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    Royal Heiress
    Royal Heiress
    Royal Heiress
    Ebook214 pages3 hours

    Royal Heiress

    By Ruth Ann Nordin

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    About this ebook

    Amanda has been crowned queen, and her first order of business is to pick a husband, a task she doesn't envy one bit since none of her many suitors appeal to her. What she needs is a distraction, something to give her more time before she has to make the most important decision of her life. And as it turns out, such a distraction occurs.

    She's called to Olympia to help the gods and goddesses. Her mission is to go to the lost city of Atlantis on Earth and prevent their clones from waking up from hibernation. When she reaches Earth, the city has ascended from the depths of the sea it's been hiding beneath for centuries. And now she'll need the help of the one man who can't stand her in order to set things right.

    Books in the Enchanted Galaxy Series:
    Book 1: A Royal Engagement
    Book 2: Royal Hearts
    Book 3: The Royal Pursuit
    Book 4: Royal Heiress

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRuth Ann Nordin
    Release dateNov 22, 2015
    ISBN9781310268496
    Royal Heiress
    Author

    Ruth Ann Nordin

    Ruth Ann Nordin has written almost 100 romances, ranging from Regencies to historical westerns to contemporaries. She plays with other genres from time to time, but her first love is romance. She has been happily married for twenty-two years to a sweet and funny guy, and they have four sons, who are all taller than Ruth now that they're 16, 17, 19, and 20. The good thing is she doesn't need a ladder. She considers herself very lucky to have led such a charmed life. Being able to play with characters and create stories is just icing on the cake. Hopefully, she'll get to keep doing this many years to come.

    Read more from Ruth Ann Nordin

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      Book preview

      Royal Heiress - Ruth Ann Nordin

      Enchanted Galaxy Series:

      Book 4

      Royal

      Heiress

      Ruth Ann Nordin

      Royal Heiress

      Published by Ruth Ann Nordin

      Copyright © 2015 by Ruth Ann Nordin

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

      Cover Made by Broken Candle Book Designs at www.brokencandlebookdesigns.com

      Table of Contents

      Dedication

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter Eleven

      Chapter Twelve

      Chapter Thirteen

      Chapter Fourteen

      Chapter Fifteen

      Chapter Sixteen

      Chapter Seventeen

      Chapter Eighteen

      Chapter Nineteen

      Chapter Twenty

      Quick Epilogue

      Other Books in the Enchanted Galaxy Series

      Across the Stars Series

      Books by Ruth Ann Nordin (Chronological Order)

      Where to Find Ruth

      Dedication: To Mrs. Harner, my 8th grade teacher who inspired me to write. This one’s for you.

      Chapter One

      Location: Royal Throne Room

      Planet: Raz

      Galaxy: Enchanted

      It was time to announce the new Queen of Raz, and many of the creatures living on the planet eagerly attended the ceremony. Ann and Hathor had two daughters, so they couldn’t help but wonder who the next queen would be. Matthew, their brother, would be the one to escort the new queen to her throne where Queen Ann would make the announcement. Matthew waited between his two sisters at the entrance of the Throne Room.

      Queen Ann stood between the queen’s and king’s thrones. She glanced around the room. Her gaze fell to Hathor who gave her a knowing smile. She returned his smile with great affection. She looked forward to spending her remaining years on Raz with him. It had seemed that during her reign, she never had as much time with him as she wanted.

      She turned her gaze to her two daughters. Katherine was the oldest, but she’d known, even before Amanda was born, Raz had selected Amanda to be its next queen.

      She considered the difficulty this would likely cause for the two sisters, who were already competitive with each other, especially since Katherine often felt inferior to her more attractive and outgoing younger sister. She just hoped the two could find a common ground and resolve their differences soon. It wasn’t up to her to interfere. They were grown women now. Katherine was twenty-seven and Amanda was twenty-three. They had to be free to make their own choices.

      Hathor requested silence among the crowd and went to stand next to Ann.

      She took a deep breath then exhaled before she announced, I wish to welcome Queen Amanda to the throne.

      Ann noted the disappointment in Katherine’s eyes and momentarily winced because of it. It was a bittersweet moment. This was Amanda’s shining moment, and as happy as she was for Amanda, she also ached for Katherine.

      Matthew took Amanda’s arm and led her to Ann.

      Amanda knelt before her while Matthew put his hand on Amanda’s right shoulder.

      Queen Amanda, it gives me great joy to pass the title of queen to you, Ann said as she took off her crown and placed it on her daughter’s head. May you faithfully serve Raz and everyone who lives here.

      Amanda stood up, walked over to the throne and sat down. Everyone cheered. Their future was secure with another queen.

      Ann glanced at Katherine, who slipped out of the room. She quietly excused herself and followed her eldest child. Katherine, she called out after the slender figure who was quickly retreating down the hall.

      Katherine immediately turned around and stopped. Her shoulder-length brown hair fell gently to her shoulders, and her light blue eyes hinted at the sorrow she seemed determined to hide.

      Ann sighed as she put her arm around her daughter’s shoulders. I know this news has upset you. The planet chooses the one it wants, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it.

      I know, she replied, her voice soft. Raz made the right choice. I’m not queen material. I’m not as attractive or as brave as Amanda.

      Well, courage isn’t necessarily a requirement for being a queen. I didn’t exactly feel courageous when I began my reign.

      I find that hard to believe.

      Believe it.

      The two walked outside into the gardens and sat down by the daisies.

      I love daisies so much, Katherine said. If I were a queen, I would decorate the entire Throne Room with them.

      Ann hesitated a moment then said, You have every right to be disappointed. Being the queen is a role any young woman would love to have. But perhaps you have something better waiting for you, something only you can do that Amanda can’t.

      She rolled her eyes. I’m sorry, Mom, but I find it hard to believe I’m going to accomplish something monumental.

      Queens can’t do everything. Ann picked up a daisy and handed it to her. It doesn’t look like much, but this flower brings a sweet fragrance wherever it goes. The daffodils smell good too, but the daisy has its own special scent. Some people would say the daffodil is prettier. You prefer daisies. The daffodil and daisy are equally important, though different. Likewise, you are just as important as Amanda. You need to find what it is you do well and do it. I guarantee you that what Amanda cannot do, you can. Just because you’re not the queen, it doesn’t mean your life isn’t just as significant.

      Katherine shrugged. I hope so.

      It’s true. She hugged her daughter. Only time will tell what your gift is. She pulled away from her and rubbed her back. I have to get back to the celebration. Would you like to stay out here for awhile?

      Yes. I want to be alone.

      Alright. Ann patted her shoulder. I love you, Katherine. You’re very lovely. Then, with a smile, she turned and left.

      ***

      Meanwhile, Amanda was enjoying her new position on Raz. She often suspected she was due to be the next queen since her father had spent more time training her than he did training Katherine. She used to get upset when he seemed unusually insistent she master her skills while Katherine was allowed to take more breaks from her studies.

      Amanda brushed aside her long golden hair while people came up to her throne to congratulate her. She was so caught up in the adoration and attention she barely notice her sister’s absence.

      This is your day, her twenty-five-year-old brother whispered in her ear. It was bad enough you had a line of men coming by to see you before. Now it’ll be impossible to keep them away.

      It’s nice to have my pick of any bachelor I want, she replied, not hiding her pleasure at his comment.

      Too bad they tend to bore you.

      There’s got to be one who can hold my interest.

      One can only hope.

      She frowned, sticking her lower lip out in a pout. Are you trying to aggravate me?

      No. I’m sorry. He paused. I just feel sorry for Katherine. Now that you’re the queen, she won’t have any chance with the men in this room.

      Oh, she’ll be fine. Once I marry, they will go after her. After all, she is the queen’s sister.

      Matthew looked as if he was ready to say something but decided against it. Instead, he turned away from her and assisted their father in answering the guests’ questions.

      Amanda quickly dismissed the flicker of guilt that threatened to dampen her good time. Katherine could handle herself. Surely, there would be one male out there who would gladly pick her. It wasn’t Amanda’s fault men were more attracted to her.

      She scanned the room and saw which of the available human males in the crowd were especially interested in getting a chance to talk to her. They had all dressed up and carried gifts. It was a great honor for a man to be chosen as the king, for his position of serving the queen was the best position any male could hope for.

      She watched with delight as each male presented himself before her, congratulating her and offering their gifts. Some gifts were elaborate jewelry. Others offered her simpler gifts such as flowers or candy. But regardless of how much they could afford, they brought her gifts all the same.

      She bit her lower lip apprehensively when the fiftieth man approached her. Until now, she had treated her prospective suitors with amusement. Her heart sank in dread as she realized she wasn’t attracted to any of the men in the room. How was she going to choose a king when they looked dull to her? They seemed the same. Each one put his best foot forward to please her, promising her he was the best choice for the kingship.

      She almost considered sending them all to Katherine, who would probably be more than overjoyed by the selection, but she doubted they would want to court her sister.

      She took a deep breath, realizing just how serious this matter of selecting a king was. Raz’s future depended on her getting married so she could have a daughter to secure the line of queens on the planet. How was she supposed to choose someone when no one looked suitable to her? Would she have to settle for someone just because she was the queen? She suddenly wondered if she should envy her sister, who could spend the rest of her life single if she wished.

      ***

      Apartment in Italy, Rome

      Planet: Earth

      Galaxy: Average

      The man in white sat idly in his apartment. He wore a white suit, white shoes, and white socks. Even his hair was white. His eyes were light gray. His apartment, though, was full of color. It was a startling contrast to anyone who would walk in. No one ever did, though. He had learned long ago to spend his life alone.

      He was created by the leaders in Atlantis, the infamous city that sank into the ocean long ago. The leaders had departed from Earth to become the gods and goddesses on planet Olympia, but he remembered them in great detail. They had created him with a perfect memory. He could recall every word ever said, every expression that flickered across someone’s face, and every action that ever took place. Such an ability was a blessing and a curse, and his immortality only magnified the problem.

      He longed to return to Atlantis, to see it resurrected to its former glory. It was a magnificent city before it sank into the ocean. Twenty-four years ago, he thought he would get his chance to bring it back up from its watery grave and help make it the greatest city on Earth. He stared at his white cane as the memories of that time came flooding back to him.

      He’d thought his partnership with William Nichols was the answer to his prayers. He’d thought that, together, they would put Atlantis back on the map. But it wasn’t meant to be.

      Instead, he’d learned a grim truth when the Augurs came to him. The Augurs had told him, Atlantis will rise again, but when it does, you will help Amanda destroy it.

      Twenty-four years later, he still didn’t know why he would help Queen Amanda destroy Atlantis. He only knew they had seen the future and knew he would indeed help her. He sighed as he turned the cane around in his hand. Deep in the recesses of his soul, he knew the time was near for the Augur’s prophecy to be fulfilled. He hadn’t had any contact with an Augur or a Razian since that day. But soon—very soon—he would.

      The time for him to help Amanda was at hand. And finally, he would get the answer to the question that had bothered him for so many years: why would he help Amanda destroy Atlantis?

      Chapter Two

      Baton Rogue, Louisiana

      United States of America

      Planet: Earth

      Galaxy: Average

      Jake Stafford stared silently at his mother’s corpse as she lay in the silver casket. He couldn’t bring himself to cry. It wasn’t that he didn’t love her. She was a good mother, and his heart was filled with an indescribable loneliness. But something was bothering him. Before she drew her last breath, she’d whispered, Forgive me.

      For what? he’d asked her, holding her hand.

      She’d been pale and abnormally thin in her hospital bed. The cancer that raged through her body had beat the chemotherapy treatments. A single tear had fallen from her eye. She’d tried to speak, to reveal a secret she had kept from him, but she never got the chance. The flat line on the heart monitor told him all he needed to know. He wouldn’t get his answer.

      A chill ran up his spine as he pushed the memory from his mind. He slowly walked away from the casket. He figured he should be relieved she didn’t get to reveal her transgression. Even so, he couldn’t ignore the impending sense of doom that hovered over him.

      His entire world was about to change, and he didn’t have any idea how or why. He sat next to his father and tried to pay attention as the pastor gave the eulogy, but he couldn’t concentrate.

      After the funeral, he and his father were summoned to his mother’s lawyer’s office.

      Good afternoon, Clark. Jake, Tom Jenkins said. I’m sorry about your loss. Jennifer was a wonderful woman.

      Thank you, Jake’s father said.

      They sat across from the lawyer.

      Tom cleared his throat. This is awkward. I didn’t come here to read you the will. I will be doing that tomorrow.

      Jake held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. This had something to do with his mother’s secret. He just knew it. He forced himself to remain calm as Tom opened his mother’s file, aware of his father’s tension. Had she asked him for forgiveness, too?

      Jennifer said I was to wait until the funeral to give you this letter, Tom told them as he pulled out a sealed envelope from her file. I don’t know what’s in it. It’s addressed to both of you. Would you like me to leave you two alone so you can read it?

      Clark glanced at Jake uneasily.

      Jake shook his head. I can’t read it. Something deep inside screamed at him to leave the room. He didn’t have to hear the letter’s contents. He could refuse and live his life never knowing what his mother’s transgression was. But he was thirty years old. He was an adult. His mother hadn’t been perfect. He was going to have to deal with the facts of whatever it was she had done, and if she took the time to write the letter, then it was important he find out what it was. I’ll listen, he finally added.

      Clark shifted in his seat. I’ll read it. He glanced at Tom. We’d like to be alone.

      I will leave the room so you two can have your privacy, Tom said as he handed Clark the envelope.

      Once the door to the office was closed, Clark opened the envelope and

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