Read Allegra's Dream (Avador Book 4, a Books We Love Fantasy Romance) for Free Online Page B

wife when you spend this time with me, or doesn’t she know?”
    An expression of sadness crossed his face. “I’m not married now. Was once but she died of the black fever.”
    “Black fever?”
    “A plague that swept through Avador several years ago, caused by fleas on squirrels. You may recall that I told you about the queen’s father, who was . . . assassinated. Our queen–Princess Keriam, at that time–was taken prisoner but escaped. Later, she had a dream about a plague that would strike Avador. Disguised as an ordinary person, she tried to warn shop owners and others about the plague that might strike this country, but no one believed her. When the plague did come to Avador, these same people recalled her warning and blamed her for causing this disease. She was caught and put on trial, where a tribunal of druids declared her guilty of practicing witchcraft.”
    “Why witchcraft, when all she did was warn them?”
    “Because she’d had a prophetic dream, and that in itself was considered sorcery.” He paused, frowning in thought. “On the day of her scheduled execution, a good witch cast a spell that put all the spectators who had come to witness the execution to sleep. Then Roric, who had loved her for so long, took her to safety in the forest. Much of this tale still remains a mystery, but it is enough to know that as queen, Keriam has charged the druids with codifying magic. So it is permissible to practice good magic, but employing dark magic is punishable by death.”
    She shuddered. “So different from my country, where magic isn’t even recognized.”
    He raised his eyebrows. “But what if someone casts an evil spell on an enemy?”
    “I’ve never heard of that happening,” she said with a shrug. “This magic you speak of is unfamiliar to me. In Fomoria, we just accept whatever happens as a natural event.”
    “Well!” A long pause ensued, as though he was reflecting on her words. “My lady, now I must ask something of you.”
    “Ask then, but I don’t know if I can or will answer.”
    “What if war breaks out again between Elegia and Fomoria?” He spoke quickly. “You really must consider this possibility.”
    She turned away for a moment, staring off to the distant Orn Mountains. “That must not happen! We must have peace between our two countries.”
    “My lady, that is my dearest wish, also. But you must–should–think on this. If hostilities resume, it may be years before you can return, if ever.”
    Her heart pounded with fury. “Don’t say that!”
    He gave her a level look. “Let us hope there is a powerful peace faction, one that far outnumbers the warmongers. Possibly this distant claimant you spoke of is striving toward that very goal. But any settlement may take years.”
    “Years!” Tears filled her eyes. She brushed them away, refusing to show any weakness. She spoke with determination. “All the more reason why I must return to my country and work toward peace. Until this distant cousin is found, I am the rightful ruler. I would do everything possible to bring a reconciliation between my country and Elegia.”
    “A noble goal, my lady. But remember that the war faction doesn’t share your sentiments. Indeed, your life is in danger if you return. The warmongers would be only too happy to. . .” The sentence remained unfinished, but she knew what he meant.
    “So I’m to spend the rest of my life in Avador and never see my country again? No, I won’t accept that!”
    He reached over to clasp her hand, then quickly released it. “Forgive me, my lady. I forgot myself. It grieves me to see you in such distress. If there was anything I could do to ease your sorrow, believe me, I would do it.” He tapped his fingers on the ground, looking off into the distance. “Is there anyone in your country who might be contacted, someone whom you could write to, to encourage them to overthrow the war faction and work toward peace?”
    Hope rose inside her. “Yes! I know