Princess of the Emerald Valleys Read online

  Princess of the Emerald Valleys

  Published by Castle Swan Media

  1712 Pioneer Avenue, Suite 500

  c/o Wyoming Corporate Services

  Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or deceased, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved

  Copyright @2018 by Cassandra Finnerty

  Excerpt from Princess of Sky, Earth, Fire and Water by Cassandra Finnerty

  Excerpt from Princess of Wind and Sea by Cassandra Finnerty

  Cover design by Damonza

  Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2018968247

  ISBN 978-1-949415-00-1 (ebook)

  ISBN 978-1-949415-01-8 (print)

  Printed by Kindle Direct Publishing

  Publisher’s Cataloging-In-Publication Data

  (Prepared by The Donohue Group, Inc.)

  Names: Finnerty, Cassandra, author.

  Title: Princess of the Emerald Valleys / Cassandra Finnerty.

  Description: Cheyenne, Wyoming : Castle Swan Media, [2019] | Series: [Princess of Nature series] ; [book 3] Identifiers: ISBN 9781949415018 (print) | ISBN 9781949415001 (ebook)

  Subjects: LCSH: Princesses--Fiction. | Princes--Fiction. | Battles--Fiction. | Voyages and travels--Fiction. | Holidays--Fiction. | Survival--Fiction. | Ireland--Fiction. | LCGFT: Fantasy fiction. | Action and adventure fiction.

  Classification: LCC PS3606.I5594 P753 2019 (print) | LCC PS3606.I5594 (ebook) | DDC 813/.6--dc23

  castleswanmedia.com

  To my friends and family.

  Cassandra Finnerty

  Contents

  CHAPTER ONE: REUNION

  CHAPTER TWO: BY THE SHORE

  CHAPTER THREE: UNVEILED

  CHAPTER FOUR: MASTER OF DECEPTION

  CHAPTER FIVE: INNOCENT

  CHAPTER SIX: WRATH

  CHAPTER SEVEN: VINDICATION

  CHAPTER EIGHT: SURPRISE REQUEST

  CHAPTER NINE: LOST AND FOUND

  CHAPTER TEN: SILVER AND GOLD

  CHAPTER ELEVEN: HIDDEN SHADOWS

  CHAPTER TWELVE: MISSING

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN: DILEMMA

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN: THE WILDERNESS

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN: FIRE AND ICE

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN: LIGHT AND DARK

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: ORKNEY ISLANDS

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: THE PALACE

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: THE RELUCTANT KING

  CHAPTER NINETEEN: MASQUERADE

  CHAPTER TWENTY: TREACHERY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: UPHEAVAL

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: PORT IN A STORM

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: DANGEROUS THREATS

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: ACROSS THE MILES

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: UPROAR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: FORTUNE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: PROSPERITY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: HOLIDAY SURPRISE

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  PRINCESS OF SKY, EARTH, FIRE AND WATER

  PRINCESS OF WIND AND SEA

  BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS: PRINCESS OF THE EMERALD VALLEYS

  CONVERSATION WITH CASSANDRA FINNERTY

  AUTHOR OF PRINCESS OF SKY, EARTH, FIRE AND WATER

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  CHAPTER ONE

  REUNION

  A light snow drifted over the estate. As the crystals floated from the sky, they covered the house and gardens with a shimmer of white, creating a mystical and monochrome fairyland.

  It was early dawn when Aisling woke. She lay in bed, nestled next to the prince. Despite the frosted windows, she was bathed in warmth. A steely arm held her close, while the fire crackled and seared, sending sparkling embers up the chimney and out into the light.

  She reached for her silk robe and padded across the floor into the adjoining room. A pale glow cast a bluish hue across the chamber. After dressing in the dark, she made her way to the Great Hall. The house was quiet, with the exception of muffled noises from the kitchen as the cooks prepared for the day ahead.

  Aisling navigated past the sitting rooms to the library. Locking the door behind her, she glanced at the dark space and headed to the bookshelf, extracting a copy of Annals of the Four Masters. There was a hidden lock behind the tome; she inserted a key and entered the secret door.

  The room was cloaked in permanent shadow. She lit a candle and climbed the staircase to the loft.

  Aisling sat at her desk and removed the stack of letters from her father. The first had been received after the death of her parents. She recalled the shock when she read about her legacy, which included magical powers and oversight of a secret society. Her charter was to use these gifts for the common good.

  To keep her talents, she needed to pass a test. Aisling had traveled with her fleet of ships to the East Kingdom, where she helped Prince Drayaen and King Yi battle the dark forces.

  Something unexpected happened along the journey.

  She fell in love.

  After defeating the enemy, she and the prince married in an elaborate ceremony at the Palace of the Cherry Blossoms.

  Her second quest had challenged her to change history. She and her new husband had battled their way across the globe, supporting their allies and fighting for survival.

  Now, the time had come for the third mission. After returning to Ireland, she had opened the missive before the holidays. Her brows furrowed as she reviewed its familiar contents:

  Dear Aisling,

  If you are reading this, you must have completed your journey. I am so proud of your achievements. I’m confident you have done great things with your powers.

  Within the next twelve months, you must find an enemy closer to home. Insidious adversaries are trying to steal our basic freedoms. Develop relationships with members of the secret society. Together, you can defeat the darker forces that threaten our way of life.

  The map on my wall in the secret room includes trading routes and notations of potential alliances. This information may help you in your quest.

  Stay safe, and know that you are loved.

  Father

  She shook her head and rifled through her Book of Magic. There were no additional clues about these nefarious forces.

  One mystery was solved, however. She and the prince had tried to analyze the notations on Lord Bailey’s map. She now realized that the markings highlighted the elaborate network of the society members. This may be just the information I need to help in my next quest, she thought.

  As a chill permeated the air, she secured her papers and locked the door, leaving her secrets behind.

  A few minutes later, Aisling peered into the bedroom. The prince was still sleeping. She discarded her silk robe and crawled into bed. As she closed her eyes, a voice murmured in her ear.

  “You’ve been busy, it seems,” he said, eyes still shut.

  “I was catching up on some reading but decided there was someplace else I’d rather be.”

  “That’s what I wanted to hear.”

  He grasped her shoulder and pulled her toward him. She came face to face with a pair of luminescent eyes.

  “I’ve missed you,” he said, in a low, mesmerizing tone.

  She smiled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

  In the next moment, he enveloped her with warmth. She ran her hands over his back as he nuzzled next to her ear.

  “I’ve missed you too,” she said, as their lips melded in a rhythm of searing heat. He ran his hands over the silky fabric of her nightgown, caressing her soft curves.

  As the snow outside swirled in a
frenetic dance, the prince hovered over her, whispering slow, languid kisses, transporting them to a place where nothing else mattered.

  Aisling fell into a deep slumber and started to dream. She was sitting in a boat, opposite the prince, as he rowed them down a winding river.

  He held her hand as they clambered to the shore for a picnic near the crystal-blue waters. The prince was laughing as they chatted. Aisling was carefree as she leaned against him and watched the rays of sun fade in the afternoon sky.

  Without warning, her reverie was disrupted by the image of a soldier. He was running through the woods on the other side of the bank, trying to escape. She tried to warn him. Stay away, she thought. You’re not safe here. Aisling couldn’t breathe. She gasped for air and tried to cry out.

  Large hands gripped her shoulder, rousing her awake.

  As her eyes fluttered open, she looked up at Drayaen. His brows were furrowed as he looked at her anxious expression.

  “It’s all right,” he said in a soothing voice. “You had a bad dream.”

  She nodded and told herself it wasn’t real.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked, leaning over to brush the hair out of her eyes. She struggled to sit up, and forced herself to inhale large breaths.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Trouble,” she replied.

  An hour later, they made their way down to the dining room. The servants bustled around as Aisling and the prince surveyed the cuisine on the buffet.

  “Galen, this looks wonderful. Please thank the cook for making some dishes from the East Kingdom.”

  “She’ll be happy to know that you’re pleased, Princess.”

  As the butler retreated to the kitchen, Aisling turned to her husband.

  “How is your team settling in? Have you spoken with Colonel Lex?”

  “I talked with him last night. The soldiers seem to be adjusting well. So far, they’ve felt welcomed, and they’re looking forward to shoring up security here.”

  “You don’t think we’re fortified enough?”

  “I don’t want to alarm you, but we have to be prepared for a new reality. Sooner or later, word is going to get out that we gained great rewards from our last voyage. We may become a target.”

  “You’re right, of course.”

  “There’s also a question about the fleet. Right now, the ships are sitting at the quay, with minimal security. We may want to increase the protection of our vessels, as we’re dependent upon them for our livelihood.”

  “Do you have any suggestions?”

  Drayaen nodded. “A few, but I’d like to confer with the colonel and others first. I’ll let you know when we have some proposals.”

  “I feel better, knowing that you’re putting new strategies in place.”

  “We haven’t yet talked about the elephant in the room.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I don’t want to be the cause of stress, particularly now with the baby coming, but we can’t rule out the idea that some of our enemies may pursue us in our own territory.”

  “Who else is out there?”

  “Your scepter was helpful when it identified the King of Floe as our adversary. You might want to consult your swords, to identify our greatest vulnerabilities.”

  “Do you think we could be hunted for the magic powers that the Nawab gave me?”

  “It’s possible. It could also be our foes from Melaka. We can’t rule them out.”

  Aisling sighed. “I’ve been meaning to tell you about Father’s third letter.”

  “What does it say?”

  “He warns that we have enemies close to home.”

  “What did he mean?”

  She shook her head. “I wish I knew. He may have suspected that he and my mother were in danger, and was referring to the people who killed him.”

  “People?”

  “When we were chased through the woods, the employees who traveled with us disappeared.”

  “What?”

  “Uncle thought they were part of a conspiracy.”

  “Aisling, you have to tell me these things. We just moved into a house full of staff. How do we know who is trustworthy?”

  “I understand your point. The ones who rode with us that day were new to the estate. Most of the other retainers, from the cooks to the stable boys, have been with us for years.”

  “I’ll talk with the colonel. We’ll need to ensure that everyone who works for us is loyal.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “There’s a lot at stake,” he murmured, “and I’m not taking any chances.”We need a plan, he thought, and we need it now.

  The girls woke up early to explore the grounds of the estate. After being on a ship for months, the feeling of being on solid terrain was surreal.

  “What do you think, so far?” asked Maehwa, as she strolled down the beach and gazed at the water.

  “I’m grateful we both made it here,” said Hanu. “I was so worried when you had ship’s fever.”

  “Thank you for tending me when I was ill.”

  “I was happy to help. If you weren’t here, I don’t know what I’d do.”

  “I wonder how long it will take before our money reaches the East Kingdom.”

  “I hope it’s soon. I think our families will be most pleased,” said Hanu, thinking about the unexpected bonuses they had received after completing the recent journey.

  “They’ll be surprised. I know they will.”

  “Do you miss them?”

  “I do,” replied Maehwa, “but we have an opportunity here. Already, so many good things have happened.”

  As they turned and headed back to the manor, Hanu grabbed her friend’s arm.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “There’s a person, staggering out of the woods.”

  “Do you recognize him?”

  “No. He’s not a sailor, or one of the prince’s soldiers.”

  The man headed toward them. His hands were bloody and his eyes were wild.

  Maehwa screamed.

  The colonel was outside the barracks. He heard a wail and ran down to the water, followed by his warriors in close pursuit.

  They saw the women racing toward them.

  “Draw your weapons,” shouted the colonel, as he ran across the sand. He reached Maehwa and grasped her arm. “What is it?”

  “A man came out of the woods. We didn’t recognize him.”

  He motioned to the men at the rear. “Escort them back. The rest, follow me.”

  They sprinted down the beach in pursuit of the trespasser. He had fallen, face down, near the water, and lay motionless on the sand.

  As the colonel turned him over, there was a gaping wound.

  He was dead.

  CHAPTER TWO

  BY THE SHORE

  A frantic knock brought Galen hurrying to the front door. With one look at the officer’s expression, he ushered him into the dining room.

  “The colonel is here, Your Highness.”

  The prince eyed the blood on Lex’s uniform and motioned to the butler.

  “Thank you, Galen, we’re fine for now.”

  As the servant left, Drayaen faced his soldier and spoke in a low voice. “What is it?” he asked, clutching the hilt of his sword.

  “Hanu and Maehwa came across a trespasser on the grounds.”

  “Where?” The prince’s mind was racing.

  “He came out of the woods. It looked like he’d been running away from something.”

  Aisling turned pale and looked at her husband. “My dream,” she murmured.

  “What can he tell us?” asked Drayaen.

  “Nothing, I’m afraid,” said the colonel. “His injuries were fatal.”

  The prince stood and checked his weapon. “Lead the way.”

  “I’ll come with you,” said Aisling.

  “Are you sure that’s wise? The area hasn’t been secured yet,” said the prince.

  “I understand there
’s a risk, but it might be someone I know.”

  “All right, we’ll take more men, to be on the safe side.”

  Aisling turned to the colonel. “Are Hanu and Maehwa all right? It must have been quite a shock.”

  “They were in distress and were escorted back to their cabin.”

  “Can you make sure they’re protected? They’re not familiar with the surroundings here, and I’d like to ensure their safety.”

  “I’ll watch out for them, Commander.”

  “Thank you, Colonel,” she said, and they hurried down the stone steps.

  The group approached the beach and rounded the corner. A short distance away, the prince’s men huddled around the deceased.

  As they drew nearer, Aisling’s eyes widened, and she clutched her husband’s arm.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “It’s the person in my dream.”

  “Are you sure?”

  She nodded. “But I have a bigger concern.”

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “In my vision, the soldier was chased.” She scanned the surroundings. “They may still be nearby.”

  The prince bent down to examine the body. He frowned. “It looks like there were multiple weapons. With these types of injuries, he couldn’t have run far. It means he was attacked near here. Have our men search the grounds.”

  “I’ll mobilize a team,” said the colonel.

  “Carry his body to one of the outbuildings. Make sure there are sentries on guard.” He turned to Aisling. “Is there a local magistrate who oversees criminal cases?”

  “Yes.”

  “Who is it?”

  “Me,” she said, resting her hand on his arm. “I’m required to appoint an investigator. Is that something you want to handle?”

  “I do. We have the resources, and it happened on our estate. We’ll see if there are any clues as to his identity and begin a sweep of the woods.”

  He motioned to Aisling, and they proceeded a short distance from the crowd. “Is there anything else you remember from your vision?” he asked.

  She nodded. “You and I were on the riverbank, with a clear view of the afternoon sun. It means we were on the east shore. The man was on the opposite bank.”