Page 1 of Bounty Hunter

Prologue

Four hundred years ago…

The young king surveys the immense field of black tulips spread before him beneath the light of the three moons—Queens of the Night, Lucentia’s favored flowers and named after Lucentia herself. Each flower stands sentinel—still and stoic—within the thick stand of fir trees surrounding them. Their color is pitch black, and when the moonlight hits the petals just so, a hint of deep purple rises from their depths. Some sort of fluffy, tiny bird settles on the pommel of his saddle, quirking its head, an intelligent eye appearing to stare into his soul. It appears to nod and then takes flight with a flutter of wings and feathers. He swallows and slides from the saddle, leaving the reins of his horse with his men.

His best soldiers sit astride their horses around him, all weary from the long and rigorous journey, but prepared to defend him, if need be.

“I go alone,” he says, holding a hand out to stop those who move to join him.

He makes his way through the field, noticing the whitebirds humming from their nests in the trees, flying and swooping all around him. Tulips appear to bend to either side slightly, creating a small path toward the sheer mountainside ahead. He stares with a furrowed brow at their unnatural movement.Magic.He pulls back his shoulders against the unease stirring at the foreign power and continues along the path. What he is looking for, he doesn’t know.

After a time, the path of dark flowers guides him to a cliffside with an intricate engraving depicting a woman, the same white birds… and the tulips that surround him, framed as if he simply has to walk through a doorway to greet her. He places a hand on the wall. Nothing.

“Lucentia,” he says.

Only the soft flutter of the birds overhead breaks the silence.

He searches the engraving, scanning its details. The path led here, but how to reach Lucentia, the goddess of lucent magic?

Far across the field, he sees his men, waiting. Everything depends on his securing Lucentia’s help. The thoughts of his brother-turned-enemy, and the large part of his army that followed him, weighs his shoulders down with sorrow. This is their only recourse. With the continual battles, so many of his people dying… If he does not gain Lucentia’s aid, his kingdom will fall.

He clenches and releases his fists, stretching his fingers as he gazes around, trying to decipher what to do next. Moments later, one of the small birds coasts through the air with a freshly picked tulip in its tiny beak. He holds out a large hand and cradles both gently. With intelligent eyes, the bird gives a jerky nod toward the mountainside picture.

He turns toward the engraved, sealed doorway, uncertain.Never has he taken instruction from a bird. He reaches out a hand and presses against the engraving once more. “Lucentia,” he says, unsure if what he’s done is correct, but the engraving in the doorway begins to take on color and depth until it’s no longer a picture in solid rock, but an opening. Dripping vines obscure what lay beyond, and he looks back once more at the soldiers waiting for him before using a shoulder to push aside the greenery and step through.

He breathes a sigh of relief when he finds a woman in a dress of deepest black that matches the petals of the black tulips standing guard in the field he just crossed. The small, fluffy, white birds surround her and settle on her shoulders in small blobs of stark contrast. He releases the one in his hand, and it joins the flock of others, roosting around their mistress. Black tulips are woven within the almost-white gold of her tresses, and more tulips at her feet spread before him. The greenery and trees, even the stars spattering the dark night sky, seem somehow more vibrant in her presence. Power emanates from her, almost tangible.

“Lucentia, Queen of the Night.” The youthful High King kneels before her.

“Rise, King. You are worthy.” She considers him with a knowing gaze. “You have a request.”

The handsome, battle-hardened king squares his shoulders. “You are known as the goddess of lucent magic, the magic that combats darkness… I am the rightful heir to the throne of Moneyre, but my twin brother does not agree. I exiled him when he attempted to take my life and many of my people left with him. He has led formidable attacks on my kingdom these past years and we tire of warring. Our people are dying needlessly in battle. I would abdicate the throne but?—”

“He is not worthy.” She finishes his sentence. “I alsohave a brother who craves the fight.” She says it so quietly the king barely hears it. A sad smile pulls at her lips.

She twists the stem of a black tulip between her fingers. The woman contemplates for a moment, her face pale, granite beauty. After what seems an eternity, she finally speaks.

“I am bound with the lucent magic of this world, it, bound with me. I am lucent magic, lucent magic is me. My magic protects and shields from darkness. Iamthe Queen of the Night. The light in the dark.” Her voice, both powerful and smooth, pauses as she eyes the king with a shrewd look. “To maintain balance and order I allow humans to work things out amongst themselves, even if it leads to kingdoms destroying one another—a natural course is usually best.” She looks at him pointedly.

The king opens his mouth to speak, but Lucentia continues.

“Butyour heart is worthy and your desires noble, which inclines me to offer aid. A gift that requires much from you.” She tilts her head to the side and looks at the king. “Are you married, worthy King?”

It seems she already knows the answer, but he shakes his head, confused. “No, Your Majesty.”

A serene smile lights her lips. “I will share my magic with you and your kingdom on two conditions, both which will ensure my power is not abused and used for selfish gain.”

The king nods his agreement, and she continues.

“First, your soul and those of your heirs, and all kings hereafter, will be bound to your kingdom, and with it, your magic. If your people suffer,youwill suffer. If your people thrive,youwill also thrive.”

The king considers carefully before nodding. “That is fair. My fate is tied with those of my people.”

Now her gray eyes light like liquid silver, and a power he’s never felt before rises heavily in their midst.

“Second, you and every heir hereafter must marry and bridge your magic with a Queen of the Night, a Black Tulip, a woman chosen by my magic to maintain the lucent magic your kingdom will require. Your souls together will be inextricably bonded with the kingdom itself. You cannot do it on your own.Onlya Black Tulip is capable of this.”

The king nods, listening carefully.

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