A Royal Engagement (Enchanted Galaxy Series Book 1) Read online

  An idea popped in his head. Excited, he led Leo to his bedchamber and grabbed a piece of paper. After he wrote a quick note, he put a collar around Leo’s neck and attached a small wooden box to it. He slipped the note into the box and patted Leo.

  “I want you to give Ann the message in the box,” Hathor tapped it for emphasis. “Understand?”

  Leo nodded and roared.

  He smiled. “Protect her if she’s in any trouble, okay?”

  With another nod, the lion left the castle.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Path Leading to a Forest

  Planet: Raz

  Once the castle was no longer in view, Seta resumed her normal appearance. Being in that Earthling’s body with all those feelings of insecurity made her shiver in disgust. Raz’s new queen was a wimp.

  Making sure no one saw her, she pulled out her telecommunicator. “Commanders Jaz and Riles, do you hear me?”

  “Yes, we do,” Jaz replied.

  “Good. Transport down here,” she ordered.

  A few seconds later, they appeared in front of her.

  “What if someone sees us?” Riles asked, glancing around them.

  “You don’t give me my due credit, Second Commander,” Seta snapped. “Do you honestly think I’d risk this mission by having you come here at a time when others could see us?”

  He gulped then shook his head.

  With a sigh, she turned to Jaz. “Have you sorted through the magic sands?”

  “Yes, Leader,” Jaz replied.

  “Excellent.” She turned to Riles and handed him a map and what humans called food. “The map will take you to the Dark Castle. You must get the diamond crown so we can defeat the next queen.”

  “But this planet will kill a false queen,” he protested.

  “Relax, Commander. You won’t be crowned. You’re only doing this so Ann can’t become queen. When Queen Basilia’s birthday comes and Ann hasn’t assumed the throne, they’ll all die.”

  He breathed a sigh of relief.

  Rolling her eyes, she murmured a few words, and he changed into a replica of Ann in the pink dress. She really wished she’d known just how weak Riles was before she gave him his position. If she wasn’t so focused on saving her people, she’d find his replacement immediately. But as it was, she needed him so she’d make do for now.

  “I can’t change your appearance when you’re disguised as Ann. Queen Basilia put a spell on it, so you have to look just like that,” Seta explained. “I know the color pink is hideous, but you’ll have to make do. I’ll be by later to check on you.”

  Though he didn’t look happy about it, he headed down the path.

  Seta’s gaze went to Jaz, and she was surprised when she saw how intrigued Jaz seemed by their surroundings. “What is it?”

  “I’m not sure,” Jaz whispered. “But something about this is familiar.”

  “Have you seen Raz before?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Hmm… It’s probably not important. Come on. Let’s get back to Pale.”

  ***

  Laxy Rebellion Hideout

  Planet: Pale

  “Since Seta is planning to destroy Raz, we need a volunteer,” Zak said. “I need someone to spy on Seta and her commanders to find out what their next move is.”

  “I’ll go,” Paff offered.

  “But it’s dangerous,” Halima whispered, stopping him before he could go to the middle of the room where Zak waited.

  Cem put his hand on her arm. “Paff is the logical choice. He knows Alpha Head I better than anyone here.”

  “Are you sure you want to take this risk?” Zak asked, moving toward Paff.

  “I am,” Paff replied. “I’ve done a lot of damage as Second Commander, and while I know I can’t make up for it, I’d like to do something right for a change.”

  “That’s commendable,” Zak said. “Come back as soon as you can.”

  Paff nodded. “I will.” Or he would die trying. Either way, he owed this to them after his years of service to Omin.

  It took him about thirty minutes to get to the outskirts of the main city. He slowed his pace as he tried to figure out the best way to proceed. Getting caught by the guards wouldn’t be good. Even if Seta was the leader, he suspected he was still vulnerable.

  What surprised him, though, was the fact that none of the Palers and Laxes seemed to be aware of Raz’s predicament. He shouldn’t be surprised. Leader Seta was probably keeping it from them.

  Paff tried not to make eye contact with anyone. They might recognize him, even though he did get new clothes. He hurried along the streets, bypassing looters and those lying on the ground, moaning in pain.

  Up ahead, a movement caught his attention. He studied the Paler whose back was turned to him. The Paler was eating another Paler, but it wasn’t this act that caught his attention. It was the way the Paler was hunched forward.

  Paff walked over to him, shocked he should see him here. “Omin,” Paff drawled, an edge of bitterness in his voice.

  Omin glanced over his shoulder, and Paff caught a glimpse of Omin’s disfigured face.

  “Did Seta do that to you?” he asked.

  Omin hissed as he rose to his feet and snarled at him. “I should have killed you when I had the chance.”

  “But you didn’t,” Paff snapped. “And finally everyone sees you for the monster you are.”

  Omin snarled then leapt for Paff’s throat, but Paff dodged him.

  “I will rule Pale once again,” Omin seethed.

  “No, you won’t. Those in the Laxy Rebellion are winning, and now that the queen of Raz has teamed up with the Olympians, it’s just a matter of time before Seta’s defeated. A revolution is coming, and there’s nothing you or Seta can do to stop it.”

  Omin made another attempt to grab him, but Paff kicked him in the face, hurling him so hard that he landed on his back. He’d never been able to defeat Omin before, and he suspected the crystal that strengthened the Laxes also strengthened him.

  But Omin wasn’t on the ground for long. He leapt back up and raced for Paff. Paff moved to avoid him, but Omin grabbed his arm. Before Paff could push him away, Omin leaned forward and sunk his teeth into his flesh. With a roar, Paff gave Omin a solid punch in what was left of his face. Omin released him, but Paff could see there was a tooth lodged in his arm.

  This time Paff was the one who rushed at his opponent. Omin clasped Paff’s hands and pushed against him. Paff held his own, refusing to back down.

  “I hate you,” Paff spat. “I’ve always hated you.”

  “I never asked you to like me,” Omin snapped.

  The response struck a nerve somewhere deep in Paff. Early on, he had done everything he could to please Omin, tried to gain his approval. But nothing he ever did worked. And now he would have the pleasure of defeating him, of showing him that he wasn’t as weak and cowardly as Omin claimed.

  Years of suppressed hatred rose to the surface, and he managed to push Omin down. Before Omin could get up, Paff pinned him to the ground. Taking a knife from his belt, he knelt beside him.

  Slightly out of breath, Paff said, “You should have killed me when you had the chance, freak.”

  Paff lifted the knife, ready to strike when someone called out, “You can’t evolve into a better Paler unless you set aside your violent nature.”

  Paff froze.

  It was Cem.

  “Don’t do this,” Cem said, walking over to them. “You will only bring Zak much sorrow. You’re trying to prove you aren’t like the typical Paler. If you kill Omin, you’ll not only hurt yourself, but you’ll hurt other Palers who want something better for this world.”

  “Why should my actions affect other Palers?” Paff demanded.

  “The majority is judged by the actions of the few,” Cem quietly replied. “Before I met you, two Palers claimed to be on the side of the Laxes, but they ended up killing each other. Zak is wary of your kind. He only wants peace, but there can
be no peace as long as you, and others like you, let anger and hatred grab a foothold in your life.”

  Halima. If things didn’t change, Halima would be adversely affected. Then her agony in the Great Prison would have been for nothing.

  Paff looked down at Omin who sneered at him, a silent challenge for Paff to kill him…to stop being a coward. But in that moment, Paff realized it took more courage to believe in a better future for his world. And that meant he had to let go of the past.

  Paff released Omin and went over to Cem. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I need to do things differently.”

  “Fool.” Omin grunted. “You should never leave your defenses down.”

  He ran toward Paff, ready to attack. But Cem morphed into a ten-foot scorpion and delivered a powerful sting in Omin’s arm.

  Omin howled then hurried off down the road.

  Then, as fast as Cem had changed into his true Scorpion form, he resumed his appearance as a Lax.

  And all Paff could do was watch, his jaw dropped.

  “I always defend my friends,” Cem said.

  Finally, when Paff could speak, he replied, “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”

  With a grin, Cem led Paff back to the hideout.

  ***

  Leader Seta’s Office

  Planet: Pale

  “Here’s the magic sand,” Jaz told Seta as she put the hourglass down.

  Seta picked it up from her desk and studied it. “The sand of time,” she whispered.

  All of Ann’s memories taken from the needle were mixed in the sand. A slight turn of the glass, a few sands falling to the other side, and Ann would go as far back in time as Seta wished.

  “Are you sure it’ll work?” Seta asked.

  “Yes,” Jaz assured her. “We carefully wove the spell into each grain.”

  “And Hathor? Will he be able to go back and save her once we turn the hourglass over?”

  “No. This time, he will be powerless to help her.”

  “Excellent,” Seta whispered as she examined the sand. It was hard to believe Ann’s entire life was contained in something so small. “When I became her image, I was able to see her entire life. All those sappy memories of William were enough to make me want to throw up. But it’ll be useful. If anyone can convince her to give up Raz, it’ll be him.”

  After a few moments, Jaz asked, “Do you ever wonder where Omin is?”

  Seta scoffed. “That spineless excuse for a Paler? He’s no match for me. Why?”

  “To be honest, I’m scared.”

  “Don’t be. I can handle him. And if he crosses my path, I’ll do worse than disfigure him.”

  Though Jaz nodded, she didn’t look convinced.

  ***

  Forest Path

  Planet: Raz

  Ann glanced back and saw the castle was no longer in sight. Out here, she was on her own. Hathor couldn’t protect her, nor could he provide companionship. She didn’t realize how much she’d gotten used to him in the short time they’d known each other.

  With a heavy sigh, she turned her attention back to the path and continued down it. She had a mission. The Dark Castle was up ahead somewhere. The fate of the entire world rested on her shoulders.

  She glanced at the map when she came to a fork in the road and went down the way that would take her deeper into the forest where a variety of flowers lined the path. The scenery was certainly nice. In many ways, Raz seemed to possess the same natural beauties she’d enjoyed on Earth, minus the extra sun.

  She walked over a tree root when everything grew bright. She stopped walking and closed her eyes. After a moment, the light faded, and she blinked. It took her a couple moments to realize she was back in her apartment in North Dakota. What was she doing here? How did she get here? She was supposed to be on Raz going to a spooky castle.

  She noticed the phone in her hand. Maybe whoever was on it could tell her what was going on. “Hello?” she hesitantly asked.

  “I’m still here,” came William’s familiar voice. “I haven’t gone anywhere.”

  “William?” What was she doing talking to William?

  “Yes, it’s me. Don’t tell me you forgot me,” he joked.

  “Uh no.” She peered out the window and saw that everything was normal. “What day is it?”

  “Are you serious?”

  “Humor me,” she replied.

  She went to her computer, ready to turn it on when he answered her. “It’s January 17th.”

  “The 17th?”

  “Yep.”

  But it was supposed to be the 22nd. Five days. Had it really only been five days since Hathor appeared in her apartment and magically whisked her away? But if this was the 17th, then why wasn’t Hathor here?

  “Aren’t you going out with someone?” Ann asked. “What was her name?”

  Ann struggled to make sense out of everything that was happening, but none of it seemed to fit together. She turned on the computer and waited for it to load to the main screen.

  “Her name was Carol, but she went back to her ex-boyfriend,” he mumbled. “I just told you that a minute ago. Haven’t you been listening to anything I said?”

  She tapped her fingers on the desk as she waited for the computer to show her the date and time. “Maybe it was all a dream after all,” she whispered. But that didn’t explain why she was in her apartment instead of class where she’d fallen asleep.

  “I don’t dream of girls who leave me,” William said. “If I were to dream, I’d find Miss Right and live happily ever after with her.”

  The computer displayed the date and time, and she bit her lower lip. Yes, it was January 17th. And it was 1:35. She couldn’t be sure, but she thought she dozed off at 1:30.

  She looked at her wrist. The birthmark was right there. Then she noticed her clothes. She was wearing the brown cotton dress Queen Basilia put her in. So it wasn’t a dream! She really had been on Raz.

  “I have to get back to Raz! If I don’t, everyone on the planet will die.”

  “Raz? I was just telling you about Carol.”

  “She’s going to decide to be your girlfriend again. You have nothing to worry about,” she replied. Geesh. Was he always this self-centered? She had a planet full of creatures depending on her, for goodness’ sakes. She didn’t need to be stuck listening to this. “I’m supposed to be queen on another planet in the Enchanted Galaxy, and if I don’t make it back there in time to get the diamond crown before Seta does, Raz will die.”

  After a moment, he slowly answered with an, “Okaaay. So you’re going to be a queen on another world if you get a crown.”

  She rolled her eyes. Why would he believe her? It sounded ridiculous. “Forget it. I have to go.”

  She hung up. She knew she was being rude, but she had better things to do than listen to him mope about Carol. She had a world to save! But how was she going to get back? Hathor wasn’t here. Did he even know she was back on Earth? Without the Book of Spells or magic, she didn’t know how she was going to get back.

  “I need to get to Raz!”

  Then, without warning, another flash of white light almost blinded her. She closed her eyes and fell, flat on her face, on a dirt path. What the…? She scrambled to her feet and scanned her surroundings to make sure she was really on Raz, and sure enough, she was. How did she get back here?

  After she regained her composure, she picked up the map and her sack of food. That was so weird. She hoped nothing like it happened again. She had no doubt who’d been responsible for it. The Palers. Now that she was on Raz, they were doing everything possible to stop her from saving the world.

  It wasn’t until she was five minutes into her walk that she realized she’d been talking to William. She slowed her steps. She’d been talking to William, and it hadn’t even bothered her that he wanted to be with Carol. It used to bother her that he had moved on. But it didn’t anymore. It just bothered her that he was distracting her while she was trying to return to where she now b
elonged.

  Maybe she really had moved on and didn’t realize it. Yes, being queen of an entire world was a daunting task. But it gave her a purpose. It gave her something other than William to think about. And in so doing, it made her realize she didn’t want him anymore. Surprised, but relieved, she turned her attention back to the path.

  ***

  Alpha Head I

  Planet: Pale

  Seta was not pleased. The magic sands in the crystal hourglass had returned to the bottom.

  “Why didn’t our plan work?” she demanded, fists clenched. “Ann’s in love with William. Why would she want to go back to Raz when she could be with him instead?”

  Jaz frowned. “Maybe we read her feelings wrong. I’ll have to go through her memories again and see if there’s another time that we can send her to when she would pick him over Raz.”

  Seta sighed. “While you do that, I’m going to see how the rebuilding of the Great Prison is coming along. Check on Riles and see how things are progressing on Raz.”

  “Will do, Leader Seta.”

  With a nod, Seta left the room.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Forest

  Planet: Raz

  An hour later, Ann stopped to study her map. She had a long way to go. This journey was going to take her more than a day. She hoped Seta didn’t have a huge head start on her. She figured Queen Basilia would give them paths of the same length. Her brief time back on Earth talking to William shouldn’t have slowed her too much.

  Just as she was folding the map, something knocked into her, forcing her to the ground.

  “What are you doing?” she snapped, appalled that Seta would physically attack her.

  “Oh, please forgive me,” a boy’s voice said from behind her. “I didn’t mean to run into you.”

  For a moment, she could only stare at the faun. He was a cute child with horns on his head. The lower half of his body resembled a brown goat. He couldn’t have been older than ten.

  He grabbed her hand and urged her to stand up. “Please, we must run! A harpy’s chasing me, and now it’s going to be after you, too.”