Symbol of Hope

Symbol of Hope Amber Paige Copyright Copyright © [2023] by [Amber Paige] All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact [Amber Paige via [email protected]]. The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred. Book Cover by [Germancreative] Foreword Please check your trigger warnings. This novel includes instances of grief, violence, blood, death, PTSD, anxiety, and panic attacks. Alana's Playlist Survivor-2WEI Game of Survival-Ruelle Dandelions-Ruth B. Sex and Candy-Unions Control-Zoe Wees How Villians Are Made-Madalen Duke I Feel It In The Wind-Smith & Thell Holy Water-Freya Ridings Not Like I'm In Love With You-Lauren Weintraub Up In Flames- Ruelle Soldier, Poet, King-The Oh Hellos I'm Yours Sped Up- Isabel LaRosa Teir Abhaile Riu-Celtic Woman Ceilings- Lizzy McAlpine Achilles Come Down- Gang of Youths Never Surrender- Liv Ash Power Over Me- Dermot Kennedy Dirty Thoughts-Chloe Adams War of Hearts-Ruelle Here to Mars-Coheed and Cambria See You Later (Ten Years)-Jenna Raine Dedication This book is dedicated to anyone who ever dreamed about being a Princess. Prepare to roam a beautiful castle in a gorgeous gown and bump into hot fictional men. Enjoy the adventure, and maybe fall in love along the way. Table of Contents Prologue 1. Chapter One 2. Chapter Two 3. Chapter Three 4. Chapter Four 5. Chapter Five 6. Chapter Six 7. Chapter Seven 8. Chapter Eight 9. Chapter Nine 10. Chapter Ten 11. Chapter Eleven 12. Chapter Twelve 13. Chapter Thirteen 14. Chapter Fourteen 15. Chapter Fifteen 16. Chapter Sixteen 17. Chapter Seventeen 18. Chapter Eighteen 19. Chapter Nineteen 20. Chapter Twenty 21. Chapter Twenty-One 22. Chapter Twenty-Two 23. Chapter Twenty-Three 24. Chapter Twenty-Four 25. Chapter Twenty-Five 26. Chapter Twenty-Six 27. Chapter Twenty-Seven 28. Chapter Twenty-Eight 29. Chapter Twenty-Nine 30. Chapter Thirty 31. Chapter Thirty-One 32. Chapter Thirty-Two 33. Chapter Thirty-Three 34. Chapter Thirty-Four 35. Chapter Thirty-Five 36. Chapter Thirty-Six 37. Chapter Thirty-Seven 38. Chapter Thirty-Eight 39. Chapter Thirty-Nine 40. Chapter Forty 41. Chapter Forty-One 42. Chapter Forty-Two 43. Chapter Forty-Three 44. Chapter Forty-Four 45. Epilogue Afterword Acknowledgments About The Author Also By Amber Paige Prologue Mother once told me that nightmares are your worst fears playing out in your mind as you sleep. I never understood her, because I never had them. Perhaps it’s because she always made sure to tuck me in before bed, placing a soft kiss on my brow. Maybe that’s what kept the nightmares at bay. The sun cascades through the window, drawing my attention. I stretch my legs, flopping around in bed. Today’s the day the market returns! How could I forget? Mother and I love going, seeing all the people and various wares. It’s easy to get swept away in all the madness. I sit up, stretching my arms to the low-hanging ceiling. “Alana! Are you awake?” Mother calls from downstairs. Her footsteps thump against the staircase, making the entire house rattle. My door creaks open as I dangle my feet off the edge of my bed. “Get ready, darling.” Her smile is bright and kind. “I’ll be ready in ten minutes.” I smile in return. She enters my closet-sized room, grabbing a brush from the dresser. “Let’s make it five.” My lips curl, already knowing the agony she’s about to unleash on my scalp. She rakes the brush through my tangle-infested hair, pulling and tugging. My hair is long, just like Mother’s. Though, I often wonder where I got my hair color from. Mine is auburn and curly, while Mother’s is black and straight. I may have gotten it from my father, but I don’t know who he is, so I can’t make the comparison. After all the knots are tamed, Mother grabs a sky-blue cotton dress from the drawer. The dress she offers me is a favorite of mine. The sleeves rest at my elbows, exposing me to the gentle spring breeze. The skirt is light cotton with flowers sewn around the bodice and waist. Mother made that little addition herself, she’s crafty like that. Standing up, I stretch my toes against the hardwood floor, narrowly avoiding a splinter. “Meet me downstairs in two minutes.” She hands me the dress before thumping back down the stairs. It’s always just been Mother and me. I don’t remember a time when it wasn’t just the two of us. As I grew older, I grew curious about my father, but she withheld that information from me. Her eyes would glimmer from the memories whenever I would bring him up. Within seconds, her expression would falter, devastation overtaking her. I glance in the mirror, wondering whom I look more alike. My eyes glimmer icy blue, while hers are bright green, like new spring grass. Sighing, I step away from the mirror. I guess that mystery will be left unsolved. I slide the dress over my head, adjusting it over my body. I slip on a pair of worn, tattered flats and race down the stairs, landing on the first floor with a thud. “Alana.” I plaster a toothy grin across my face when she says my name in her reproachful tone. I know how to push her buttons. Luckily, today’s excitement settles in both of us. She offers me a piece of bread with jam slathered on top of it. “Let’s go, silly girl.” She pulls on my hand, a slight giggle rumbling on her lips, exposing fine laugh lines along the corners of her mouth and eyes. I’m not sure how old Mother is. If I were to guess, I would say about thirty summers, give or take a few seasons. Outside, the air is warm. Pollen dances in the sky, tickling my nose. I place the bread in my