Cursed Ever After

CURSED EVER AFTER THE ROYAL GOLD KEEPERS: BOOK 1 LACEY CARTER ANDERSEN CONTENTS Dedication Want more from Lacey Carter Andersen? Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Also By Lacey Carter Andersen About the Author Copyright 2023 Published by Lacey Carter Andersen Cover Design by Covers by Averi Hope Designs Editing by Rainlyt Editing This work of fiction is intended for mature audiences only. All characters are over the age of eighteen. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either a product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or other unauthorized use of the material or artwork herein is prohibited without the express written permission of the author. DEDICATION To everyone who still believes in magic. WANT MORE FROM LACEY CARTER ANDERSEN? Sign up for exclusive first looks at my hot new releases, exclusives, and contests from Lacey Carter Andersen! Want to be part of the writing process? Maybe even get a taste of my sense of humor? Teasers for my new releases? And more? Join Lacey’s Realm on Facebook! ONE Elora I stare at the massive wall in front of me, watching as it changes. It twists like dough being squished in a toddler's hands or maybe like a giant plastic wall that a strange, horrifying creature is trying to escape from. Sometimes I even imagine I see hands, feet, or even a face pushing through the green substance, but I’m pretty sure those things only exist in my mind. They’re images I only see because of the tales told by the locals about this dangerous wall that separates our world from that of Neverwood. The locals who come here, usually teenagers who have been dared to do so by their friends, are terrified by the strange doorway to another world, this mix between a wall of leaves like a huge hedge and something else, something that shouldn’t be able to exist in our world. Yet, I’m never afraid, not because Neverwood is safe, but because I’m one of only four living people who can enter this place. One of the only people who knows what’s behind the wall. And although it is a scary place, it’s also a world of wonder. One I want to return to, even today, after three long months of not being allowed to go. For whatever reason, my dad has told me no, and that only he'll be going on this trip. I’d protested. I’d even resorted to sulking a little, like when I was a child, because the whole thing was irritatingly unfair. He's supposed to retire as a Gold Keeper soon and allow me to take his place, but I can’t do that until I’ve learned more, including all the ins and outs of surviving in Neverwood. Even though I know he’s scared about the day I have to go through without him, I want to be as prepared as possible. Which means not allowing me to go with him, when there’s a chance for me to learn more, is foolish. We should be taking every opportunity before he retires to train. How is it that he doesn't see that? I’m in my twenties. I’m more than old enough to take over. The wind blows a little harsher, and I look across the darkened sky to see grey streaks of light rising over the huge mountains that surround Paradise Falls. A shiver rolls down my spine, and I wrap my arms around myself. I haven’t enjoyed storms since my first experience with one in Neverwood, but I also know stormy days are the most likely days that we can cross over, so I say nothing, just glance at my father. My father is kneeling on the ground, going through each item in his pack. He checks everything when he packs at home, before he leaves the house, and when he gets here. I once thought it was overkill until I realized just how important each item is… important enough that if anything gets screwed up, you can die. His head is bowed over his backpack as he checks each thing, and I realize his short hair, which used to be pale brown weaved with grey, is mostly grey now. When did that happen? And how hadn’t I noticed until today? He closes his pack and looks up at me with his trademark smile, the one that dazzles all the ladies in town and makes my heart ache when I think of it when he’s gone to Neverwood. He rises, a little more slowly than he used to, and comes over to me. I already know what he’s going to do before he does it, so I’m smiling when he takes my face in his hands. My father lowers his face until it’s right in front of mine, his mismatched eyes, identical to mine—one hazel and one blue—light up with affection, excitement, and the desire for adventure. “I love you.” I grin. “I love you too.” “And Neverwood will never take me!” He says it like a hero from old. I laugh. It’s been our thing for at least the past twenty years, starting when I was a child and had to watch my father go without me, but we continued it, even on the trips I got to join him on. “Fucking never!” Although I’d added the “fucking” when I got older. He releases my face, opening his mouth to say more, but suddenly frowns. His head tilts a little to the side, and I realize he’s listening for something. His instincts after so much time in