The Last Witch (Incenaga Trilogy) (34 page)

H
e was gone. And so was Erick.

“Erick!” Emmeline shouted
, but the wind picked up her voice and carried it away. She squinted into the trees. The storm fought against every branch and every bush, making it too difficult to tell the difference between moving trees and moving people. She slammed her fists against the door frame. If she ran into the rain, she would lose every spark of power. She could only hope that Mahlon would return for her and she could face him again. But if he returned, it would be because he had defeated Erick. She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry.

Erick
emerged from the trees, blood oozing from his ear. He leaned over his knees and coughed. More blood. No longer caring if she lost her heat, Emmeline dashed into the rain and placed her hands over Erick’s arms.

“What happened? Are you okay?”

Erick straightened and pulled her against him. He buried his face into her shoulder before pulling back and glaring into the forest. “He got away. I’m so sorry, Emmeline. The rain was in my face and I didn’t see him come out from behind the tree until it was too late.”

Emmeline’s hair whipped around
her. “It’s okay. You’re okay, right? That’s all that matters.”

Erick nodded, his jaw set. It was clear he
wasn’t pleased that Mahlon was still free. Emmeline didn’t like it either, in fact, she hated it. She swallowed her disappointment. Erick’s army would find Mahlon. She had to believe that. She was just glad Erick was alive. Taking his hand, she led him inside. The fire no longer beckoned her, but its pulsing heat annoyed her. Each flicker was a reminder of who she was and how easy it would be for someone else to control her. For Mahlon to return and enslave her. Would Dolmerti’s army be enough to protect her? Or was it only a matter of time before she faced the same fate as the other witches.

Emmeline filled a bucket with water and
hurled it onto the flames. The fire sizzled into steam. With her arms folded across her chest and a scowl on her face, Emmeline stared at the rising smoke. Would she ever be completely free? Her thoughts seemed frozen until Erick cleared his throat. He glanced at the cold fireplace and then walked over to her, folding her into his arms.

“I’ll never be safe, Erick
,” Emmeline said against his shirt.

“Emmeline, I will protect you. I will keep you safe.
Don’t worry about Mahlon. We’ll find him. And no one will challenge Dolmerti’s army. We are too strong. This is why your father wanted me to protect you in the first place. Trust me, Emmeline. You are safe with me.”

Emmeline nodded but her fears were too rooted to forget so easily.
“It will only take one person, Erick. One person capable of slipping through your army’s protection and I’ll disappear.”

Erick squeezed her. “I won’t let that happen.”

Emmeline looked up and found Erick watching her, looking for her to trust him. The fierce determination in his eyes told her he would do all in his power to keep her from harm. But would it be enough? She didn’t know. She did know, however, it was enough for her to be near him and feel his warmth next to her. It was enough to know he loved her.

And if someone came for her, they would face
him together.

The great courtyard of the Dolmerti Palace was filled as it never had been before. Loyal subjects had come from near and far to witness the introduction of Emmeline Durandi, the
soon-to-be bride of Dolmerti’s Crown Prince Richmond Frederick III. Many had come out of curiosity, to see if the rumors were true. Was she really the last Incenaga? The Crown Prince had not announced her as such, but the people loved to believe a good rumor. Many had come in celebration for their beloved Crown Prince and his luck in finding true love. And others had come to show their support for the new peace treaty. No matter the reason, the people of Dolmerti were happy.

Pamizak had opened its trade routes
, and wealth and prosperity were already spreading among the citizens of both Dolmerti and Pamizak. Friendships had been formed, alliances secured. Once word of Mahlon and Prince Weldon’s treachery spread abroad, the rebelling noblemen slunk back to their various estates, most of them denying involvement altogether.

Emmeline’s father
chose not to reinstate himself as ruler of Pamizak. Instead he relocated to a quiet, secluded farm near the palace of Dolmerti. He had also joined the crowd to witness the introduction of his lovely daughter. He was confident in Erick’s abilities to protect her. Erick controlled the finest, strongest army to ever grace the land. But, most importantly, Erick loved her with all his soul, keeping her near him and close to his heart.

A cheer rose up as the Crown Prince stepped onto the balcony. He waved to his citizens and waited for them to quiet down.

“Good day, my beloved people. I come to you today with gladness in my heart as I present to you Princess Emmeline Durandi, future princess of Dolmerti.”

Emmeline stepped onto the balcony, grasping his outstretched hand. A moment of stunned silence fell over the crowd before they broke into a deafening cheer. Streamers and ribbons twisted and twirled in the air. Small children were thrown onto their father’s shoulders for a better view. Love for their
future princess shone in the eyes of all present. She would bring to peace to their country and love to their Crown Prince. And their lives would forever be changed.

Erick kissed Emmeline and the crowd’s cheer rose to deafening levels. Emmeline laughed. Finally, she felt at home.

Many thanks to Brenda Volonte, Marsha McDowell and the awesome ladies in her book club, Julie Jewell, and Katie Schick who were all willing to read those first few hideous drafts: Your encouraging words and intelligent commentary were invaluable. And thanks to my little sister, Pamela Jewell, who is too cool for words and who kept asking me to send her a copy, but I kept forgetting. Thanks for wanting to read it and forgiving your slacker sister.

Thanks to Tara Kelly
whose editorial talent helped shape this book into something readable. Your spot-on advice has helped me become a better writer. Thanks to all the amazing authors and editors of LDStorymakers. I wish I could download all your wisdom into my brain. And thanks to Isaiah Stephens for creating such breath-taking cover art. More of his work can be found at www.isaiahstephens.deviantart.com.

Although I’ve already thanked her above,
a special shout out should go to my mom, Julie Jewell, whose encouragement kept me going when I wanted to give up. Thanks for sharing in this journey with me and being the best mom and friend a daughter could ask for.

A million special thanks to my husband, Benjamin Dee, who read
The Last Witch
more times than he probably wanted and helped me turn it into a much cooler story. Thanks for spending so much time and energy editing, commenting, discussing, and dealing with my tears. You are my handsome prince, my knight in shining armor, and my happily ever after.

Thanks to my wonderful kids. To my sweet Emmie for inspiring Emmeline’s beauty, kindness, and love of horses. You’re the cutest cowgirl I know. To Ethan who got excited about the story
when I shared tidbits with him. Thanks for giving me the hope that others would like it too. And to Eiley for all her hugs and kisses. A mom can never have too many of those!

And I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my God for giving me the desire to write and making my life as rich and full a
s it is.

Debbie Dee
recently moved to southern Idaho with her husband and three children where she is learning how to be a country girl in her favorite pair of blue heels. She adores fairy tales and happy endings, but secretly crushes on the bad guy now and then. As a dedicated musician who practices way too much, she never expected writing would sweep her off her feet until she jotted down a scene from a daydream, which turned into two scenes, and then turned into a messy house and her first novel. Since then she hasn’t been able to let a day go by without writing. Visit her online at
www.debbiedee.com
.