The Kader Syntera Series

Book 1 - Prologue

Year 5360

The night is too quiet. Drowning in the silence, my ears pulse and I stiffen, is this it?

And that’s when I feel him. He’s coming for me.

Adrenaline courses through my body, taking a quick moment to focus and use my years of training to control the fear.  I quietly slip out of my bed, thankful that I’m alone, and quickly dress before throwing the hidden leather satchel across my body. Thank the gods Asceline insisted I be ready.

With steady feet, I begin to creep across the floor to the hidden passageway we’ve used for years to sneak out and hunt. Oh the irony – this is the first time I’m the hunted.  

Even as an adult ruling my country, this was my one haven, a safe place to escape unnoticed and meet my closes friends. We spent years riding, hunting and swimming – creating a sense of normalcy to the royal life. The King knew, of course – we shared everything. Shared…before they had him killed. Oh we knew it would end someday.

Moving quickly through the passage, I stop briefly at the last turn on my level, peaking out the decorative holes a master builder from years past thought to add. The angles show me the open air corridors and banisters leading to my chamber, but do not giveaway the passageway. Genius, really.

The moonlight shines on the railing, benches and plants nestled above the gardens below, a perfect square constructed hundreds of years ago by my family. There is no wind, no sound, not even the breath or chatter of my guards. Where are my guards?

I look closer to see darker lumps among the shadows outside my chamber doors. Dead.

Intense fury overtakes any remaining fear. How dare he?!?

But this is no time to lose my head and as I’m about to turn – I feel him. I’ve delayed too long.

Stillness is my friend and I dare not breath as he passes by the wall. The only calming force is knowing full well that he nor anyone else knows of this secret tunnel. He pauses and I freeze. I can see him clearly, his tall stature, chiseled features and dark hair. He’s mere feet from where I’m hidden and although I used to find him attractive, now my stomach burns with hate.

Hatred for my dead husband, hatred for my beloved guards that I’ve known since childhood, hatred for what I know this land will become under his rule. This was the only way.

His face is set with determination, his eyes forward as he inclines his head slightly in my direction. And just my luck, a mouse scurries past distracting him. Another reason to thank the gods tonight.

He carries on and I flee.

Down multiple levels and around various turns, my hand on the right wall guiding my every step. Steps I know by heart and thank the gods because its pitch black.

I come to the agreed-upon exit and quietly push on the stone-colored flowers along the doorframe. Why they are in the inside too is a mystery we never figured out, but the door clicks open and I swing it out slowly.

Straining my ears for any sound, I silently glide down the corridor to the left and take the first right near the kitchens – running directly into a girl, flour flying everywhere. Fuck.

A woman chides the girl, “Oh for gods sake. Really? This is the last thing we need – you wasting flour over your clumsi…….,” Asceline is standing there wiping her hands and immediately drops into a bow.

“My Queen,” and she forces the girl down with her.

“We have no time. He has come.” I quickly reply, wiping the flour as best I can from my dark clothes.

“Yes, my Queen. Quickly – through here.” Asceline turns to the girl, “You too. The gods have spoken.”

I look at Asceline, “No. We must be swift,” the Queen looks her up and down, “and she will slow me down.”

“She has no family. And its not for you to say what the gods will. She goes.” Asceline argues.

We stare at each other and I fight my inner desire to tell her where to shove it.

“Fine.”

I have no time to process this change and must get us out before he realizes where I’ve gone. Asceline grabs a few bags on our way to the stables. Interesting. She was prepared for the girl as well.

Asceline pushes the girl towards the stables, giving her quick instructions and then grabs my arm tightly, her eyes hazy and drifting up, seeing something I can’t. “This is the way. The girl must stay with you – you’ll know when to part. This is the way.” Blinking, Asceline looks back my way and there are tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry. We will do all we can to give you time.”

I lean forward and rest my forehead on hers, a sign of deep respect and thanks.

Following the girl, I hear, “oh gods be, you can’t be serious. Nimai, we are not taking this..this..child with us.”

I reply, “The gods have spoken...and so has your sister. We must hurry.”

I help the girl finish buckling her saddle straps and lift her up. “Stay close and you’ll be safe.” She stares wide-eyed back at me, mouth open and shock radiating from her in waves. I feel sad for her. Her fate is now tied to ours and I don’t even know her name.

The old woman climbs her horse and looks at us, “Shut your mouth or you’ll eat all the bugs from here to the sea. Let’s ride.” And then she’s off, us quickly following at her heels. The silence breaking with the hoofs of our horses.

The gates are already open and we take the road through the Kala Forest. He wouldn’t dare follow us – his men wouldn’t make it. And he’s not strong enough to stand against the Forest and take us…not yet, and hopefully not ever.

After about 20 minutes of riding, I stop at the last lookout of my ancestral home, fighting the tears. I knew this day would come, and I’d do everything again to have what we have. It was inevitable.

The full moon shines upon the metal roof tops and that’s when I feel then hear his rage. The earth beneath me shakes and a guttural cry echoes across the land…and a small smile turns up my right cheek as I make a promise to him and to myself.

You may have my home today, but it is not forever.

I will see you beaten before the end, I swear it.