Hello there. If you're reading this, this is the first book that I've decided to publish. I hope you like it.

Please be gentle with my book.

Somewhere far away from the Human World, deep within the lands of the Faerie Realm...

A powerful Fae King and his Queen were discussing about an important subject. One that holds considerable importance that affects the future...

Or even their world...

"She is coming of age soon." The King's deep voice filled the room.

Without taking her eyes off the beautiful baby in her arms, the Queen's soft voice, feather light, brought lightness to the greying dawn. "I know. But with all of what is happening, she will be safer there." The baby girl in her arms started and stared at her mother with her striking blue eyes. A new day has come, and so do new worries and court rituals.

"Yes my little one, she is much safer there." The Queen cooed affectionately, planting a kiss on her tiny forehead. She studied the tiny child in her arms, searching for the similarities between her and another. But all she could see was how this new life is breathtakingly fragile and innocent. Her heart seized and contorted in an agony that no one else could understand. No one except mothers who have to give their children away.

She looked up to the King, her mate, and sighed. "At least she gets to live a life free of responsibilities before she comes back. That is what I can only hope for. That she will be happy." The Queen continued, with a far-away look in her eyes. She will hide the pain away and store it in another place. As a faerie Queen, Diana is determined not to add to the burdens of her lord, nor is she willing to show weakness in front of her court.

"Hmm... I really do hope so." The King pondered as he answered, deep in thought. His heart pains to see the worry creasing the lines of her face, knowing her heart is breaking. He studied her discreetly, noting that despite the hardships they've undergone, she still looked exactly the same as the day he met her. Strong, beautiful and immortal.

The years he spent reigning the kingdom could not help him here. At this precise moment, the man who wishes to protect his family and the rational part of him is raging an internal turmoil. A part of him is calculating the gains of hiding a precious chess piece from the eyes of his enemies.

On the other hand, another part of him is telling him that there are possible dangers his daughter may face.

The possibilities are endless.

She could be suffering from iron sickness. The human land is plagued with so much iron that it is difficult for the fae to survive unless they develop resistance.

Yes, it's possible to survive if you are half-blood. Half-bloods are more resistant to the influence of iron poisoning.

But she is a full-blood. Born of a royal lineage, which means she is especially susceptible. He thought. Not to mention the various human crimes that are committed in that world.

Rape.

Murder.

Violence.

The King's mind is reeling from all the possible hardships that she will face. Especially when she is ready to face her lineage, when and not if, he thought. When his daughter discovers her true identity, she will be plunged into a path filled with thorns and bloodshed. One of destruction and chaos. This chilling knowledge is what both parts of him are telling him.

Sending her to the Human Realm is all but a temporary solution to the inevitable.

A cooling breeze blew in from the open balcony and the King walked towards it. The view of the sprawling beautiful lush garden greeted him, and he could see several of his Fae court tending to his favourite roses.

Dawn is breaking and his court is beginning to stir awake.

Looking towards the far horizon in the direction of the Human World, the King hoped that wherever his daughter is, she would be safe. He prays that his daughter will be discovered by a well-respected human. A human who is able to raise their child into adulthood. Who will care for, nurture and shower her with all the love he couldn't give her. Goddess Tessania, please watch over our daughter as she has received your blessings. I leave her in your capable hands.

"I hope so Diana. I really do hope that she is safe and happy somewhere out there." King Alan said as he turned to look at his Queen beside him. His beautiful wife. The one and only soulmate for him. "But sometimes, sometimes I wonder. What if all we've done is just making her path more treacherous? What if there's another better alternative that we hadn't considered?" He asked the last question softly.

Anxiety fills him. Twenty thousand years on the battlefield and millions of years on the throne made him cold and merciless.

However, the mere existence of his daughters struck a sliver of fear and awe into him. A combination of disbelief and wonder that his life could be any better than ever. He looked at the small figure in his Queen's arms and he was taken by a sudden surge of protectiveness.

"There are no other alternatives, my dearest Alan. Her powers are but a beacon to the Decays, they will definitely seek her out and then end her or use her. The other courts have their own counter-measures, and this is ours." The High Queen of the Faerie Realm looked into the eyes of her one and only beloved, her eyes shining with conviction.

"That is true indeed." The King reluctantly agreed.

"But first we need to raise this little one and prepare for what is to come."

Queen Diana gazed at Princess Elena and said:"Always remember my child, that you have a sister."

"And her name is Gabriella."

***

𝆗

In the Human World, the charming city of Soren, a humble artist sat on her stool and was putting her finishing touches on her artwork. She is a fresh graduate from a prestigious university with a degree in Arts. Her hard work has paid off and there are many companies seeking to recruit her into their folds.

Companies from all over the world.

All because of a single painting she made in the annual Grande Artisan's Competition.

She had a dream the night before the final round of the competition. She dreamt that she was in a strange place. Somewhere deep in the woods. Where trees are thick and lushly green, almost as if they have a life of their own. Where strange creatures float and flitter through the grasses, looking so translucent that she thought she had imagined them. Surprise filled her, and wonder. She remembered stories about such open spaces, that existed in the past, or what's left of it since the day the government ordered for a mass conservation. Places like these were no longer accessible to the public. The only place remotely close was the Central Park, and she for one, has never been there.

So imagine her surprise that her mind could conjure a place such as this. Everything in this dream place loos enchanting. The creatures have ethereal wings and they are tiny, with pointed ears and tinkling laughter.

In the middle of the spell-binding woods, was a woman lying asleep. She looks to be under a spell, but her expression is peacefully serene.

The woman's beauty stole Rebecca's breath away. Her long dark hair falls down to her waist in straight waves, its shade the color of the darkest night. Long thick lashes brushed her rosy cheeks, followed by a delicately arched nose.

Her sensual lips are as red as rubies. But her skin is so pale under the evergreen sun and there is nothing warm about her. Not an ounce of warmth.

Something about this beautiful woman is unsettling. From closer inspection, her mouth was set in a cruel line, her angles too harsh. Something made Rebecca feel that if this woman were to awake, she would find herself in mortal danger. Her human instincts are screaming for her to run far far away.

Rebecca Myers awoke with a start. Her heart in her mouth.

She did not understand why she had the dream, or who that lady is. All she knew was that she couldn't shake it out of her mind.

The theme of the final round was "Forbidden Desire" and Rebecca had no idea what she should paint. She was thinking along the lines of Forbidden Fruit or Forbidden Love, but somehow her hands have a mind of their own. What appeared on her canvas was the strange forest and that mysterious woman she saw in her dream. Utterly shocked, she considered withdrawing from the competition. What does a strange forest have anything to do with forbidden desires?

In the end, she decided against it.

After all, she had came a long way to attend a competition as grand as this. Rebecca is grateful she had been given a chance to participate, and by some miracle, she had even survived till the last round. Her motive for entering the Grande Artesian's Competition was gaining recognition from her peers and her professors. Even better, to grasp her future employer's attention.

She knows companies are actively keeping an eye on participants of renowned international competitions, with a scale as big as this, and they will seek her out. By just having granted the right to enter, one gains the recognition of being a distinguished artist.

Once the competition ended, Rebecca flew back to Soren, awaiting news of her future employment. But what she did not expect was receiving a letter from the judges in the mailbox of her three-room apartment.

The letter warmly welcomes her to attend the Artisan's Prize Ceremony which is held in Velin. The very place where the Grande was held. It didn't state what sort of prize she won, but she thinks it would be rude to turn down such a prestigious offer. So she took the quickest flight to Velin, which was only about a 6 hours ride.

When she touched down, hordes of reporters were waiting for her. Clicks of her photos were taken and bright flashes from phone cameras left her momentarily blinded. Immediately, several microphones were thrusted into her face demanding her attention. Then the reporters started firing a thousand questions rapidly.

Their questions overlapped one another in a burst of staccato. She couldn't catch a single thing they were saying. So she smiled and waved in front of the cameras before doing what she always did best - escaping. Just like how she always liked to run away from her troubles.

Well, now I think I know what prize I've won. She thought wryly.

She was awarded the first prize. Her artwork was so captivating that the judges decided to place her first in the competition.

From that day onwards, her life changed drastically. Her mailbox becomes overcrowded and her emails cluttered with invitations from companies all over the world. She was amused by the attention she is receiving on media and her university friends are all at once trying to talk to her. Even her divorced parents are suddenly very interested in spending time with her. Funny how fame can make someone invisible stand out like a sore thumb.

The media storm passed and after several years Rebecca Myers became a renowned artist, helping her company's business to flourish. She did not stumble across anything strange ever again.

Until one day, 8 years later, she found a package lying at her doorstep...