Some things to know:
The species all have their own real-life languages. They will only converse briefly, so no need to panic about all the French speaking in Chapter 2, though feel free to Google Translate. If there are no accent marks, that's because Sylestia doesn't acknowledge accented letters, and they don't appear. Sorry.
Link to more detailed page:



Prologue

A small shiver went down Kaytee's spine. Her heart beat fast and hard in her chest as she walked the perimeter of the kingdom. She began to calm herself. It's only your imagination. Nothing bad will happen. It's been years since the shadows have retreated. You'll be fine.Her heart calmed, her face relaxed. A cool breath went out of her, and she felt safe again. As she began to relax, a frightening, agonizing moan met her ears. She froze, swinging her torch around, seeing nothing but shadow surrounding her. Her breath came out rapidly, and she almost screamed. Her heart raced faster and faster, speeding in fear. She saw the creatures, crawling out of the darkness, and her heart skipped a beat. She said quietly, frozen in fear, "They've r-r-returned..." before she was dragged, helpless, into the darkness.



Chapter 1
A Lone Heart

Regina rolled her bright blue eyes. Her mother knew she was busy, why did she always heap on extra piles of chores and such? She was a princess, in a kingdom where everything was good and fine, and she didn't quite understand her world yet. She should have been exploring, not trapped in her room doing nothing all day except cleaning and smiling to the outside world. Her mothers droning speeches and lectures rang fresh in Regina's mind. Keep the people happy, and everything will be fine. Her mother's mantra made her groan with exhaustion. The kingdom was fine anyway, why did she have to be so, so, so perfect all the time? She heard a fanfare, a chorus of trumpets, that signaled her father's return. She smiled weakly. Her father was her hope in the desolate reign of her mother's homework. Regina grudgingly heaved herself to her closet and pulled out a spiraling bangle of spun glass. It looped around her foreleg and her maid, Ebony, rushed in to brush her seafoam fur. She smiled at Ebony, knowing how hard she worked, and silently pressed a bag of coins into her paw. Ebony looked up at her, wide-eyed, but said nothing. Regina took a deep breath, cracked her neck, and pushed open the balcony doors to see her father in...

Chapter 2:Homecoming is...
RUINED!

Regina opened the doors proudly, and immediately wished she hadn't. A crowd of what looked like zombies was at the step of the palace, grinning sadistically, their smiles like voodoo dolls. Regina shivered and slowly, manic with fear, took a few shivery steps back, and bolted to her room, locking the door with an iron lock she conjured from thin air.
Ma fille?
Ebony's voice filled the chamber.
Ebene?
Ebony only spoke in native French, the language of Zolnixis.
Regina, aidez-moi!
Regina carefully lifted the peephole to see an intact Ebony, backing away from two zombie Nephini.
EBONY!
Regina unlocked the door, shoved Ebony in, and bolted it. Fast. Whatever was happening, Regina didn't like it.
Ou est la mere?
Regina quietly asked. Ebony looked even more scared as she whispered.
M-mort
Ebony only stuttered when, well, she had never stuttered before. Ebony, who was also Regina's French teacher, believed in perfect pronunciation and speech. She would never dream of stuttering. Regina wasn't too sad about her mother. She was more concerned about Ebony and the other 19 tutors and servants.