Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns: Wolf Read online

  Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns

  Legacy Series

  Wolf

  By R. C. Reigh

  Contents

  Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns

  Copyright © 2021 by R.C. Reigh

  Vaalbara Map

  Dedication

  DANE

  Amelia

  Cora

  Amelia

  DANE

  Amelia

  DANE

  Cora

  Amelia

  Kessara

  Amelia

  Cora

  Amelia

  DANE

  Cora

  Amelia

  DANE

  Kessara

  DANE

  Amelia

  Cora

  Amelia

  DANE

  Amelia

  DANE

  Cora

  Kessara

  Amelia

  DANE

  Roarke

  Kessara

  Cora

  Kessara

  Amelia

  DANE

  Amelia

  DANE

  Cora

  DANE

  Amelia

  DANE

  Amelia

  DANE

  Amelia

  Kessara

  Cora

  Amelia

  DANE

  Amelia

  Kessara

  Cora

  Kessara

  DANE

  Amelia

  Roarke

  Cora

  DANE

  Amelia

  DANE

  Amelia

  Cora

  DANE

  Kessara

  Cora

  Amelia

  DANE

  Amelia

  DANE

  Amelia

  Cora

  Kessara

  Preview of Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns - Dragons

  Acknowledgements

  Books By This Author

  Copyright © 2021 by R.C. Reigh

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any for or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Any resemblance to actual persons, things, living or dead, locales or events is entirely coincidental.

  Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns

  Legacy Series

  Wolf

  Author: R.C. Reigh

  Cover Designer: Diana

  Map Designer: B. Reigh

  Vaalbara Map

  Dedication

  To my children, Everett and Ashlyn, may you always find the courage to follow your dreams, and to my beautiful Sadie, I will always carry you with me in my heart.

  DANE

  I heard it before I saw it, the skitter of erratic footsteps through the leaves. My shoulders tensed as I fingered the hilt of my broadsword and waited, the beat of my heart as rhythmic as a steady drum inside my chest. Labored footsteps darted out from the trees behind me. In the blink of the eye, I swiveled. One quiet whoosh of the blade and the creature’s head bounced across the ground, leaving only the heavy exertion of my breath standing visible against the cold.

  The stench of death quickly overpowered that of the woodsy pines and damp earth.

  My father stepped forward. With a casual flick of his heavy boot he flipped the head over, revealing its beady, lifeless eyes staring into nothingness.

  “Looks to be goblin. Maybe from the north-eastern swamp regions,” his deep, sand-papery tone was nonchalant as he sheathed his own sword again.

  I assessed the grotesque creature.

  Short, pointy ears. Long, hook-ish nose. Deep greenish-gray skin.

  Ugly as sin.

  Yeah, definitely Goblin.

  The stench of it was so putrid my eyes stung. It ranked somewhere up there between stagnate dung-filled mire and festering corpse, so I’d have to agree it had traveled from the bog lands, or at least in that general vicinity, in the wasteland beyond the seven kingdoms.

  I nodded. “There will be more,” I replied as my eyes cut to the surrounding underbrush and trees.

  Father adjusted his heavy fur-lined coat as small flakes of snow began to pepper the crisp air.

  Ever vigilant, we continued on. This was to be my last patrol before departing for the new academy that the kingdoms had named the Bastion. Still, I wasn’t sure why the King of Carpathia felt it necessary to join me. Patrols had long since been beneath the station of a king, but sometimes I wondered if he didn’t just miss being in on the action. Regardless of my father’s motives, I was honored by the gesture and, as always, I enjoyed the pleasure of his company.

  The gravely path crunched beneath our feet as we strode forward in silence. A flurry of fat flakes began to tumble down. It always snowed on the mountain, even now in the latest months of summer. The weather never phased us though. As werewolves, our bodies were impervious to the cold.

  “At least three up on the western perimeter,” father observed under his breath as his pace slowed into a leisurely stroll.

  I glanced over to him. The snow had begun to form a thin layer over his short, auburn hair and the lines of his straight nose and angular jaw were tilted downward. His expression was reflective.

  Other than the beard he now wore and the scar that ran from his cheek to his brow, we looked much alike. Normally our regeneration capabilities prevented such a branding, but that particular gash had been made by the Dragonian king’s enchanted blade and father wore the battle-scar with pride.

  The Dragonian’s were our biggest rivals and the only other shifters in the seven kingdoms. The magical faes couldn’t even be considered since they bore their angelic-like features in a permanent status, rather than transforming from one form to another. Thus, making the strength and versatility of the Dragon shifters our most fierce competitors. The lowly humans nor the mystic Fae couldn’t even hope or dream to rival our abilities.

  There was another set of scurries in the distance, but not close enough to be a threat. . . yet.

  “Two more approaching from the south,” I replied casually.

  Father nodded and again my curiosity was piqued as to why he had decided to join me. I knew it couldn’t be about the Bastion, we had discussed its political significance and a decisive strategy at length. Rather, it seemed something else was on his mind, but whatever it might be he appeared intent on keeping it to himself.

  There was another scamper from the underbrush in the opposite direction of the last. Looks like things might finally start to get interesting. The wry smile that turned up at the corner of father’s lip indicated he had heard it, too.

  “Beautiful evening for a walk,” he said, speaking louder than necessary to draw them out.

  Two more from the north, goblin scum often traveled in pairs. In a few more minutes we would be surrounded and they would be stupid enough to think they had the jump on us. The truth was, they didn’t stand a chance against the perceptiveness of our wolfish hearing and were headed straight to the waiting arms of their demise.

  Father smiled when the first trio was nearly upon us. He rolled his head from right to left, cracking his neck before he looked at me, one saber-like fang now protruding from his grin.

  “Sabers and swords?” His honey eyes gleamed with anticipation as he shrugged off his heavy coat.

  I couldn’t help but chuckle at his infectious exhilaration.

  Pulling my sword, I grinned.

  “Oh, hell yeah.”

  Am
elia

  We sized each other up from across the courtyard, girls and boys of the second year nobility from the seven kingdoms of Vaalbara. It was a formality before the official opening of the academy that was created from the alliance. During the five-hundred-year’s war we had all been mortal enemies and had hunted each other to near extinction. After nearly twenty-seven years of peace there were a lot of expectations riding on our shoulders, but I still wasn’t sure any one of them wouldn’t have gladly slit my throat while I slept.

  Professor Squireus looked like an undersized sofa in his gaudy tweed suit as he led the social’s address. I kept my eyes firmly focused in his direction while he squinted over the frames of his glasses at his paper.

  “After twenty-five years of construction the colloquium of Laramidia is finally open!”

  Applause and hoots erupted from the boys across from us and a series of fist bumps and shoulder patting ensued.

  “As the nobility of the inaugural class of secundus, your peers will look to you for guidance. You are the leaders and the pillars on which our great kingdoms’ futures will be built. Your names will live in our history for generations. Without further ado, the other professors and I welcome you to the Bastion.” He raised his arms victoriously to more applause. “Please take some time to get to know one another.”

  “Alright, then. Come on, your highness.” A gentle breeze stirred the warm night air, perfuming it with the scent of roses as Cora nudged me with her elbow. She tucked a strand of her silky strawberry-blonde hair behind her ear and added, “We’d better get on with it.”

  For the first time I took in the feel of the courtyard. Beneath the sapphire sky filled with stars, lanterns lined the fortresses’ thick stone walls. Beautiful sprigs of wisteria-covered wooden arbors and lush, leafy trees. It all felt sort of. . . romantic.

  Instinctively, my gaze swept toward Adam and we locked eyes. A timid smile crossed my lips before I quickly looked away. I knew if I let my gaze linger too long upon him, the others may discover our secret. My pulse quickened as I averted my attention to the light flickering over the cobblestones below me. After a few seconds, I hesitantly allowed my focus to return to Cora and I felt the blush creep across my cheeks as I carefully surveyed the gathering.

  No one else had seen.

  Adam was the son of a viscount from our kingdom. We had been together nearly two years, if you could even call stolen kisses in the alcoves of the academy in our home kingdom of Avonlee a relationship. Still, he sent my heart aflutter every time we touched.

  Our brief exchange easily drew his attention and within moments his sweeping strides meandered in our direction.

  My eyes fluttered to Cora’s furrowed brow and I held back a smile. If the look she cast in his direction was half as deadly as my petite cousin was, Adam wouldn’t have stood a chance to make it even a few steps across the courtyard. Thankfully, that ominous glare she was aiming his way wasn’t nearly as lethal as she was.

  Besides, it was thanks to her that Adam had been selected as one of my emissaries to the Bastion. While in attendance at the academy, each prince or princess had two nobles who accompanied them to help us with our royal duties.

  Well, everyone except the daughter of the Necromancer. Kessara of the House of the Night came alone. By that, I meant entirely alone. Not a single one of the additional students allowed per kingdom had been sent by the House of the Night. It was weird, even if it really was a blessing, all things considered. The House of the Night was known for its unsavory subjects, and the Necromancer himself was widely considered to be the right hand of the devil.

  The lady Kessara, that title being a bit of a stretch, was something else entirely. The mere sight of her had just about every boy at the Bastion scraping their jaws up off of the floor or wiping the drool from their faces.

  As a second year, she was only fifteen or sixteen years old, but she exuded a matureness so sultry I couldn’t help but wonder if she was using some kind of magic.

  “Your highness,” Adam bowed before me.

  He had grown over the summer and was now nearly an inch taller than me. His bronzed skin and sandy-colored hair were flattered by the glow of lantern light.

  “Move along, Adam,” Cora warned, her striking blue eyes narrowing to a glower. “This social is for intermingling and we already know far too much about you.” Her disapproval was palpable, and yet she somehow managed to maintain her noble composure. “We need you to get us dirt on the other boys, so shoo.”

  She waved him off but he stood his ground, looking to me for instruction, instead.

  “I am happy to act in any capacity her highness should desire.” His eyes sparkled with innuendo and the taboo of our secret. “All she needs to do is say the word.”

  I flushed again as I lifted my chin toward the direction of the other boys.

  “Go on,” I ordered, and he bowed his head.

  “Your wish is my command.” He winked before he turned on his heel and headed toward them.

  Cora’s lips pressed into a thin line as she leaned in.

  “He’s getting a bit too cocky if you ask me,” she grumbled. “You need to get his butt under control.”

  I grinned as I watched him walk away.

  “What a fine posterior it is. I will have to tell him that later,” I chuckled as we moved toward the beverages.

  As our steps fell into sync she hooked my arm, pulling me close so I could hear her low admonishment.

  “You know what I mean, Amelia. It was all fun and games back in Avonlee, but you can’t get caught showing him favoritism around Bastion. You know he will be here.”

  My breath hitched as the smile drained from my face.

  As if I could ever forget about the Prince of Carpathia, my betrothed.

  Out of the seven kingdoms, Avonlee was probably the weakest and if it hadn’t been for the treaty with the guardian wolves we would most likely no longer exist. When the kingdoms united, my father had forged an early alliance by securing an agreement of peace with the werewolf shifters in the neighboring kingdom. Among its various stipulations was an arranged marriage between Prince Daneatious and I. It was because of our alliance with the warrior wolves that our kingdom was no longer vulnerable.

  “He’s a tertius, Cora. We needn’t be worried over seeing him this evening. Relax.” I exhaled, nearly seething.

  Prince Dane, my betrothed, the bane of my existence, was no doubt attending his own soiree for third year students. The idea that he was even that close made my skin crawl. I had never met him in person, but I hated him all the same.

  I had never understood why it had to be me. I had three sisters, and the prince and I were mere babes when the arrangement had been made. I guess, like always, fate had dealt me the unlucky hand and, as such, we were to be married after my graduation.

  I stole another look at Adam as we stepped away from the refreshments and Cora caught me.

  “Don’t make me regret helping you bring him here,” she chided. “I only wanted to give him a chance to benefit by attending the Bastion. I think he deserves that at least, since eventually you’re going to have to rip out his heart, dice it into tiny pieces, and hand it back to him utterly destroyed and useless.” Humored by the idea, she smiled over the brim of her glass as I leered back at her statement.

  Forbidden as it was, Adam was the object of my affection and I was determined to convince the Prince of Carpathia to release me from our arrangement.

  Cora

  Amelia was acting like a b-- Well, like royalty, again. Although she wasn’t usually so selfish.

  She was my cousin, my best friend, and the closest thing I had ever had to a sister. Being the only girl in a family with five older brothers, I needed all the female comradery I could get. Not that I was complaining. It had toughened me up.

  When we were in Avonlee I’d always felt sorry for Amelia for being forced to marry someone she had never met and a werewolf, no less. Back home the wolves were mostly known for the
ir dashing good looks, large bulky stature, and unfailing heroism, but they were generally arrogant and irritable jerks by nature.

  I glanced over to my cousin who was trying and failing miserably to conceal that dreamy-eyed look she wore every time the viscount’s son came within five feet of her.

  I shook my head. I’d stuck my neck out for Amelia by bringing Adam here. Now I wasn’t sure it hadn’t been a mistake.

  Adam was a nice enough boy and, while not to my particular tastes, I guess he wasn’t hard to look at. That being said, I had my doubts about his dedication. A few weeks before we left for the Bastion, while Amelia was away, I saw him flirting with a few Avonleean socialites. Not that I blamed him. We all knew that eventually it would have to end, but there was no telling her that. Amelia was determined to end her betrothal. I just hoped it wouldn’t end up in a war.

  The two of them exchanged another longing look from across the courtyard and I eye-rolled so hard I’m pretty sure the kid next to me got dizzy. Within the next breath I had converted into full on chaperone mode. I silently stared Amelia down until she finally noticed the intense heat my eyes were throwing her way. She gave me an unamused sigh, but didn’t try looking back in Adam’s direction.

  I was so not here to be her babysitter, but we’d have to have that talk again later. For now, she needed to get her hormones under check. Each of the seven kingdoms had been allowed seventy-five students and, while there might not be any second-year wolves around right now, there would be at the event following our meeting of nobility. There we would be reunited with the remaining Secundus and surely there would be wolves in that larger venue. The last thing we needed was one of them running back to Prince Dane with a salacious story.

  “Come on, let’s go mingle,” I said, elbowing her to lighten the mood.

  We headed over toward the group of boys in the opposite direction of Adam. Much to my disappointment, the group of noblemen had clustered together so tightly there was no way we would have been able to join in with the grace befitting a lady. And while I could easily take most of the boys in the room in single-handed combat, possibly even several of them at one time, I was still a lady.