Legend Read online

  Contents

  Prologue

  1. Kircheck

  2. Janey

  3. Karzan

  4. Karzan

  5. Janey

  6. Karzan

  7. Kala

  8. Janey

  9. Janey

  10. Kircheck

  11. Janey

  12. Karzan

  13. Janey

  14. Janey

  15. Karzan

  16. Karzan

  17. Karzan

  18. Janey

  19. Karzan

  Epilogue

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author

  Contact:

  Also by M.R. Leahy

  Legend

  Copyright ©2020 M.R. Leahy

  All Rights Reserved

  Kindle Edition

  No part of this book may be reproduced, copied or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system without written expressed permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is purely coincidental.

  The use of actors, artists, movies, TV shows, and song titles/lyrics throughout this book are done so for storytelling purposes and should in no way be seen as advertisement. Trademark names are used in an editorial fashion with no intention of infringement of the respective owner’s trademark.

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or if it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to the seller and please purchase your own copy.

  All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior express, written consent of the author.

  This book is intended for mature adults only. Contains sexual content and language that may offend some. Suggested reading audience is 18 years or older. I consider this book as Adult Romance. If this isn’t your type of book, then please don’t purchase it.

  Cover design © Dee Garcia with Black Widow Designs

  Editor © Cassia Brightmore with Beyond the Click: Photography & Publishing Services

  Created with Vellum

  To my girls,

  Dee, Hazel & Cassia.

  You three are the real legends.

  Legend says that long ago, beasts–strong and powerful human-like beings that had the ability to transform into animals—coexisted in the world alongside man.

  It is said that their King, Klayton, who was the strongest of all–ruled alongside Gods, following their prophecies and keeping peace between the two species.

  But just like man, the beasts were fueled with emotions. Some began to see themselves as superior over man, while some men started to see the beasts as abominations.

  War and death swarmed the lands, filling the rivers with wasted blood. No place was untouched, and no being was safe.

  The Gods cried in anger and grief at the division and loss of their creations, their children. To prevent further loss, they created a last and final prophecy. One they knew would break down the division and bring forth a new species to end the war.

  “Klayton, our son, King of the Beasts, your most sacred path has been laid before you. Go, find your queen, unite the species, and bring into this world a son of hope and change. A son fit to bring peace to all.”

  “How will I find my queen, my lords?”

  “From the moment you catch her scent, she will be all that you see. She will be your balance in life, your light in the dark, the gentle touch to your heavy hand. She will be your equal. Go. Find her. Cherish her. For this path laid before you is not a long one.”

  “So, I must love only to lose it all?”

  “Love is not easy, child. It’s patience; it’s sacrifice. Love is selfless. What is it you love most at this moment, King of Beasts?”

  “My people.”

  “And what would you do for your people?”

  “Anything.”

  “When you find your mate–that same reason; that same drive will intensify. You will want assurance, and you will want safety. You will want the promise of tomorrow. Trust us, young king, for this is the only way.”

  Not long after the Gods had spoken, did word of the prophecy circulate. For those who hid in fear, the news gave them hope. And those who were forced to fight in endless wars, the news promised peace. But for those who could not see past their blind prejudices, the news was nothing more than a threat.

  “Do you believe them?”

  “Of course, I believe them, brother. They are Gods.”

  “The Gods are known for their trickery, Klayton. You of all people should remember that.”

  “Regardless, Kircheck, I must follow the path they have set for me so I can give our people the peace they deserve.”

  “Peace is won with war. It’s not given; it’s taken.”

  “And that narrow-minded thinking is why you are not King.”

  It was not long before the God’s visions began to arise. It is said the second the king scented his queen, he lost all control of his beast. Without warning, his clothes tore from his body, and in the blink of an eye, he transformed into a wolf the size of a man. They say his fur was as black as the night sky, and that his eyes glowed gold like the moon and stars. Nothing could stop him as the wolf king fled from the castle in search of his mate. He followed her scent outside the kingdom walls, through the endless jungle, to a human village hidden deep within the trees.

  Humans.

  At that moment, through the blinding lust, he understood what the gods meant. He hadn’t laid eyes on the girl, yet he felt her, yearned for her, loved her. A Beast King and a Human Queen.

  Unable to shift back into his human form, and unable to climb the trees, the wolf king paced beneath the treehouses howling and begging for his queen to reveal herself.

  “It’s one of them! The beasts have found us!”

  “We must run! We can rebuild!”

  “Wait! What is he doing? He isn’t shifting to come up here. Maybe he’s wounded.”

  “Look with your eyes, Kala, that beast is rabid! We must go!”

  “I can’t…”

  The future Queen may not have understood the forces behind the pull she felt towards the strange crazed wolf below, but Kala was the chosen one for a reason. She did not question what her heart told her, her whole life she’d followed it blindly and without question. She wasn’t about to begin second guessing things.

  Though her village shouted and cried for her to stop, she couldn’t. She knew that whatever waited for her on the ground below, was her destiny. Without looking back, the future queen climbed down the tree and met her beast with her head held high, her heart and mind open.

  The King had never bowed down to anyone that wasn’t his Gods. But as his fated mate climbed down from the village above, the wolf put his nose to the dirt before her feet even met the ground. At that moment, she became his everything.

  They say that Kala was fearless. That when she met the wolf, she didn’t hesitate; she didn’t cower, she reached out with steady fingers and ran her hand through the beast’s midnight fur. Through her touch, the king gained the strength he neede
d to regain control over his wolf, and before the human girls’ eyes, the wolf transformed into the King of Beasts.

  “King Klayton,” she whispered his name in awe.

  “What is your name, human?”

  “Kala, my lord.”

  “Kala…can you feel this between us?”

  “Yes.”

  Her admittance was all the king needed. It’s said the mated couple barely made it past the tree lines before their need for each other consumed them completely. The king knew without a doubt they created a life that night; a prince, a future king to rule and bring peace to all.

  Despite their bliss, Klayton knew that this time of pure happiness and love was limited. For three days, they hid in the jungle learning everything about one another. Their likes and dislikes, their passions and fears…their people. With open eyes and an open heart, the king saw the true devastation the wars had caused and knew that change must happen.

  It wasn’t going to be easy, and it wasn’t going to happen overnight, but it was going to happen. The king knew no matter what, all would be right. The Gods had given him a Queen that was strong and wise enough to help him make it so.

  “Are you ready to meet your people, my queen?”

  “They’re going to hate me…”

  “Do not taint your mind with those thoughts, Kala. You are who the prophecy chose. You are my mate; you are my light. There will be those, human and beasts alike, who will fight against this union as they have since the whispers of the prophecy began. They’ll try and tear down what we build, but they cannot defeat what is meant to be. They cannot defeat love.”

  “Love...how can you be so sure that this is love?”

  “What does your heart say, Kala?”

  Trusting herself, the Queen uttered the words she felt in her heart. “It says this is fate.”

  The weeks and months following the introduction of the new queen were some of the hardest their world had ever faced. They had in fact created life, and with the swelling of their child in her belly came more deaths, more destruction. Although the prophecy rang true so far, people were fearful. The darkness overshadowed all light…the people were quickly losing hope.

  “You are blind, brother! You can’t see past your infatuation with the human girl to realize the gods are playing you for a fool! They don’t want peace. They want a game; a show, and you’re just a pawn.”

  “Watch your tongue, Kircheck. You may be blood, but I will not have you speak to me that way. That human girl is my mate, and your queen, so you will show the proper respect.”

  “Where is your loyalty, brother?”

  “My loyalty is to my people.”

  “Yet you blindly follow a prophecy in which we what? Befriend the humans? Live alongside them as though they are our equals? They’re humans, Klayton! They’re beneath us, and yet, you have us calling one of them our Queen. Demanding we respect her!”

  “You are the blind one, Kircheck. Humans are not lesser beings. We must stop fueling the fire with all this hate. The gods foresee a future of hope and peace. We must stay strong and fight for what is right.”

  “Do you hear yourself, Klayton? You’ve been tricked! You must end the child. Stop this madness before the Gods destroy us all!”

  “Silence! That is enough, I am your king, and you will pay for the way you speak of my unborn child and mate. I hereby strip you of your title. Until you’re clear of this darkness you’ve let take over your mind, you are no longer hand of the king.”

  “Then, you doom us all.”

  “No. I’m saving us all.”

  They say the night the prince was born was the quietest night their world had seen in years. No wars, no fires, no death…simply silence. Some say it was as if the world took a breath and held it, in hopes of hearing change being born. Others say it was because the world knew of the tragedy waiting to unfold.

  “Just one more push, Your Majesty, he’s almost here!”

  “Klayton!”

  “Yes, my light. I’m here.”

  “I can’t do this…”

  “Look at me, Kala. You are the strongest being I know. If anyone can do this, it is you. You will bring our son into this world. You will be the mother to change; the mother to hope.”

  “What hope? There is no hope, Klayton. The world is more divided than ever. Our people are dying; the gods aren’t even answering our calls anymore. The prophecy did not speak of all this hatred…this darkness. He’s just one person, Klayton; our son. How can he fix this?”

  “Maybe he’s not meant to fix this. Maybe he’s meant to rebuild it.”

  The prince was born with the moon at its highest point in the sky. He was given the name, Karzan. His eyes and hair were as golden as his father’s, while his porcelain skin and full lips were that of his mother. But the black webbed marking on the palm of his tiny right hand was from something else entirely.

  “It’s the mark of the Gods.”

  “Such a heavy burden for someone who has yet to live.”

  “He will live, my light. Because he has you, and that alone will ensure his life will be full. No matter what happens, Kala, trust the prophecy, trust yourself… trust our son. When the time is right, he will not just be king of the beasts… he will be King of the Jungle.”

  Though the birth of their son was meant to be filled with an abundance of joy, it was instead met with contempt. The royal couple could feel the storm brewing. They could sense the symbolism of the silence. The final battle was approaching, and nothing could stop it.

  It is said by many that jealousy is what pushed the king’s brother, Kircheck, over the edge. That stripping his title and forcing him to coexist with humans fueled his already sickened mind.

  “They want us to bow down to the humans. They want us to share our wealth, our knowledge. This newborn prince is an abomination; a threat. The king has been bewitched by his queen and is not fit to rule us any longer. Stand with me, and we will conquer the humans once and for all. Peace will be given when we take it by force. Fear will propel them to bow to us. Follow me, and we will destroy this prophecy!”

  “All hail, King Kircheck!”

  The sound came back to the world like thunder. Screams and cries rang throughout the skies like sirens. Nothing, not even the knowledge of the future, could prepare anyone for the death that would come from that night.

  “Kala, take Karzan and run. Don’t stop until you get to your village hidden deep within the jungle. It’s well hidden, and you’ll be safe there. The only reason I found it was our mated bond.”

  “Come with us!”

  “My light, my love, my Queen, I have to stay here. If I run, they’ll catch us all. This is the only way.”

  “No! We can do this together. Come with us, please!”

  “Be strong, Kala. Remember…trust the prophecy, trust yourself. Trust our son. He’s a part of us both, and from the ashes, he will rebuild what has been destroyed. I love you, my light. We will meet again, and we will have all eternity together.”

  That night, the King faced his brother alone. He faced him knowing his kingdom was crumbling. He faced him knowing that his people were dying; he faced him knowing that he was not going to see his son and mate again. He faced him as a man…not as a beast.

  “You lose, brother.”

  “No… in the end… it is you… who will lose… brother.”

  They say that when the king fell, it reverberated through the kingdom like the blowback of a bomb. People–human and beast—fell to their knees from the force of the loss. A crack the size of a country formed between the kingdom and untouched land. The Gods who had been silent, whispered through the wind the curse of legends.

  “Through darkness you were born, now darkness you will live. Bound are your powers, no longer able to shift. Hidden throughout time, you will cease to exist, until the chosen one appears with our God-given gift. When the marks unite, the prince shall change, and the one true king will take his name.”

  With the
ir last word, the Gods slammed their fists into the world. The crack that was formed gave way, and the country drifted off into the ocean, never to be seen again. Lost for all eternity. It was this action that created Insula Sacra.

  The Island of the Accursed.

  “But what happened to the Island, Papa? What happened to the humans and beasts?”

  “No one knows. It is believed that the Island is still out there somewhere guarded by the curse. Blanketed in darkness. People have searched for centuries, but no one has found any trace of the island.”

  “What about the Prince? Did he survive? Did Queen Kala make it to the village?”

  Laughing at his daughter’s enthusiasm, he answered honestly. “I don’t know. But I’d like to think so. I’d like to think that the prince is waiting for the chosen one to come and lift his curse.”

  “Do you believe in the story, Papa?”

  Grabbing the little girl's left hand, he turned it over and ran his thumb across the black webbed marking on her palm.

  “It’s a legend, Janey. And legends always ring with truth.”

  Sitting atop my throne, I glare down at the human girl who kneels naked between my thighs. Yanking on the chain that wraps around her throat, I bring her to my chest, the animal within me growling in satisfaction at her lifeless submission. Glancing to my advisor who stands silently at the bottom of the steps, I ask, "Have you heard from the hunters, Tantor?"

  "No, my lord. The last report we received said they’ve made it all the way to the south of the island, five moons ago," he answers, his voice emotionless, and void of life. Having ruled as an advisor to my brother, my father, and my grandfather, the man's loyalty is tied only to the throne. But seeing as I am King, his indifference as like those I rule, means very little to me...so long as they fear me, they will forever follow me.