The Kingdom of Chaos: Accepting Fate Read online

  The Kingdom of Chaos

  Accepting Fate

  J.J. Smeck

  To those being guided by the stars...

  Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  The Royal Kingdom of Chaos

  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

  About The Author

  Books In This Series

  The Royal Kingdom of Chaos

  The Kingdom of Aether- Air Realm

  The Kingdom of Hephaestus- Light Realm

  The Kingdom of Pontus- Water Realm

  The Kingdom of Gaia- Earth Realm

  The Kingdom of Lost- Shadow Realm

  Chapter 1

  We flashed into view, back into safety. Being back in the lobby of the Academy of Athena was a relief after wandering the Forest of Demeter for days. I was panting and filthy. I looked down at my side, where Silas had thrown the knife at me while we attempted to flee. My shirt was torn, and there was blood, but the wound was healed. We had escaped by flying away from the Oracle until we could get to a safe location to Pega-travel. I turned to Lucas and pulled him into a hug. He was panting too but smiling in victory. He patted me on the back while we embraced each other. We had accomplished what we had set out to do. We received my power ring from the Oracle of Isla. And we were safe, for now. But what the fuck was next? I looked up at the ceiling and blew out a breath. We still had to unravel my lineage.

  I looked up at Lucas, trying to reel in my breathing. He was also filthy and looked exhausted. He pushed away and looked down at my side to assess my wound. He lifted my shirt slightly, looked at my healed skin, and then put my shirt back down.

  "Did you heal yourself?" he asked, surprised. He searched my face for answers and looked genuinely happy, impressed even. Lucas' brown hair fell into his face.

  "No, the voice did. You know, the one that you don't trust?" I asked, arching an eyebrow. Lucas laughed, then his smile slowly faded.

  "When you pulled the knife out of your side, I was terrified, Evie," Lucas said, putting both of his hands on my upper arms. I looked at his hard chest and back up into his face.

  "I know, I was too," I said and frowned. "I had never thought of sending a spell to someone on a breeze. I would've never known that's how it worked," I added.

  "I've never heard of anyone doing it, but I'm not complaining. I'm just glad you were healed," he said. He looked relieved.

  Lucas pulled me in for another hug; then, we broke apart to start walking.

  I looked again at the marble, the high ceilings, and the beautiful chandelier. I didn't know how anyone did anything around here but gawk. Lucas held his elbow out for me to take, catching my attention. He knew I needed to go and face whatever news awaited me. I took his arm, and we headed toward Jude’s room.

  I was happy to see Jude again but apprehensive because of the message sent to me on the wind, “Bad news awaits you,” I remembered. I blew out a breath as I continued to put one foot in front of the other. After meeting with the Oracle, Isla, I had so much to tell her. There was still so much I didn't understand.

  When we finally reached her door, Lucas reached up and knocked. I hoped Beckett, Jude's boyfriend, wasn't in there this time, and I was pleased when she swung the door open and stepped aside for us to enter. Thankfully, Beckett wasn’t there, and Jude’s room was nice and tidy. Jude had a sad smile on her face as Lucas and I walked past her into the room.

  Jude looked gaunt, and her eyes were puffy. It looked like she had been crying. Once Lucas and I entered, she shut the door and leaned up against it. She wore a high-necked, long sleeve tan sweater with black pants. Her hair was atop her head and had been twirled into a knot. Frizzy strands were sticking out everywhere.

  She walked over slowly and pulled me in for a tight hug. “Jude, I haven’t even told you everything yet,” I said and forced a light laugh. She hugged me for a moment too long, telling me this was serious.

  “Sit down, Evie,” she gestured to the couch. She and Lucas followed me and sat on either side of me on the couch. We fit tightly and were all squished, hip to hip. Why was Jude so sad? It seemed like she was trying to figure out how to tell me something. The meaning of the message seemed to relate to me specifically. But I had no home or possessions, just my father left. I snapped my head toward Jude, and apprehension dawned on me as I searched her face.

  “Say it, Jude,” I said, and my eyes stung with tears. She pursed her lips. I only had one thing left. There was only one way Silas could have hurt me. He had gotten to my father.

  “I’m so sorry, Evie,” she whispered, and her voice broke.

  I turned to face Lucas. His eyes darted between mine and Jude's like he didn't understand what was happening. Tears spilled over my eyes as I spoke. “When I left the prison after visiting my father, Silas was outside,” I said, breaking our eye contact. I leaned forward and cupped my face with my hands. “How could I have been so fucking stupid?” I said. No one said anything, but I instantly felt Lucas and Jude’s hands behind me, rubbing my back. “Why didn't I go back and get him the next day when he was released and bring him with me?” I said, thinking aloud.

  “They got to him before that, Evie,” Jude said quietly. “It must've been right after you left. The jailer was murdered as well. You couldn’t have broken him out of prison anyways. There was nothing you could've done,” Jude said.

  My father had been defenseless. I couldn't imagine how scared he must've been in death. I could almost see his face in his last moments, knowing how he would've felt. Had I stayed, maybe I could've fought for him? I felt so guilty about leaving him behind.

  My father’s loss hurt so severely that it was a deep ache in my chest. I truly had nothing now and no one. Jude and Lucas were great friends, but it wasn't the same as having a family. My father loved me unconditionally. He knew he had his faults, and he overlooked mine in return. He had never professed to be perfect, knowing he was a broken male in the wake of losing his spouse, my mother. Anytime we were together, we laughed. He was kind and gentle when dealing with me as if to compensate for my mother's absence. We spent much time at the tavern together, joking and laughing. I felt empty. I didn't even know how to move forward.

  “What of the rest of the town?” Lucas asked quietly. “The town of Aer, I mean,” he clarified. Our town of Ventus was gone before they even reached my father. Silas had burned it to the ground. Lucas' town was the only one left in question. I hoped Lucas' family was safe. I felt responsible for all of this.

  “It was spared. I believe once the bounty hunters found Evie's father, they moved on,” Jude said, tears spilling down her face. She hadn't come out and said he was murdered, but she didn't have to.

  Jude had also known my father for a long time. When we were young, Jude and I were always together. Even though Jude was seven years older than I was, we were still the best of friends. Jude was born with dormant magic, so she enjoyed talking to my father about what could and could not be learned as far as magic went.

  I was four, and Jude was eleven when my mother died, so she started mothering me at a young age. Our cottages were nearest to each other, and even though her sister, Lanie, was only a year older than me, I was always closer to Jude.

  When my father was gone, which was the case most nights, Jude would bring me meals or come by just to check on me. She would bring me anything extra that her parents had. I had quit trying not to accept it because Jude wouldn't hear it. If I hadn’t stolen it, anything, I did have had come from Jude. Jude had usually stayed until I fell asleep and, on occasion, stayed the night. She was the kindest person I had ever known. I thanked the gods for her.

  No one said anything now. They both just continued rubbing my back. On occasion, their hands bumped into each other. We had had a long day, and I didn’t want to talk about anything else with the news of my father's passing. I was exhausted from not having slept much since we had left. Well, and being on the fucking run since I was kidnapped. Somehow Jude knew that I just needed quiet to mull over my thoughts.

  There was a knock on the door, which Jude had been expecting, I guess. “Lucas, that’s the dinner tray - if you wouldn't mind bringing it in. There should be plenty for all of us,” she said sweetly and quietly.

  When Lucas got up to get the dinner tray, I laid my head in Jude’s lap and pulled my legs up onto the couch. Jude started brushing my hair back with her fingers to calm me. Tears were streaking down my face and onto her clothing. I must’ve fallen asleep before Lucas closed the door because I don’t remember him returning with the food.

  The next thing I knew, I jumped awake. I had had a terrifying dream, my newest recurring nightmare. I was alone and scared, walking in purple rags through a forest at night. I had nightmares often, usually the same ones over and over, but this one had only started recently. I carried something in the dream, but I awoke before figuring out what it was. I tried to decipher the meaning of the dream.

  I was alone on the couch now. I had stretched out and made myself comfortable. It was still dark in the room, and I sat up to look
around. I opened my palm and lit a fire in my hand. I looked out across the room. Jude and Lucas were both in Jude’s bed, facing away from each other. Since I took the couch, I hadn't really given them much choice.

  I rubbed my eyes with the palms of my hand. I was an orphan now. Even though my father could've done better for me, he was all I had, and I loved him regardless of his flaws. I didn’t have siblings or any other family that I knew of. Well, with the recent events, maybe I did have more family. I just didn’t know it yet. I felt lost and alone in the world. Now realizing that Jude must've draped a blanket over me after I had fallen asleep, I hugged it tightly, needing comfort.

  As soon as Jude woke up, I needed to fill her in on everything that had happened. I didn’t even know what day it was anymore. I had no money, no home, no clothes, no job, no parents, and someone was trying to capture me for reasons I didn’t understand. Just a few weeks ago, my life had been so different. Another tear rolled down my cheek. I wasn't even sure I cared if I was an heir or a duchess, but now I didn't have anything to return to anyways.

  The Oracle had given me some confusing news too. She wanted me to search for answers when I didn't even know the questions. She called me Legatum, just like the mermaid and the forever fairy, which I didn't know the meaning of. She told me I harnessed all five elemental affinities, which I didn't even know was possible. I would have to practice with shadow magic. I wasn't even quite sure what it could do. It was said to have been extinct.

  I really had to start putting things together and quit being such a dumbass. I had to unravel this mystery around my birth because obviously, no creature would help me if I didn't start seeking the information and asking the right questions. I didn’t even know where to start. I hoped Jude would. I hoped Jude could tell me how to look for the information I was supposed to find because even that seemed overwhelming. Out of sheer exhaustion, I must've drifted back to sleep.

  “Oh, sorry,” I heard Lucas say, awareness settling in. I slowly recognized where I was again. I heard him shift across the bed. I slowly opened my eyes, taking in where I was. Jude must've also heard me shifting on the couch, so she cast a light above our heads. I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

  It appeared as though Lucas was lying up against Jude on her side of the bed. She giggled and assured him it was nothing to worry about. She sat up, wearing an extremely revealing top. Jude was busty like I was, but she was a lot curvier. I had a thin frame and was lean and toned by design. And also by nearly starving to death each day.

  Jude was voluptuous, with wide hips and a large ass. She had long, brown curly hair and tan skin. She had a pretty face and dark features, and we always seemed to have the attention of every male in the room everywhere we went. The difference was Jude batted her eyes at them, and I told them to fuck off. It wasn't that I was a prude, just a bitch. After a few drinks, Jude didn't care who it was.

  This most recent Silas situation was sure to make matters worse. It had really caught me off guard. I usually didn't allow myself to be vulnerable with anyone because of my past, so I wasn't sure why I did this time. Maybe it was because he was a Siren. Perhaps I couldn't have helped it. That's what I was choosing to tell myself anyway. I loved a good romp in the hay, but I wasn’t the relationship type. Jude was usually in two or three relationships at a time. I didn’t know how she juggled everything with school, becoming a doctor, and her relationships. I wasn't even sure why she would want to.

  Jude slid to the edge of the bed and stood up. She had a thin chemise on that came to her mid-thigh. It was white and practically translucent. The straps were thin, and the top was low cut, exposing her cleavage. She looked like a succubus. If she was trying to get Lucas’ attention, she had it.

  He was frozen, staring at her with wide eyes. He was propped up on one elbow, and his eyes followed her every movement, raking up and down her body. She tucked her just fucked hair behind her ear. Wait. Did they…? “Did you guys fuck or something,” I blurted. I had never been one to mind my tongue. I was in the company of my two best friends anyways; there was no need for secrets here.

  Lucas smiled, and my mouth fell open. “What? No,” Jude said, laughing nervously, throwing Lucas a narrow-eyed look. “Lucas and I just caught up last night. After you fell asleep, we had a long night of talking. We didn't want to disturb you by asking you to move,” she said, then held up her hands as if surrendering. She stood from the bed and shuffled over to the small closet behind the door that I hadn’t noticed before. “I have to run out real quick this morning but will be back soon,” she said, running her hands through her hair, trying to brush out the mess.

  I looked from her to Lucas, trying to figure out what was happening. Lucas was lying on his back now, arms tucked behind his head, with no shirt on. The sheet was pulled up to his waist, and I wasn't sure I wanted to know if he was wearing pants or not. Lucas looked like he was trying to taunt Jude with his muscular body on display.

  “When they deliver breakfast, help yourselves. I will eat while I’m out,” Jude said. She pulled a dress out of her closet and threw it over her slip. She pulled it down and straightened it. Then, she walked to the desk, picked up a bag, and walked to the door. She turned back, crossed the room, and approached me on the couch. She leaned down, hugged me, and said, “We will talk about everything later, Evie. We will get this all figured out, don't you worry. I am always here for you; you know that." I nodded, giving her a forced smile. Then she walked back to the door. With a deep breath, she pulled it open and left. She looked like she was not looking forward to going wherever she was going.

  “Lucas, what the fuck was that all about?” I asked, raising my eyebrows. Maybe Jude didn't want to discuss this with me in front of Lucas, but he and I were awfully close now. I felt like this was something we could talk about.

  He sat up, bracing himself on his hands. “Evie, nothing happened, but I think it could have if I'm being honest. You fell asleep on the couch last night, and Jude and I had the perfect opportunity to catch up. Not about recent events but everything that happened since we last saw each other. Plus, she's beautiful and smart. It was so easy to talk to her, and I just don’t know how to explain it,” he rambled.

  “Yeah, she's a prize to be won. So get to the part where you guys fucked,” I said, still shocked at how fast that had happened. I guess I shouldn’t be shocked, though. I did not have room to judge either, not that I would judge Jude or Lucas anyways. I really adopted the mentality of making the most out of each day. I was just kind of excited for them. And maybe living through them since I had absolutely fucking nothing going for me.

  “We didn’t fuck, Evie," Lucas said and laughed lightly. "It was just like Jude said. Well, we kissed, but that was it. I mean, I would’ve been up for it, but I wasn’t sure if she was,” he trailed off.

  My mouth was open, and I blinked widely. "So there was a kiss? And you didn’t try to take things further?” I asked. Lucas and Jude together would be perfect. I loved them both and would definitely encourage this relationship.

  “Oh, I did want to try and still do. But Jude feels so bad about everything you are going through. Her family is safe, you know? They were traveling when the town caught on fire. She just feels so guilty that you’ve lost everything now, and her heart is full of grief for you,” he slowed toward the end of his heartfelt speech. “I didn’t think it was a good time to try and bed her. I want to be emotionally available for you, Evie, and I'm sure Jude feels the same way. I'm doing my best to focus,” he added, smiling.

  I blew out a breath and leaned back against the couch. I closed my eyes for a second. During the last several moments, I had been so surprised, and I guess happy, for Jude and Lucas that I had somehow forgotten how bad my reality was. My smile faded as realization set in.

  “I'll grab the breakfast tray,” Lucas offered and jumped out of bed. I didn’t open my eyes because I didn’t know what I would see. “I am wearing pants; you don't have to keep your eyes closed. Especially if you want to know what a real male looks-” he said.

  I interrupted, “Gross, Lucas. Shut the hell up. Been there, done that, and it was weird,” I laughed with a wince. I opened my eyes then. Lucas' brows furrowed. “Only because of our relationship, Lucas. You are very handsome, don't you worry," I added, and he smiled. "Anyways, I am swearing off males from now on. I am happy for you and Jude, though. Truly,” I said. “The last guy I slept with was Silas, so it'll take me a while to recover,” I added, exhaling deeply.