Fear
and betrayal threaten the kingdom of Avador. Keriam, a princess with
supernatural powers, must save her father from assassination. But can she trust
Roric, or is he part of the plot?
Roric loved once and lost. He wants to put his past behind him and love
Princess Keriam, but he fears she is a witch. And witchcraft is forbidden in
the kingdom. If found guilty, she will be burned at the stake. Not even her
father could save her.
Reviews:
"Night Secrets" is a wonderful fantasy filled with magic, human
kindness and evil...If you enjoy good versus evil fantasy, this one must be on
your to be read list." Chere, Paranormal Romance Reviews
"Passionate, exciting, gripping and romantic, Night Secrets is as
impossible to put down as it is to forget."
Julie
Bonello, eCataRomance
by
Shirley Martin
Chapter One
A slight tug released Keriam’s soul from her body. She
floated to the ceiling, amazed as always that she could look down at herself in
bed. With a certainty born of past experience, she knew this was no dream. Ever
since her mother’s death two years ago, preternatural powers had evolved within
her, and she often wondered why. Was it her mother’s way of watching over her
from the Otherworld? These night journeys were even more recent and something
she must learn to control, if only she knew how.
She drifted through the bedchamber walls, then once outside,
flew over the maples and oaks that bordered the royal domain of Emain Macha,
approaching the open countryside. Heading north, she traveled over the many
farmsteads nestled in small groupings with their wattle-and-daub houses, the
herds of longhorn sheep dotting the open fields. Here and there a hillfort
guarded the country. Although it was deepest night, everything looked clear and
luminous.
Maintaining her leisurely flight, Keriam
approached the capital city of Moytura, its shops and stores closed, its many
taverns and inns dimly-lit but alive with noise and laughter.
A heavy mist swirled around her, the night
air cool and damp. She headed westward to the Plain of Sorrows, a vast land
preceded by a meadow and transected by the winding Nantosuelta River. Through
the fog, she drifted down among the thick clusters of oak trees lining the
riverbank and smiled at the fairies who slumbered in the branches. To her
heightened hearing, the rippling water of the Nantosuelata echoed like a
waterfall.
The sound of hoofbeats jolted her. As quickly as her
spirit form would allow, she took refuge within an earthberry bush, afraid
someone might see her, even in the dim light.
Two men gathered by the river, their
voices audible as they secured their horses to tree branches. Focusing her gaze
in the hazy light, she recognized them as officers in her father's army,
although she didn't know their names. What were they doing here at this late
night hour? One bald and the other blond, they wore simple tunics and short
boots.
"Gamal just returned from a mission," the
bald one said. "He should arrive shortly."
Was that Major Roric Gamal, her father's
courier?
Aimless talk ensued for several minutes, army gossip
and tales of female exploits.
They became silent when Roric Gamal rode
up, an officer she'd seen at the palace many times. He dismounted and looped
his horse's halter around a tree branch, then approached the others. Younger
and taller than the other two, his gait was steady and confident, like one accustomed
to authority.
"Where's General Balor?" Gamal asked.
"He should be present." His clipped accent told her he came from one
of the southern provinces, Mag Aurfolaig, perhaps.
"Couldn't come," the bald
officer explained. "The general sent me to represent him."
"Very well," the newcomer said, his baritone
voice clear and resonant. "Let's get this business over with, so we can
return to our quarters before dawn." Gamal raised his booted foot onto a
tree stump and leaned forward, resting his hands on his knee, and lowered his
voice. "No dissension now! We have already agreed we must kill
him."
Kill whom? Keriam’s spirit body turned cold. Merciful
Goddess, these men are plotting murder!
The
bald man stepped forward, shaking his fist. "Do it and get it over
with!"
"Think before you speak, Dothan! We must proceed
with caution." Roric paused. "First, we must bribe a few government
officials. Blackmail others. That will take time. The Lug Festival would be the
best opportunity for killing him,” he said, looking at the other two. “Don’t
you agree?” Receiving affirmative replies, he continued. “Gives us months to
plan. And all the crowds there will make it easier for the assassin to
disappear among the people and escape.”
The
Lug Festival, only four moonphases away. Keriam drew back, pressing her hand to
her mouth, then gasped when her hand passed through her face.
Roric
Gamal recaptured her attention. "We know the king intends to invite King
Barzad of Elegia to Avador soon to discuss forming an alliance between the two
countries. Last thing we need. If we can keep Avador weak, we should have no
trouble gaining control of the realm." He set his foot on the ground and
drew himself up to his full height. "But if Avador forms an alliance with
Elegia, there go our plans. We must kill the king!"
Keriam sank to the ground. Her father! They were
talking about killing her father! Goddess, no! They must not get away with this
evil.
"Agreed," the blonde man said. "But how
do we accomplish this assassination? Remember, General Balor has the final
word. Anything we decide must have his approval. Got to have the army behind
us."
"Of course," Roric said. "Now, I've
given the plan much thought. Here's how we'll proceed . . ."
The
warble of a bird alarmed Keriam, daybreak graying the trees.
A tug pulled her spirit back. No, not now! She must discover more of their
plan.
Within a heartbeat, Keriam found herself falling into
her body, as if from a great height. She lay stunned, unsure where she was. At
last recognizing her surroundings, she wanted to weep, so afraid for her
father, her mind awhirl with panic. Somehow, she must discover details of the
plot and warn him.
No one knew of her spirit travels, but what if someone
found out? She'd be accused of witchcraft, a practice forbidden in the kingdom.
And no one was aware of her other mental powers, of her ability to discern a
person's past or see into the future by touching that person. Unfortunately,
this talent often didn't work when she needed it most. By the Goddess, why
couldn't she see into her father's future?
As
she heard her maid in the next room, a new fear crashed through her. What if
Maudina found out about her nightly trips? Superstitious girl that she was,
would her maid report her to the druids? Keriam prayed she wouldn't, hoping she
could count on the maid's loyalty. Like all the servants at the palace, Maudina
received a sufficient wage, and well-paid servants were more trustworthy than
poorly-paid ones. Surely that fact would ensure the maid's faithfulness?
The
druids held great power in the kingdom, and religion ruled the lives of all of
the country's inhabitants. Keriam closed her eyes, imagining her punishment
should she be reported to these wise men. If found guilty, she'd be burned at
the stake as a witch. Not even her father could save her, assuming he was still
alive to try. Keriam said a silent prayer to Talmora, the Earth-Mother Goddess,
to keep her father safe. Shifting her position, she thought hard. She must warn
her father of the plot against his life without revealing her means of
discovery. Would he believe her? He had to. She pushed her woolen bedcovers
aside and slid out of bed, tired and groggy but determined.
No one must ever learn how truly different she was.
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