Reign of Fire: A Dark Faerie Tale, #3

By Paula M. Hunter

After a revealing chain of events, Rose, the true heir to the throne of Turia, returns with her faerie godmothers. Upon arriving at her former summer residence, she finds some unexpected houseguests: A girl in a red cloak and a wolf. Along with Khione and her friends, they volunteer to help her depose Queen Eleanor, a task that may prove more than difficult.

As her nuptials to the King Wilbur draw near, Eleanor's association with Silvia proves to be potentially dangerous. Strong willed Princess Eliza finds her new stepmother intolerable, but is horrified to discover the extent of her father's cruelty. Wilbur's machinations are dealt a severe blow, which threatens to re-ignite hostilities between humans and fae.

Will this faerie tale have a happily ever after?

Reign of Fire, book 3 and the concluding part of A Dark Faerie Tale, is a blended retelling of Snow White, the Snow Queen and other fairy tales, with action/adventure and a magical touch of romance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paula M. Hunter
• Release date: Apr 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781393290254

Book preview

The book author retains sole copyright to her contributions to this book. Text and or any illustrations remain the property of the author.

No part of this publication may be copied and distributed in any form, without prior written permission from the publisher.

Copyright © 2015 Paula M. Hunter

Revised Edition © 2020 Paula M. Hunter

All rights reserved.

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Please note UK English spellings are used throughout the book.

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I’ve tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

Robert Frost

To Shelly Davis, with kindest regards.

Chapter One

In the realm of Terra, there stood an old stone house. It looked rather odd as many modern houses and apartment blocks surrounded it. The small garden at the front of the property suffered from neglect and became overgrown. A developer wished to demolish the old house and replace it with three modern townhouses. He sought the owner, but could not find them. He only knew that the house had been in the same family for generations. Therefore, it came as a great surprise to find the house now looking good as new and the garden tidy with flowers in bloom. The sighting of two new inhabitants followed this transformation. Sisters in their twenties; both were small and had delicate features. One of their neighbours described them as fairy or pixie-like. The sisters did not socialise with their neighbours, they kept very much to themselves. When a neighbour asked about the speed of the house’s transformation, the answer they gave was: It’s magic.

Recently another female relative appeared. A girl of about sixteen or seventeen years old, tall and slim with long blonde hair reaching her waist. This girl looked nothing like her older sisters and she talked more. She told their nosey neighbour she was the younger of the sisters. From this girl they had gleaned the following information; she was Lexi-Jane Breen, otherwise known as Lexi, and her sisters’ names were Fay and Ella. Their parents were dead. Fay Breen seemed to be the only person that often left their house. She owned a high street florist. Her florist talents were incredible and she had an encyclopaedic knowledge of plants and flowers.

One dull and cloudy September evening Lexi helped Fay with the gardening. She cut blooms from a wild rose bush. I much prefer wild roses, she said, as she inhaled the sweet scent of one of the blossoms.

You were named after those, said Fay, absentmindedly

How can I be named after a rose?

Oh yes, silly me. Dad liked the name Rose, that is what I thought of, replied Fay. Come on inside, Ella should have dinner ready by now.

Clattering and banging started in the kitchen. Fay described Ella’s cooking as experimental. Some of her meals bordered on inedible. Fay rarely cooked all, nor did she have any inclination. Lexi lacked culinary skills and learned little from her older sister’s feeble attempts.

Fay and Lexi entered the kitchen. Ella quickly ushered them into the living room. I want this to be a surprise, so don’t come into the kitchen until I tell you, she ordered.

The girls sat on the sofa. Lexi noticed her mud-covered shoes had left a trail of muddy footprints on the carpet.

Oops! she said.

When Fay noticed the footprints, she started to giggle. She had a mischievous personality and found great pleasure in annoying the house proud and fastidious Ella. Fay placed a finger on her lips, and whispered, Hush, don’t say anything.

She is going to notice, Fay.

Don’t spoil the fun, Lexi.

You are naughty, Fay.

Fay shrugged her shoulders, giggled, and covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her sniggers.

Dinner is ready, shouted Ella.

The hungry sisters sat around the small dining table. They were astonished to find that the meal looked edible. A refreshing change from the usual burnt offerings.

It is cottage pie, said Ella

Lexi put a forkful into her mouth. It is very nice. You have done well Ella.

There is no cottage in it though, said Ella, with a serious expression.

Fay burst out laughing. Ella, you can be dense sometimes. It is only a name, even I know that.

Ella scowled at Fay and took a bite herself, she smiled and said, Yes, it is nice.

Fay agreed with the others it was indeed very tasty. After dinner, she went to the bin to scrape the plates. After opening the pedal bin and seeing three boxes and a packet stuffed into the bin, she lifted out one of the boxes and read aloud the name: Mrs Baker’s Home Made Cottage Pie. Ella have you have been cheating?

Ella’s face turned red with embarrassment, but she denied any wrongdoing. It is not cheating, you still have to cook them in the oven and boil the frozen vegetables.

You told us that you cooked this meal yourself, therefore you are a cheat, teased Fay

Ella became cross with Fay and declared she would not cook any of their meals from now on. Fay shook her head and said she did not have the time. The sisters’ disagreement carried on for some time that evening. When Ella saw the muddy footprints on the carpet, she exploded with anger.

I don’t know why I bother. I didn’t want to come here. All I have done is try my best and it is not good enough for some people. I want to go back.

Ella stared at Fay, who looked horrified and begged her to calm down and be reasonable. She would not be reasonable; she stomped up the creaky stairs of the house and banged her bedroom door. Ella’s outburst confused Lexi. "What did she mean by; I didn’t want to come here. I want to go back?"

Oh, you know how she is. She talks nonsense when she is angry and probably meant the place we used to live when we were small children. That was long before you were born.

I see, so we lived here when I was born?

Fay paused before she answered. Yes, that is right. I will speak to her and try to calm her down. I wish she wasn’t so temperamental. Fay went upstairs to speak to Ella. She came back half an hour later with a sheepish looking Ella.

Sorry, said Ella.

Before Lexi could answer, Fay suddenly remembered something she meant to tell her earlier that evening.I forgot to tell you, we have a large order for wedding flowers this weekend. Would you care to help for a few days? I will pay you.

When can I start?

Tomorrow, answered Fay.

Lexi went to work with Fay the following morning. Fay kept her sister very busy and she returned home hungry and tired. She went to bed early that evening and soon fell into a deep slumber.

The music blaring out from Lexi’s radio alarm gave her a rude awakening. Stretching out an arm from beneath the duvet, she slammed her hand on top of the offending electrical appliance, knocking over a glass of water on her nightstand. She swore as the cold water ran down the sleeve of her pyjama top. Flicking on her bedroom light switch, she grabbed a box of tissues and wiped away the water from the nightstand. Inside her head, she could almost hear her mother’s voice nagging her: Don’t put water near electrical appliances.

She grimaced and looked at the glowing numbers on the alarm clock: 7:02 am, time to get up and get ready for work. Shivering with cold, she went to the bedroom window and peered through the curtains. A blanket of snow covered the ground and dark clouds filled the sky.

Do I have to go out in that? she thought.

The radio station’s morning news headlines filled the room: "Murder victim still unidentified. Police are searching for a suspect…" She crossed the room to switch off the light switch and her radio alarm when she heard: "Freak snowstorm….roads closed, public transport stopped, airports are closed, and schools remain shut."

Looks like I won’t be going anywhere today, she muttered.

As she passed her dressing table, the antique hand mirror her sisters gave her for her eighteenth birthday, caught her eye. She picked it up and admired its ornate gilt frame. Turning it over she looked at the symbol engraved on the back; a snake forming a circle by holding its tail inside its mouth. She turned the mirror back over and touched the smooth surface of the glass. Lexi had a love for history and antiques.

A knock came on the door and Fay entered the room. Are you getting ready then?

Lexi looked at her sister in surprise. Are we really going to go out in this weather? It will take an eternity to get there. Suddenly the hand mirror began to glow bright green and the light-filled the room. Taken by surprise, she threw the mirror on the bed. What the…, she stammered.

Ella come here. Now! shouted Fay.

Ella entered the room just as the green light began to fade. She stood open-mouthed. Fay picked up the mirror from the bed and turned it around in her hand. For some time she scrutinised the engraved symbol. Lexi, repeat the last few words you said to me before the mirror started to glow.

It will take an eternity to get there.

Fay continued to stare at the symbol, and then a thought came to her. She showed the symbol to Ella and Lexi. Do you know what the engraving represents?

I have seen something similar before, said Lexi. It reminds me of a ring.

Rings have a beginning and no end, said Ella.

Fay snapped her fingers, "That’s it. The snake is a symbol of eternity! Lexi, you spoke the word eternity."

Ella sat down on Lexi’s bed. She looked shocked. My goodness, after all this time.

What do you mean? asked Lexi.

Ella stared at Lexi then gave Fay a questioning look. Do you want to tell her or should I? Fay stared back at her sister.

Lexi grew frustrated by their cryptic conversation. Tell me what?

Get dressed and come downstairs first. Ella come with me. Both left the room.

Lexi quickly washed and dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt. She found her sisters in the kitchen. Sit down and have some coffee, said Ella. Lexi drew her chair back, sat down and placed a coffee mug on the table. The looking glass lay mirror side down on the dining table. Lexi reached her hand out to touch it. Don’t touch it, shouted Fay.

She moved her hand back. What is it with this mirror?

Fay and Ella took a seat at the table. It is not just the mirror, but it has played a very big part in the reason we are all here.

Fay could see Lexi was still confused. We need to tell you something about our past. As far-fetched as it may seem now, you will realise soon that we speak the truth. Your name is Rose and we are not your sisters.

What! cried Rose.

It is true, said Ella.

Fay tapped the back of the mirror. This mirror is enchanted. It is actually a portal to another realm. Over one hundred years ago you, Ella, and I ended up here because of a curse. A faerie’s curse that damned you to sleep for one hundred years. We have watched over you for all these years and you awakened two years ago.

"If this is a joke Fay, it is not a funny one. Why don’t I remember anything from this other realm? What is this realm?

I erased your memory, so when you woke you would not feel any loss or pain, from losing your former life. We assumed we would be stuck here forever, said Ella. She picked up the mirror. We can go back home if you wish?

A dumbstruck Rose gazed at Ella then Fay. When she found her voice she asked, Who are you then, if you are not my sisters?

We are your faerie godmothers, said Fay.

Rose laughed, she could not believe what she had just heard. No this is ridiculous. This is the kind of thing you read about in storybooks. There is no such thing as magic mirrors, other realms and faerie godmothers. When she tried to get up from the table, Ella gently pushed her back down.

Rose, when I have finished you will believe, said Fay.

Chapter Two

Rose listened with wide eyes to Fay’s recount of events from their past.

Everything I have told you is true. You are Princess Rose, daughter of King Ronan and Queen Alicia, and heir presumptive to the throne of Turia. You were cursed by a faerie called Isolde, a spurned ex-lover of your father, said Fay.

Rose shook her head in disbelief, I don’t believe it, but I must believe it coming from you.

Fay prodded the mirror. Ella could not believe her luck when she recently found this in Robinson’s antique shop. We could not be sure if it was even the same mirror. When you arrived here, you still held the mirror in your hand. We went from the year 1413 to 1913, from summer to winter.

How did we end up in this house? asked Rose.

Ella sat at the table with her chin propped up with her hands. She sat in silence whilst Fay explained to Rose what she knew. When we arrived with you, Sleeping Beauty, she smiled at Rose. "We had no money or a roof over our head. We took shelter in the first place we could find. That was here. The house had fire damage and the owners had abandoned it. Ella and I managed to repair the house, but we used glamour, a kind of magic, to make it appear neglected on the outside. We still needed money and couldn’t go around using faerie gold, not without attracting suspicion. We found out about pawn shops and pawned that mirror.

By the time we had earned the money to buy it back it had gone, although we did eventually buy the house. The owners thought we were insane, purchasing a burned, hovel of a house."

Rose wore a puzzled look, Why did you want the mirror back if it is cursed?

Ella pointed to Fay. "Mrs Clever Clogs there thought we could fathom out a way to make it return us to Eliedda. I am certain Isolde had no clue that when she spoke the words of the curse: Only to return to Eliedda after an eternity, that it also speaking the word eternity aloud would invoke the gateway."

She didn’t intend that at all, Ella, said Fay.

I can’t believe I was asleep for one hundred years and not aged at all! Where did I get all the memories I have in my head?

I found your name and the inspiration from one of those soap opera things on television, said Ella, abashed at her confession.

You never told me that, said Fay.

I didn’t want you to chastise me, said Ella.

Rose placed her elbows on the table and put her head in her hands. My goodness, I am a work of fiction. She shook her head in disbelief. I don’t know how you managed to hide from me the fact that you are faeries.

We have got used to not using our talents in front of you. It also took me some time to get used to it, and the way people speak in the modern age, said Fay.

What do we do now? asked Rose.

Ella shrugged her shoulders. I’m not sure what we should do now, but I am happy to follow with whatever you decide to do.

Fay took a sharp intake of breath and mulled things over for a while. I think you deserve to have your memory restored. On the other hand, would it be the right thing to do? One hundred years have passed. There will be no one from your family who will be familiar to you. As faeries are immortal, we don’t have that problem. You will be returning to a life completely different from the one you remember at this moment. You must decide for yourself."

Rose smiled as she said, So, do you want to give up wearing jeans and go back to wearing long dresses? Does this mean I should be Queen of Turia?

Yes, you are the rightful heir, said Ella. She glanced at her sister dressed in black jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt. Fay never did like wearing floaty dresses.

I know nothing about being a queen, said Rose.

I am sure your mother must have taught you something, said Ella.

Ella, stop trying to influence her. She must make this decision for herself. First of all, you need to restore her memory. I am not sure how or if it will work, as you know these things are always so tricky.

Will I still have my memories of here and now? Rose asked.

I certainly hope so, replied Ella. She took Rose’s hands in hers. Are you ready?

Rose nodded. Ella placed her hands on top of Rose’s head and gazed into her blue eyes. As her spell took effect, Rose’s eyes rolled in their sockets, until only the whites showed. Ella then removed her hands. Rose closed her eyes and then slumped in her chair. After a few seconds passed, she jerked her head up and then opened her eyes. She stared at Ella and then Fay.

Well? asked Fay.

Rose remained silent, her mouth wide open in shock and disbelief.

Do you remember anything? asked Ella.

A myriad of expressions passed over Rose’s face, eventually, she gasped, I remember everything, from then and now. Her face crumpled into a look of sadness and loss. My parents, it seems like only yesterday I saw them. But they are long dead, along with my brother. A solitary tear threatened to run down her cheek. Rose rarely cried in front of anyone. I want to cry, but I can’t, she said.

You don’t have to make any decisions now. You may need some time to adjust, said Fay.

Rose pushed her chair back from the table and left the kitchen. She wandered from room to room in the house, recalling memories from the past two years. Returning to her seat at the kitchen table, she announced, I have made my decision already. For my sanity’s sake, I need to return where I belong. By staying here, Isolde has won. What she did was very wrong, but my father is not without blame. Isolde may still be in Turia, but we have no way of knowing until we return.

Ella looked around the kitchen and at the rarely used cooker hob. I can’t say I will miss this, although I have grown fond of this house.

Rose remained silent in thought until reality dawned on her. Where exactly are we going back to, and where am I going to live? Surely I cannot return to Ruhan Castle and demand my right to the throne.

If returning is truly what you wish, we will help you. Whether that be by creating somewhere for you to live or assisting you in returning to your rightful place, said Fay.

Can we come back if things don’t work out? asked Rose.

That is a possibility, a forbidden one though. I have no idea if the portal will continue to work or work only once, said Fay. We don’t need to do anything now. At least wait until the end of the week, I have to sort things out at the shop and here at the house.

Hang the shop, cried Ella. What use will it be if we don’t wish to return?

We cannot leave yet Ella, also I am not changing out of these clothes until I have to, retorted Fay.

Ella snorted. I knew it.

The following day, the peculiar out of season snowstorm that had created so much chaos ceased. Life in the city continued as usual. Fay placed a Closed sign in the shop window. The flower stock and displays vanished overnight, much to her disappointed customers. Ella flitted around the house placing dust covers on furniture. Rose felt torn between leaving the comfort and convenience of modern living and returning to the old life she now remembered. Four days later, all three were prepared to leave.

Rose wiped her sweating palms on her sweatshirt, then picked up the hand mirror and gripped the handle. You’d better hold on to me.

Ella linked arms with Rose and Fay put an arm around her waist. She could feel Rose trembling. Are you sure you want this? she asked.

Rose nodded as she touched the glass and spoke in a loud, clear voice, Eternity. The mirror glowed and emitted its green light. It grew stronger. Rose closed her eyes, and announced, Hold on, from what I remember it’s going to be rough. She felt as if a huge vacuum had sucked her in and threw her from side to side.