Page 1 of Into the Dawn
Chapter One
Arcadia - The Western Forest Kingdom…
Prince Ronan Karosmoved through the dark forest on silent feet.
Careful to keep to the shadows, he avoided the narrow streams of sunlight that broke through the thick canopy. For such a large male, his movements were smooth and agile as he took his time stalking his prey. He was a deadly predator, born with the natural ability to hunt and track, though those skills had been honed to cunning precision over many years.
As he breathed in the rich scent of the soil and vegetation that was stirred up by the cool breeze, he felt a thrill of anticipation hum through his veins. Nothing pleased him more than hunting down the enemy, except for sending them into the afterlife where they belonged. He could sense the rogues were trying to hide amongst the trees, hoping for a chance to catch him unaware, but that was impossible within his domain. No one knew the forest better than he and his brother did.
This was the land of their birth.
The land they had been born to rule.
The Western Forest was massive, spanning the entire area between the Dark Mountains, the Sands, and the coastline of the vast sea. It was a special place, and not just because he loved the land so dearly. While most of the woodland consisted of tall trees with black bark and vibrant red leaves growing on the thick branches, the interior of the forest was very different.
Long ago, Ronan’s ancestors had constructed the Palace of the Forest by the shoreline of a large, glassy lake located in the heart of their kingdom. Rather than the standard pink water found in the sea, the lake shimmered a brilliant shade of purplethat indicated it had been blessed by the Goddess of the Moons herself.
A magnificent grove of glowing fruit trees encircled most of the lake, bringing an abundance of light and life to the entire area. The fruit trees had vibrant silver leaves that glowed with veins of light, white bark, and luminous blue flowers blooming on the branches. Those flowers cycled into copious amounts of delicious tyri fruit that continued to grow even during the harshest winters.
The abundance of fruit was one of the main reasons the citizens of the Western Forest never went hungry. It was also why the Forest Kingdom had a continuous source of wealth that came from trading the fruit and other goods produced from the harvest. The tyri fruit was excellent when used in baked goods, jams, and vats of wine. The glowing blue tyri wine wasn’t as sweet as the ajuka wine found on the Isle of Mists, but it was a lot stronger, which made it a favorite amongst the Arcadians.
The tyri fruit attracted an assortment of birds to the area, which made hunting plentiful, and the cilla worms that fed on the leaves also produced some of the finest cloth found on the planet.
Outside the grove of sacred trees was the city where most of the citizens resided, though a number of warriors had chosen to build their homes in secluded areas spread throughout the forest. While they preferred the privacy it afforded them, they also acted as sentries to detect any outsiders who ventured into the forest before they could reach the city limits.
As far as Ronan knew, the tyri fruit trees that grew near the large lake couldn’t be found anywhere else on the planet. It was assumed that the blessed water was the reason they flourished in the Western Forest, which meant the land had to be protected above all else. The royal family had taken that duty seriously for centuries, as did all the citizens within the kingdom. Havingsomething that valuable within their domain meant they always had to remain vigilant, though that wasn’t the only treasure hidden within the confines of the forest.
For years, the Western Forest had been a haven for females who had escaped from other kingdoms. Fewer females were born in comparison to the vast number of males produced on Arcadia. Most males were born as trios or twin sets, while only the luckiest families were blessed with female younglings.
Since there were a substantial number of unmated males on the planet, a lot of people would be outraged if they knew just how many females lived within the safety of the forest. Unlike other kingdoms, forced bonding was strictly forbidden within the Western Forest, and harsh punishments were decreed for any abusive behavior. Not only were the females guaranteed protection, they also had more freedom than was allowed in any of the neighboring kingdoms.
While many females actively sought out mates, some of those who had suffered from abuse or escaped an undesirable bonding chose to live alone or with friends. There were also plenty of females who ran their own businesses, which was something that was prohibited in other kingdoms. Most of the females in other cities were kept cloistered away by their families and mates for their protection, or they lived in buildings designated as havens where males were restricted and not allowed to enter.
That made it the perfect home for those who wanted a different kind of life.
As younglings, Ronan and his brothers, Eron and Dominic, had enjoyed running wild through the forest. The trio loved exploring the kingdom that belonged to them. More than that, they wanted to truly understand the landscape, to know exactly where every hill, stream, and cavern was located. They made a point to study all the beasts to figure out their strengths and weaknesses, though they promised their mother and fathersthey wouldn’t get too close to any dangerous animals until they were older.
Everything had been exciting and fun. A new adventure had been waiting around every corner, and they’d had an endless supply of imaginary foes to conquer and mysteries to solve. They had run wild through the woods and hid from anyone attempting to force them to go back inside the safety of the palace. Of course, they had been protected by an unfortunate set of guards who had been tasked with keeping track of them, but they hadn’t gotten in the way or hindered their fun unless it had truly been necessary.
As the princes had gotten older and become warriors, their knowledge of the terrain had aided them while they were hunting or out on patrol. Ronan and his brothers took great pride in knowing they provided a secure kingdom for their people, but that safety came at a cost. They had faced that harsh reality when Eron and their mate, Imra, had been killed by a group of rogues who had made it past the sentries.
Although Imra hadn’t been their true mate, they had grown up together and had loved her dearly. The loss of Eron and Imra had created a massive hole in Ronan’s heart that had never healed, and the dark shimmering scrollwork tattoos on his left arm, shoulder, and torso were a tribute to what he’d lost.
Having Dominic helped him endure. They shared their pain and grief, and though it didn’t erase it, it made it a little easier to bear. Now, he and his brother dedicated their lives to protecting their mother, fathers, and younger brothers, as well as preserving the peace that existed within their kingdom.
However, that was growing more difficult with each passing day.
Since magic had started returning to the planet, many rogues had fled the areas where the warriors who could shift into enormous fire-breathing dragons resided. First, it had been theSands, then the Citadel and Iron City. It made sense that the rogues wanted to leave those areas.
If they stayed, it would surely lead to their deaths.
But that meant they had to move elsewhere.
As a result, the Western Forest was now being overrun with invaders. The kingdom had always been selective when it came to inviting wanderers in. For any new females who came to the forest, it was an easy decision to let them stay. However, new males were treated with intense scrutiny. Since it was impossible to tell if a newcomer was friend or foe at first glance, they were forced to make some difficult decisions regarding whether or not to welcome them.
The influx of rogues changed that.
Rogues were a blight on society, embodying the worst aspects of Arcadia. They were unscrupulous, immoral individuals who treated females as commodities to be brokered and traded for their own gain. Their actions were driven by greed, jealousy, and a complete disregard for how sacred fated mates were supposed to be.
