Read Online A Castle of Ashes (The Fifth Kingdom Book 2) by Lisa M. James - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Lisa M. James
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and they tentatively approached her. She held them tightly and embraced her stepmother next. “I knew you would return to us, our sweet Lucinda.” Denalyn said tenderly.
She turned back to her father who was staring at her intently. She waited for him to speak, but her sisters broke the silence and repeated their inquiries. “Is it true what they say? Did you bring back the Ancient Queen’s kingdom? Are you a Queen?” Erica whispered.
“You have made us worried to death about you for seven years. You return to us now like a ghost and we deserve an explanation. What happened the night of the celebration? Where have you been?” Drissa demanded. She looked to something in the distance and lowered her voice. “What did he do to you?”
Lucinda looked at Drissa in confusion before returning her gaze to her father. “The castle that you see in the middle of the Green Sea is mine.” She said in a loud voice, addressing the crowd as well. “For seven years, I have been building my kingdom, the lost Fifth Kingdom last ruled by Queen Nycilla. The night of the celebration I entered into the sea to escape from the false accusations against me. I did not start the fire in the West Kingdom, but knew I would be held accountable for it. In fear I walked into the water and the sea guided me to the ruins of the old Fifth Kingdom. I was chosen to restore the kingdom. This was the prophecy given to me at my birth. I was lost, and I pleaded for help, and then before me were followers who believed I was chosen. At least a hundred came at first who traveled into the sea from all kingdoms to pledge their allegiance to me. That first year I was gone, we built my kingdom together out of the ashes of the old kingdom.”
She took a deep breath and then continued. “Yet, I was scared to make it known. So I started with one tower, and as the years went on and my kingdom had more structure and became stronger, I continued to make more and more of it visible to you and the other kingdoms. I was hoping it would give you hope that I was alive. Through the years, more and more followers came to me. They believed in my kingdom and the sea brought them to me. When I finally found my confidence as Queen, I feared if I looked to my past I would lose everything I had. So I never looked back. Until now. I was reminded that my kingdom would never be a true kingdom if it was not recognized by the other kingdoms of the Green Sea.” She paused. “And I would never be a true Queen. I have missed you. I am sorry for the pain I caused you. I am truly sorry.” She went to her knees again, in respect for her father, the King. The throne room was silent.
Her father allowed the silence to sit between them for a long moment. “I have mourned you Lucinda.” He said slowly. “I mourned you like I mourned your mother. Seven years you were dead to us. We endured stories of your sightings. Every day we would allow ourselves to have hope, and every day we would be disappointed when you did not return to us. In my heart I knew you were alive, but it was easier for me to believe you were dead. It was greater pain for you to be alive and for us to accept that you just did not want to be with us.” She had no words to respond. His words were true and they cut her deeply in her heart. He said nothing for a long moment. She did not separate her eyes from his. Finally, he continued. “Now that you have finally returned to us,” His voice broke. “That is all that matters. You are your own woman, and you will have to plead with each kingdom to have your castle legitimized, but for me and my kingdom, my daughter and our princess has come home. Nothing else matters. You can keep your castle in the water and your title as Queen. You are my daughter. You are the Princess of the East and you are home. My precious one has returned to me.” He left his throne and embraced her
She turned back to her father who was staring at her intently. She waited for him to speak, but her sisters broke the silence and repeated their inquiries. “Is it true what they say? Did you bring back the Ancient Queen’s kingdom? Are you a Queen?” Erica whispered.
“You have made us worried to death about you for seven years. You return to us now like a ghost and we deserve an explanation. What happened the night of the celebration? Where have you been?” Drissa demanded. She looked to something in the distance and lowered her voice. “What did he do to you?”
Lucinda looked at Drissa in confusion before returning her gaze to her father. “The castle that you see in the middle of the Green Sea is mine.” She said in a loud voice, addressing the crowd as well. “For seven years, I have been building my kingdom, the lost Fifth Kingdom last ruled by Queen Nycilla. The night of the celebration I entered into the sea to escape from the false accusations against me. I did not start the fire in the West Kingdom, but knew I would be held accountable for it. In fear I walked into the water and the sea guided me to the ruins of the old Fifth Kingdom. I was chosen to restore the kingdom. This was the prophecy given to me at my birth. I was lost, and I pleaded for help, and then before me were followers who believed I was chosen. At least a hundred came at first who traveled into the sea from all kingdoms to pledge their allegiance to me. That first year I was gone, we built my kingdom together out of the ashes of the old kingdom.”
She took a deep breath and then continued. “Yet, I was scared to make it known. So I started with one tower, and as the years went on and my kingdom had more structure and became stronger, I continued to make more and more of it visible to you and the other kingdoms. I was hoping it would give you hope that I was alive. Through the years, more and more followers came to me. They believed in my kingdom and the sea brought them to me. When I finally found my confidence as Queen, I feared if I looked to my past I would lose everything I had. So I never looked back. Until now. I was reminded that my kingdom would never be a true kingdom if it was not recognized by the other kingdoms of the Green Sea.” She paused. “And I would never be a true Queen. I have missed you. I am sorry for the pain I caused you. I am truly sorry.” She went to her knees again, in respect for her father, the King. The throne room was silent.
Her father allowed the silence to sit between them for a long moment. “I have mourned you Lucinda.” He said slowly. “I mourned you like I mourned your mother. Seven years you were dead to us. We endured stories of your sightings. Every day we would allow ourselves to have hope, and every day we would be disappointed when you did not return to us. In my heart I knew you were alive, but it was easier for me to believe you were dead. It was greater pain for you to be alive and for us to accept that you just did not want to be with us.” She had no words to respond. His words were true and they cut her deeply in her heart. He said nothing for a long moment. She did not separate her eyes from his. Finally, he continued. “Now that you have finally returned to us,” His voice broke. “That is all that matters. You are your own woman, and you will have to plead with each kingdom to have your castle legitimized, but for me and my kingdom, my daughter and our princess has come home. Nothing else matters. You can keep your castle in the water and your title as Queen. You are my daughter. You are the Princess of the East and you are home. My precious one has returned to me.” He left his throne and embraced her
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