Careless Magic book 1

Chapter 43

"Ok, first of all, I'm glad we survived and all, but why on earth was that necessary?" I vented.

"You're survival is absolutely essential," Amory was quick to respond. "I'm afraid this war can't be won without you and your brother," Amory said firmly, although without actually answering my question.

"Yeah, I know; at least I've heard that before. But the question I am asking is why was my survival in question to begin with?" I turned to face Amory full on. I needed answers.

"Well that answer is a little more complicated. The short answer is because you look exactly like your mother; I'm sure you've also heard that before," Amory paused for only a moment; just long enough for me to give him an encouraging look. "The long answer is because your mother happened to be engaged to Lucan before she ran off and eloped with your father, Lucan's personal bodyguard. He would like nothing more than to find your mother and make her pay for a lifetime of sins."

My mouth dropped open in surprise. That wasn't exactly the answer I had been expecting. A million questions began to swirl around in my mind, but Amory, sensing my confusion, continued with his chronicle.

"Let's see, I suppose I should start from the beginning. Lucan became King at a very young age because his father, Cedric, died suddenly from the King's Curse. At that time Kings usually waited until they were 100 or so to choose a wife; Cedric had done exactly that, fathered a son and planned on living a long life. When he died, Lucan was only a teenager. His advisors tried to guide him, but he has always been stubborn. His personal body guard was a teenager as well, and although the Royal guard advised him to choose an older, more experienced Titan, he refused. You see, a King's personal body guard is chosen at birth; they are always the same age so that they grow together and learn to trust each other. They are naturally the best of friends. The same was true of Lucan and Justice, your father. Lucan at that time, not having finished school but not wanting to be alone, had a special group of students chosen from all over the world to study with him at the Royal Palace. Your mother was one of those students and I'm afraid Lucan fell head over heels for her the moment he laid eyes on her; I suspect Justice did as well. Your mother was a very special girl; beautiful of course, talented beyond any other Immortal and smart, very smart. So naturally, Lucan pursued her. I'm afraid she saw his faults from the beginning and although she tried to persuade him to find someone else, he was persistent. When all of his attentions came to no avail he finally commanded her to be his wife. You are so much like her in every way that I'm sure you can imagine how she would react to a direct order such as marriage. But like I said, Lucan is stubborn, and blind to all reason, and so he gave her no choice."

"But why didn't Lucan try to find someone who actually liked him back?" I asked, confused why anyone would fall in love with someone who didn't feel the same way.

"There are several reasons I believe; you see Lucan was scared. His father had died suddenly, leaving him the sole heir to the throne. Having no children of his own, and a fear of also dying young he was pressed to find a wife and begin a family. Since the Curse, no King has ever been able to produce more than one male heir. I believe that he is simply afraid of death; even still to this day. He is afraid of his precious bloodline dying. I believe he hoped your mother would cure all of that. You see, she is a very powerful Witch; probably the most powerful of her generation. And I believe that Lucan thought with their combined bloodline they would be able to save the line of kings."

"What does her blood have to do with anything?" I asked, trying to stay focused. I suddenly yawned and realize how exhausted I was.

"She is the daughter of the last remaining Oracle. If you remember, the Oracles were the most powerful Immortals before the King's Curse. Yes, that makes you the granddaughter of course."