About Dragon Princess
Rowanda has finally escaped the darkness of the Underworld and entered Soleran, a mysterious world where familiar faces conceal troubling secrets.
When she discovers that the king and queen look exactly like her beloved parents but have no memory of her, Rowanda realizes that finding home may be more difficult than she ever imagined.
As the evil wizard Nashua plots to regain power and Soleran's rulers tighten their grip on their people, Rowanda discovers an extraordinary connection with the world's magnificent dragons. Unlike others who seek to control these powerful creatures, she earns their friendship through kindness, understanding, and respect.
With an entire kingdom's freedom at stake, Rowanda must find the courage to challenge injustice, unite unlikely allies, and become the leader she never expected to be.
Dragon Princess, the fourth book in The Child Rowanda Series, is a magical adventure about friendship, freedom, compassion, and discovering that true leadership comes not from the power to command, but from the wisdom to inspire.
Why Carole Wrote Dragon Princess
Throughout The Child Rowanda Series, I have watched Rowanda grow from a young girl discovering her magical abilities into someone capable of making extraordinary decisions.
In Little Dragon, she learned courage. In Return to Arolsen, she discovered responsibility. In Underworld, she learned that compassion sometimes requires greater strength than confronting an enemy.
In Dragon Princess, I wanted Rowanda to discover something equally important: what it truly means to be a leader.
I have always believed that respect cannot be demanded, loyalty cannot be forced, and genuine friendship must be freely given. Through Rowanda's relationship with the dragons, I wanted to explore the difference between controlling others and earning their trust.
The dragons possess tremendous strength, yet their greatest gift to Rowanda is not their power. It is their willingness to stand beside her because she respects their freedom and understands their hearts.
I also wanted young readers to recognize that being different, having unusual talents, or possessing extraordinary abilities does not make someone better than others. What matters is how we choose to use those gifts.
True greatness is not measured by the power we possess, but by the kindness, courage, and wisdom with which we use it.
Above all, I wrote Dragon Princess to remind readers that we do not need a crown to make a difference. Sometimes the most remarkable leaders are those who never sought to lead at all.
— Carole Walker Carter
Chapter One
"Mother, Father, you don't know how wonderful it is to see you again! I was afraid and lost in the Underworld without you!" Rowanda shrieked as she dismounted from the drometarius and ran toward the king and queen of Soleran.
"Isn't that adorable? She's already calling us Mother and Father," Queen Graciella said to her husband, King Beirimor.
"What is your name, child?" King Beirimor asked in a kind but detached manner.
"You don't recognize me?" Rowanda said with tears gathering in her eyes.
"Should we, darling?" Queen Graciella asked kindly.
"I'm Rowanda, your daughter from Neslora," Rowanda said in frustration. Feeling a dark cloud settle over her, she turned and walked sadly back toward the crowd. Overwhelmed by the rebuff, Rowanda paid little attention to what the royals were saying. Once again, people she loved on Neslora did not know her here on Soleran. Rowanda let her mind go blank, protecting her fragile self-worth as best she could.
The two royals looked at each other and shrugged at the strange greeting from the girl who had entered their palace gates acting as if she were a princess. Turning to the caravan leader, whom they knew from his many treks to and from the city, King Beirimor asked, "Where did you find—um, what was her name again?"
"It is Princess Rowanda, Your Majesty," Leader al-Djitu answered.
"Yes, Rowanda. Now, where did you find her?" the king asked.
"Princess Rowanda joined our caravan at the oasis. She and her Uncle Nashua have been of great assistance to our caravan. Without Princess Rowanda's magic, we would never have made it to the palace. We would have been devoured in the desert."
"Magic, you say?" King Beirimor asked as one eyebrow lifted with curiosity.
Nashua stepped forward. He had been listening carefully to the conversation from behind several people, hoping the king and queen would not recognize him. When they showed no recognition of Rowanda, Nashua grew bolder.
"Perhaps I can clarify a few things for Your Majesties," Nashua said as he pushed his way through the crowd.
"And you might be?" Queen Graciella asked.
"I am Princess Rowanda's Uncle Nashua," the wizard said, watching carefully to see whether his name sparked any recollection. Seeing none in their eyes, he visibly relaxed.
"Why does this child think we are her parents?" King Beirimor asked.
"Princess Rowanda has a vivid imagination, and she is able to see the future. I believe she saw herself accepted as your daughter in a vision, and it has become a reality in her mind," Nashua stated. Seeing their disbelief, he added, "She is extremely gifted magically and may serve Your Highnesses well."
Nashua bowed with a courtly flourish and remained quiet, allowing the royals to consider how the news might benefit them. From beneath lowered lids, he studied the faces of the king and queen for telltale signs.
Rowanda stepped forward to say something, but Nashua pushed her behind him with a look that stopped her. In a quiet aside, he told Rowanda that things were not as they appeared on Soleran and that she needed to be patient.
"Just how can this mere child serve our kingdom?" asked the king.
"You heard Leader al-Djitu tell you how she saved the caravan. The princess has power over animals of all kinds. She can bring wetchels, terpors, and krerri under her spell. Imagine wetchels and terpors guarding your gates each night. With a few magic words, Rowanda can do that for you," Nashua said, a gleam in his eyes.
"Marauders are a problem from time to time. It might be nice to shut the city gates and sleep well, knowing nothing can get in," the queen said. "How about flying animals? Can she control them as well?"
"Flying animals?" Nashua asked, unsure what the queen meant.
"Yes, flying animals," the queen answered. "There have been dragon sightings, and I fear an attack on my palace. Can your princess control the dragons?"
"I cannot see why she would not be able to control them. She can control the terpors, wetchels, and krerri. Dragons are just another kind of animal, aren't they?" Nashua said, sounding more confident than he felt.
"That is wonderful!" Queen Graciella said loudly. "Princess Rowanda will be our permanent guest. Make rooms available for our new daughter and her uncle."
Trumpets blared, and the queen's ladies-in-waiting danced in the streets, long pieces of fine silk waving in the slight breeze. Soldiers clicked their heels and formed disciplined lines for the parade to pass between. Tambourines, flutes, and drums added to the merriment.
"Come, daughter," King Beirimor said. "Let the celebration begin. You shall sit by our side and enjoy the merriment in your honor!"
As the king and queen led Rowanda and Nashua to a place of honor, the city erupted in celebration. Tumblers and jugglers seemed to appear from nowhere. Musicians gathered and played lively music while dancers performed in the courtyard and spilled into the streets. Children raced about, making their parents laugh. Everyone seemed to enjoy the unexpected celebration.
Rowanda was not feeling merry. Why did her parents not know her? Why did they only seem interested in her once they knew she could control animals? Why was Nashua exploiting this ability? Something seemed very wrong.