Ludena, witch ruler of the world called Amber, witnessed
the brilliant display of colors painting the velvet of the night sky. Though
she had hoped to see streaks of amber showing true love had been found for
Emme, she sighed. Therewould be no wizard to stand with her oldest daughter
whenthe ending of her centuries arrived. Ludena left the ballroom where the
mucic had soured and the guests stood in awe staring at the colors flaring in
the sky. Would she find her oldest and youngest daughters dead?
Surely Emma would spare her sister. Ludena shuddered. To
raise a child in the manner Emme had been had troubled her. Four princes, each
with the potential for wizardry, had chosen one of Emme’s sisters.
She dreaded the next step to be taken but this prince was
cannier than the others. There was a dangerof the four princes and four sisters
uniting to overpower Emme. Without unselfish love Emme would be destroyed along
with the world called Amber.
Ludena reached the garden and found the gazebo where her
youngest daughter and Prince Rendel sat. She clasped Lysanda’s hand and
restored enough power to allow the young woman to walk. In several hundred
years, Lysanda would be a witch again but the man at her side would never
acquire the power needed to become a wizard.
The prince glared. “I demand Emme be punished. Indeed, I
would see her dead.”
“You have no right to anme her punishment,” Ludena said.
“She kept me from my rightful place.”
“You did that to yourself. Come, you and Lysanda must
announce your betrothal for you have declared your love is mutual and binding.”
The pair walked ahead of Ludena. At the entrance to the
ballroom she stepped to the fore and signaled the orchestra leader. The music
changed and the pair walked to the centerof the room. Ludena sought her spouse.
Soldar waved and pointed to an alcove. As soon as they
were inside he waved his hand. Neither sound or sight could penetrate the
barrier he’d raised. “And so the final eligible prince has failed the test.”
Ludena nodded. “I fear so.”
“I saw the demonstration. At least she only drained her
sister.”
“Again she showed restraint.”
“We must send her forth as your parents did to you and
pray she finds love before our days end.”
Ludena sighed. “Thereare centuries ahead of us. Though
anger rules her now I believe Emme will conquer anger, envy and jealousy. She
will find her mate.”
“I pray you are right.” Soldar took her hand in his. “When
do we do the deed?”
“As soon as possible. She must not have time to think or
plan. Right now she’sin the basement of her tower.
Soldar took his spouse’s hand and dismissed the barrier.
Wjile music played and the newly betrothed couple danced Ludena and Soldar
strolled the edge of the ball room uuntil they reached the entrance to the
throne room.
Light sparkled on the walls of amber. A pair of thrones
carved from the gem appeared to be formed from crystalline honey streaked with
ruddy tones.
Ludena paused to remove a tear shaped orb from a display
niche. She sent her daughter a message andclasped Soldar’s hand. Her time away
from theworld called Amber had been worth every lesson she had learned. Would
Emme feel the same?
Soldar cleared her throat. “I feel your pain.”
And he did. She also felt his. “The lessons must be
elarned. Mine brought me you and your love. Until she learns she is unfit to
take my place on the amber throne.”
Soldar smiled. “She must not rule alone She is our
daughter. Have faith and pray for her safe return. There are centuries ahead of
us.”
“So we call and she must answer.” She placed her hand palm
up on the arm of her chair. His palm covered hers. “Emme, come.”
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