Viadne
[vee-ad-nee] n.
Latin via, by way of + viande, meat.
Alienation from the crude machinery of your own body
Persephone, known as Eudora by only her mother. Daughter of King Maximus Cynebald Ansel De'Aspimar and Esme Baker De'Aspimar, but in title only.
Her father made sure she knew of the meaning of her name as early as she could understand his poisonous and cruel words. She was no daughter to the family of Aspimar, and although never elucidated, she was taught to know her standing. A monster. A curse. A bringer of death.
Even maids, workers, and butlers, while ordered to treat her as nothing but a wisp of air, still whispered.
"Curséd child."
"Child of the devil."
"A beast among royals."
In this dehumanizing seclusion, her only solace was her mother, a ray of light within this gold plated void. She called her by the name that brought back to her a desire to live, a desire to continue, a desire to prove herself.
Eudora; a good gift.
On her eighteenth birthday, Persephone is sent to Nixonia Academy of the Gifted, a school where new adults are sent to hone their awakened powers, whether that be racial specialties, magical practices, or weapon and fighting skills. As a child with no resemblance to the Royal family line with her stark white hair and endless black eyes, she is sent as a commoner's child, confidently taking up the name her mother lovingly whispered to her when they could secretly rendezvous.
However.
During the testing of talent, while a tester mage is attempting to unlock any possible chains binding her powers, something within her shifts. With each hollow clash of the chains falling from her heart and mind, a voice grows in strength until only one thing echoes within her skull.
"At last, I'm free."
Art by Afterblossom at afterblossom.com
Viadne taken from The Dictionary Of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig
Noor, a dancer in the Royal Court of the Al-Yauzhan Empire wants nothing more than to pay off her debts and lead a nice, simple life-but a chance encounter with the crown prince and his brother brings her into the dangerous world of court politics. As Noor and the princes investigate their uncle and cousin's possible treason, she grows closer to the crown prince, but in order to save the kingdom and the person she loves, Noor will have to risk everything...
A romantic adventure set in an imagined Arabic kingdom, THE DANCING GIRL is a story of court intrigues, romantic entanglements, and secret meetings as Noor and her best friend Amir try to help the princes they're falling for expose corrupt court officials with plans to seize the throne. Noor and Amir are close to having everything they've ever dreamed of...now all they need to do is survive.