Queen Of Fara (Realm Of Ovettra Book 1) Read online

  Queen Of Fara

  Realm of Ovettra Book 1

  May Gordon

  Copyright © 2020 by May Gordon

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Editor: Beth Neal

  Cover: May Gordon

  Image: BigStock

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue One

  Epilogue Two

  About the Author

  Queen Of Fara

  As the Queen of Fara, fox shifter Viessa Oloren is still adjusting to her new position two years later. While she loves her people, she’s also curious by nature and longs to explore other lands, and perhaps find her mate along the way. While both may happen sooner than she imagined, they could come at a cost too high to pay.

  When Rhys Ianro, a human knight from Thresh, is sent on a mission, he becomes the first of his kind to venture into the unknown world. After being injured, and fearing the worst, he’s thankful when he’s discovered and his wounds treated. However, it also changes everything he thought he knew as he’s just met his soulmate.

  Can they defeat their enemy? Or will their future be destroyed just as it’s beginning?

  Warning: Sweet, sexy and safe read! Happily ever after guaranteed! This author writes what she likes to read. That means there will be instalove, OTT Heroes, and, brace yourselves, virgin characters at times. If none of those float your boat, you might want to find another book. If they do, you're in the right place.

  Chapter 1

  Viessa

  I watch in the mirror as Marlene, my lady’s maid, brushes my hair, the red representing my heritage and family line. Fox shifters with this color are considered royalty. My dad’s was thick and vibrant, even more so next to my mom’s white-blonde.

  "As soft as the Queen's and bright as fire like our beloved King’s," she says, sadness in her voice as she remembers them. She, along with everyone else, misses them terribly since we lost them five years ago. My mom became ill and never recovered, and my dad followed. The popular story is that he died of a broken heart, and they’re right, just not in the way they assume. Unable to continue without her, he killed himself, a fact that will remain a secret.

  My grandfather reigned until I turned eighteen, and now, at the age of twenty, my days consist of leading Fara, a vast land in the Realm of Ovettra, though not the largest I’m told from books. Our land is well protected, a body of water to one side, and a thick forrest to the other. We are not only prosperous, but diverse as well in regards to the shifters that call this home. In addition to my kind, there’s also wolves, bears, and owls, to name a few.

  Despite becoming my advisor once I took over, my grandfather acts as if he’s still the ruler. He’s paranoid, intent on keeping our land safe from those who may try to invade us, whereas I’m eager to explore the other lands of Ovettra, including Estra. Unfortunately, many are currently in turmoil, though that does mean they’re too busy to bother us, which soothes him. However, my chance of experiencing an adventure must be put on hold, causing me to rely on finding it within the pages of books and by spending time with my people.

  When Marlene asks about my plans for today, I answer, "I have a meeting with the council and farmers later, but I plan to study before then."

  She smiles, fully aware that’s my code for sneaking out and escaping to the forest, and plays along. "I'll let the staff know you are not to be disturbed, your majesty." When she’s finished, she hands me my cloak, and tells me to enjoy my run.

  I put it on, flipping the hood up to cover my hair, and say, "Thank you." Once she's gone, I use the secret passageways to leave the castle.

  I make sure to hide my identity from those I pass as I move toward my destination, though I encounter less people the further I go. Estra is in the midst of a civil war, the white and dark elves fighting amongst themselves. Their land is huge, but recent events have caused chaos for them all. I don’t know much other than that, but as long as it doesn’t cross over into my territory, I don’t need to.

  For generations being too close to Estra’s border has been forbidden, but neither side truly enforces it. If only they could all just get along, they’d be an excellent ally to trade with. Plus, maybe I could actually visit their land if that was the case.

  At the tree where I usually stop, I quickly strip and hang my clothes from one of the branches and place my shoes near the trunk before shifting. I love the freedom being in my fox form gives me as my paws land on the lush grass. Since I started coming here, I’ve become friends with another that craves more than our current lives offer. Elma is twelve and the daughter of a farmer. She’s also a white elf. An unlikely friendship, but one nonetheless. Wondering if she’s out for one of her walks, I instantly freeze when my nose catches a whiff of something.

  The smell is overwhelming and like nothing I’ve ever encountered before. With caution, I follow the scent, and the deeper I go, my heart speeds up as my fur stands on end.

  It leads me to a man, a knight, slumped over. It’s obvious he's hurt, and when I’m right in front of him, I'm shocked to discover he doesn’t smell like a shifter or elf as there’s no magic at all coming from him.

  What the hell is a human doing here?

  Chapter 2

  Rhys

  My recent dreams have been very imaginative, just like the one I woke up from. A fox covered in gorgeous red fur, a beautiful naked woman with the same color hair. I swear I can feel her soft hands on my face, her touch calming.

  I remember being sent on a personal mission from the King of Thesh, and, as it’s quite far from here, I came via the ocean, landing near the border between Fara and Estra. After becoming lost, I came face to face with a beast, the sight so shocking he got the better of me before running off.

  My mind starts to drift due to my fever, then goes blank as I fall asleep again. Next time my eyes open, my wounded arm is being wrapped by a young female while elf. She’s not alone, though. The fox that seems to haunt me is with her.

  "It's all right,” she assures me. “We won't hurt you."

  "Who are you?" I manage to ask.

  "I’m Elma, and this is…" she introduces her companion, but stops when it growls. It’s enormous, much bigger than those we have in the human world. From what I've read, I’m pretty sure this is a shifter which are rumored to be extremely dangerous. Instinct tells me when it transforms, it’ll be the woman of my dreams, literally. With great difficulty, I tear my gaze from the fox and return to Elma, and thank her. "It was actually my friend," she informs me with a nod behind her. "You humans are fragile, aren't you?" She asks, not to be mean, but from curiosity.

  "We are," I admit. "What was that thing?" I ask referring to the beast that attacked me.

  "Windfalls. They’re usually peaceful.”

  I chuckle at that, which causes me to groan in pain. "Peaceful my ass." She says I must’ve startled him, being what I am, then collects her things and puts them in her bag before handing me a wood cup filled with water and a weird looking fruit.

  She turns to the fox and tells her, "The salve I used will aide in his healing, but he's human, so I can’t be sure. It’s not safe to stay h
ere as the patrol will be by soon."

  The fox nods in understanding, walking closer as Elma takes off, leaving us alone. When she nods at the items in my hand, I assume she’s indicating for me to finish them. I do so, almost unsettled at the power she appears to already have over me. Once they’re gone, she heads in the opposite direction of the elf.

  "Wait!" I yell as I struggle to stand, admittedly feeling a bit better than I expected to so quickly. She ignores me, not that she can exactly answer me, but I continue following her regardless. "Who are you?" I ask after we’ve walked in silence for a while. She turns and glares at me, her expression somehow appearing irritated when I grin. Though I like how she reacts to me, I decide to shut up for now. When she suddenly stops, I notice clothes hanging from a branch seconds before she shifts.

  She's obviously not shy about being naked in front of me, and I take the time to look my fill, unable to resist. My body and heart react strongly, her eyes captivating me, and in that instant, I know she’s meant to be mine. How is that even possible? I don’t care for an answer, it’s the truth. I feel it in the core of my soul. We are meant to be together. I once more ask who she is, my voice barely a whisper, but she hears me.

  "Viessa Oloren, Queen of Fara," she answers with a natural authority. The sound of her voice is healing, as well as having the ability to make me fall in love in that instant.

  Chapter 3

  Viessa

  His scent does something to me, both parts of me. He's watching me just as intently as I am him, perhaps like me never seeing a human, he’s never encountered a shifter. With what I’ve seen so far, I don't know why my grandfather thinks they’re dangerous. They’re beautiful.

  "Why are you staring?" I ask.

  “Because you’re beautiful.” He answers instantly.

  His statement makes me blush, and when he points out that I’m not wearing any clothes, I ask, "Have you never seen a naked female before?"

  “I haven't," he replies, calming the burning sensation in my chest as I wait for his answer. "But even if I had, I can guarantee they’d pale in comparison to you." Our gazes connect, and I give him credit for maintaining it.

  "Why are you here?" I want to know as I get dressed.

  "I was sent by my kingdom as a scout." His honesty surprises me while the meaning behind it upsets me. "We’re in turmoil, have been since the royal family was murdered years ago. The kingdom is now ruled by a team of advisers that call themselves King. They all despises anything not human." I’m saddened at the confirmation of what my grandfather has told me over and over, growling as I take a threatening step closer.

  "You're here to attack Fara?"

  "For the most part, they’re more focused on keeping people out, the captain of the royal knights, however, is a radical, as are a lot of his men. They’ve heard Fara is not as powerful since losing the king and queen, that shifters are weak in their human form." I quickly assure him we’re stronger than ever and shifters aren’t easily defeated. “And I believe you," he states, drawing closer to me. "Which is why I volunteered to come." Once again, he’s being truthful, it’s in his eyes.

  "You don't share their views."

  "I do not, and this is my chance to warn someone."

  His bravery astonishes me, causing me to further lessen the space between us. "You risked your life, knowing full well we might be hostile and could kill you on sight, to potentially save strangers, a different species.”

  "It was the right thing to do,” he says with a shrug. “We shouldn't fear the other species, but learn to live in peace."

  I smile, my head tipping to look up at him as he’s tall for a human, deciding that destiny that brought us together. "Help me," I suggest, grabbing his hands, the power from our contact coursing through me.

  "That was the plan, your majesty." his grin is cheeky.

  "You'll tell me everything I need to know?" Now isn’t the time, but soon.

  "I will do anything to assist you and you Fara," he assures me as he places a kiss on the back of my hands. "My captain is an evil man by anyone’s standards. I won't let him spread that poison here."

  "How’d you get here?" When he tells me about the ship and swimming ashore, I remark on how dangerous that was.

  "I had no choice. They intend to infiltrate two days from now."

  Panic hits at that news. "That's not a lot of time to gather my soldiers and strategize.”

  "I’ll speak to them, share what I know and their fighting style." When he leans toward me, he’s so close our noses almost touch. "Let me be of service." His smell to me is intoxicating, I feel drugged almost.

  As a reaction I hug him and whisper, "You need you to smell like a shifter, not a human." He wraps his arms around me, pulling me tighter against him and I rub my cheek on his. His strength is obvious for a Human, as is the knowledge he has a warrior’s heart. When we separate, I instantly miss his heat. “Are you well enough to travel yet?”

  Without hesitation, he says he is, adding, "Take me home." I love the sound of it, but I remind myself my people must come first, no matter how much I want to explore what just being near him does to me.

  Chapter 4

  Rhys

  I follow closely behind Viessa, watching the sway of her long hair, the green velvet dress she's wearing emphasizing her features. The feelings inside me are like a tornado, and I can’t help but wonder if she put a spell on me, but I know shifters don't have the power to do such a thing.

  As we near the city, the sounds of it reaching my ears, she suddenly turns and adjusts the cloak she wrapped around me. "I will gain a lot of attention, please keep your head down and try to stay calm and silent."

  I nod, transfixed by her. She takes my hand just before we enter the kingdom, and I’m in awe at what I see. We were lead to believe it was weak and contained rabid shifters of all kinds, yet it’s beautiful, full of life and spirit.

  "This is incredible." She glares at the compliment, a reminder to shut up, then guides me to the castle and into a massive kitchen. A plump older woman stops what she’s doing and gasps when she catches sight of us.

  "Your majesty, you startled me," she says with a huff. "Your grandfather isn’t happy with you over missing those meetings." Then her focus switches to me, her glance taking me in. "Who is this?"

  "Can you keep him a secret?" She asks, indicating me, skipping over the part about her grandfather’s reaction.

  The other woman is stunned by the request, but agrees to do so. "Of course. I must warn you they’re still in session." That news doesn’t please Viessa as she gives an annoyed growl in response before moving us toward a hidden door in the wall.

  "What the hell is this?" I ask.

  "Tunnels I use to leave when I want to be alone."

  "You mean to escape?"

  She chuckles, rephrasing it. "We’ll call it a break." We reach a large, luxurious bedroom. I don’t need her extra senses to smell her in here.

  "You'll be safe here. No one will enter without my permission," she declares as she shuts the door. Tossing her cloak in a nearby chair, I discover she’s directly in front of me, her eyes huge with curiosity. “Tell me everything, in great detail,” she orders, and almost bouncing with energy.

  "Yes, your majesty," I concede, unable to deny her anything. She sits at the table, then invites me to join her. However, instead of taking the chair across from her, I choose the one beside her. “I know it might seem as if I'm betraying my land, but I disagree. I’m trying to save it. The captain is out of control, and the group of advisers that call them selves King have no right to the name.”

  A knock interrupts our conversation, making her panic. "Hide." Making a snap decision, I go to the huge window and stand behind the curtain, listening as she’s told her grandfather requests her presence.

  Once we’re alone again, I give her a fake pout and ask, "Leaving me already?"

  She rolls her eyes then assures me she’ll return as soon as she coon. "I’ll lock you in."
/>
  I walk to her bed and flop on it, telling her, "Don't worry, Queen of Fara. I'm more than happy to be stuck in your bedroom." She laughs at my teasing, then makes her exit.

  Surrounded by her scent, I realize I can easily see myself living here, becoming a part of her kingdom. But, and most importantly, occupying her bed every night.

  Chapter 5

  Viessa

  "I know you haven't been Queen long, but meetings are important," he reminds me, adding that my absence wasn’t appreciated. He’s right, but I’m not telling him that.

  "I understand. It won’t happen again. I was in the village and lost track of time,” I lie.

  "We need to prepare for an invasion," he reminds me, no longer sounding paranoid like I’d assumed he was a few days ago. Of course, I’m keeping that to myself, too. He’d blow it out of proportion, and we don’t need to risk making the situation worse than it already is. With Rhys helping the Royal Guard, we can deal with this quickly and quietly. "We also must take care of those elves!" Unfortunately, he doesn’t mean by assisting them, and my blood boils at his ignorance.

  "The last thing we need is to be in the middle of their civil war. We should stay out of it for time being," I remind him, attempting to stay calm, though it was a waste of breath as he ignores me and continues diatribe. I tune him out, instead thinking of Rhys and his impact on me. I know he’s my fated mate, yet he’s human, so I’m not sure that’s possible. But the way my heart races when he’s near says otherwise.