Purity (The Lost Guardians Book 1)

Prologue

"Hush, now, little one," whispered a woman as she rocked her infant daughter. The baby cried loudly, hungry and cold.

She wished she could wrap her in more blankets. She wished the thin blanket her child was wrapped up in was thicker. She rested her icy blue eyes in her upset daughter. How could she quiet her down?

"Please, be quiet, my love," she begged in a whisper.

She stepped backward, tucking herself more into the space behind a large hanging rug. She sent up a silent prayer to the gods.

Please don't let us be caught.

She had escaped a slaver gang as soon as they entered the city of Alabaster. She had taken advantage of their drunken banter and took off into the cold night. Now, she was in the palace of the king of the land of Kyun, hiding from the guards.

She had not meant to go into the palace. Originally she was merely going to pass it. But some slavers from the gang she had escaped from were nearby and she was almost caught when they turned away from some overweight man to look in the direction of her whimpering babe.

She cursed her luck when the guards entered the dimly lit room.

"Why is there a baby in here? Find it!" said one. His voice was gruff and commanding.

She heard the men scatter and investigate the large room. It didn't take long for one to pull aside the rug and find her.

"What are you doing here?" he snapped as he gently grabbed her and pulled her out.

Despite being upset about her intrusion, he couldn't be rough with her while she held a child.

The men were wearing white tunics and pants that were bordered with gold on the sleeve ends and legs. Each had a curved blade on their hip. The commander was identified by a gold clasp holding a bright gold cape around his neck.

He studied her with golden eyes, confusion clear on his dark tanned face.

"Who are you and how did you get in?"

The mother trembled as she clutched her daughter's blanket, holding her close.

"I'm so sorry! I was running away from a gang of slavers," she explained. "I was almost caught by some near the entrance and I fled into the palace out of fear."

He contemplated her words, examining her outfit. The woman before him wore a torn beige dress, her head covered by a torn dark brown hijab.

"Lift your sleeve. Show me your shoulder."

The man who found her took her infant from her. She pushed up her left sleeve past her shoulder, revealing the brand mark on her pale skin. It was burned into her shoulder, scarred over with fresh new skin.

"You're a new slave?"

She nodded as she fixed her sleeve. He looked over at the still crying babe. The mother feared he would hurt her.

"Please, spare us! Let me and my child go!" she pleaded.

"That is for the king to decide. You being here means more slaves are around. Jackal, give her infant back to her. Go and alert King Mar."

The man who found her nodded and gave the upset infant back to her. She held her close as she went back to rocking her. Jackal ran out of the room, his sandals scraping a bit on the stone floor.

"Follow me," the commander instructed as he turned to follow his companion out.

Scared and nervous, she followed him, wondering what her fate would be.

King Mar sat with his wife in the library, a fire burning bright in the middle of the large room. The escaped slave welcomed the warmth that struck her as soon as they entered the library.

The man was quite handsome. He had a sharp face and a thin beard. His golden eyes were full of kindness. He had short dark brown hair and his skin was the same dark tan as the other men's.

His clothes were of gold, red, blue, and white silks and jewelry. His robes fit his build nicely, revealing the muscle on his arms. She couldn't help but enjoy what she saw before her for a brief moment.

His wife was a beautiful woman. She wore a long white dress with gold trim. It was designed in the fashion of the Eastern country of Ailena. Oriental fashion was quite popular around the world supposedly. Her sleeves were large and covered her hands which were resting on her lap. She had a petite frame. Her color matched those of the others.

"What is a Fae lady doing as a slave?" the queen asked as she looked her straight in the eye.

The mother lowered her gaze as she bowed. "I was kidnapped from my home during an attack on my village."

"What? That is awful!" Her voice was full of genuine horror.

The king let out a hum of thought. "She will live here with us. Tell me: do you know green magic?"

"Yes, your majesty. I was the chief healer of my village," the faery replied.

The group watched as a shimmer appeared at her back. Yellow particles bounced around as they formed large wings that looked like that of a butterfly's. The translucent wings did not stay visible long. They faded and she fell to her knees. The energy it took to form her wings was too much on her weakened body.

The commander helped her to her feet.

"Get her a room. Have the maids take care of her. Get Laredia. She will make her some medicine to help give her the strength she needs. Tell Mariko that she needs-oh, are you able to produce milk for your child?"

The mother shook her head sadly. "Barely."

"Tell Mariko she needs herbs mixed into her meal to help get her milk flowing for the babe," King Mar continued as he looked at the commander. "I want her to be given the finest treatment. She is now the Royal Healer."

The queen smiled as the mother stared at him incredulously. Getting the ability to live here was already a big surprise. Being the Royal Healer? That was even bigger.

"Are you sure?" she asked shakily.

He smiled at her and nodded. "What is your name and your child's name?"

"Our names? My name is Terra and my daughter's name is Purity."