13 Witches Cursed ADELAIDE

Chapter 1

"There you are! I have been looking for you everywhere. You must get back to the house quickly. It is almost time!"

Adelaide sat in the tall, swaying grasses of her home, pretending to ignore her mother, who had just found her. It wouldn't work for long though. Allara was persistent when needed, which, when it came to Adelaide, was often.

Sighing, she turned toward her frustrated mother.

"I'm sorry mother. I must have lost track of time."

"Adelaide, really. That didn't work when you were little and it certainly won't work now, especially two hours before your wedding."

"Run away with me mother!" she said, urgently grasping her mother's hand. "Let's just leave all this behind. We can roam wherever the wind takes us. Sleep under the stars, eat berries from the fields. Let's just go. Anything but this. Please do not make me do this."

Realizing that her daughter was scared, Allara softened. She knelt down to her eighteen year old, raven-haired beauty, throwing her arm around her. "You have to do this Adelaide. It is all arranged. Besides, this may be your only opportunity for a prosperous marriage. You know the curse makes things difficult."

"I don't care about the stupid curse! How does me marrying a complete stranger just because he is not afraid of the curse that Father's bitter wife placed upon me going to help anyone?"

"Because darling, we need to find a way to break the curse. Your future husband is a very important man. Wealthy beyond even your father's comprehension. You will have everything your heart desires. Plus, he is magical. Your children will be mostly magical, making them stronger than your plain Ugren blood. The more potent the magic, the more easily the curse may one day be broken. Come darling. I know this is not your doing. I know that you are an innocent victim, and your unfortunate cross to bear because of my desire for your father when he was not mine to take. I will never be able to atone for that. I have to live with it every day. The guilt I bear, knowing you and your children and grandchildren must harbor these consequences as a result of my actions is almost overwhelming. But this is the reality of the situation and we must face it, whether we like it or not."

Adelaide sat thoughtfully for a few moments.

She loved her mother. More than anything. She did not blame her mother or her father for the events that have caused her life to be as it was. Things happened. She understood that. Her mother was right. Adelaide was half-magical, half Ugren...plus illegitimate to boot. Her options in husbands were slim. Marrying Aadin Tourni was an automatic rise in station that even she never dared hoped for. Her beauty was the only card she had to play and it had worked well for her over the years.

Adelaide raised her hand towards her mother, indicating she was ready to rise off the ground. Mother and daughter walked back to the keep arm in arm, ready to turn Adelaide into a blushing, virgin bride.

Hundreds of people were piling into the chapel. This was a curious event and everyone wanted a front row seat. The stunning, bastard daughter of one of the wealthiest and most magical leaders of the Ugren district was going to marry the most eligible bachelor in Preynadar.

Everyone wanted him. He wanted Adelaide.

A hush fell over the room as the doors opened. Karlen smiled politely to his acquaintances as he and his daughter walked down the aisle. Adelaide held tightly to her father's arm as they walked, her nerves flying in mad circles through her body. When they reached the pulpit, there was no one there to greet her. Adelaide turned to her father with a questioning look, but he just patted her hand and leaned in towards her ear.