Chapter 1 PROLOGUE & EXCERPT.

PROLOGUE

Once upon a time, he was a prince.

Once upon a time, he lived a life of luxury–surrounded by servants who tended to his every need, respected by all, feared by many.

Until the day the evil King of Badrith attacked his kingdom unexpectedly, killed his family, and took away his home.

Ten-year-old Prince Damon was taken hostage, tortured, and humiliated by King Judrith for two years before he escaped, faking his death.

Twenty years later, he returned-seeking vengeance and to reclaim all he had lost.

EXCERPT

Flaming arrows flew across the air. The clash of swords rang loudly. Screams and cries filled the atmosphere. Houses burned, bodies dropped lifelessly, and thick smoke blurred everything in sight.

Everywhere was chaos.

The palace was not spared. The enemy kingdom had successfully invaded it.

Damon ran out of his hiding place toward his father's nearly lifeless body.

He had witnessed King Judrith kill him.

"Father!" he cried, grabbing his hand.

Weakly, the king clasped his son's hand in his bloodied one. His eyes fluttered, clouded with tears.

"D–Damon..." he stuttered.

"Father, please, stand up. We have to save Mama and Eleanor. Stand up!" he cried, tugging at him.

"Y–You must... survive. You h–have to survive... no matter what," he forced out.

"Father, please don't die," the boy sobbed helplessly.

"Go. Go now. G–go far away... from here... and survive. Go," he ordered, pulling his hand away forcefully.

His eyes slowly shut. His breathing faded.

"Go, Damon... and survive."

His breath stilled.

"Father... please... stand up..." Damon cried, his voice breaking in agony.

The agony of losing everything-his home, his title, his family.

Footsteps approached.

Damon shot up and hid. When the soldiers passed, he ran.

He ran as fast as his young legs could carry him-into the darkness of the night.

The night that took everything from him.

---

CHAPTER ONE

TWENTY YEARS LATER

A light knock sounded at the door.

His gaze flickered toward it.

Another knock came-this time rough and urgent.

"Who is there?" he demanded, his voice stern.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

He stiffened.

No one entered.

The door remained ajar.

"What do you think you are doing?" he demanded, stepping closer.

"Reveal yourself this moment!"

Silence.

He moved to shut the door-

A hand shot out, gripping his neck.

He gasped as the force knocked him backward.

"Who are you?" he struggled out, clawing at the hand.

The man wore black. His face hidden.

An assassin.

"Who sent you?" he coughed, breathless.

"You evil man," the masked figure spat, releasing him.

Judrith dropped, coughing violently.

"Who are you?" he rasped.

A scoff.

"Someone who would love to see you dead."

"You dare! I am King Judrith of Badrith! I'll have you killed for treason!" he boomed, masking his fear.

A soft chuckle.

The assassin stepped closer.

Judrith stepped back instinctively.

"Like how you destroyed a whole family overnight?" the man said coldly.

"You are not human, Judrith."

"What do you mean? What do you know? Get out of here!" he shouted.

The assassin slowly unsheathed a dagger. Its blade gleamed in the dim light.

Judrith's stomach dropped.

"What do you want?" he stammered.

"Tell me-I will give you anything!"

The man said nothing.

He advanced.

The dagger raised.

Ready to strike.

"My king-" a voice called.

Judrith's eyes snapped to the door.

A guard.

Luke.

"What's going on-? Assassin!" Luke shouted, raising an alarm flute.

Without hesitation, the assassin leapt through the window and vanished.

"Are you alright, my king?" Luke rushed to him.

"Go after him. Now!" Judrith barked.

"Yes, my king!" Luke ran, sounding the alarm.

Judrith remained on the floor, shaken.

Who would dare attempt to kill him?

The thought unsettled him.

Who would dare?

_____

He ran into the dark forest, breath heavy.

He had escaped.

"Your Highness."

He didn't turn.

"Are you alright?"

He gave a curt nod, his expression cold.

"It's time, Cole," he said.

"We take back our home tomorrow."

His eyes burned with rage.

"Tomorrow... we seize Judrith."

He turned, walking deeper into the darkness, his presence heavy with darkness.

Cole nodded.

That was all he needed.

Tomorrow-

The beginning of the end.

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