book #3 DARK KNIGHT ***COMPLETE***

#4 forest of eternal light

it was beautiful. standing at the edge of the forest the suns light hitting it and causing the forest to illuminate almost like it was glowing. "I have never seen anything so beautiful. This forest won't kill us?" Leif laughed at Zara.

"no this forest will not kill us. come on we need to get moving before the suns set." they began walking through the majestic forest. the trees swaying gently in the wind. It was magical. The forest almost danced. Zara stayed close her eyes wondering around taking in the beauty. the trees reminded her of Earth's weeping willows as they danced their dance. The colors burst in the mix of soft wind and sun light. everywhere she looked she saw soft pinks, blues and purples mixed with the most beautiful iridescence of pearl.

"I can't get past how beautiful it is here."

"fairy colors. wait until you see their wings. they are some of this world's most beautiful creatures." Zara could hear the leaves crunching beneath their feet as they walked. looking down she could see the mixing of the colors as the leaves blanketed the forest floor. a waterfall was gently flowing in the distance and Zara could hear the water calmly crashing into the rocks. "we will be making it to that waterfall tonight. it is the waterfall of hope. it is a calming waterfall that makes you feel at peace. everything in this forest will make you feel at peace on some level." Zara took what Leif said in. his words playing through her mind. she did feel a sense of peace here. it was a peace she had never felt before. it was as though this forest seeped into her soul and calmed all her worries taking them away with each step she took. she couldn't explain it. it was like a drug. she could hear birds chirping in trees almost singing a melancholy song, no doubt meant to soothe just like the rest of the forest. the waterfall grew louder but not deafening. the sounds it created were calm.

"I feel like we need to be careful here or it will lure us in forever with a need to keep this euphoric feeling. it's like it can become addictive. "

"it had been known to happen princess. some people go mad trying to always catch the high this forest gives. everything here has its own song and everyone reacts to it in different ways. we will be fine. we will stay by the waterfall and then push our way into the town tomorrow. the town is much livelier and the night life is amazing. you will see." Leif kept pushing them further down a path. Zara could feel a buzzing through her body like she was trying to re-energize. the buzzing spread from her finger tips spanning up her arms. it was as though she could feel the life of the forest inside of her.

once they got to a clearing Zara gasped taking it all in. the trees whipped gently around. their leaves dancing and singing. the waterfall crashing gently to the rocks sending mist up into the sky surrounding them. the water was the bluest she had ever seen shimmering where the suns rays spanned across its surface. small ripples lapping against the shore line. a stream lazily followed its own path down and disappeared into the forest. Leif had already begun to set up camp with Eric, vlad and Finn. "princess," Leif bowed his head as he spoke. "the tent for you is set up. the suns will be setting soon and we should eat and get some rest."

"thank you Leif, but if you call me princess one more time you are going to be left behind. please call me Zara." he let out a hearty laugh at her words knowing she would not leave him behind. it was right then that Zaras stomach made itself known. she shrugged at the warriors as they all burst out laughing. "I love food. you won't think of me as a princess after I eat!" Her smile was ear to ear as she spoke about eating. they sat down at the rivers edge pulling out the food they had brought. the warriors mouths dropped as they watched her shovel food into her mouth. She was not kidding when she said she loved to eat.

"when we are in the town maybe you should eat in private. " Leif was smirking as she rolled her eyes.

"I really love food!" she shrugged her shoulders. when they were done eating Zara looked around. the suns had begun to set and she could see two moons had taken their place. " am I allowed to bath in the water I'm feeling a little ripe."

"yes we shall go into our tents and give you privacy." the warriors bowed their head and disappeared into their tent. Zara stripped herself and entered the water. it was perfect. the water was warm as it engulfed her body. the warmth surrounded her as she washed off the day of hiking. Zara was rinsing her hair when her skin started to tingle. she looked around to see if she could see something. the hair on the back of her neck started to prickle. she felt eyes watching her but she saw no one. submerging herself under the warm water she slowly made her way towards the embankment trying not to alert anyone. glancing around she quickly covered herself as she exited the water. still unsure if it was just her imagination, until she saw movement at the edge of the tree line. she tried to act as though she hadn't noticed and dressed quickly. making her way towards the warriors tent she didn't even see the figure behind her.

Zara felt hands wrap around her as she let out a yelp then her mouth was covered and no sounds were coming out. darkness filled her as her eyes closed. she knew in an instant she had been drugged. when Zara awoke the moons were high in the sky. she no longer heard the calm sounds of the waterfall or the sounds of the weeping willows in the forest. there were stone walls all around her and a sky light allowing in the softness of the moons and stars above her. she could hear a fire crackling behind her. as she tried to sit up she realized her hands and feet were bound and she was laying flat on a caves surface. "what the hell?" she tried to fight her bindings but they wouldn't budge. an angelic voice spoke somewhere she couldn't see. "why do you come here?"

"untie me and we can talk." Zara knew the person wasn't going to untie her. she was hoping she could buy some time to loosen the ropes.

"answer my question." the voice sounded familiar yet Zara could not place it. "why do you come here? the ropes are enchanted."

zaras shoulders slumped. " at least let me see who I am talking too."

Zara watched as the figure came out of the shadows. her mouth dropping open as she came closer. "why do you come here?"

"I came for you. the lost ice princess." zaras voice was almost a whisper as she spoke dazed by the beauty before her. "I can't believe I found you!"

her brows furrowed as Zara spoke. confusion clearly written on her face. " why would you come for me?"

"because your family has been looking for you since your birth. you were taken from the king and Queen right after birth. you are the lost ice dragon shifter. you are the lost princess." Zara felt her reach behind her and untie her hands and feet. she sat up rubbing her wrists as the fire crackled beside them. "what is your name?"

"my name is Avaly. I have been living here in these lands on my own for a while. the town of fairies calls me the ghost."

"why have you been alone?"

"I am forbidden to be with beings. my tribe has forbidden it." Zara saw the sadness in her face as she spoke.

"you are their ruler. you do not listen to them. they listen to you. my name is princess Zara. your sister is princess Scarlett of the Earth ice shifters. you are meant to rule this realm as she is meant to rule hers. did no one tell you this?"

"I have been a servant most of my life. when my tribe kicked me out I had no one. they forbid any creature here to talk to me or help me. they said I killed the king and queen and this was my curse." Zara looked into her beautiful ice blue eyes. it was as though she were staring into Scarletts.

"no. your are the future ruler of this world. there is none higher than you besides your parents who live in the Earth realm. you did not kill them you were taken from them." Zara stood up grabbing Avalys hand in hers."Come on. we need to find my warriors and take back your rightful place in this world. then we meet your mother and father and your twin sister Scarlett. but first your crown." Avaly did not argue as Zara pulled her towards the entrance of the cave. smiling at Avaly staring deep into her ice blue eyes Zara squeezed her hand. Zara saw her warriors running towards them ready to fight. "well boys, you have impressed me with your tracking skills." they stood before the two women baffled by what they were seeing. Zara stepped aside as the warriors bowed their heads. "may I introduce to you the lost princess Avaly."