 11 Yordo

Chapter 12 The Elder White Centaur

Chapter 13 Fall of Genon

Chapter 14 Syphron’s Rescue

Chapter 15 Toron’s Demise

Chapter 16 The Lost Heir of Ember

Chapter 17 A Dim Future

PROLOGUE

There once lived a queen with great wisdom who ruled her kingdom with a just and noble conscience. None dared to defy her for her wit and craft were awesome to behold. Only the lovely sorceress Andromeda could match her beauty and strength, and the queen’s reign seemed absolute. But alas, it was not to be. For a dark force surged through the queen’s land and seized her throne, and the queen mysteriously disappeared. With none to know of her existence any longer, a curse spread across her kingdom, forcing its inhabitants to suffer. The usurper of the queen’s throne, still unsatisfied, strove to find the secret to her power. For, whoever possessed it, could become one of the most influential sorcerers to ever live.

CHAPTER 1

SCORN’S SUGGESTION

Everyone seems to blossom along with the flowers when it’s time for Spring. With the frosty chills of winter out of the way, room is made for long walks in the park, drives through the neighborhood, shorts, t-shirts, and new growth. And, no one forgets the annual Spring-cleaning.

But only Arnold and Linda Krumple of Boston’s Waverly Avenue could possibly forget this important tradition, for their sixteen-year-old foster daughter, Zephyr Spheres, already cleaned the house on a daily basis. It was no tale or exaggeration that Zephyr’s chores were always more than a handful.

However, now, in the middle of her junior year in high school, Zephyr was infuriated with the heaps of housework Mrs. Krumple gave her to do. Junior prom was just around the corner, and Mrs. Krumple refused to let her attend.

Now why on Earth would I want to waste my money on some silly dance that I don’t even get to go to myself? she would say.

Zephyr mainly hid her feelings and went on with her daily routine of cleaning and schoolwork. But more and more, she was becoming rebellious towards Mrs. Krumple, and the only way to please the wicked woman to get any leeway in the situation was to give in to her every whim. However, that wasn’t the only thing that was bugging Zephyr.

It had been almost a year and a half since she had last been to Danus, the world of magic, where her father, Lionus II, was the King of Crystotopia, one of thirteen unique kingdoms. Zephyr missed her father terribly as well as other various friends, such as the fire wizard and her personal guardian, Cor, and her nursemaid, Helga. But she hadn’t heard so much as a peep from anyone.

As Zephyr sat down in her room on a Sunday afternoon, she twirled her hand around a few strands of her long sparkling silver and midnight black hair as she peered at her shimmering cocoa skin and dangerously brown eyes in her cracked bedroom mirror.

Focusing on her brown-feathered and brown-eyed pet falcon, Scorn, she expressed her problems to him. Fortunately, as a sorceress, Zephyr had the ability to talk to animals as well as do magic.

"Scorn, do you think we’ll ever get out of this predicament?"

We could if you would only use your magic to smite that evil woman, the falcon replied with a screech.

"I know," Zephyr said. But that isn’t the answer no matter how tempting it may seem.

Sitting on her old creaking mattress, she pulled an ancient radio that Mr. Krumple had bought from the thrift store closer to her.

"Just recall who you truly are and where you come from," Scorn said. You are much more than a common servant.

You’re right, Scorn, Zephyr said as she fiddled with the tuner on her radio. And no one should be treated this way. There’s got to be something I can do to go to the prom. Some way that I can be free of Linda Krumple’s terror for just one night.

As Zephyr flipped on the radio, the song Girl Fun began to play. Standing, she danced to the upbeat sounds of the music, and she smiled and laughed as she forgot her current dilemma.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Scorn said.

Zephyr was enjoying herself, but she soon heard a pounding at her bedroom door.

WHAT IS THAT RACKET?! Mrs. Krumple said in a booming voice.

Zephyr nearly fell over before she quickly turned off the radio, and Scorn flew around the room to get his bearings.

The bedroom door opened forcefully, and there stood Zephyr’s foster mother in her blue bathrobe. With enraged light hazel eyes, flushed peanut butter skin, and frazzled dyed platinum blond hair as well as threatening plump figure, Mrs. Krumple seemed as if she were ready for battle.

How dare you play such loud music! she yelled.

Zephyr faced Mrs. Krumple eager to say an incantation that would take away her ability to talk.

I was just trying to relax to a little music, she said.

Relax! Mrs. Krumple bellowed. You think you should relax?! You should be cleaning! This house is filthy!

Scorn screeched angrily, but Zephyr nodded, signaling for him to stay calm.

I’ve finished my chores for today, Zephyr said. And I did them again just to make sure everything was spotless.

Mmm, Mrs. Krumple said with a devious smile. Do them again dear! I don’t think you’ve gotten every speck of dirt! For example, you and that oversized pigeon are still here! You must have missed a few places!

At her foster mother’s words, Zephyr’s face reddened with fury.

If I do more chores, will you reconsider the prom? she asked through clenched teeth.

You have some nerve child! Mrs. Krumple said with a hiss. You may be older, but you’re certainly not smarter! I thought you understood that you simply aren’t prom material!

Before Zephyr could say another word, Mrs. Krumple slammed the door and yelled, Hurry up with those chores!

"Oh, that woman!" Zephyr said to her falcon. Scorn, we’ve got to do something. I’d give anything to go to the prom.

Perhaps there is way, Scorn said. I do not want to get you in trouble, but I am your royal advisor, and it pains me to see you in so much agony.

"What is it?" Zephyr asked with wide eyes.

"Maybe you could try to go to the prom without your foster mother knowing it."

"Yes, Scorn!" Zephyr said as she twirled happily. That’s it! I’ll sneak my way into the prom!

But just then, Zephyr threw her hands up in dismay as something crossed her mind.

I still can’t go Scorn, she said with a sigh. I don’t have a date. I don’t even have money for a dress.

"Surely you can find your way out of this mess, Zephyr," Scorn said. Know that rulers must make tough and quick decisions.

But they also have tons of advice, Zephyr said.

Then, Scorn said. If my advice is what you seek, I would simply ask someone to go to the prom. Love potions and spells are much too messy and troublesome, and it is more desirable to go with someone who is willing to accompany you. As for the dress, I must say that a couple of years ago I wouldn’t know what to tell you. But now that you have some experience as a sorceress, I’m almost certain you can create one. It should be almost like summoning but a bit easier since it will be your creation.

Zephyr took a deep breath as she tossed herself on her mattress.

"But, I don’t even know how to summon or create anything," she said. I’ve only read what it’s like, and I’ve hardly had any opportunities to practice my magic on Earth.

If you really want to go to this dance, you’ll try.

Zephyr shrugged her shoulders as she shook her head.

I don’t think so Scorn. There has to be another way.

"Well," Scorn said. I only have one other suggestion. You may use the magic crystal ring I gave you for your birthday to wish yourself to the prom.

Scorn, you’re a genius! Zephyr said excitedly. That’s a great idea!

Walking over to one of two silver trunks in the corner of her room, Zephyr opened it and rummaged through it. She kept everything she had brought from Danus to Earth in her silver trunks. Besides spell books and magic supplies, the trunks also contained gifts that Zephyr’s father and her friends had given her.

There was a black quilt with white and gold patches that Helga made for her, a thin golden friendship bracelet from Cor, and a silver heart-shaped locket with a picture of Zephyr’s mother in that was a gift from her father.

But Zephyr was searching for her magic crystal ring, which was a present from Scorn. The white crystal and silver ring could grant Zephyr a small wish on the night of a full moon. Removing the ring from the trunk, Zephyr kissed it and held it in the air.

I knew this would come in handy! she said.

Remember that it only works once during a full moon, Scorn warned.

When is the next full moon? Zephyr asked as she frowned.

Mmm, Scorn said as he entered deep thought. On Earth, next Friday, I think.

That’s the night of the prom, Zephyr said with awe. This just might work.

"I wish you luck," Scorn said. I hope it does work. But, all of this planning is making me hungry.

Zephyr opened Scorn’s cage and her bedroom window.

Have a good hunt, Scorn, she said. And, thank you.

She rubbed her falcon’s head affectionately as he took off into the sky.

This has to work, Zephyr said as she slipped her ring on her finger. It just has to.

ZEPHYR, WHERE ARE YOU? Mrs. Krumpled yelled suddenly. GET YOUR LAZY SELF DOWN HERE!

Glancing at her ring, Zephyr hurried out of her room to do her chores once more as dreams of the junior prom flooded her mind.

CHAPTER 2

WISH UPON A MOON

Talk of the junior prom was racing all over Prichard High, and the junior class council had decided that the prom theme would be a costume party.

Zephyr wasn’t quite sure what exactly she would wish for, but as the hype and excitement of the prom grew, she wore her magic crystal ring with enthusiasm and anticipation.

On Friday, the day of the prom, Zephyr went to school with an anxious stomach, for she still didn’t know what she was going to say for her wish.

As she closed her locker and headed for her Physics class, she was so preoccupied with thoughts of her wish that she wasn’t paying attention to where she was going, and she ran into someone and dropped her Physics book.

Oh, I’m so sorry, she said as she bent over to pick up her book, but she peered up just in time to see the last person she wanted to bump into.

It was Trinda Temple, and with caramel skin, golden eyes, and soft jet-black curls, Trinda was a menace to Zephyr. Zephyr and Scorn were the only ones on Earth who knew of the journey that they, Trinda Temple, Brandon Longfellow, and Elizabeth Thompson had on Danus. Together, Zephyr and her friends completed the infamous lost spell, which cured a deadly magic-sapping plague that was spreading across Crystotopia. But upon Zephyr and her friends’ return to Earth, her father erased Trinda, Brandon, and Elizabeth’s memories of Danus, and Trinda was just as mean as she had always been to Zephyr before their adventure.

Well, well, Trinda said. Still clumsy as ever I see, Zephyr.

Not today, Trinda, Zephyr said with a sigh. I’m not in the mood.

Oh, Trinda said sarcastically. I wonder why. I’ve asked around, and I haven’t met a single guy who said he was taking you to the prom. That wouldn’t have anything to do with it would it?

She darted her golden eyes at Zephyr and shook her jet-black curls in a mocking manner.

No, Trinda, Zephyr said.

She tried to rush past her, but Trinda held up her arm to block Zephyr’s path.

Do you have a date? she asked.

I might, Zephyr said as she raised her head proudly.

Really? Trinda said. But I’m sure it couldn’t be anyone like Brandon Longfellow. Him being Captain of the Fencing Team and me being Cheerleading Squad Captain, make us one of the favorite couples to be Prom King and Queen.

Of course, Trinda said as she rolled her eyes. The final decision depends on whoever the best dancing couple is. But I’ve been taking dancing lessons with Brandon for a month.

That’s nice, Zephyr said irritably. Excuse me, I need to get to class.

Then again, who am I kidding? Trinda said with a grimace. "I’m sure you couldn’t get a date for the prom even on the day of your best appearance! And, I’m also sure that you couldn’t find a used dress at a thrift store without holes from moths in