Champion: A Prophecy Series Novella Read online

  Copyright © 2019 by Jessica Wayne

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Contents

  Champion

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Also By Jessica Wayne

  About the Author

  Contemporary Romance by J.W. Ashley

  Champion

  A Prophecy Series Novella

  Chapter One

  Atlantis 12,000 years before the war

  Coral

  Coral stared up at the bright lights dancing above her head, a somber look on her face that mirrored the hesitation in her heart.

  She’d known this day was coming. In fact, she’d been groomed for it each and every moment of her life. Her mother had seen to it she understood her future was not here in Atlantis, but rather below it, protecting the heart of their world.

  They called it an honor to be among the selected. But how was it an honor when she was being forced to throw her dreams away?

  When her future was now no longer her own?

  “Coral!”

  Sighing, she sat up and placed her feet on the marble floor beside her large bed. Looking down, she fisted the ruby red sheets in her hands, wishing she could scream, cry, hit something, do anything that would allow her to ease the vice around her heart—even if it were just for a moment.

  It was time to go.

  “I’m coming mother,” she called softly, and pushed to her feet.

  On legs that felt like lead, she walked toward her door, stopping only to look at herself in the mirror.

  She’d braided her thick dark hair, threading strands of gold ribbon through it, that she’d allowed to fall down to the white toga she wore to cover her body. Typically, her people didn’t wear clothes in their home. There was no need when males were not allowed to enter their world, but since they’d be traveling to another place, one where males roamed, she’d been instructed to dress.

  The fabric itched her skin, and Coral hoped their trip would be quick and she’d be allowed to remove it once more.

  That was if she even made it back.

  Legend had it if a selected was not worthy, the power would kill them.

  What did it make her that a part of her almost hoped it would find her unworthy? She’d be dead, but at least her life—or afterlife, rather—would be her own.

  “Coral! It’s time!” Her mother’s high voice carried through the palace, and Coral pulled the heavy wooden door open before making her way down the marble steps.

  The sun shone brightly in Atlantis today, and for a moment, she turned her face up, smiling into it. How she loved the surface. While she’d never stepped foot outside Atlantis, she eagerly listened to stories the other Sirens told her when they returned. Oh how she ached to leave Atlantis and travel to a place where she’d be allowed to one day find love like the kind she’d read about in the tomes she’d borrowed from their library.

  Sirens were not allowed lasting relationships. Their only mission was to find a man, lure him to bed, and birth another Siren, ensuring the survival of her people.

  And if that child were a son rather than a daughter—Coral shivered. She hoped she’d never have to face that.

  She’d seen many Sirens lose their minds over fulfilling that particular duty.

  Her mother waited at the bottom of the steps, red hair tied back with a gold ribbon that matched Coral’s. Her mother had chosen a golden toga that hugged her body, falling to just above her knees, Atlantis’ gold crown adorning the top of her head.

  Red lips pursed together in irritation, her mother held out a hand, and Coral took it gently. “Are you ready?”

  Tucking Coral’s arm beneath her own, Queen Iris pulled her out of the palace and toward the water, where the portal awaited them.

  “Yes, Mother.”

  Iris narrowed her eyes. “You don’t sound excited, why is that?”

  “Of course I’m excited, Mother,” she replied dryly. “To be selected is an honor.”

  “Yes, it is.” Stopping, Iris turned Coral to face her, and she stared back at golden eyes that matched her own. “When you were born, the Oracle told us you would be special, that you would be chosen to protect our realm. This is what you were born for.”

  Duty, honor, destiny. These were just words to a girl who longed for a life of her own. For a love that would fill the hole in her heart.

  Perhaps once her duty was fulfilled, her mother would look upon her proudly rather than the disdain she’d seen her entire life.

  “Yes, Mother, I understand.”

  Iris smiled. “Good.”

  They resumed walking, Iris greeting those they passed while Coral was too focused on what lay ahead.

  The swirling water came into sight, it’s deep blue depths lit from within by a deep green light. It moved silently, and to some it was a beautiful sight. To her? It stood as nothing more than a reminder of what was to come.

  Once she became the protector, her life would be over. She would be forced to reside within the depths of the sea, protecting the life core with the very breath in her chest.

  There would be no mate—no matter how temporary, or children to be held within her arms.

  There would only be the life core and her solitude.

  “Isn’t it lovely?” Iris asked her.

  “Yes, Mother.”

  Iris grinned, giddy with excitement. “You will learn this is not as bad as it seems.”

  Easy for you to say, you were not selected.

  “Queen Iris.”

  Her mother turned, no doubt to greet the Siren guard that would be accompanying them to the ceremony. Coral couldn’t force herself to look away from the swirling green that would take her to her future whether she wanted it to or not.

  “Let us go then,” Iris said, turning back to Coral. “After you, Daughter.”

  Taking a deep breath and releasing it, Coral dove into the water. The light surrounded her as her legs transformed, changing back to their natural state. Red and gold scales glittered as she swam deeper into the water.

  Moments passed as she waited for the portal to take her, and as the light finally began to grow, as the water moved faster and faster around her, all Coral wanted was for it to stop.

  When it finally did and she swam to the surface, she fought the urge to disappear back into the water.

  Six pairs of male centaur eyes stared back at her.

  Her eyes traveled over their sculpted torsos, over the gold bands around impressive biceps, and even further down to their horse-like bodies.

  Her eyes widened as they landed on what hung between their legs. Something they clearly were not uncomfortable having on display.

  Talk about being hung like a horse. She’d heard the phrase from the other Sirens after they’d returned from the mainland, but she’d never understood it until now.

  The Centaurs must have been the reason for the comparison.

  Her mother appeared beside her, completely unfazed by what she saw.

  “Queen Iris,” one of the Centaurs greeted, bowing. “Welcome to Terrenia.”

  Chapter Two

  Terrenia

  Armes

  Armes stood on the edge of the rocky cli
ff, staring out over his home. The smile that had been on his face ever since he’d been chosen as the world’s protector widened.

  Him. Protector of the life core. And not just any life core. Terrenia’s was the most powerful. It was the world all others had been formed from.

  And he had been chosen.

  It didn’t matter to him that he would be forced to live a life alone. Didn’t matter at all that he would not bear children or venture outside the mountainside again. All that mattered was his destiny. If the realms needed him, he’d be there without a second thought.

  “Armes, the Sirens have arrived.”

  Armes turned to face his father, who stood stoic behind him. His mother, a Terrenian Faere stood beside him, her bright moss-green eyes misty.

  Armes offered her a kind smile. “Mother, all will be well.”

  She sniffled. “I know, but the idea of never seeing my boy again is nearly too much to bear.” Walking forward, she reached for him. Armes knelt, bowing his head so she could cup his cheek. “I’m so proud of you, Armes, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be sad to see you go.”

  “Thank you, Mother.”

  “You will do us proud, Son,” his father stated. “The king will be pleased with your service, I know it.”

  “If I am chosen as Champion, I will fulfill my duty with honor.”

  “When you are chosen,” Armes’ father said, clasping him on the shoulder. “There isn’t a doubt in my mind that you will be the life core’s guardian. You have already beaten out the others for the opportunity, the core will choose you.”

  “Thank you, Father.” Armes bowed his head before straightening. “Shall we greet the Sirens?”

  He’d never actually seen one of the Atlantian’s before, but he would admit to only himself, he was intrigued.

  Legend said they were more beautiful than any other being in any of the worlds, and held the power of seduction within their grasp, making it impossible to turn away once one set its eyes upon you.

  He’d seen beauty. The Terrenian Faeres were beautiful, and the thought of anything being more beautiful than them was something he’d need to see with his own eyes to believe.

  Armes followed his father back into the mountain that would soon be his home. If he were chosen, that is. He and his army would never be allowed to leave, slumbering until the life core woke them.

  Following his parents, Armes wound through the cavern, stopping only once they’d reached the faere room, the only water source in the entire space. The water itself was magic, and was the source from which the Faeres drew their power.

  The king stood before them, flanked by two other Centaurs. Their bodies blocked Armes’ view of the water, so he sidestepped slightly to get a better look. A red-haired woman stood before the king, draped in gold fabric. She was beautiful, but hardly the breathtaking vixen the worlds claimed them to be.

  He glanced to the other side of her, and the very breath in his chest caught. Now there was beauty. Standing slightly behind the red-haired Siren, out of sight enough he had to crane his neck to see her, was a dark-haired woman with threads of gold woven through her midnight locks.

  Golden eyes were wide with a mixture of panic and amazement, full red lips opened just slightly as she glanced around the room.

  Her slender body was covered in white fabric that stretched over generous curves, stopping halfway down bronzed thighs.

  She was magnificent. Armes swallowed hard, but couldn’t bring himself to look away. Not even when those beautiful golden eyes found and held his. He offered a slight smile, and she returned it, bright pink flushing to her cheeks.

  Oh how he wanted to never stop making her smile.

  Was she the other champion?

  The thought brought a lick of sadness to his mind. If she were, she’d be trapped beneath Atlantis, protecting the core that resided deep in the water. He thought his future would be a lonely one, but at least he would be asleep, unable to long for what he couldn’t have.

  “Armes,” the King said, and he pulled his attention from the Siren.

  “Yes, my King?” he answered, bowing slightly.

  “This is Queen Iris of the Sirens,” he said, gesturing to the red-haired woman.

  “Pleasure to meet you, Queen Iris.” Armes bowed his head slightly, not missing the way her eyes passed over his bare chest. Not even a little interested, your majesty.

  “You as well. This is my daughter, Coral. She is to be our champion.” The dark-haired beauty stepped forward at her introduction, stealing the very breath from his lungs.

  She was every bit as breathtaking as the legend said they were. He would have believed himself spelled by her, thinking his attraction was nothing more than the Siren’s call, but he hadn’t reacted this way to her mother, and based on the way the queen kept staring, she was putting everything she had into trapping his attention.

  “Nice to meet you, Champion.” Coral bowed her head, and Armes stepped forward.

  “The pleasure is all mine.” He held out his hand, and she hesitated before slipping delicate fingers into his palm. The connection was instant. It was as if he’d known her his entire life, and not just seconds. Awareness crawled up his arm and settled in his chest, making his heart race.

  Her eyes widened, and her lips parted ever so slightly as they maintained the physical connection. Staring down at their touching palms, Armes closed his hand around hers, completely enveloping her slender fingers.

  He looked back up at her just in time to see her bite her lip. It sent a shiver of need through him so strong he was sure everyone in the room would soon notice it.

  How he wanted to feel those hands splayed against his skin, feel her slender body beneath his as he drove them both over the ledge of pleasure.

  Snap out of it, Armes.

  Smiling, he looked back up to her, just before forcing himself to release her hand.

  “Would you care to meet the others?” King Ploar asked their new guests.

  “That would be wonderful,” the queen answered. She fell into step beside the king, and they left the room. Armes’ own parents followed, leaving only Armes and Coral in the room together.

  “Shall we?” he asked, holding out his arm.

  She blushed again, rosy cheeks turning even more so, before taking his offered arm.

  “Have you always known?” he asked curiously. “That you were to be chosen as your world’s champion?”

  Coral nodded, her golden eyes darkening. Was she sad? “My mother has been talking about this every day of my life. Looking forward to the time her daughter would be charged with guarding the life core.”

  “She’s proud.”

  Coral shook her head. “Not so much that as she will be the first queen in our history to have power over Atlantis and the life core.”

  “Ahh.” He understood her hesitation now. As guardian, she was tasked with ensuring the power stayed within the core. Guarding it against those who wished to harness the magic for their own gain.

  If it were perceived her mother had access to that power, as queen she would be feared above all others.

  His kind was not allowed to have royalty in charge of the core for that very reason. Too much could go wrong.

  Coral shivered, and he fought the urge to wrap an arm around her shoulders. “Do you always stay within these caves?”

  Armes smiled softly. “Claustrophobic?”

  She laughed, the delicate sound drifting over him like a beautiful melody. “A bit, I suppose. I’m used to having the entirety of the ocean before me.”

  Voices carried on ahead, and Armes found a part of himself wishing they could be alone longer. He wanted to see her smile again, to see color return to her cheeks. To hear more of her laughter as he fought away every last one of her worries.

  None of that could be though. Not when his future was here in the caves, and hers lay beneath a city that would never fully appreciate her sacrifice.

  They entered another room where the other worl
ds champions awaited them. Having never traveled outside of Terrenia, and with the Champion ceremony only happening when one of the immortal beings were killed or succumbed to madness as so many do, he’d never seen any creature other than the Terrenian Faeres, humans, and Centaurs.

  So standing here now, Armes couldn’t help but feel a bit awestruck.

  “Armes, Coral, I am pleased to introduce you to the other Champions.” King Ploar gestured to the other beings in the room. A large man-like beast stepped forward, skin pale and marred with the raised outlines of what Armes assumed to be brands. Behind him, a tall, slender woman with pale hair bowed her head, thin lips turned into a slight smile. She was a beauty, but nothing like the Siren standing beside him.

  “We have chosen our queen as champion for the Brutes,” the creature said, his voice a deep boom that resonated through the cavern.

  “Please, call me Klera.” She spoke softly, her voice barely more than a whisper compared to her companion.

  “Nice to meet you, Queen Klera,” King Ploar greeted with a bow.

  The queen and the Brute who accompanied her stepped back, making room for a small girl standing between who Armes assumed were her parents.

  Her eyes, a soft lavender, were wide with wonder as she stared up at the king. Pale skin was covered in blue symbols that seemed to move just beneath her skin.

  “We have chosen our daughter, Violetta, just as our world has chosen her as its queen.”

  King Ploar and Queen Iris bowed to the young girl.

  “It is our pleasure to welcome you here, Queen Violetta,” King Ploar greeted before straightening.

  The girl and her parents stepped back, and another being came forward. Golden skin and wide golden eyes regarded the king warily. He turned just enough so Armes caught a glimpse of what appeared to be wings on its back.