Page 1 of A Clash of Stars

Prologue

"Watch out!” a young boy’s voice yelled as I prepared to jump into the Serena Creek that ran the outskirts of my family’s land. “There’s a snake!”

I stopped dead.

Midnight black scales and the telltale coil of a Torque Viper.

One bite and I’d die in seconds. The serpentine movement was hidden by the tall blades of grass, and the toned scales that blended with its surroundings. I slowly retreated with shaking hands, my heart racing.

With the distance put between us, courage surged.

I turned and sprinted to the edge of the woods, aiming for the clearing.

My awkward lanky legs weren’t moving fast enough, but I didn’t dare look back to see if the snake followed me. I failed to stifle my ragged breath.

My father taught me as much as he could about nature. He said in order to control it, I must respect the natural laws; knowing every species of plant and animal in existence and honoring my surroundings would give me control when I come of age.

When my eyes caught a glimpse of the vibrant green treeline ahead, I sighed in relief. My beautiful home was within a few steps. If I could make it to the garden, I would be safe. I justknewit.

A few. More. Steps.

A jolt thrust me backward, halting my run.

Soft fingers grasped my arm firmly, pulling me back to meet the kindest amber-golden eyes– radiant like a sunset.

I studied him quickly, but not quick enough.

“Come, this way, keep running.”

I didn’t stop to ask his name, I just kept running with him. His tall figure was slightly gawky just like mine. Was he the same age as me? Why had I never met him before?

Finally, we stopped in my family’s garden. I clutched my thighs with sweaty palms as I tried to regain my strength to breathe. When I glanced up, I noticed he was struggling just as much as me.

My gaze kept returning to his lush lashes that fluttered with every blink.

“I think the viper gave up on us,” he panted. “Sorry, I didn’t get the chance to introduce myself. I’m Madok.”

I smiled, “I’m Clara, it’s lovely to meet you. Also, thank you for saving my life.”

His smile reached his golden eyes, “It was no problem at all. I was looking for you actually.” He briefly glanced at his hands before returning his gaze to mine.“My parents brought me along to visit your kingdom. Our family keeps to ourselves most of the time, but they felt it was important to introduce us.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Madok, Prince of Ophera.”

As he kept talking, I becameheavilydistracted. At only thirteen years old, I knew he was special. My heart thumped like a hammer in my chest.

Wild, wavy brown hair, a rigid jaw, and his smile– it was mesmerizing. I was trying to sort through the vocabulary locked away in my head to come up with a mature response after I stood there staring at him for too long.

“That’s…great. I hope my mother made chocolate chip cookies for us.”

Brilliant, Clara. Just brilliant.

He extended his elbow to escort me, and I took it with a smile. As we headed to the heart of Artesia—my home, my castle, Elistayre.

Although I was a princess, I never truly felt like it. My parents were hard on me being the only child, but for good reason. It was my blood-born right to lead our people and they trusted me to do right by them.

We settled in for dinner, the conversations flowing easily across the table among the adults. His mother, Queen Anne, and his father, King James, were kind, but there was something about them that didn’t seem as open and honest as my parents. On one side sat Queen Claire, her soft brown hair with one white strip framing her face. To everyone else, she was an admired ruler, but to me she was my mother.

The only eyes that shine for her were my father’s, William, the King of Artesia. I resembled my father in many ways– same grey eyes, same passive demeanor– but he always reminded me that we loved greater than others.

The conversations between my parents were sickening. Not in what they discussed but by how they looked and admired one another. Any stranger could look at the two of them and know they were destined to be in love with one another. My father’s eyes twinkle every time my mother smiles at him, and my heart does an extra beat when I see their love.

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