Mysteria washes up on an unfamiliar beach, with all of her memories gone, and no idea how she got there. She makes a home among the knights-the rulers of the land-who rescued her, wishing more than anything for her memories to return so she can go b...
Dedicated to my friend, Val, the artist for this book. ❤️
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"Your Highness, wait!" My lady-in-waiting called out frantically, her hands holding her dress so she could try and keep up with me.
"Tabitha, come on!" I called back excitedly, "You might miss it!"
"Nothing might even be happening..." I heard Tabitha grumble over the rustling of our dresses.
I turned the corner and after only a few steps, extended my arms, opening the large wooden doors that led to our massive outdoor gardens. In the center of the main garden loomed a large tree, it's branches seemed to reach into the sky as if wanting to embrace it. I was careful as I pulled myself up, finding a foothold on a large, thick branch.
"Get down from there before you get hurt! We have been over this a dozen times, Princess Marina!" It came from Tabitha's lips as more of a complaint than an order. I only laughed and looked down at her, holding tightly onto the branch above my head.
"You need to have some fun once in a while, Tabitha!" Come up here and have a peek with me!"
"Not a chance, Your Highness! I'm an old woman, I'll break my neck!" Tabitha put her hands on her wide hips and scrunched up her face. She had graying hair that was in a bun at the back of her neck, but she was only in her early fourties. However, when she made that face at me, she indeed looked much older. "And you'll break your neck too if you don't get down this instant!"
I shook my head and laughed again, pulling myself up to another branch. And then another. I sighed in exasperation at my puffy dress, as it was difficult to climb in. I wished I could change into something thinner... and a little more maneuverable.
"You're being very unladylike right now, Marina!" Oh no, I thought to myself with a roll of my eyes, she dropped my title. "If your mother found out she'd have my head!"
My mother... oh, dear old mom. She was overbearing and needed to loosen up a little too. She was always forcing me to go to those boring tea parties with other noblewomen. They were always uptight and condescending, eyeing my every move to see if I would make a mistake. Sizing me up to see if I would one day make a laughing stock of my mother and fail our kingdom.
I couldn't stand those women and their fake laughs and sincerity. I didn't want to be like them. I refused to be like them.
I climbed higher, and there it was. I almost squealed with joy, but put one hand on my mouth to stifle it. Control yourself, Marina.
There, across from me on another tree limb, was a nest. Inside were two baby birds, just hatched. One, however, was still unhatched and I looked on in awe as the egg wiggled next to its siblings. The egg cracked little by little and soon, I could see the head poking out, followed by it's fragile body. It's cries joined those of the other two and I stared on at the helpless beings, dependent on someone else to survive and thrive.
