Queen of Disaster: Seeker of the Gods, #0.5

By Nova Blake

When the Prince of Spain hires Never to find him the Fountain of Eternal Youth, she has no idea what she's getting herself into...

Follow Never, her best friend with benefits, Brannigan, and fellow explorer Rocco into the misty depths of New Zealand in search of the fountain.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Etherhart Press
• Release date: Mar 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9780995145542

Book preview

Queen of Disaster

Prequel to the Seeker of the Gods series

Nova Blake

Etherhart Press

Copyright © 2019by Nova Blake

Cover design by Covers by Combs

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Contents

1. Chapter 1

2. Chapter 2

3. Chapter 3

4. Chapter 4

5. Chapter 5

6. Chapter 6

7. Chapter 7

8. Chapter 8

9. Chapter 9

10. Chapter 10

. Chapter

Thank you

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Chapter one

This security guard was the third person to pat me down since I’d entered the palace. It seemed like there was another guy at every door I passed through waiting to put his hands on me; at least this one was cute.

I’d had to leave my partner in crime, Bran, back home in the US for this meeting, which was probably just as well because he’d be scowling up a storm by now, making ratty comments about the ridiculous levels of protection required. This was the Prince of Spain though. I understood the care taken, even if it seemed a little over the top. After all, it wasn’t like I’d asked to meet him; he’d been the one to call me.

Does he treat all his employees with such care? I asked as the guard moved back up my body and ran his hands down my arms. I raised an eyebrow and smirked.

We’re just doing our jobs and hopefully making that as easy as possible for you. He smiled back at me and looked like he wanted to say something more when his superior bustled up.

What’s taking so long? You know he doesn’t like waiting.

Then perhaps he shouldn’t have such stringent protections in place, or maybe he should tell his guests to arrive a half hour early so they can get felt up at leisure. I leveled a glare at him, and then patted the nice security guard on the arm. Thanks for that. It was the best of the lot. With a wink, I sashayed past him and through the open door.

Finally, I was where I needed to be.

Make sure you remember to curtsey, was all the information I was given. I looked up to take in the prince on his throne, stepped further into the room and onto the rug that was clearly meant for the likes of me.

I made a deep curtsey, despite my lack of skirts, and then met his gaze.

It’s lovely to meet you, your highness. I was excited to get your request. I offered him a smile as his gaze slid over me, assessing me, no doubt. You didn’t stay regent for long these days without a bit of smarts. He was older than I thought he’d be. His thick grey hair was gathered in a braid behind him, wisps of it curling around his crown.

Leave us, he pronounced with a wave of his hand, like royalty always did in the movies. I was surprised to see it echoed in real life.

But, Sir—

You’ve checked her, haven’t you? Or am I to assume you’re incapable of doing your job? Leave. And send the chef. The prince stood up and then stepped down the three stairs so that we were on the same level. He offered me a hand lined with age, and it was only now that we were closer that I could see the rest of the tell-tale signs; the yellowing whites of his eyes, the tremble of his fingers, the stoop of his shoulders.

He was getting to the end of his days. This would make him even more keen to get whatever it was he desired, which was great for my pockets.

I slipped my fingers into his and let him lead me to a smaller, more intimate area in the room with two comfy chairs and a coffee table.

Please, sit, he said, indicating one chair. He took the other and waited until I was settled before speaking again. I appreciate you coming.

And I appreciate the invitation. I glanced around the room, noting that the rest of it was covered in the rich tapestries one would expect in a palace, replete with statues and sculptures and other things of cultural value. Yet here in this little corner, it was decidedly plain. Sure, the rug was thick and decadent, and the furniture was plush to sit in, but it was so stripped back in comparison. Is this your favorite corner? I asked.

He smiled, sending a ripple of wrinkles across his face. You’re very perceptive, though I had expected no less. I’ve done my research. I know what you can do.

It always made me pause when they said that. Made me wonder if they were the first to actually know; the first to have figured out that it was magic rather than skill.

I mean, there was skill involved too, but the magic made it all so much easier.

My reputation seems to precede me, I acknowledged. Do you want to tell me what it is you’d like me to find? I arched an eyebrow and waited as the prince shifted in his seat. He glanced down at his hands, then folded them together to hide the tremors. He licked his lips and locked his gaze on mine.

I need you to find the Fountain of Eternal Youth. He said it with no pretext, but I understood immediately; he wasn’t ready to pass on.

The Fountain’s existence had been rumoured for a long time—for all of time, some might say—and the fact that no one had ever found it made me think it was probably just a legend.

Okay, I said slowly, exhaling a breath. That’s a pretty tall order. Not sure I can deliver on that one, but I’m happy to take a stab at it. Any hints on where I can start? I kept my face serious, needing him to know that I wasn’t making fun of him. If he had any clues, I genuinely wanted to know.

There was a noise from across the room and his eyes slid in that direction. I turned to see a man entering with a tray of nibbles, and what smelled like excellent coffee.

Jacques, thank you. Just leave it here and I’ll call for you if we need anything else. The prince gestured to the table,