A betrothed prince. A mysterious maiden. A secret that could destroy the kingdom.
After failing in every attempt to prove his worth, Killian’s betrothal contract seems to be the only reason his father tolerates him. Uniting the kingdoms will save their struggling lands, but the princess he is supposed to marry has been in hiding from a wicked fairy for almost 18 years—or she’s missing for good. Desperate to escape the chaos of the court and his father’s suffocating expectations, Killian trespasses into the Forbidden Forest. There he stumbles into more than he bargains for: magic and mystery and a beautiful woman who embodies both.
As a Guardian of the Forest, Raela’s duties are clear: honor the sentient elements, foster the life of the forest, and protect them all from the danger of fairy circles. Yet, she finds herself aching for more. After the first man she has ever seen stumbles into her meadow, she begins to wonder questions that she should have had answers to all along: Where are her parents? What are her aunties hiding? And is there more out there for her after all?
When the fairy returns for revenge, Killian must overcome his fears and fight for his father, his throne, and the woman he loves. He cannot afford to fail now, or he will lose them all.
As a Guardian of the Forest, Raela’s duties are clear: honor the sentient elements, foster the life of the forest, and protect them all from the danger of fairy circles. Yet, she finds herself aching for more. After the first man she has ever seen stumbles into her meadow, she begins to wonder questions that she should have had answers to all along: Where are her parents? What are her aunties hiding? And is there more out there for her after all?
When the fairy returns for revenge, Killian must overcome his fears and fight for his father, his throne, and the woman he loves. He cannot afford to fail now, or he will lose them all.
The Awakened Prince, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, is book 11 of Once
Upon A Prince, a multi-author series of clean fairy tale retellings. Each
standalone story features a swoony prince fighting for his happily ever after.
Upon A Prince, a multi-author series of clean fairy tale retellings. Each
standalone story features a swoony prince fighting for his happily ever after.
Interview with Raela and Killian
from The Awakened Prince
Question: Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Raela: I am an extrovert. I prefer to be outside, not in. -Killian leans into whisper in her ear-- Yes, what is it Killian? Extravert—ooh. I’m sorry. I like people, but I would rather be in the woods alone. -she nudges him- or with you or Jax.
Killian: whereas I’m probably an extro, though my work can wear me out.
-a rustling sounds outside the door-
Raela: I am an extrovert. I prefer to be outside, not in. -Killian leans into whisper in her ear-- Yes, what is it Killian? Extravert—ooh. I’m sorry. I like people, but I would rather be in the woods alone. -she nudges him- or with you or Jax.
Killian: whereas I’m probably an extro, though my work can wear me out.
-a rustling sounds outside the door-
Question: Chocolate or strawberry?
Raela: Both. Please put the chocolate on the strawberry. My aunties did not have chocolate in the forest.
Killian: Just the berry for me. Chocolate on occasion.
-the door opens wide as a massive black wolf crowds into the room-
Jax: I too want chocolate.
Killian: Jax, you can’t have chocolate. It will kill you.
Jax: I am ancient and wise.
Killian: and you’ll be dead.
Jax: My nose and my magic will protect me. I need to have some.
Raela: -whispers- I’ll give you some… -Killian glares at her- I mean some chicken later. Don’t you worry.
Killian: Don’t you join up with him. He’s sneaky.
Jax: Charming. Friendly. Deserving.
Killian: Ridiculous.
-a massive man pushes into the space as well-
Phineas: Hi, am I late? Did I hear someone say chocolate?
Killian: Phin, this is our interview, what are you doing here?
Phineas: Jax said Raela was in here.
Raela: Did you need something?
Killian: To go.
Phineas: My mom’s birthday is today, but look at this flower, someone sat on it.
Jax: Who set it on the ground. It is not my fault.
Raela: -uses her magic to rally the plant back to brilliance.
Phineas: thanks, come on Jax, we aren’t wanted.
Jax: I am always wanted. But you… I shall come so you won’t be lonely.
Phineas: so kind…
Killian: So anyways. Next question?
Raela: Both. Please put the chocolate on the strawberry. My aunties did not have chocolate in the forest.
Killian: Just the berry for me. Chocolate on occasion.
-the door opens wide as a massive black wolf crowds into the room-
Jax: I too want chocolate.
Killian: Jax, you can’t have chocolate. It will kill you.
Jax: I am ancient and wise.
Killian: and you’ll be dead.
Jax: My nose and my magic will protect me. I need to have some.
Raela: -whispers- I’ll give you some… -Killian glares at her- I mean some chicken later. Don’t you worry.
Killian: Don’t you join up with him. He’s sneaky.
Jax: Charming. Friendly. Deserving.
Killian: Ridiculous.
-a massive man pushes into the space as well-
Phineas: Hi, am I late? Did I hear someone say chocolate?
Killian: Phin, this is our interview, what are you doing here?
Phineas: Jax said Raela was in here.
Raela: Did you need something?
Killian: To go.
Phineas: My mom’s birthday is today, but look at this flower, someone sat on it.
Jax: Who set it on the ground. It is not my fault.
Raela: -uses her magic to rally the plant back to brilliance.
Phineas: thanks, come on Jax, we aren’t wanted.
Jax: I am always wanted. But you… I shall come so you won’t be lonely.
Phineas: so kind…
Killian: So anyways. Next question?
Question: What single thing do you like about the other, and what drives you crazy?
Raela: I like his hair, and his kisses, and his forearms. I also like his dancing.
Killian: she said one thing.
Raela: That is impossible.
Killian: So what drives you crazy?
Raela: Nothing.
Killian: no really, be honest.
Raela: -heavily sighs- you still cut me roses from the garden.
Killian: I thought it was romantic! Wake up, see flower, love me. Easy recipe.
Raela: It is like murder! Let them live! The flowers want to be connected to the magic, let them be.
Killian: can I bring you breakfast in bed then?
Raela, considering: this would be fine. You can do this thing.
And you, Killian?
Killian, studying Reala: probably her joy of life. She is all things brightness, and beauty and bold colors. I wish I had half of her violent happiness.
Raela: and what could I do to make you crazy?
Killian: Well, when that violent happiness is turned into dancing you make the wind sweep all my papers off my desk. It takes forever to re-sort them.
Raela: I will keep my happiness over here then. – she scooches her chair over-
-dragging her chair back to him, he pulls her close-
Killian: you will do no such thing. It is a challenge, but I want you with me.
Raela: I like his hair, and his kisses, and his forearms. I also like his dancing.
Killian: she said one thing.
Raela: That is impossible.
Killian: So what drives you crazy?
Raela: Nothing.
Killian: no really, be honest.
Raela: -heavily sighs- you still cut me roses from the garden.
Killian: I thought it was romantic! Wake up, see flower, love me. Easy recipe.
Raela: It is like murder! Let them live! The flowers want to be connected to the magic, let them be.
Killian: can I bring you breakfast in bed then?
Raela, considering: this would be fine. You can do this thing.
And you, Killian?
Killian, studying Reala: probably her joy of life. She is all things brightness, and beauty and bold colors. I wish I had half of her violent happiness.
Raela: and what could I do to make you crazy?
Killian: Well, when that violent happiness is turned into dancing you make the wind sweep all my papers off my desk. It takes forever to re-sort them.
Raela: I will keep my happiness over here then. – she scooches her chair over-
-dragging her chair back to him, he pulls her close-
Killian: you will do no such thing. It is a challenge, but I want you with me.
Question: What do you hope that people will learn from your story?
Raela: I hope that people will bloom where they are planted. Family is what you make, whether blood or bond.
Killian: For me, I hope they learn earlier than I did about how to forgive yourself, and how to stick through it. It’s not easy, but the difficult things are worth fighting for.
Raela: -takes his hand- you are worth fighting for.
Raela: I hope that people will bloom where they are planted. Family is what you make, whether blood or bond.
Killian: For me, I hope they learn earlier than I did about how to forgive yourself, and how to stick through it. It’s not easy, but the difficult things are worth fighting for.
Raela: -takes his hand- you are worth fighting for.
Question: Where do you hope to be 10 years from now?
Raela: Babies. We will have many.
Killian: -chokes and spews his water- well yes, children. But how many do you mean to have?
Raela: How many can one have? Mother Bear has had many liters. And the coyotes have seven at a time.
Killian: Humans are not so many, one or two at a time. but some have… -he pulls his collar- a lot. But we have countries to run, we don’t want too many. What about two?
Raela: Ten? We have so much love, we must share it.
Killian: Two. Can focus the love.
Raela: You need more love, Killian. We will talk about this later.
Raela: Babies. We will have many.
Killian: -chokes and spews his water- well yes, children. But how many do you mean to have?
Raela: How many can one have? Mother Bear has had many liters. And the coyotes have seven at a time.
Killian: Humans are not so many, one or two at a time. but some have… -he pulls his collar- a lot. But we have countries to run, we don’t want too many. What about two?
Raela: Ten? We have so much love, we must share it.
Killian: Two. Can focus the love.
Raela: You need more love, Killian. We will talk about this later.
Question: What is one piece of advice you’d like to give readers?
Killian, taking her hand: Don’t give up hope. Ever. Even when it is dark. Even when all you hear is lies. The light is coming.
Killian, taking her hand: Don’t give up hope. Ever. Even when it is dark. Even when all you hear is lies. The light is coming.
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