By Order of the King
Orphaned at the age of 11, Skye was the sole survivor of a devastating fire that destroyed her home in a village in the Scottish Lowlands of 1301. By order of King Cinaed, her reluctant uncle was forced to take her in, though he left her upbringing to his maids.
As Skye grew older, her uncle saw her marriageable age as an opportunity to rid himself of her. However, Skye, haunted by the scars of her past and fearful of rejection, sent away every suitor her uncle brought to the castle.
When a new order from the King arrived, the entire family, including Skye, delightedly welcomed the news. But Skye’s heart was gripped by fear and uncertainty beneath her composed exterior. Her greatest dread was about to come true, threatening to upend her fragile sense of security and thrust her into an unknown future.
Unbeknownst to Skye, forces beyond her control set the stage for a journey filled with secrets, betrayal, and unexpected alliances. As the shadows of her past collide with the demands of her present, Skye must navigate a web of intrigue to uncover the truth and find her place in a world turned upside down.
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Chapter: Chapter 95 Iona stopped outside the kitchen door and hesitated. She wasn't ready to face anyone yet.She wiped her eyes carefully and waited for the moisture to dry. Then she stepped inside, removed her cape, hung it on its hook, and went straight to her usual spot at the vegetable-peeling corner without a word.No "Good morning." Not today.It wasn't a good day—it was one of the worst she could remember.A few heads turned. The others looked at her in mild surprise, confused by her absence of the usual greeting. But no one asked questions. No one said a word. They returned to their work.Iona sat in the low chair and began peeling vegetables. A task that had now become a routine in her daily life, yet she felt discomfort; something inside her felt off. It had started low, like a whisper just below the ribs, and then spiraled up, wrapping around her throat and making it difficult to swallow. Her mouth was dry. Her throat tasted like copper and sorrow.She hadn't eaten, but she didn't care—her ap
Last Updated: 2025-06-28
Chapter: Chapter 94Iona gripped the broom tightly, pressing her fingers into the smooth wood.The stiff bristles scraped against the stone floor, the sound grating in a way that always made her shudder.Dust swirled, hovered for a moment, then settled again—just out of reach. She pushed it forward. Again. Again."Too bad you got out of that hole," she had said to him.The words had clung to her all day, rattling in her mind.Why had she said those words?She didn't mean them, and now she regretted those words.But it was done, and Dougal probably wouldn't want to see her again after that.Her grip tightened. The broom scratched harder against the stone, its strokes growing sharper and more forceful.She was too deep inside her thoughts to notice the presence behind her.A gentle tap on her shoulder jolted her back into reality.She sucked in a breath, startled, jumping slightly.Her eyes darted around—until they landed on Fergus.His gaze was steady. Unwavering.Her expression hardened. She narrowed her
Last Updated: 2025-06-20
Chapter: Chapter , Part 2Talisha smiled against Skye's shoulder. "Right decision," she said, stroking her hair. "And if you want, we can invite some of Hector's friends, especially Lennox and Eithne—I know you've been close to them. What do you say?"Skye nodded, pressing her chin lightly against Talisha's shoulder, seeking comfort in the warmth of her presence."Excellent. I'll tell Glenn to prepare the invitations for Eithne and Lennox. For the rest of the guests, I'll discuss it with Hector first to choose who else to invite. Since the king is away, I suggest only young people—those who have the appetite and stamina for fun."Skye let out a soft, imperceptible laugh, a breath of lightness curling past her lips—the first in the last days."Discuss this with Hector. I don't want him to be misunderstood by offended people who weren't invited.""Okay. I'll do whatever you want. I'll discuss it with Hector."Talisha gently pulled away, her hands resting on Skye's forearms for a moment as if to reassure her befo
Last Updated: 2025-06-05
Chapter: Chapter 93, Part 1Iona closed the heavy wooden kitchen door behind her, the worn hinges creaking under the force of her movement. She leaned against it, her chest rising and falling too quickly.As if she had been running.As if she had been running from something.But now she was safe, or at least she believed so. She took a deep breath. The air in the kitchen smelled of hearth fire, baked bread, and the faint metallic bite of winter.The abrupt sound of the door echoed through the room, catching everyone's attention, including Talisha, who turned sharply."Iona?" Her voice carried a mix of surprise and concern as she moved toward her.By the time Talisha reached her, Iona had already pulled off her hood. She had removed her cape, shaking off the last traces of cold, and hung it carefully on the wooden hooks."Yes, it's you," Talisha murmured, relief and curiosity flickering in her eyes.Iona forced a composed smile. "Good morning, Madam Talisha."Talisha's gaze swept over her. "I didn't expect you to
Last Updated: 2025-06-04
Chapter: Chapter 92The next morning, as Iona stirred from sleep, her first instinct was to check her finger. She worked carefully, unwrapping the fabric in slow, deliberate motions. The dim pre-dawn light made her squint, but as her wound came into view, her breath caught.Talisha was right.The gash was gone, replaced only by a faint, pink line. Iona pressed the skin cautiously. Nothing. No pain.She exhaled. Good. Now, she could get back to her miserable duties.If she were honest, though, she wasn't eager to return to them. What she feared most was the possibility of being cast aside and dismissed as useless. The fulfillment of her plan depended on her position, no matter how humiliating. She had to endure. Because one day, she would be rewarded.Years of brilliance awaited her—if she could endure a few months of suffering.She let out a slow breath, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. Time to get up.A humming sound drifted from outside, low and restless."It's windy today," she thought, a str
Last Updated: 2025-05-29
Chapter: Chapter 91The door to the forge closed behind them, keeping its warmth as the bitter cold rushed in to greet them.The chill hit Iona like a slap, stealing the breath from her lungs. For a fleeting moment, she longed for the familiar heat of the forge—the fire, the glow, the comfort—but she shook off the thought and pulled her cloak tightly around herself.Beside her, Dougal barely seemed affected. If the cold bit at him, he didn't show it. Wrapped in his warm clothes and heavy cloak, he strode forward, gripping the basket firmly in one hand."Let's go," he said, urging her to move.Iona tried—but for a heartbeat, her limbs refused to obey. The cold had stiffened her joints, locking her in place."What happened to you? Move," Dougal pressed, his tone impatient. When she still didn't budge, he gave her a light push—not rough, not forceful. Just enough to jolt her forward.It backfired.Her balance wavered, her body tilting dangerously toward the ground. In that split second—before she could brac
Last Updated: 2025-05-22
Finding The Heart of Magic
Many years ago, dragons discovered the supreme good that the Earth could offer to any of its creatures. A red gem, which the king of dragons named "The Heart of Magic" because of its shape, resembled a heart.
The magic gem fulfilled their greatest desires.
All the dragons in the world obtained a necklace with a small piece of the red gem that shone. All the dragons born afterward also carried the same necklace.
Then, when the gem got stolen, this light went out of every necklace, and the dragons lost these magical abilities that the gem had given them.
But before this could happen, after fulfilling these desires, the dragons used them against the humans, enslaving them, but when the gem got stolen, it was all over.
Dragons are still looking for it, and humans wish never to be found so that they do not go through the same thing again.
Princess Edith, after a family tragedy, she will be forced to go in search of the gem. Through the journey of investigation, she will discover that she possesses special powers that she did not know that she has until that moment.
Drake is the Dragon King's son and will be secretly sent to help Edith seek the gem.
Carrying his dark and heavy past on his back, he moves forward with his life with no regrets about his actions back then.
Everything is about to change.
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Chapter: Chapter 35My throat burns with each swallow.Each step only sharpens my thirst, making it hard to focus on anything else. My thirst is the only thing I can feel.Then-A voice breaks through."Look," Ballyan's voice carries the first hint of hope. "Light, right ahead. We're almost out."I look where he shows us, and he's right.He turns to me. "So? What's next?" he asks. His voice is firm, unwavering—no hesitation, no doubt."We are meant to encounter a rocky area with a cliff below. There will be a sea featuring a small bay with a beach and a cave. "Although the cave will be visible, we will need to swim to enter it," I reply calmly.The forest ends, and we keep walking. The light is bright, and we squint our eyes until we adjust to it.Every now and then, I discreetly run my tongue over my lips. I admit this does not quench my thirst, but I can't stop doing it. Somehow, it provides relief.The first thing we notice is the smell of the sea. A crisp, intense taste in the air, like a wind soaked
Last Updated: 2025-06-12
Chapter: Chapter 34We have no choice but to keep running. My stamina is increasingly failing me. My breaths are short and sharp. My lungs are starting to burn so much that it hurts like knives are being stabbed into my chest. My legs are shaking, barely obeying me. They beg me to let them collapse, but my mind refuses. One more step. Just one more. Then another. Please continue.My heartbeat is screaming inside my head and deep in my throat. A branch tears my arm, but I barely notice the pain.The landscape before me is blurry. Shapes swirl in the corners of my eyes, shifting like ghosts, like the evil spirits that are chasing us. Their creeping follows us, sending shivers down my spine.Only at the last moment do the blurred shapes take on their standard form. An invisible shape now approaches me, and as its image clears, I recognize it as a tree. I don't have time to avoid it. My shoulder scrapes against the rough bark. My heartbeat is now pounding in my ears, deafening.I grit my teeth. I won't give
Last Updated: 2025-06-12
Chapter: Author NoteAn Update from the Author – New Chapters are Coming!Dear readers,I just wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your love, patience, and support for "Finding the Heart of Magic." Your messages asking me to continue truly touched my heart—I see them, and I appreciate every single one of you who has been waiting for more.I haven't forgotten this story—it's been in my heart all this time, waiting for the right moment to continue its journey. And now, that time is near.Here's the plan: Before I return fully to Finding the Heart of Magic, I want to complete another story I've been working on first. Once that is finished, I will be back with new chapters and exciting twists! I promise it will be worth the wait. In the meantime… If you're reading this, it means you've received a notification about a chapter update. While this is not a full chapter, I wanted to ensure you all saw this message—so you know the story is not abandoned and will return stronger than ever.I also want to s
Last Updated: 2025-06-10
Chapter: Chapter 33I feel beads of sweat run down my spine and collect in the dimple at the base of my waist."Did you feel that?" I ask the knights wanting to know their thoughts on what had just happened. Maybe there is some logical explanation. Perhaps it's a unique phenomenon in this magical forest that I don't know about.I wish to be."Yes," Brian answers."What is it?" I ask again."It was just o breath of air."I narrowed my eyes and pursed my lips. "I'm not stupid, Brian. It wasn't just a breeze like all the others. Not a leaf was moved. How do you explain that?'The knight stops short and scratches the back of his neck."You notice that, don't you?" asks me."Of course I noticed. What is it? Why did it happen?"The other knights seem to have heard our conversation because they are approaching us."The truth is, we don't know what it might be. Various legends circulate in people's mouths, but it is difficult for me to believe all I hear." Ballyan informs me, and then I remember."Aida before I
Last Updated: 2022-07-28
Chapter: Chapter 32I remain frozen in my place while my heart starts hammering. I must inform the men immediately. Brian is closer to me, and I decide to tell him.I lean slightly towards him. "Brian," I whisper, wanting to get his attention first.He turns and looks at me. "What's up, princess. Why are you whispering?" he tells me with carelessness, and I want to bring him the plate I was holding on his head. But he is right. He doesn't know."Wild animals are here watching us. They may have surrounded us. Tell to Robert who is sitting near you. Everyone needs to be informed," I tell him, and he nods in agreement.From my seat, I watch the process as the information was transferred from one to another and how their behavior changed from the moment they learned.They left their plate on the ground and put his hand on the handle of the sword, ready for defense.When the information reaches Ballyan, he leaves his plate on the ground, and he carefully searches th
Last Updated: 2021-10-28
Chapter: Chapter 31EdithWe reach the edge of the forest very quickly. Knight Ballyan approaches me and tells me:"It's time to let go of the horses, my princess.""Okay," I answer, and Ballyan gives the order to the other knights.We dismounted from the horses, and the soldiers who had followed us took the horses' reins and, with a simple "Good Luck," took the road back to the castle.We watch them walk away for a while, but when the dust raised by the horse's clattering of feet and drowns us causing us a cough, we decide to move on.We begin to enter the forest, and the drop in temperature is quickly felt. The vegetation is dense. Gigantic trees with massive, thick trunks and low and tall shrubs cover almost all the ground. Somewhere we find some flowers with huge blossoms. This is the first time I see such flowers. They have lovely bright colors and a delectable scent.I gape for a moment at this incredible beauty of theirs when, at some point, a large insect comes and sits on the bloom to feed itself
Last Updated: 2021-07-25
Chapter: EPILOGUETwo years later The door of my parent's home was waiting for us, wide open. They stood there with a smile up to their ears and their hugs genuine for us. Those hugs were full of infinite love and affection for us. I got lost in their open arms, and the love I felt overwhelmed me for those two beautiful people. "Come on, son, come inside. Why did you stay on the doorstep?" I heard what my mother said to Eric, and I smiled. "Hello, Mrs. Joanne, Mr. James," Eric said, entering the house. My mother reached out and pulled him closer to us. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me mother? You will become our son in a few months. Oh! My children, you made us so happy!" Those two years that passed were the most beautiful of my life. The months passed beautifully and calmly without anyone threatening us with his presence. Our love remained just as strong and steady. So, a few days ago, he proposed to me, and I c
Last Updated: 2021-02-25
Chapter: CHAPTER 39Portia accepted his request and explained to him, telling him the whole truth. She also asked him for the help she wanted from him. "And what are you going to do with it?" he asked her suspiciously. "This is not of your job," she told him, somewhat hesitantly, fearing that he would not help her in the end. But that did not happen. "Very well. I will bring it to you". "And about the money, don't worry, I will have it." "Okay, but the money is not the only thing I want." "What else?" she asked him in wonder. "I want to spend a few hours together in a bed this time," he told her meaningfully. Portia thought about it for a moment, and she said okay for that. She would do anything to get what she needed to continue with her plan. "Very well then, meet me in an hour at the hotel." And he told her which hotel it was. "Okay. I'll be there but not in one hour. I need more hours. I am not in London." "Wher
Last Updated: 2021-02-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 38Marianne found free parking and left the car. The supermarket was right across the street, and had to cross the road to get there. Paul found this to be a fantastic coincidence because Marianne was in the right place for them to proceed with his plan and be visible to anyone in the supermarket. After all, that is what he sought. Let Eric see them. He accelerated his pace to catch her as he was ready to cross the road. Paul had approached her enough to hold her lightly by the arm. "Marianne, wait." Marianne, surprised, turned to see who it was. "Paul?" she said, not believing her eyes. "Yes me. I want to talk to you for a minute." "There is no way I can hear you and let me go" she shook her arm with force to release it, but Paul tightened his grip. "You have to listen to me. It won't take you more than a minute." "I don't want to listen to you. Don't you get it?" she countered. His hopes began to fade. If
Last Updated: 2021-02-23
Chapter: CHAPTER 37Portia and Paul were sitting facing each other with a cup of hot coffee in front of them. They had approached their heads and were talking almost in whispers because, of course, they did not want anyone to hear them make plans to hurt other people. Portia explained what he needed to do, ensuring that everything will go well and that the plan will work correctly. All this had become her obsession. "And it should be done in that way so Eric – I think that his name- sees you okay. Besides, that is the whole point." Portia pointed out to him, "to make him believe that is a big slut, so he will hate her and never want to see her again. He will break with her once and for all. And that will allow you to make her yours again. Isn't that what you want? To marry her so that you can have the inheritance that her aunt will give her? And as far as I can remember, it's big money." "Yes, I want that. That's what I always wanted. And after I got her inheritance in m
Last Updated: 2021-02-22
Chapter: CHAPTER 36Eric tried to go after Marianne, but a hand clutched his arm. He had forgotten that Portia was still there. "Let her go. Now I'm here for you. Now and forever. I'm crazy about you." Portia said to him with an alluring voice. He had made sure that she was the same Portia that Marianne had talked to him. He heard her disgusting voice full of fake passion, and that made him sick. He couldn't even see her in front of him, and he hated even her touch. Knowing Portia's aggravated past, Eric was easy for him to realize that it was another plan of hers to grab him from Marianne's arms as she did with Marianne's fiancé. How on earth did she find out where she set up her new life? He had to run to catch her. He shook her hand over him with force. "Don't you dare to touch me again," he said in disgust and ran to the exit. He hurried down the stairs and ran after Marianne. "Wait, Marianne," he shouted at her, but she did not turn to look at him; instead, sh
Last Updated: 2021-02-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 35Portia greeted the detective's assistant with a cheerful "Chao" and left the office. She got in the elevator that would take her to the ground floor. By the time she found and took her cell phone out of her vast, messy bag, she had already left the apartment building. He stood there in a corner and made the phone call he wanted. "Paul? I have amazing news. I found where our little runaway has been hiding for so long. To be honest, I'm not entirely sure that it's her house or her new boyfriend, and that's something we need to find out." At the other end of the call, Paul remained speechless. "Wait a minute! What did you say? Did Marianne find a boyfriend? " "Pff, what did you think? That she would mourn the deceased for a long time? " Paul got angry. "Come on, close your mouth, little snake." "Yeah, right. When you were fucking this snake, was it okay?" "Anyway, Portia, let's not start this discussion now. You know very well tha
Last Updated: 2021-02-20
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