As though he senses I’m getting all sentimental, he says, “You know, Raven’s Landing will always be home, and I’ll have to go back and help rebuild—”
“And be a king,” I add.
“Yeah. I need some time to get my head around that. But home is also wherever you are.” His tone is low so only I can hear.
I shake the compass. “Good thing we always have this if we ever find ourselves apart.”
He inclines his head, gazing into my eyes.
I’ve looked into his eyes countless times, starting when we met in the hills outside Raven’s Landing, but I see solid confidence where before there was bravado...and something else. Love? I definitely feel it.
His lips quirk. “If I were to be king, would that make you my queen, Ineke?”
He’s never said my name before and it warms all the Frost Fae chill inside of me. My wings pop, glimmering in the sunshine like they’re dusted with sugar crystals. Nonetheless, I smirk. “Is this some kind of proposal?” I ask. “Where’s the ring?”
His brow furrows as though in confusion and then laughter spills across his face. “We have a lot to learn about each other’s realms.”
“Good thing we have plenty of time. I think this sailing trip might take a while.”
“We could just fly,” he says and then squeezes me closer.
“But I’d like a while and yes, I’ll be your queen, Soren.”
His lips land on mine and we kiss as the boat glides through the sea.
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Curious about the Westlands and the shores where Kiki and the crew land? Read on for a sample of book 2, featuring Val and Callen who love to hate each other, but will have to learn not to kill each other in the arena...and maybe get along so they can save Brendsondl from the Shadow Army.
Here’s a sneak peek!
Chapter 1
Valora
Something dense, slimy, and stinking like bog mud slaps off the back of my head. It’s like when I stub my toe—it hurts, but is that specific kind of pain that makes me want to scream at someone. Never mind how disgusting demon slime is. White-hot ice pushes past my bones and crackles toward my fingertips. I keep it leashed. Instead, I whirl around with my short sword drawn.
I typically visit the beach at night when the tide is right to fish...and to hunt demons.
“Come out, come out.” I brandish my sword.
Demons can hardly resist a fight or fae—at least after darkness falls. Strictly speaking, I’m not allowed to use magic outside Brendsondl Castle walls. Doing so will summon the king’s guards. I found that out the hard way. Hence, the sword. I’m not in the mood to tangle with them. I just came out here for some peace, quiet, fresh fish...and demon blood.
Call it a special interest, hobby, or service project, but by night, I destroy the demons who haunt the fringes of Hesperia. Even though the king and everyone else denies they’re behind the missing fae, I’m certain of it.
Dirt and pebbles crush under my feet as I take a few steps. The shadows by the castle wall shift slightly.
Ah ha. “Let’s play,” I tease.
The demon must sense my fae blood. Despite my weapon, the creature can’t resist and charges forward. My sword glints in the moonlight as I slice. One leathery, calloused hand grips my wrist and the other claws at my face as the demon attempts to subdue me. I kick it hard in the gut.
I swipe again, slashing toward the neck when another demon climbs over the rocks where I’d been sitting. It wraps its hands around both my ankles. I careen sideways before mashing my foot down on its fingers with a disturbing crunch.
Demons are dumb. Plain and simple. But there are always a lot of them. One, two, becomes five or more. I lose track. One jumps on my back. Another pulls my hair.
“Get off.”
Its bony fingers cover my eyes. I drive my sword up and back before spinning and slicing off its head.
I kick one into the ocean. Too bad I missed with my sword, meaning, it’ll be back.
Two more manage to push me over and I hit my knees hard. My sword sails from my hand. Another imitates the same cutting motion against my neck that I make with my sword only it doesn’t hold anything in its hands. Is it trying to take my shampoo. I’ve only ever read about rending in Nathina’s books.
Anger rises to the surface. I see deep red. Almost black. Dried blood. A court of corpses. It’s grim and dark and makes me want to destroy something. Everything. It’s almost like the light within me is being blown out, one candle at a time.
I grit my teeth and struggle to get the demons off of me. At the same time, I hear a suctioning sound like waves being pulled out to sea. Only it’s from inside.
This isn’t how I’m going to die or whatever is happening. “Oh, no you don’t,” I say through clenched teeth. I summon my fae energy, my magic from deep inside my
