Ambrosia's Story Read online

  Ambrosia's Story

  by Tammy Marie Rose

  Published by

  Fire and Ice

  A Young Adult Imprint of Melange Books, LLC

  White Bear Lake, MN 55110

  www.fireandiceya.com

  Ambrosia's Story, Copyright 2013 by Tammy Marie Rose

  ISBN: 978-1-61235-615-0

  Names, characters, and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  Published in the United States of America.

  Cover Art by Becca Barnes

  Ambrosia's Story

  Tammy Marie Rose

  Ambrosia’s life becomes a dark place after her mother’s death. Her stepfather drinks and far too often takes his rage out on her. Feeling desperate and alone Ambrosia wishes herself into her favorite book.

  Surrounded by magic and light Ambrosia believes she has found happiness, but that happily ever after is threatened when her stepfather finds his way into the Mystical Forest. Soon a battle wages between good and evil that will determine not only Ambrosia’s fate, but also that of every magical creature that calls the Mystical Forest home.

  This book is dedicated to the amazing, beautiful and treasured people that I call my children, Elijah Blue, Chloe Gayle and Adalee Elizabeth, I love you all to infinity.

  Table of Contents

  "Ambrosia's Story"

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  About the Author

  Previews

  ~ Chapter One ~

  Ambrosia awoke at the edge of a forest. Her hands trembled slightly as she rose to her feet. Leaves clung to her long damp hair. She wrapped her arms around her small waist and shivered in the frigid morn. Each breath she took appeared before her in a puff of smoke. With due caution, she took her first steps toward the Mystical Forest. Ambrosia’s tracks in the morning frost resembled ghost prints in a long forgotten potter's field.

  Ambrosia had envisioned this place in her dreams so often. Though her presence here was new-sprung, everything she was witness to seemed so familiar. As she took step after step toward the forest, her fear slowly dissipated. This is where I belong, her mind told her. This is the only place where I can be happy ... and safe.

  As she crossed into the shelter of the trees Ambrosia heard a sound that she had imagined hearing many times, the laughter of pixies. As she wandered deeper into the forest, her eyes took in all that enveloped her. She knelt to touch a bright red flower, so beautiful against winter’s frost. Here in the Mystical Forest flowers always bloomed. As she touched the flower’s velvet petals, something buzzed excitedly from the center of it. Ambrosia fell back startled. A pixie with hair of gold hovered excitedly above her. The pixie was clad in clothes made of flower petals. Her eyes were sea green. Nervously she tucked her long hair behind her long pointed ears. A wreath of tiny flowers adorned her head. The pixie's translucent wings sparkled in the morning sunshine. Ambrosia slowly reached out to the pixie, but she darted high above her out of reach.

  “I won’t hurt you,” Ambrosia whispered softly.

  “What are you?” the pixie asked in a nervous voice.

  Ambrosia could not help but smile. “I am a girl.”

  “What is a girl?”

  Ambrosia was uncertain how to answer that question.

  “She is a child of the human world.”

  Ambrosia looked over her shoulder to find a beautiful and delicate looking fairy with hair as red as the flower before her. Her eyes were green like the sea with a hint of gold. The fairy's clothes, created were from leaves and vines Her wings were much like that of a dragonfly and shimmered with the colors of a rainbow. “Mirabella!”

  Mirabella smiled though she was quite startled by the sound of her name passing from the child's lips. “Yes, child and you are called?”

  “Ambrosia.”

  “What a beautiful name. How is it, Ambrosia that you have come to be here and that you know my name?”

  “It is a long story. Please do not think me impolite, but I am cold and so hungry.”

  Mirabella looked at her with worry. “Yes child, you are definitely not dressed for such cold weather. Come, I think perhaps you could fit into one of Rom’s cloaks.”

  Ambrosia could not suppress a smile at the sound of Rom's name. He was one of her favorite characters. Despite his rough exterior, his heart was full of goodness. She closed her eyes and could see Rom before her. Rom's face was hard to admire, his nose was large and warted and his complexion was an odd shade of green. He had moss like hair on his head and in his ears and nose. He was misshapen with a humped back, a stout torso and large hands and feet. His eyes were sunken in and large and despite their surroundings were bright with life and kindness. Ambrosia opened her eyes, and saw Mirabella had moved not far ahead and waited patiently for her. She followed her deeper into the safety of the forest.

  Ambrosia pulled Rom’s cloak gratefully around her. She could smell him amidst the fabric. It was an odd smell, much like the cloak had soaked in swamp water, but despite the smell, she pulled it closer to her as if it brought her closer to him. The chill that had seemed to take up residence in her bones slowly faded. Many faces stared up at her with a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity. Those faces were all so known to her. They gazed upon her as an absolute stranger and she saw them as old friends who have always been a part of her heart.

  For Ambrosia, no introductions were necessary. She could with no effort put a name to each and every enchanting face. For the past two years, Ambrosia had lived within the pages of the book 'Majik the Black Unicorn'. Even if she were reading something other than the Mystical Forest’s tales she would often find herself imagining she walked among the trees there.

  How could her words tell them how her love for them had brought her here? How could she explain that her world was so full of fear and pain that she had wished herself into theirs?

  “Come, Ambrosia, let’s see what Basil and Ogre are baking up.” Mirabella’s musical voice stirred Ambrosia from her thoughts.

  Basil and Ogre’s kitchen was but a large hollowed out tree stump. Ambrosia sat down outside its doors. She breathed in the amazing smells that arose from the windows they had carved out of it. Watching Mirabella leave her and enter the kitchen made her feel much like a puppy waiting for its beloved owner to return home.

  When Mirabella did return behind her was a line of fairies, pixies, and sprites all of who carried armfuls of tiny warm cinnamon rolls dripping with white frosting. “Here Ambrosia, eat.”

  Ambrosia took the tiny rolls and breathed in their delicious aroma. As the smell filled her senses, she began to devour them hungrily.

  Mirabella and the others had disappeared back into the window of the kitchen. They returned a moment later with more rolls.

  “Thank you,” Ambrosia said as she took the offerings.

  Now with a full belly and the warmth of Rom's cloak around her, Ambrosia felt more like herself. She looked around the tiny village that surrounded her. Diminutive faces peered out from miniature windows cut into hollowed out mushrooms and tree stumps. The mushrooms were perhaps twenty inches tall. Their tops were brick red and covered with perfect whit
e spots. The stems had been hollowed out and made into cozy homes. Now from those cozy homes faces looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and fear.

  “They have many questions,” Mirabella said as she fluttered by her ear and landed gently on her leg. Mirabella sat down. “Before I can calm their fears and answer their questions we must talk, Ambrosia. No human has ever walked among us. Our magic protects us from the outside world.”

  “I know,” Ambrosia said.

  “How, Ambrosia? How do you know about us? How can you see us when others cannot?”

  “I am not sure how to begin.”

  “At the beginning, Ambrosia. First tell me how old you are in human years.”

  “I am ten. I will be eleven in a few months."

  “How is it a ten year-old child is alone so far into the forest? You would have had to travel for many days to reach us.”

  “I did not travel by foot.”

  “Then how, Ambrosia?”

  “I wished myself here.”

  “How is that possible?”

  “I don't know, but it is the truth.”

  “How did you know my name?”

  “I know all of your names. I have read Majik the Black Unicorn over a hundred times!”

  “You know of the unicorns too?”

  “Yes, it is all in my book.”

  “Book?”

  Ambrosia shook her head yes and reached her hands into her satchel. She pulled out a book and set it down on her leg in front of Mirabella.

  Mirabella looked down at the giant book and read the words that adorned its cover. Majik, the Black Unicorn, by Tammy Marie Rose. Mirabella placed her tiny hand upon the book. She needed to feel it to convince herself that what she was seeing was real. “Who is this Tammy Marie Rose?"

  “She is my favorite author. She lives in West Virginia where I am from. She even signed the book for me,” Ambrosia said, lifting the books cover to show Mirabella the author's words. ‘To Ambrosia ... May your days be filled with Majik. Tammy Marie Rose’

  Mirabella struggled to form the words she needed. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears and her head felt light and dizzy. How could a human know of their existence? How could there be a book about a life they have worked so hard to keep camouflaged?

  “Ambrosia, are you saying that this book is all about our world?”

  “Yes, it is the story of how Nog tried to steal Majik and take over the forest.”

  Memories of their battle with the trolls flashed through Mirabella's mind. She felt ill to her stomach as she remembered the dark day that Nog and his trolls had attacked. Their goal was to steal the newly born unicorn, Majik, and use his powers to take over the forest. Nog had also planned to capture her and make Mirabella his queen. Had Mirabella not been able to reach the heart of Rom they would not have survived. Rom led them back into the light and saved them from becoming the trolls’ slaves or worse.

  Mirabella's small hands trembled slightly, How can this be, she thought to herself. Mirabella sat quietly for several minutes before asking, “Will you read the first page of your book to me, Ambrosia?”

  “Yes.” Ambrosia picked up the book and opened it up. “Spring flourished all about as crocuses and daffodils brightened the forest floor and filled the gentle breeze with their sweet smells. A soft rain fell. A rainbow slowly appeared, almost as if by divine intervention, to mark this moment in time.

  Nadia lifted her tired head from the ground just in time to see her foal enter the world and take his first breath. Jollah pranced about proudly at the sight of his son. The fact that the foal was born was a miracle in itself, but this young prince was truly extraordinary. This newborn son, whom they would come to name Majik, is a black unicorn, as black as night. Never before has a black unicorn walked among us.

  Such a moment was cause for a grand celebration. Mirabella, the Fairy Princess, brought everyone together to give thanks. ‘We have been blessed with a miracle. The fate of the unicorn may very well rest at the hooves of Majik, as does the fate of us all. I have gathered us here today to a great feast. Here we will give thanks to Nadia and Jollah. After we have feasted we shall hold the blessings ceremony.’”

  Ambrosia gently closed the book and placed it back onto her lap. She could see the woe on Mirabella's face. How could they be safe if the human world knew of their existence? How could any of this be true?

  “Ambrosia, you said that you wished yourself here. How exactly did you do that?”

  “Last night I read The Black Unicorn in bed. When it was time to go to sleep, I put the book under my pillow and made a wish. I wished that I lived in the Mystical Forest with all of you. When I woke up my wish had come true.”

  “Why would you wish to leave your family and come here?”

  Tears began to form in Ambrosia's eyes and Mirabella could sense her heart's agony. “It's alright Ambrosia, you can tell me.”

  “My mommy died last year in a car accident,” Ambrosia said as she wiped at a runaway tear. “My step dad doesn't like me. He drinks all the time and he is always so angry. When he gets angry he hurts me.”

  Mirabella reached out and placed her hand over Ambrosia's finger. She closed her eyes and concentrated on Ambrosia's thoughts. She could clearly see Ambrosia's stepfather storming through a house calling Ambrosia's name. Ambrosia is huddled in her closet crying softly. Her stepfather stumbles up the stairs still screaming her name and spilling his beer along the way. Ambrosia tries her best to be still, but he knows where she is hiding.

  He slams open the closet door and glares down at her. “Get up,” he bellows.

  Ambrosia comes from the closet, her small body trembling with fear. “Please don't hurt me,” she pleads.

  He lifts his hand and slaps her hard across the face. “You shut up now, you hear me.”

  Ambrosia placed her hands protectively over her face. Her cheek has turned blood red from his assault. He begins to shake her. “Get down stairs and make me something to eat.”

  Mirabella wishes to see no more. Tears have wet her face. She looked up at Ambrosia, “No one will ever hurt you again, Ambrosia, I promise.”

  Ambrosia wiped her tears away and smiled down at Mirabella.

  “Is everything all right, Mirabella?”

  Mirabella looked down to see Bean, the sweetest gnome to ever breathe air, looking up at her with concern.

  “Bean,” Ambrosia said excitedly before Mirabella could answer.

  “How ... how does this human child know my name?”

  “It is complicated, Bean. I will talk with you and the others in a moment.”

  Ambrosia and Mirabella watched as Bean walked away. He looked back at them one final time before disappearing into the trees. “They have many questions and I don't have any real answers, but we will work through this together.”

  “You're not going to make me go back are you?”

  “You can't go back to that place, Ambrosia, it is not safe. We will find a way to protect you and keep you here. I have to figure out how all of this came to be before I can protect you from the outside world. Right now, I need to speak to the others and calm their fears. You can wait for me here or you can wander through that grove of trees there,” she said pointing. “On the far side you should find the unicorns grazing in the meadow.”

  Ambrosia jumped to her feet with pure excitement.

  Mirabella could not help but smile as she watched Ambrosia run toward the trees. As she glanced back toward the village she saw several doors slowly open and their occupants step out into the morning air their faces filled with angst.

  ~ Chapter Two ~

  Ambrosia slowed her pace as she reached the end of the grove. As she stepped from the trees, she discovered the unicorns grazing on the far side of the meadow. Her breath caught in her throat from the unbelievable joy she felt at the sight of them. Ambrosia sat down on a large rock and watched them graze. She had imagined them a million times in her dreams, but now, truly seeing them for the first time, she never could ha
ve imagined how magnificent they truly were.

  Jollah lifted his head and tossed his long wild mane. He was so white he seemed to glow. Their eyes connected and Ambrosia smiled at him. At first Jollah was startled by the child's presence, but he could clearly smell Mirabella upon her and knew she was of no danger to them. Jollah nuzzled Nadia and drew her attention to the child.

  Nadia whinnied softly. She too was white and magnificent. Majik moved out from behind his mother and looked curiously at her. Ambrosia's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the young black prince. “You are so beautiful,” she said a loud.

  Majik began to make his way cautiously toward her. His curiosity would not be denied. When he was inches from her, she reached out slowly and rubbed his soft fur. She moved her hand to his horn. It was rough like sandpaper. There was no glitter on it; in her dreams, the unicorn horns were always covered in glitter. Majik whinnied softly and Ambrosia scratched him behind his ear.

  Majik could sense Ambrosia's innocence and goodness. He could also sense a heavy pain that weighted down her heart like an anchor. Majik closed his dark eyes and his horn began to give off a glow. Ambrosia's fingers tingled and felt warm. The sensation moved up her arm and straight into her heart. Much of her sadness lifted and she felt a strong desire to laugh. As she laughed she hugged Majik around the neck until her arms ached.

  After she let go Majik turned and trotted back to his parents. The trio looked back at her before heading off into the shelter of the trees.

  Ambrosia watched them go until they disappeared into the darkness of the forest. With her heart much lighter, she knew that the books words were real, Majik would protect her from all the bad in the outside world. She laughed and danced among the flowers.