The Second Life of Magnolia Mae by Angela Schroeder Read Free Book Online

it was. They’d find out on her birthday, either way.
    Finally, Bash walked out of the house, slamming the door behind him.
    Jace cleared his throat, startling her out of her thoughts. “It does seem crazy.”
    “It may be. If nothing comes of it other than this letter from Mom and Dad, then I am happy with that. There is so much that I needed to talk to them about, things I needed to learn from them, that I needed to tell them. With this letter, at least I got to hear them say that they love me.” He took the journal into his hand and started to read.
     

     
    The sun was rising when Magnolia finally closed the journal; she had taken it from Jace before she’d gone to her room. She gazed out the window as the world slowly lightened from blackness to the beautiful illumination that was day. The bright orange ball rose slowly in the sky above the trees. Not a single cloud was in the sky, nothing to impede the beauty of the morning. A sigh escaped her, and she turned away from the window.
    Nonna’s journal had told Daciana’s story in more detail than had been found in any history books. Daciana Magnolia Dietrex had been the only child of Rupert and Vivian Dietrex, therefore, the only heir. Living her life travelling from place to place, seeing how her people were shunned and sometimes hunted as though witches, Daciana had decided they needed a home of their own. Her father had been ailing and she’d been afraid that he would not make it through another winter of travel and harsh conditions. With this in mind, she had gone to the King of Marcello to offer a trade. After days of debate and discussion, an agreement had been made. He would allow her people to live in the valley beyond the mountain, stretching to the coast. It would be her land, a kingdom of her own. But for twenty years, the people would have to give ten percent of what they raised in cattle and crops to him as payment. She’d made arrangements to send men over the mountain ahead of the rest of them with supplies that the king had given them to build homes for the winter.
    Magnolia closed her eyes, allowing sleep to finally claim her…
    The handsome man from the market appeared next to King Pelonis. His bright blue eyes sparkled as they landed on her. He shoved a hand through his thick dark hair and smiled.
    King Pelonis turned to him. “This is Princess Daciana of Avengar. She and her people will inhabit the land over the mountain. You, my son, will oversee the construction of the homes. Help her to get her people settled before the snow flies. Take as many men with you as you need, and as much supply as you think will be needed. I leave you in charge of the alliance between Marcello and Avengar. Do what you see fit to make it a strong one.” With that, the king left the room.
    “You did not tell me that you are a princess.” He bowed to her with an exaggerated flourish.
    “Would it have made a difference?” She quirked up an eyebrow at the dashing prince who was now to help her with her people.
    “Of course. That poor excuse for a man would have hanged that day. Instead of today.” His eyes grew serious.
    With a shake of her head, she stepped forward, “Please do not end his life because of me. He did no real harm.”
    “He was out of line. He should never had set his hands on you, let alone hurt you.”
    “It is in the past. It is time that I and my people look to the future. Winter is rapidly approaching, and we need to get established soon. I must make them ready for the journey.”
    “I will send men ahead to begin building. There is a small palace that my great-great-grandfather built. I think there are many houses there that are still inhabitable as long as they get a bit of mending done. It should not take long to get you settled.”
    “A palace?” The words escaped her mouth quietly.
    “A perfect one for you. I have often used it for hunting trips. I shall be sorry to lose it, but I think the reason for losing it is well worth