Not Part of the Quest

Chapter One - Trouble Brews

*** If you haven't read "Not Part of the Deal" yet, please do so.  This is a SEQUEL, and it will make much more sense if you read the book before it.  I will try to write so that you won't be that confused if you choose not to, but this is the first sequel I've written, so no promises.  It would be easier if you read the first book.  Sorry it has been so long in coming.  It took me forever to get my thoughts in order.  Thank you for all of the support and I hope you enjoy! ***

        With my face an inch from the glass, I stared at my reflection.  It's funny- the things you notice when you're trying to avoid the problems being laid out in front of you.  Or in this case, behind, but nevermind that.  I stared deeper into my icy blue eyes, just now realizing that they possessed dusty gold flecks throughout the blue.  It must have happened during the change, because they surely weren't there before.

        The late summer air drifted lazily through an open window as my thoughts drifted to the other changes that had accompanied The Kiss.  It was as if someone had taken the old me and fed me through photo-shop.  I mean, The Kiss didn't make me perfect, but it seems as though my natural features were sharpened.  My cheekbones are more pronounced, my ears pointed, my face more narrow...  Oh, and let's not forget the two giant purple wings protruding from my back.  At least they're pretty, I thought as my eyes traced the pale gold and silver lines that twisted and curled in an intricate pattern across the edge of my wing.

        "Nadia?  Are you listening to Doctor Swiss? Nadia!" my mother scolded me, snapping me from my reprieve.  I turned around fluidly and sighed.  My mother crossed her arms over her chest and continued scolding me with her eyes.  If looks could kill...  My husband, Westley, rolled his eyes and walked over to me, throwing an arm around my shoulder.  Most likely to stop me from turning back to face the mirror instead of my problems, should the urge arise.  Abashed, my gaze feel to my round belly and I ran a hand against it.

        Doctor Swiss coughed to clear his throat and continued, "As I was saying, Princess Nadia, there hasn't been a changeling in this realm in over five centuries! We have no record of any changeling pregnancies, and therefore do not know what to expect.  All that means is that we'll have to monitor you extra closely."

        I caressed the mountain of a stomach that my future child resided within.  The past eight months had been a crazy whirl, and this wasn't the first time Swiss had given me this particular gust of words.  One thing was certain: it didn't make me feel any less nervous.  We hadn't had any difficulties so far, but now, nearing the end of my last trimester, everyone was becoming a little, well... Edgy.

        "But for now, everything is going fine, right?" asked my anxious mother, wringing her hands.  A tendril of her soft brown hair fell from the tight bun atop her head, covering her furrowed brow.

        "As far as I'm aware, yes.  Everything is going well and she should have her baby right on time," the doctor assured my mother, placing a hand on her shoulder and giving her a reassuring smile.  I glanced up at Westley and smiled.  He smiled back, a twinkle of excitement in his gorgeous green-grey eyes.  His gaze flickered over to a clock on the opposite wall and then back to the rooms other inhabitants.

        "I guess we had best be heading up now.  The people are awaiting my speech and I'm sure they're anxious to see my beautiful princess," Westley announced.

        I marveled at the fact that he could so easily mask his anxiety.  The address he was about to give would be no nice walk in the park.  Since the battle at the end of last Autumn and the disappearance of Easton's body, trouble had been brewing.  We'd sent scouts out to search for any other books of prophecy and any signs of Easton, but none of them had returned.  Except for the last one we sent.  He didn't bring anything back though- oh no.  He brought back news that none of us expected, but which shook us to our very cores.  All of the other scouts that had been sent out had been turned to stone, frozen in various poses of surprise, horror, and agony.