Title: The Stillness
of the Sky
Author: Starla Huchton
Series: A Flipped Fairy Tale
Genre: Fantasy /YA
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: Feb 2 2015
Edition/Formats: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
"Once upon a
time, my life was certain: it was insignificant, and it was cruel. But I
refused to let it define me, no matter how great the cost.
Once upon a time, I
made a wish. The world I knew grew wider than the sky and higher than the
stars, and I listened to the voice within me, reaching out for freedom.
Once upon a time, my
wish became my fate, and my destiny the hardest lesson to learn: kindness may
be the most difficult path, but it can save entire kingdoms.”
“My mother would bring me here when I was a child. She saw
to my education as often as she could, though she wasn’t able to do as much as
she wanted.” A distinct note of sadness colored his words. Queen Octavia died
when I was barely old enough to remember, but before my own mother left. “When
she could, we’d come here and she’d pick different pages for me to read on
things I might encounter within our kingdom. One day, I asked her where it all
came from, if there were specific spirits that created things like giants or
selkies or whatever the case may be, and she asked the book for one thing.” He
placed his hand on the cover, his fingers wrapped around the side edge. “Show
me the Alabaster Heart.”
A golden glow filled the room, blooming from the book as
Willem opened it. When the light faded, I looked down at the pages before us.
The one on the right was filled with text black as pitch on crisp cream paper,
but on the left…
I nearly dropped the lamp. “That’s it!” I said, staring
stupidly at the full-color picture that looked more like a window into the
great white tree’s cavern than a simple drawing could ever do. “That’s the tree
Ro took me to.”
“It’s called the Alabaster Heart,” he explained, trading
places with me to read from the text. “It says it’s the source and sustaining
force of all magical things, location unknown. Most glimpses of it come in
small pink flowers growing through the cracks in rocks, whose seeds are rumored
to grant wishes. Those who seek these flowers should be warned: wishes are
granted in an unpredictable manner and often come with a high cost to those who
make them, weighed against the heart of the one requesting the magic to be
performed.” He hummed thoughtfully. “Buyer beware, I suppose.”
Frustrated, I growled at my own ignorance. “While that
would’ve been helpful at the time, it hardly does me much good now.”
“If you’re that unhappy with it, maybe you should go back
and make another wish to undo it.”
I turned to him, hurt both by his tone of voice and
suggestion that I’d be so selfish. “First off, I don’t know that I’d be any
better off now than I was before. In fact, all things considered, I think I’m
doing quite well, thank you very much. Secondly, look at all the good I’ve done
since then. While I’m not at all proud that I destroyed another person’s life,
Torell is certainly a touch nicer for my dealings with your Piper. Third…” I
paused, softening my tone and touching his arm. “Do you honestly think I’d run
away from this fate? Whatever it is I’m meant to do, I’m the only one that can
do it. It’s important enough that the very source of magic itself summoned me
for a conversation. It told me that everyone needs help at some point.
Everyone, including the Alabaster Heart.” I shook my head and returned my gaze
to the picture. “Kindness in all things. I’d never be able to live with myself
if I walked away from this.”
His arm wrapped around my waist. “And that was why you were
chosen, Jack. I’ve known generals and statesmen, the rich and the poor, kings
and commoners alike. When I tell you that I’ve never seen your rival in
altruism, that’s speaking from a great deal of experience. The magic you
possess might be greater than we know, but it’s your heart that makes you so
important. There might be others that can do as you do, but how many would?”
“But I still don’t even know what I’m meant to do,” I
murmured, staring at the picture.
He sighed and leaned his head against mine. “Peace, Jack.
You’re supposed to bring peace.”
“I wished for peace for myself.”
“But can a Bard have peace when the kingdom they live in is
at war?”
I jerked and pulled away from him, gaping. “You think I’m
meant to stop your father’s war?”
He nodded. “You have all of the pieces of the puzzle. You
know where Aaron is. You know the giants didn’t kidnap or kill him as my
father’s accused them. Your songs can soothe any enemy.”
My mouth fell open. “An enemy perhaps, but we’re talking
about two entire armies and the population of not only Litania, but fixing the
damage caused to the giants as well. Not to mention that I can’t produce any
proof that your brother is alive and well. Who’d even believe me?”
“I believe you,” he said, setting his hand over mine as it
rested on the desk. “Let me help you, Jack.”
: The Stillness of the Sky
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