The Sovereign Heir (Book 1)

I am gone in a flash, landing right in front of Elder Olivia. “A pleasure to see you again, Princess Elaina.” Olivia bows her head in my direction. “The pleasantries can wait, why is a priest of Allister still walking the face of the earth? Who had access to the ashes to the Tree of Origin? Lastly, who was the only candidate to be expelled from the realm?” Elder Olivia didn’t say a word and instead handed me several scrolls at once placing them on the table before me.

The first scroll indicated that Allister somehow conceived a child after being cursed to roam the earth as the first Lycan. The details were sketchy but a sunstone was manipulated allowing him to look human again only one night per lunar month. A volunteer or should I say victim was forced every month to endure laying with Allister until his seed took hold.

There were not many details about the women and likely murdered after giving birth. It is assumed a small contingency of Allister’s high priest remained hidden raising his offspring. This period of time Allister had not fully lost his immortality and it is theorized the child inherited some similar traits that I hold. Before his curse he had gathered a cache of sunstones, entrusted them to his priests.

Another scroll described a student of the realm gave access to a priest of Allister. He had dug underneath the Tree of Life harvesting the last remnants of the Persea tree to weaponize it. As told to the Elder’s Persea is deadly to all supernatural’s except anyone directly from the original bloodline such as Allister.

It could be manipulated to resurrect as well as kill. Active genes could be harvested from several individuals to reconstruct the original DNA sequence or it could be taken from one. The only one with fully activated genes was me. I was always the ultimate target, everyone that was taken was nothing but a backup plan.

The last scroll I went through referred to my rebirth. The death of the last integrated heir must occur to achieve immortality and be reborn. I didn’t understand what that meant, I would have to die? “Elder Olivia, what in the hell does this mean? Reincarnation? Reborn how and by what? Why was I never shown this before today?”

Elder Olivia found it hard to look me in the eyes while answering me. “I am afraid this is all we could find. I wish we had more answers for you, Princess. With the answers we do have; only leading to more questions. The scroll referring to you did not come into our possession until the night of the veil lifting. We were only able to decipher that you would need us just before the strike of Midnight.” That only meant one thing, Elijah was behind this. “Does anyone else know about this? Do my grandparents know?” Olivia answered quickly, “No, none of us could read the rest of the scroll as the text changed constantly. It appears you were the only one meant to read it, along with your mate.”

I read the rest of my private message from Elijah. The range of my ability would be limitless with a dire warning of being corrupted and not letting the darkness overtake my purpose. The end results would lead to the total destruction of the world as we know it. I am not ready to die. I was told I would have 66 years of life.

This was straight bullshit! Why even give me a mate just to lose them, forced to start over again in a new body. I couldn’t take this trash reveal any longer. “Please find me the scroll that speaks of a mated pair of difference stations. I will be back shortly.” Elder Olivia bowed as I exited the council hall.

I went through the grove to the water’s edge surrounding the Tree of Life. I collapsed on my knees in pure agony. “Why? Why would you let me be born just to die, to start over. Why would you give me a mate just to take all my happiness away?”

A river of tears escaped my eyes as my grief overtook me. “Your death will give you all the strength for what is to come, it is inevitable. Just as I once felt as you do now, you will overcome this.” Elijah stood before me in his glowing nonchalant glory. I would knock the piss out of him if I could. “What if I don’t want to sacrifice myself. Why can’t I be selfish for once and have what I want?”

Elijah kneeled down to me as he spoke, “Oh, but you will little one.” After he spoke those words he was gone. I wiped my tears and splashed some of the illuminated water on my face. I got back on my feet turning my back on the tree. I needed to get a piece of information from my grandparents for the sake of Alexus and Maddox. Since I sensed Olivia was coming up with nothing on the location of the scroll.

“Look brother a fire lotus sprang from her tears!” Elijah and one of his brothers were standing in the spot Elaina’s tear had touched. “She is truly the one we have waited for.” Elijah stroked the petals of the lotus. “Indeed she is. Elaina will be more powerful than any of us combined. She just doesn’t know it yet.”

Elijah’s brother came closer observing the fire lotus as Elijah placed it in the water. “Should we have told her the truth of her death and of the one we exiled?” The lotus’ began to multiply rapidly. “If we did she would not of subconsciously made the choice. It will all work out as it should. Elaina will surprise us all and we will be there for her whenever she needs us.”

I walked into my grandparents’ cottage. My grandfather’s face changed immediately when he saw my eyes. I explained to them what I read in the scroll and why I didn’t want to go through with it. It felt like such a lie. “Elaina, we love you so very much, but with all our centuries of wisdom we shouldn’t tell you what we think you should do. It has to be your choice, whether that be good or bad. Talk to your mate, he has a right to know what is at risk.”

They were right, I do need to discuss this with him. My grandparents agreed to not speak of this to my parents, as they have the inability to not stay out of my destined path. I wrapped both of them in my arms .”I love you guys so much.”

My grandfather whispered in my ear, “We love you more. This will work itself out. I’m sure of it.” My grandparents were helpful with giving me the laws that supersede ranking for fated mates, all I needed was the scrolls to reinforce a resounding no to Alder. This had been an ongoing problem since the day of the division. I was going to put an end to these discussions with King Alder once and for all. My mother in law was due to arrive tomorrow morning. I pray she is able to reason with her mate once he realizes his fight is futile.

I orbed back to the mansion, sent a text to Nolan telling him we needed to talk soon. I watched the bubbles form: [Love, we are at the pack house dungeon. Ashton is going to be moved to a secure location out of the territory.]

I closed my eyes in frustration, knowing fully well that King Alder made that suggestion. This attack happened to me and not to another wolf pack or Lycan, technically he was out of jurisdiction in this matter. This man was going to drive a wedge between us if he didn’t stay in his lane.