Imprisoned

Prologue

Arianna

Ten Years Old.

“Papa!” I giggle as Father tickles my belly after chasing me through the gardens. It’s my tenth birthday, and we’ve spent all day celebrating with the village of Cherish—the town our castle is nestled in. There are rows upon rows of rose bushes as far as the eye can see. They make for wonderful hiding spots when I get to play outside. Lately, that’s been less and less, though. Something is happening to our home.

The adults are worried, Callista—a real, live mage, a mystical being filled with power and light—has been having more and more trouble helping the people of Graeline. I love our home, and I would hate to see any harm come to it.

“How does it feel to be ten, princess?” Papa inquires as we lay in the grass, my birthday dress a complete mess. It's caked in leaves, flower petals, and dirt. Lots and lots of dirt. Mother will be so upset.

“Like I am still nine,” I tease. Truthfully, I don’t understand the fuss over me turning ten, but it was a big deal for everyone today, so I went along with it. I got to play with the children in the village, taste some of the people’s family recipes, and enjoy so much laughter.

A menacing cloud quickly rolls across the sky with thunder crashing through the silence, making me jump as a commotion stirs from the castle.

“Princess!” Callista runs towards us. Panic etches her face, and stress lines her eyes as I stand. “King Stefan, something is coming. It’s happening now. They’re making their way.”

I step back into Papa as he stands. A chill runs down my spine at the way Callista's eyes roll back in her head, turning white. Usually, I’m fascinated when she sees things, when she casts small spells, but this time, something is off. This time is different.

As she comes to us, my father urges, “Take Arianna to her room. Stay with her.” I watch as he runs to the house just as the skies open, and rain pours down on the land like a tidal wave. Thunder and lightning blast the grounds with a force that nearly knocks us off our feet.

“What’s happening?” I cry as Callista grabs my hand, and we rush to my tower.

“Quickly, princess, we don’t have time to waste.” Terror courses through my body, and I follow along as we trudge up the stairs and are met with a sight that leaves me horrified.

Outside the window, below the castle walls, the village men are lighting fires to homes, pulling residents from their dwellings, and slaughtering them at will.

“Callista! Make it stop!” I know she can. She has more power than any other mage in the world. Callista can do anything.

Climbing onto the windowsill, I watch as she closes her eyes, moves her hands in precise circles, and chants quietly. Sitting silently by her side, I place a hand on her knee for support, and the power that moves through her body as she concentrates on saving our people is potent. I can feel it rushing through my veins.

Another blast of lightning hits a tree, the light so bright that my eyes pop open in wonder as I watch her magic spread. Powerful positive sorcery rolls through the atmosphere and extinguishes fires, repels the evil, and soon, the clouds clear, revealing blue sky once again.

“This isn’t the end,” she murmurs as she slumps against the wall while we watch the chaotic storm return to a peaceful day.

I don’t need to be a grown-up or a mage to intuit that she’s right. Evil is in the air. Something life-changing is afoot.