Valdaro, p.1
Valdaro, page 1
VALDARO
H. B. ELLIOTT
Copyright © 2023 H. B. ELLIOTT
All rights reserved.
Acknowledgements
It has been the biggest struggle trying to find the words to express my gratitude for all the people that have helped make my dream a reality and bring this book to life. If I had an endless sea of pages, I still don’t think that it would be enough.
When I was fourteen, I learned about the excavation of two bodies that were found together in an eternal embrace. Found out that they were never separated and that they died during a time that whatever story they had must have been one just as beautiful and just as tragic as Romeo and Juliet. Finding out that they were found just a short distance away from Mantua was even more intriguing. Thus, my infatuation and longing to know their story began. I’ve since written poetry, had them tattooed on my body and even dreamt about them because of how often they crossed my mind. I suppose we all want to know…what happened to them? Of course we’ll never know the real story, but I finally decided that they deserved one. So this book was born. The bones of the individuals that have haunted me for years now have faces…names…and a tale that I hope somewhere up there, makes them proud.
To my readers…I want to thank you first. You guys are the reason that books like this have hearts that beat. I hope that you can fall in love with this story and these characters the way that I did, and that their journeys inspire and heal you. We all go through so much, even in a fictional world. I wrote this book to let you know that even in the deepest darkness…there is a light of hope.
To the authors, editors and avid booktokers…I want to personally thank all of you for all your support and encouragement. Thank you for the wisdom and the push that kept me sane through all of this. Your appetite for the written word is truly ravenous and I’m here for it. I couldn’t have made it this far without all of you. Here’s to many more stories and conversations, collaborations and brilliant ideas! I can’t wait to continue this journey with all of you!
To my husband, Jeremy…you’re my Crown Prince that was bound to my soul. My light in the dark. That pillar of strength when I need it, and the stronghold that protects me and these kids. Thank you for always being that for me. Thank you for putting up with my long hours leaning over this keyboard, and for helping me with all my ideas. I adore you. You’re my everything. This book wouldn’t even be possible if not for the love you give me. I love you right back.
To my son, Christian…baby I’m amazed at the devotion and the involvement that you’ve given to this story. You’ve been my sidekick through this entire process with your brilliant mind and your perfect little heart. I’ll always remember every time you sat next to me begging me to read whatever I’d written that day. I know that the characters in this book mean just as much to you as they do to me, and I’m so glad to have been able to give this to you. I want you to always follow your dreams while you’ve watched me chase after mine and know that I’ll be your sidekick too, cheering you on wherever you go. I love you so much “Sawad” !!!!
To my daughter, Beckett…you’re going to be the FMC of your own story and you’re going to kick just as much ass. I hope that one day when you’re old enough to read this book, you understand that you always have and always will have the strength to conquer anything in this world, and that sometimes princesses can have a short fuse too. Thank you for putting up with all the times throughout this process that I’ve had to sit you next to me with dolls and crayons so that I could make this happen. I owe you big time and I plan to settle that debt. You and your brother are my reason for living and I love you more than anything in this world.
To my mom, Kelly…I’ll let you and Jeremy battle it out about who’s my biggest fan. I want you to know how much I love you, and how much your unrelenting praise and support has meant to me. The things that you’ve endured and come out on top of has given me so much inspiration and drive to overcome things in my own life. As you read this story I hope you always remember that at the end…you stood tall and you’re still standing and I’m so proud of you, Mama. Since day one, you’ve spoken this book’s success into existence and wouldn’t let me doubt myself for a second. All the times you’ve reminded me how proud you are of me…they mean so much. All the moments I read you parts of these chapters and the hilarious reaction you gave me. I’ll never forget them. You’ve always had such a creative, artsy mind and I think I get that from you. Thank you for being my rock and my mother. There is truly no one that compares to you. I love you to the moon and back! (Another reason the moon and stars were such a big part of this story…) Luna loves ya.
To my dad, Melvin…Daddy I’m so grateful for all our second chances. I’m so grateful that even though we’ve had our differences, we’re still together and you’ve been part of this journey with me. Thank you for your support. Thank you for all the long distance calls and the reminder that the love for your kids, while it can be tough and painful…can still cleave through all the hard stuff and be so rewarding. I’m glad for it. I’m glad I have you. And I love you so much!
To my sisters, Erica and Nicole…yall’s crazy asses make my life so much better. I really don’t know where I’d be without you. Erica, I thank God every day for blessing me with you. Thank you for listening to me talk endlessly about this book over bottomless pots of coffee. Thank you for always believing in me and talking me through mornings where we set up goals for us both to reach before the end of the day and always pushing me forward…well—shoving me is more accurate. I’ve always envied your confidence and your “go get ‘em” attitude. I strive every day to channel that, I know it’s in our blood somewhere. In a world full of heavy, dark shit…you’re my Paxe. And I’d gladly raise my sword for you. I love you shunk! Nicole, no matter what life throws our way I’m so glad that little red-headed spitfire was born into my life. I’m grateful I had the opportunity to wipe that behind that now shakes in my face just to put a smile on it or make me laugh. Your energy is unmatched and I don’t realize sometimes how much I need it. I love you!
To Ashley Dickens…I’m so happy that fate brought us together. You are by far one of my dearest friends and if this book ever has any success it will be because of all your tireless editing and the time that you’ve taken for me to help my dreams become this reality. I couldn’t have done it without you and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate and cherish our friendship and all the support you’ve given me not just now, but ever since we met. I don’t deserve you, Ash. There isn’t anything better than having a friend bound to you through book pages and fate. I love you!
To Jaimi Cerrato…another one of those amazing people who found the time in their busy lives to comb through my misspellings, grammatical errors and rookie mistakes while also creating unbelievable character art that I know damned well I couldn’t do if I tried. I’m so grateful to have another bookish friend to talk literature with and start a journey that will hopefully last a lifetime. Thank you for all that you do!
To Cheyenne Brigham…you’re a warrior in your own right. Thank you for all your advice and your support while I started this adventure. You deserve every cent you make through your hard work and you inspire me to push harder and write better. I’m so glad we found each other! When we both make it big, I hope we never forget where we started and continue to lift each other up. Thank you for everything!
To Maureen McGrath…my English teacher in my senior year of high school. I bet you never expected to be mentioned in here, or have a character named after you…or that I even remembered your name. I hope this finds you, and you read this story and know that if not for you and all your guidance and the stellar job you did when you taught me how to forge words like weapons…I’d never be a published author. I can still see the passion on your face when you read Macbeth out loud and the way your eyes lit up with the name Edgar Allan Poe. I got here because of you. Thank you for being unapologetically yourself. You were one of those teachers I’ll never ever forget. Oh…and I still know you weren’t telling the truth when you said you didn’t mud wrestle for charity! *wink*
To Ashlyn Farrow…even though we’ve gone our separate ways and our lives are worlds apart, I want you to know that I love you. I still remember passing a spiral notebook back and forth between classes when we were just a couple of kids with dreams of sending our poetry out into the world. Then years later, those notebooks were laptops on a kitchen table with bottomless coffee mugs and music and laughter and we made a promise to each other that one day people would read our shit, and know we did that. I remember one night in particular when I wrote the poem about Valdaro and you told me that I needed to write this damn book one day. You poked and you prodded and you believed in me. Here it is Ash. It breathes. And to think it all started with a dream and a pen on a Starbucks cup while we listened to Ville Valo. I hope I made you proud. I love you beepy boppy! Your turn.
To “The Author’s Point” publishing team…thank you guys so much for everything. Thank you for your patience and persistence in helping me reach my goal of getting this book out by the end of 2023. Shane, Demetri, Daniel…Miss Alice. I don’t have enough words to describe my gratitude for all you’ve done. Shane, I know that you told me that mentioning any of you in these acknowledgements was unnecessary, as I’m a published author…but you’re so wrong. Because of all of you, I was able to do this–and do it on a budget, still making an impossible goal. You all made magic happen and I can’t thank you enough for all of it. So glad I clicked on that website. I’m looking forward to working with you all with many more books in the future!
And finally…to my editor. Maria. You’re such a damn goddess. I can’t believe we’re finished with this book, and I’m gonna miss waking up in the mornings to your messages about how much I’ve ripped your heart out and pieced it back together with every chapter you’ve finished. I want you to know that it takes a person of unbelievable strength to work as hard as you do while also being a mother and taking care of the ones in your family. It’s something I understand completely, having done it myself. The fact that you did that while also knocking out countless hours editing these chapters from your home on weekends that you should have been spending with your mother and your little one…I truly don’t deserve you. You have a special place in my heart. You’re my feisty Varuna. I hope that we’ll keep in touch. You’re the reason my very first novel will make it out there. Thank you so much. From the bottom of my heart.
…For Jeremy, Christian, and Beckett…
The greatest loves of my life.
You hold every piece of me together.
I love you.
For the lovers that traded pieces of their souls…knowing one simply cannot live without the other.
In Loving Memory
Justin Christopher Elliott
May 7, 1985 - October 30, 2023
"Because reading is for smart people...and you're not the brightest bulb."
We love and miss you brother...and none of us will be that bright without you in the world.
DISCLAIMER:
This book contains situations of domestic and sexual abuse, graphic violence and brutality, mentions of murder/suicide, slavery, profanity, and explicit sexual situations that include blood-letting and mutilation. While this is a fictional story in a fictional world with fictional races…the topics listed above are very real and in no way reflect my personal views or beliefs. Your mental health is so very important. Reader's discretion is strongly advised.
This story is based on a real couple found buried together in Valdaro, Italy, many years ago. It is a re-imagined tale depicting Valdaro as a world in itself. Any references to the Italian language or culture are in respect and honor to the real lovers…who inspired me for so many years and made this story possible. I hope I gave you both a story worthy of your tragic beauty. You deserve it.
PLAYLIST
“Dynasty” - MIIA - (Ch. 1)
“Lovely” - Lauren Babic & Seraphim - (Ch. 7)
“Panic Prone” - Chevelle - (Ch. 10)
“Lost in Paradise” - Evanescence - (Ch. 14)
“Little Girl Gone” - Chinchilla - (Ch. 15)
“Comatose” - Skillet (With Violin Intro) - (Ch. 17)
“Carry You” - Ruelle - (Ch. 22)
“Dark Side” - Neoni - (Ch. 24)
“Saturn” - Sleeping At Last - (Ch. 25)
“Good Enough” - Evanescence - (Ch. 38)
“The Death of Peace of Mind” - Bad Omens - (Ch. 40)
“Chasing Cars” - Tommee Profitt & Fleurie - (Ch. 42)
“Hands in the Sky” - Straylight Run - (Ch. 44)
“Anything But Love” - Apocalyptica - (Ch. 45)
“Silhouette” - Aquilo - (Ch .46)
“Nothing and Everything” - Red - (Ch. 47)
“Part That’s Holding On” - Red - (Epilogue)
Contents
CHAPTER 1
UNTIL DEATH
CHAPTER 2
GAME. SET. MATCH.
CHAPTER 3
THE MEETING PLACE
CHAPTER 4
RED RED WINE
CHAPTER 5
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
CHAPTER 6
SQUALL
CHAPTER 7
PAWNS
CHAPTER 8
THE WAY BACK
CHAPTER 9
LITIGATION
CHAPTER 10
DISTANCE
CHAPTER 11
THE MORE YOU KNOW
CHAPTER 12
AEON
CHAPTER 13
WHO WE ARE
CHAPTER 14
LIGHT
CHAPTER 15
BLOOD
CHAPTER 16
BOLTON
CHAPTER 17
MERCY
CHAPTER 18
REVERENCE
CHAPTER 19
THREATS OF WAR
CHAPTER 20
WORD OF MOUTH
CHAPTER 21
ANSWERS AND AMBITION
CHAPTER 22
TURNING PAGES
CHAPTER 23
ALLIES
CHAPTER 24
THE DARK
CHAPTER 25
THE PASS
CHAPTER 26
TAKING OFF
CHAPTER 27
HOME
CHAPTER 28
DINNER
CHAPTER 29
HALF TRUTHS
CHAPTER 30
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHAPTER 31
OF JOY AND SORROW
CHAPTER 32
THE BEST LAID PLANS
CHAPTER 33
A PICKLED SITUATION
CHAPTER 34
THE COUNTDOWN
CHAPTER 35
THE GATHERING
CHAPTER 36
THE NIGHT BEFORE
CHAPTER 37
PREPARATION
CHAPTER 38
THE CEREMONY
CHAPTER 39
A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
CHAPTER 40
UNION
CHAPTER 41
SURPRISE
CHAPTER 42
PROMISES
CHAPTER 43
FLIGHT AND FIGHT
CHAPTER 44
RETRIBUTION
CHAPTER 45
LONG LIVE THE KING
CHAPTER 46
FINO ALLA MORTE
CHAPTER 47
-PAXE-
GODS SAVE THE QUEEN
EPILOGUE
CHAPTER 1
UNTIL DEATH
In my nineteen years, I’ve never grown used to my love-hate relationship with mirrors. The way that they make you think too much or threaten to have you longing for something… or someone… brings a smile to your lips or a tear to your eye. Then there’s that awkward feeling of catching the glimpse of a scar or two in your reflection that has your mind swimming in all kinds of memories: the good and the bad. Today, however, my eyes are on that woman staring back at me with her deep green eyes and flowing chestnut hair. The color passed down from her father but delicately woven with the faintest tint of red from her mother. My body has changed so much in the past two years. I’m realizing now that the woman I’m becoming…the one I see in that glass, looks so much like my mother. As busy hands finger through my hair, twisting and twining it into a long braid behind me, I stared at my figure, getting lost in thought.
“You do look a lot like her, Arienne,” said the soft voice over my shoulder as she met my gaze in the mirror my handmaiden.
Her name was Paxe, and while she was employed by the royal family from a very young age, she was also my best friend. My only friend. We grew up together in this castle, her mother Isabelle, having been an aide to my own. Being a queen’s aide was a prestigious occupation and one that was fought over by the wealthy Valdarian nobles. They would practically raise their daughters on an education solely focused on waiting on royalty hand and foot. But Isabelle wasn't from a well-known family. In fact, she had no known next of kin other than her seven-month-old baby at the time and had found work as part of our household staff. That was how my mother met her the night she found her bloodied, beaten, and still trying to prepare supper in the lower floor kitchen. She took pity on Isabelle and her small baby girl and gave her the opportunity to provide for and protect her. I was born about a year and a half later, making Paxe just a couple of years older than me.
The Valdarian race is neither Fae nor human. Not immortal, but can live to be over two hundred years, all without losing a great deal of our youthful appearance. But the more potent feature about our race is that in our twentieth year, we come into a special ability, and a genetic level of power. Some Valdarians have significantly less according to their stature. My father, King Loren, was the most powerful sorcerer Valdaro had seen in centuries. His magic came from the very heart of our world nearly two thousand years ago when Valdaro’s first king was gifted it by the gods for proving himself worthy to rule over our people. It had since been passed to the eldest heir, each transfer stronger than the last. In a royal bloodline, a pure, direct Valdarian heir would receive raw, unfiltered power upon the death of their biological father. In a long line of kings, the power my father possesses has been built upon and passed down for hundreds of years. In the very rare event that a father dies and passes down his power to his heir before their twentieth year, that power is dormant until the moon rises on the night of their Ventus, or twentieth birthday—a day usually followed by lavish celebrations among wealthy Valdarians as they receive their abilities.
