Magic and the Crown (eBook)

A Kingdom's Heart

Thorne Heartwood (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
31 Seiten
Publishdrive (Verlag)
978-0-00-097588-1 (ISBN)

Infos

A competition. A prince. A kingdom at stake. When destiny calls, sometimes the most dangerous choice is playing it safe.

Hidden. Hunted. Destined. Working at a local bookstore, Braelyn has always hidden her magical abilities from the world. But when the Central Kingdom announces trials for the prince's personal guard, she sees an opportunity to change her family's fortune. Entering as the one of only two female competitor, she finds an unexpected ally in Crystal, a fellow outsider, she battles through increasingly dangerous trials that test not just her combat skills, but her ability to keep her powers hidden. As Braelyn advances through the competition, she catches the attention of the mysterious prince, whose initial coldness begins to thaw into something more dangerous - attraction. However, the arrival of the Southern Kingdom's princess threatens everything she's worked for, bringing sabotage and political intrigue to the forefront. With war brewing and class tensions rising, Braelyn stands at the crossroads of revolution. Will revealing her true powers save those she loves or destroy everything she's fought to protect?

Her Chance to Fight marks the beginning of an enthralling Fantasy Romance adventure series that will leave you breathless. For readers who crave political intrigue, slow-burn romance, and powerful magic, this compelling saga delivers an unforgettable adventure. Unlock this enchanting tale of magic and rebellion today!

Grab your copy and join the revolution now!

Textauszug

Chapter 4

Braelyn

It’s the kind of morning that wakes up your whole body: crisp, bright, and buzzing with anticipation. I pull on my thick coat, the fabric soft and familiar, and tug the hood over my head. As I head downstairs, the wooden steps creak beneath me—a comforting sound, even with the chaos below.

My parents are locked in their usual battle, trying to wrangle my siblings into something that passes for “presentable.” Nyle’s half-dressed, breakfast smeared across his cheeks, and Bria is already plotting her escape. I can’t help but grin.

“What’s happening here?” I ask, grabbing my admission letter from the kitchen counter.

Mom sighs, still wrestling Nyle into his shirt. “Trying to make sure they look decent for your big day.”

I roll my eyes, snag a piece of fruit, and head for the door. “You probably won’t see much of the competition—just the announcements,” I call over my shoulder, then pause and add, “Oh, and it might last a few days. They said there’ll be multiple rounds, so don’t expect me home for dinner tonight… or maybe the next few nights.”

Mom’s hands pause for a moment, her expression softening. “We’ll keep the hearth warm for you, no matter how long it takes. Good luck, Brae.”

The walk to the competition venue feels both familiar and surreal. My heart hammers in my chest: excitement, nerves, and something else—a flicker of energy that feels like wind stirring under my skin. I breathe deep, steadying myself.

At the entrance, I hand my letter to the guard, who barely glances at me before waving me through. Maybe the rumors are true—maybe the royal family really doesn’t care about gender, just skill. It’s a small relief.

Inside, the competitors gather in a massive hall, the tension thick. Most are men, broad-shouldered and loud, but I spot a few others who look just as nervous as I feel. We’re ushered into rows as the king and queen enter, their presence commanding instant silence. The prince stands beside them, looking more bored than regal.

The king’s voice booms out over the crowd. “Welcome, competitors. Over the next several days, you will face a series of trials—physical, mental, and moral. Each night, you’ll return to the dormitories provided. Only the best will remain by week’s end.”

After the announcements, the palace staff lead us through winding corridors to the dorms—simple but comfortable rooms with rows of bunks and a few battered tables. I claim a bunk near the window, dropping my pack and glancing around. It’s strange to think this will be home, even if only for a few days.

As I settle in, I spot her: a girl sitting cross-legged on her bunk, nervously twisting a frayed thread on her sleeve. She looks up, and I recognize the same relief in her eyes that I feel in mine.

I make my way over and crouch beside her. “Hey. I’m Braelyn.”

She jumps a little, then manages a shaky smile. “Crystal. I was starting to think I’d be the only girl here.”

“Not today,” I say, grinning. “Want to team up? I have a feeling we’ll need all the help we can get.”

Her eyes light up. “Yes! Please.”

We settle into a quiet corner, away from the noise. I sprawl out on the floor with my back against the wall, tossing a pebble between my hands.

“So,” Crystal says, glancing at the closed door, “we survived the first cut. But I’m guessing the next challenge won’t be any easier.”

I grin. “Probably not. But we’re still here, and that’s something.” I flick the pebble into the air. “I was thinking… we should come up with a plan. Not just for the next round, but for whatever comes after.”

Crystal’s eyes brighten. “Like what? I mean, I’m not exactly the strongest. But I can spot things others miss. Patterns, shortcuts, that kind of stuff.”

“Exactly,” I say. “You’re quick, and you notice details. I’m better with the physical stuff, and…” I hesitate, lowering my voice. “If things get really bad, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Just… not the kind we talk about.”

Crystal nods, understanding. “Elemental tricks?”

I give a small, conspiratorial smile. “Sometimes a breeze at the right moment, or a little nudge from the earth, can make all the difference. But only if no one’s looking.”

Crystal leans forward, excitement flickering in her eyes. “We could use signals. Like, if you need me to create a distraction, I’ll tug my sleeve twice. If you need me to spot something, I’ll tap the ground with my foot.”

“Perfect,” I say. “And if I need to use… you know, I’ll say it’s getting ‘windy’ or ‘the air feels heavy.’ That way you’ll know what’s coming.”

Crystal grins. “Divide and conquer, right? If there are puzzles or social stuff, I’ll handle it. You take the heavy lifting. And if we get split up, we meet back at the north wall.”

“Deal.” I extend my hand, and Crystal shakes it, her grip firmer than I expected.

“We should practice, too,” Crystal adds. “Not just the challenges, but… reading each other. Like, if you look at me a certain way, I’ll know to back you up—or bail you out.”

I laugh. “You’re better at this than you think.”

Crystal shrugs, a shy smile tugging at her lips. “Guess we make a good team.”

I nod, feeling a quiet confidence settle in my chest. “Yeah. We do.”

That night, the dorm is filled with restless energy. Some competitors snore, others whisper strategies in the dark, but I drift off with the comfort of a plan and a new friend beside me.

The next morning, the palace staff wake us early. Sunlight streams through the windows as we’re herded to the training grounds, where the first real challenge awaits: a sprawling obstacle course that looks like it was designed by someone with a grudge against humanity.

We’re told we have a few hours to observe the course and plan our approach. Most of the boys immediately start boasting or sizing each other up, but Crystal’s eyes are everywhere—scanning the layout, noting the mud pit’s depth, the rope ladder’s frayed edges, the angle of the sun on the beams.

She nudges me. “See that? The left side of the mud pit is shallower. And those boards—they’re loose, but if we wedge them right, we can use them as steps. The balance beam’s shadow means it’ll be slippery by midday, so we should cross it early.”

I grin, impressed. “You’re a genius.”

She blushes, but her confidence grows. “If we move fast, avoid the crowd, and use the obstacles to our advantage, we’ll have a real shot. And if you need to, you know… help the wind pick up, I won’t tell.”

We finalize our plan, running through signals and backup routes. The hours pass quickly, and soon the bell rings, calling us to the starting line.

Crystal and I exchange a determined look. We’re ready.

A hush falls over the field as the competitors gather at the starting line. The obstacle course sprawls before us—mud pits, rope ladders, balance beams, and a wall that looks twice as tall as I am. The air hums with nerves and the sharp scent of morning dew.

Crystal stands at my side, her eyes darting over every detail one last time. I squeeze her shoulder. “We’ve got this,” I whisper.

The official raises a red flag. “On my mark… three, two, one—go!”

Chaos erupts as the crowd surges forward. Most of the boys charge straight for the center of the mud pit, jostling for position. Crystal and I veer left, just as we planned, aiming for the shallower edge she’d spotted earlier. The mud sucks at my boots, but it’s only ankle-deep here—nothing compared to the knee-high sludge in the middle.

A few competitors notice our route and try to follow, but they’re too late. We’re already scrambling up the bank, muddy but ahead of the pack.

Next is the rope ladder, swaying from a wooden frame. I grab the first rung, feeling the coarse fibers bite into my palms. Halfway up, the rope shifts dangerously—someone below is shaking it, trying to throw us off. I glance down, catch Crystal’s eye, and nod. She taps her foot twice on the frame, our signal to keep calm and move together.

The wind picks up—just a little, just enough to make the ladder swing away from the troublemakers below. Crystal climbs quickly, nimble as a squirrel, and I follow close behind. At the top, we haul ourselves over the edge, breathless but grinning.

“Nice breeze,” Crystal mutters, a sly smile on her lips.

“Must be the weather,” I reply, and we move on.

Ahead is the wall with the scattered boards. Crystal dashes ahead, grabbing the sturdiest plank and wedging it into a crack just as she’d mapped out earlier. I boost her up, then she leans down to pull me after her. We work in sync—passing boards, creating makeshift steps, always one step ahead of the boys below, who are still floundering in the mud.

At the top, the balance beam stretches out, narrow and slick with dew. The sun’s just beginning to hit it, and I know it’ll only get worse as the day goes on. Crystal hesitates, her face pale.

I crouch, steadying the beam with both hands. “You first. I’ve got you.”

She inches forward, arms out for balance. I follow, keeping low, my heart pounding with every wobble. Halfway across, someone behind us shouts and the beam vibrates. I murmur, “The air feels heavy,” and a gentle gust steadies the beam just enough for Crystal to make it across.

We reach the bell at the far end and ring it together—a clear,...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 14.7.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Romane / Erzählungen
• ISBN-10: 0-00-097588-5 / 0000975885
• ISBN-13: 978-0-00-097588-1 / 9780000975881