-

e when a messenger burst into th

my court uninvited

y lord, but i

room and struck him through the neck. Instantly, h

ive circle around him, weapons raised. The atmo

the well-armed man

g, you

ily out of

d, drawing his sword and slippi

thing could be seen. The king, still seated on his throne, wore a grim,

eh heh

laughter echoed t

one. His flaming eyes burned fiercely; his long white hair was braided neatly d

roperly," he said mockingly. "Such a

nt, Lucifer?" t

since you asked, I'll be blunt. There's a prophecy-two great kingdom

why you are here," t

smiled

he heir to

, anger flashi

uards! Se

the guards charg

From the shadows, black-armored demons em

this fair,

ing's guards fell. Fear crept into the king's hear

where to be found," h

ha

," Lucifer sneered. "G

my son without a fig

ma," Lucifer said, motioni

last sound heard in the hall

-

whil

galloped through the night. At a

w what?" one

time, he will return to claim his kingdom,"

about you,

. Please, take

ng a flute she carried. The water parted, and a mermaid app

you have

s come," the

summon

y and a little girl - emerged from the ri

all well?" t

ng, "I wish I could watch you g

hat are yo

ch you all you need to know. When the time

ve, Mo

. but it is too dangero

orses approach

and go!" the queen commanded,

is. Prot

aid, mounting the horse

's happening

into the saddle and riding across the river toward

rse faster. But a large tree crashed down before her, s

, the queen kn

y. Run. Do not look b

ut

, Eve

little Eve ran de

o face the two men

e," Asher sneered.

, Asher?" the q

exactly wh

ever help

omfortable, but A

ter. Gr

e first," the queen sn

o fall from

the traitors burst into flames. Their talons grew, and w

o swallow them. The ground opened - but the

stop the sp

est fel

-

wn

eartbroken, lay sobb

she heard

she hid beh

e-haired girl, following a group of squirr

are you doing

do you want?" Eve a

ring if you

ed help!" E

omach grow

hed into her little bag, offeri

g this to me?" Eve

s the right

t from the distance, ma

ed man appeared

ut here? Your father and I

end," Erica said proud

stopher, knel

here are yo

head in silence. Ch

name?" he a

" she wh

e to come with us?" he as

ng me?" Eve asked,

hing to do. I'll make sur

t's hesitatio

they left the

-

Dista

atched from t

whispered. "But things

-

sen

heard my story," Eve said, smiling,

answered all my quest

wer everythin

ut everything stil

promise, Eri

o, E

ou ready for

a

oducing her to every mem

ace I'll show you be

he

close yo

he said e

, I guided her to

open th

tiful! I never thought a garden

s, and sprawling vines. At its heart stood a grand fountain: a man pouring water from a vase

like it?

" Erica said, hu

senger ran towa

Master!

before us

ing, Master, but I bring

pe

ou be informed - he w

I hadn't expected

go," I sa

Erica tugg

u have a

. "And you'll me

-