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  PRINCESS IN EXILE

  Queenmakers Saga III

  by Bernadette Rowley

  Copyright 2019 Bernadette Rowley

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  License Notes

  Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite ebook retailer.

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  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to persons living or dead, locales and events is entirely coincidental.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Other Titles by Bernadette Rowley

  Glossary

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Acknowledgements

  About the Author

  Connect with Me

  Preview - The Lord and the Mermaid

  Dedication

  Dedicated to Pat Garton, my mother and first teacher, and to the memory of Jim Garton, my father, who I miss every day.

  Other Titles by Bernadette Rowley

  (in suggested reading order)

  Princess Avenger - Queenmakers Saga I

  The Lady’s Choice - Queenmakers Saga II

  Princess in Exile- Queenmakers Saga III

  The Lord and the Mermaid- Queenmakers Saga IV

  The Elf King’s Lady- Queenmakers Saga V

  The Lady and the Pirate- Queenmakers Saga VI

  The Master and the Sorceress- Queenmakers Saga VII

  Elf Princess Warrior- Queenmakers Saga VIII

  Glossary

  Places

  Kingdom of Thorius (Thor- ee- us) -the kingdom of men which encompasses the King’s seat of Wildecoast and the Prince’s seat of Brightcastle, along with other smaller towns

  Wildecoast (Will – dee – coast) -the capital city perched on the top of a cliff overlooking the sea on the east coast of Thorius; climate is mild but windy

  Brightcastle - large inland town surrounded by forests and farms, three to four days ride west of Wildecoast

  Amitania (Am – it – ay – nia) or Elvandang (Elle – van – dang) in elvish - the deserted city north of the Usetar Mountain Range in northern Thorius; once a thriving city; disputed ownership between elves and man

  Usetar Range (You – set – ar) -the mountain range running across the northern parts of Thorius

  People

  Lenweri (Len – weir – ee) -the elven people who are tall and elegant with black skin and pointed ears and mainly dark hair; live in mountainous forests north and west of Thorius, in places encroaching onto Kingdom lands; also known as dark elves

  Sis Lenweri - the faction of dark elves that wishes to take the kingdom of Thorius back from men

  Defender - a race of shapeshifters who are created to defend those in danger; they sense those in need of their help; a Defender can shift into animal form and the ability is inherited through family lines

  Characters

  Princess Alecia Zialni (Al – ee – sha Zee – al – nee)) - the King’s niece and daughter of Prince Jiseve Zialni who rules the principality of Brightcastle and is next in line to the throne. Alecia’s story begins in Princess Avenger and continues in Princess in Exile.

  Vard Anton - a shapeshifting Defender; army captain of Brightcastle in Princess Avenger; holder of many secrets; his story continues in Princess in Exile

  Prince Jiseve Zialni (Jiss – eve Zee – al – nee) - next in line to the throne of Thorius, younger brother of the King, a widower; father of Alecia Zialni

  Lady Benae Branasar (Ben-ay Bran-a-sar) – noble lady with an estate in Tylevia; heroine of The Lady’s Choice; healer; now married to Ramón Zorba

  Ramón Zorba (Rah – mon Zor – bah) - Lord of Wildecoast and squire to Prince Jiseve Zialni; his family have an estate south of Wildecoast; hero of The Lady’s Choice; now joint Guardian of Brightcastle with Benae

  Hetty – mysterious ancient woman with magical powers; once Alecia’s governess and nanny; declared a witch by Prince Jiseve and sentenced to death but rescued by Alecia

  King Beniel Zialni (Ben – ee – elle Zee – al – nee) - King of Thorius; lives in Wildecoast; older brother of Jiseve Zialni and uncle of Alecia Zialni; married to Adriana

  Queen Adriana - wife of the King; lives in Wildecoast; Alecia’s aunt

  Elinor Zorba – Ramon’s twin sister; dead in childbirth

  Jacques Vorasava - Lieutenant in the Brightcastle army

  Lord Giornan Finus (Jor – nan Fie – nus) – recently come to Brightcastle from a neighboring kingdom; Jiseve Zialni’s advisor; was betrothed to Alecia before she fled Brightcastle

  Jorge Andra (George Andra) – previous squire to Prince Jiseve and close friend to Alecia; killed by mercenaries who were trying to collect money from his parents

  Thom and Dana Andra – parents of Jorge Andra; farmers to the west of Brightcastle

  The Barans – farmers to the northwest of Brightcastle; have a son called Roser

  Izebel (Is – zee – belle) – a previous warrior queen of Thorius from centuries ago, when females could rule; Alecia’s idol.

  Lord Leth – mysterious sorcerer and Defender who is aiding the Sis Lenweri cause and whose home is Amitania

  Frel - Vard’s cousin, more like a brother

  Caele Aloe – (Kale Alow); sergeant in the elven army

  Tur Aloe – Caele’s son and soldier in Sis Lenweri army

  Ade Gyndis – corporal in the Sis Lenweri army

  Gir Ensalor – sword master of the Sis Lenweri

  Failora – (Fay-Laura) Lord Leth’s mistress

  Avorelph – (Avo – ralph) one of the Lenweri gods- previous Lenweri king and great warrior.

  Elven Terms

  Alen = lord

  Gir = Sergeant

  Ade = Corporal

  Chapter 1

  A forest to the south-west of Brightcastle.

  Vard’s breath came in gasps as he held off the sword of his attacker, inches from his scalp. The blade came ever closer as the strength slowly drained from his arms. His vision blurred and the power of the beast trickled back into his limbs as his body surged toward the transformation.

  No! He couldn’t risk Alecia by shifting now.

  Anger ripped through his core at denying his true self. The blade dipped a shade closer and the gleaming eyes of the mercenary flared in triumph. Vard couldn’t hold out long now.

  As he watched, the triumph in the man’s eyes turned to surprise and the pressure against Vard’s arms eased. He watched in stunned silence as his attacker slumped to the ground, an arrow jutting from his back. Vard spun to see Alecia on the other side of the clearing, longbow in hand, fingers clutching her abdomen. He crossed t
o her in a flash.

  “What’s the matter?” Fear made his voice harsh; fear, and anger that she had revealed herself. “Are you hurt?”

  Her violet eyes met his. “I’m not hurt, but as I drew a pain stabbed my stomach. I nearly mis-shot.”

  “Why didn’t you remain hidden?” he said, rubbing her belly.

  “I can’t stand by and watch you attacked by ten mercenaries and not aid you.”

  “That’s exactly what you should’ve done,” he snapped. When will she ever learn? “If you’re to stay with me, you must play by my rules.”

  Her eyes turned stormy. Princess Alecia Zialni had never been adept at following rules, but she wasn’t in her safe castle now.

  Vard looked at the bodies strewn across the small clearing; ten big men, all Prince Zialni’s mercenaries. Alecia’s father wouldn’t leave them alone until he had his daughter back. He’d hounded them for the last month, since Vard rescued the princess from her imprisonment in Brightcastle. As autumn turned to winter, they had moved south, fighting the men who would take Alecia back to her father and to her betrothed, Lord Giornan Finus. Vard’s other mission was to find a mentor who could teach him his Defender heritage. The search had so far proved fruitless, and the enchantment on the amulet that enabled Vard to control his animal transformations had waned. He must return to Brightcastle and Hetty, the witch who could strengthen the talisman. At least he hoped she could do so again.

  Vard slumped to the ground at the base of a tree, exhausted. Alecia tossed the bow aside and knelt next to him. “I thought he’d kill you. How could I stand by?”

  Her fingers caressed the line of his jaw. He closed his eyes against the surge of love her actions stirred. She kissed the skin below his ear and worked her way along his jaw. If he allowed her to reach his mouth, he’d be lost.

  “Enough,” he said, ignoring the hurt in her eyes. “We must be on the move. I’ll saddle the horses.”

  Vard left her kneeling there, delicate brows wrinkled in anger. He couldn’t let himself love her too deeply when it might end before long. A month ago, he had allowed his love for her to rule his common sense; had dared to believe the strengthened amulet would enable him to control the animal within. Now he knew he’d been foolish. Somewhere safe had to be found for Alecia, and then he would continue alone. He just had to persuade her to stay there. She couldn’t go back to Brightcastle and her loveless betrothal to Finus. Vard still couldn’t believe the lecherous lord had survived the injuries inflicted by him the night they fled Brightcastle. A blade to the gut should have been fatal.

  His brown gelding, Swift, nickered at Vard as he reached its side. It had been truly a miracle to find that one of the mercenaries in the first attack was riding his horse; the horse it had taken him years to train. Swift wasn’t at ease with Vard. It feared the wolf side of his nature but tolerated him better than other horses ever had. The horse beside Swift was a sway-backed cart horse with heavy legs and feathery feet. Alecia frowned every time she saw it. Apparently the old grey mare was not the kind of horse a princess would deign to ride. His beautiful lady really did behave like royalty when it came to horses.

  He saddled the mounts and led them back to Alecia. She hadn’t moved but sat staring at the bodies around her. A frown still marred her brow but nothing could detract from those glorious eyes. She stood as he approached, slinging her bow and quiver over her shoulder. Her long powerful limbs were shown to perfection in the men’s breeches she wore, her tiny waist accentuated by the brown tunic. However, Vard longed to see her dressed for court again. It wasn’t right for his princess to live rough and dress like a man. Alecia didn’t mind, of course, but he did.

  They mounted in silence and Vard led the way to a clearing he knew, deeper in the woods, where they could rest the night. In the morning it would be time for decisions, but for now, his tired body required sleep.

  Alecia opened her eyes to the first rays of the sun splashing through the leaves overhead and warming her face. She wrinkled her nose and levered herself up to look around. Vard snored faintly beside her, his face slack in repose. Her heart melted at the vulnerability she saw there. She rarely had the chance to watch him as he slept. He was always up before first light, doing all the menial tasks so he could pretend his woman still enjoyed the luxury of servants. It was silly of him. She didn’t need servants and had never really appreciated them, but Vard had a strange notion that he had dragged her away from the life of privilege, her birthright. What she did need, was him. His rock steady presence and his love were the lifeblood of her existence. If he were taken from her, it would be like losing water or food.

  The last month had been hard, she readily admitted. Running in fear, at first on foot and then on horseback, they had been forced to stand and fight several times. Each band of men sent against them was greater in number. So far, Vard had been equal to the challenge, but their luck must run out soon. Alecia didn’t want to think of what might happen then. Not only did Vard have to fight the men, but he also had to battle the transformation that threatened to engulf him each time their lives were threatened. Neither of them had suspected how quickly Hetty’s enchantment on the amber stone Vard wore, would wane. He used that stone to aid his control. It could be magically augmented to provide more control of his transformations, especially the bear. Recently, during a fight, Vard had become the bear and it was only Alecia’s position up a large tree that had saved her. She stayed up the tree all night until Vard changed back into human form; a fascinating thing to watch.

  She flicked a stray piece of hair from Vard’s forehead and he awoke, the gold flecks in his green eyes catching a ray of sunlight. His eyes were beautiful. In the beginning, they had frightened her, especially when they turned full golden with anger or arousal. She smiled, remembering her first meeting with Vard when he rescued her in the street outside Hetty’s place. Her gut had known he was special, the touch of his skin, like a zap of lightning when it met hers. They were meant for each other. Now if only she could convince him of that.

  “Good morning,” she said. “How do you feel?”

  He stretched and flinched. “Sore and exhausted.” His eyes caressed her face, his calloused fingers cupping her cheek. “I’m sorry I was angry last night. It’s difficult for you, I know. You should be in your father’s palace, not here in a forest with a grubby Defender. You know I’d give anything to make it so.”

  Alecia frowned. “And you should know that none of that matters, my love.”

  He flinched at her words, but she’d keep telling him until he believed.

  “I don’t wish to be anywhere else,” she said. “I’ve accepted you and my lot. I won’t leave.” Vard’s reminder yesterday that she must “play by his rules” made her bite her lip in consternation. When had she ever played by anyone else’s rules? She had even defied her father time and again, saving Brightcastle’s citizens from his cruel dictates and rescuing Hetty when Prince Zialni ordered her burned at the stake.

  He shook his head. “Let’s not talk of it then. I’ve other thoughts on my mind when you lean over me like that. Come here.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Alecia’s stomach flipped and all other thoughts left her mind for a long time.

  Chapter 2

  Vard lay with his hands behind his head and watched Alecia dress. She did so hurriedly, obviously discomforted by her lover watching. His loins stirred at the sight of her milky flesh, bare legs that seemed too long and large breasts that his fingers itched to touch, that his lips longed to kiss again. No woman had heated his blood as this woman did. Perhaps she was right; they were meant for each other. He allowed his heart to feel love for his princess for a few moments. How wonderful would his life be if he were human, if they could indulge the love that came so naturally for them? But he couldn’t bear to be the cause of her death. If he had the choice of how he would lose Alecia, let it be by his ending their relationship rather than by his ending her life. But there might be a way ahead for them yet if he
could learn to manage his gift.

  He grunted. Gift! If the ability to transform into a wolf, bear or hawk could be called a gift, when he couldn’t reliably control what animal he became or when? If the fear of losing his human self in the transformation could be tolerated? He had no idea how to control these things. His beloved father hadn’t been a Defender, and his grandfather died before he could pass on the secrets of the ancient legion of shape shifters. Oh, Vard had the protective instincts all right, but his lack of control had already caused the death of his cousin, Frel, all those years ago.

  If he could discover someone who would guide him, perhaps there was hope for Alecia and him yet. Perhaps they could live a normal life. Hope flared in his heart and he crushed it. He couldn’t afford to hope until he knew for sure.

  “You know I can’t abide you staring at me,” Alecia said, her blush deepening as he quirked a brow at her.

  “You behave like a wanton hussy in my bed and then protest me looking at you?” He threw back the blankets. Alecia squealed and dashed for a tree. Vard caught her and pulled her against him. Their bodies fit together like two parts of a whole, but he forced that thought away. Her hair smelled of lavender, her lips of mint as their mouths came together in a long soul-steadying kiss.

  “I love you,” she said, when he pulled back to gaze down at her.

  “I know, my princess.” Her fingers were twined in the long hair at the back of his neck. He shivered at the feelings her touch aroused. He wanted to pull her back to his blankets and make love to her until she begged him to stop.

  She frowned, her eyes disappointed. “You’re supposed to return my love, yet you never say it. Why?”

  “You know why, Alecia.”