Table of Contents
Title Page
World Map
Pronunciations
Glossary of Titans
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Text and Cover Design/Illustration
Copyright ©2019 Tyffany Hackett
All rights reserved.
ISBN-13: 978-1-7320307-1-8
ISBN-10: 1-7320307-1-5
Printed in the United States of America
Archangel Publishing
[email protected]
http://www.tyffanyhackett.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example electronic, mechanic, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written consent of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any events to actual events, locales, or persons—living or dead—is coincidental.
•Editing by Jesikah Sundin
http://www.jesikahsundin.com
•Cover Design by Deranged Doctor Design
http://www.derangeddoctordesign.com
•Map Drawing by Sarah Davidson
https://www.loredragonworkshop.com/
For my sister, Brandi —
Who listened to me tell stories long before they were any good,
and somehow still wants the next one.
Love you!
World Map
Pronunciations
Character Names
• Natylia — Nat-ill-ee-uh
• Camion — Cam-ee-on
• Meryn — Mare-in
• Palina — Puh-leen-uh
• Audri — Aw-dree
• Phelix — Fee-licks
• Devlyn — Dev-lin
• Wulfric — Wool-frick
• Valeria — Va-lair-ee-uh
• Cyrus — Sigh-russ
• Raul — Ra-ool
• Andimir — And-uh-meer
• Ailuros — Eye-lur-ose
• Callithyia — Cuh-lith-ee-uh
• Sylvr — Silver
• Helyna — Hel-een-uh
• Fetian — Fet-ee-in
• Marius — Mar-ee-us
Elven Names
• Vaalyjyn Ayamere Herenyur (Jyn) — Vall-uh-jin Aye-uh-meer Her-en-yur
• Myrdin — Meer-din
• Lytheria — Lith-air-ee-uh
• Eárynspieir Tikari Myriani (Eáryn) — A-ryn-spire Tik-are-ee Meer-e-ah-nee
• Izoryian Darcassyn Esteilar — Is-or-ee-an Dar-cass-in Es-teal-ar
• Afemriel — Uh-fem-ree-uhl
• Faeryndûil (Faeryn) — Fae-rin-doo-ill
• Luthaís — Loo-th-eye
• Myriil — Meer-ill
• Pháendar — Fae-en-dar
• Rymäthil — Rim-uh-th-ill
• Saélihn — Say-lin
• Andáerhyn (Rhyn) — An-day-rin
• Duröthyn — Dur-oh-th-in
• Hárivä — Hay-riv-uh
Race & Creature Names
• Numyra — New-meer-uh
• Skyva — Sk-iv-uh
• Zylarra — Zil-are-uh
• Nyoka — Knee-oh-kuh
• Kotsani — Coats-on-ee
• Cavia — Caw-vee-uh
• Ercine — Er-sign
Location Names
• Araenna — Are-a-nuh
• Thrais — Th-race
• Wydus — Why-dus
• Kalum — Cal-um
• Falmar — Fall-mar
• Hexryn — Hex-rin
• Sahri Desert — Saw-ri Desert
• Emberlyn Forest — Ember-lin Forest
• Eythera — Ith-er-uh
• Pheryn Lake — Fair-in Lake
• Lake Myria — Lake Meer-ee-uh
• Morland — Moor-land
• Vitic — Vit-ick
• Mt. Cerbius — Mount Serb-ee-us
• Borlan Sea — Bore-lyn Sea
• Corothean Bay — Core-o-the-an Bay
• Dalbran — Doll-bran
• Emeryn Marsh — Em-er-in Marsh
• Seryn — Sare-in
• Arneth — Are-nith
• Emera — Em-air-uh
• Lytalian — Lit-all-ee-an
• Mendlyn — Mend-lyn
• Evenlea — Evan-lee
• Saphir Lake — Saf-ear Lake
• Edra — Ed-ra
• Twilose Forest — Tw-eye-low-se Forest
• Aren Mines — Air-in Mines
Glossary of Titans
First and Second Generations
• Nahara — Nuh-har-uh
Leader of the Ancients
Primary magic: Fire
• Valdis — Vall-dee-s
Ancient of the Nether
Primary magic: Darkness/Shadow
Father of Thanatos
• Draven — Dray-vin
Ancient of Chaos
Primary magic: Lightning
Mother of Thanatos
• Alvar — All-var
Ancient of Guardianship
Primary magic: Fire
• Ushriya — You-sh-ree-uh
Ancient of Luck
Primary magic: Fortune Manipulation
Mother of Cybele
• Juris — Jur-es
Ancient of Earth
Primary magic: Earth
Father of Cybele
• Marinus — Mare-in-us
Ancient of Water and Coastal Weather
Primary magic: Water
Father of Eurybia
• Celestyna — Sil-es-tee-nuh
Ancient of Sun, Moon, and Seasons
Primary magic: Weathers
Mother of Eurybia
• Aurial — Aw-ree-ul
Ancient of Air
Primary magic: Light and Air
Mother of Boreas
• Caru — Car-oo
Ancient of Love
Primary magic: Emotional Manipulation
Father of Boreas
• Berit — Bear-et
Ancient of Prophecy
Primary magic: Prophetic
Third Generation Titans
(Third Generation Titans are considered
children, and as such the humans do not worship them as Ancient ones.)
• Eurybia — Yew-rib-ee-uh
Primary element: Water
Daughter of Marinus and Celestyna
• Cybele — Sib-uh-lee
Primary element: Earth
Daughter of Juris and Ushriya
• Boreas — Bor-ee-us
> Primary element: Light
Son of Aurial and Caru
• Thanatos — Th-an-at-ose
Primary element: Disease
Son of Valdis and Draven
Chapter 1
Sweat poured from my forehead in rivulets. I breathed in slowly and inhaled the floral scents carried by a warm, late-summer breeze. If I could land one solid blow, my training for the day would be complete. But I hated the blindfold, hated the darkness that taunted my senses as each sound vibrated through my bones.
Heavy steps fell to my right. My fist met air.
A disappointed huff slipped from my lips, and I tried not to grit my teeth too hard at Camion’s chuckled response. Another movement broke the stillness, behind me now. I swept my leg out in anticipation, sure this time—
Nothing.
Crouching, I tilted my head to listen. My pulse thundered in my ears, drowning out the sounds I needed to find. I shook my head, a vain effort to clear the noise. Grass rustled in front of me. Fabric brushed the tops of my knuckles. I moved. My swift jab found nothing but air. Again. Impatience bubbled in my chest, but I shoved the feeling aside and waited for my chance.
My left side warmed a fraction—a body, standing a touch too close. I threw my right hand into the grass for balance, then kicked out.
Perfect.
My target grunted softly, followed by a low string of profanities. Not a solid blow, but a hit––finally. A grin spread across my face.
Pressure weighed down on my shoulder, then pushed. I scrambled to recover but it was too late.
I had overextended.
Another shove sent me sprawling backward. My fingers fumbled up the side of my face. I grasped the velvety black material and tugged, blinking away the bright sunlight that quickly assaulted my vision.
After my sight cleared, I glared up at the man standing above me. Camion’s arms crossed over his chest, his mouth angled in a smug half grin. “Nice try, though.”
He held out a hand. I deliberated for a long moment before I accepted and let him tug me to my feet. I brushed off the seat of my leathers before I met his eyes.
Those distracting eyes. Split-colored—green around the pupil, then blue—and sparkling in my direction. My irritation waned.
“One of these days . . .” I huffed.
“Maybe. You need to listen to the world around you. Pick out the sounds, identify the threat.”
Glaring, I slipped my hands to my hips. We had moved our training lessons outdoors full time now, and while the sun had tanned us both, hints of red brushed Camion’s nose and cheekbones. His sandy blond hair was tied back, too long now to hang free without causing a distraction. Jyn seemed to be rubbing off on him. Maybe Camion thought the length made him look more masculine.
He certainly didn’t need help in that area. I scanned his form, from the worn leather boots to the dark breeches, following the lines of his light-colored shirt, rolled at the sleeves. His eyebrow quirked under my appraisal as his lips spread into one of his rare grins.
“Not a word,” I grumbled, rolling my eyes before I stalked away from him.
We were behind the palace, in the open yard between Meryn’s cabin and the archery range. Originally, I had thought training out here would be a great alternative to the stuffy ballroom on the lowest level of the palace. Out here the sun was bright, the sky a cloudless blue, and we wouldn’t have to fight around the practice gear that was gradually filling the dance floor.
I regretted the decision. Everything moved outside. Every blade of grass had a sound of its own; each tiny leaf in the forest around us danced where they hung. With Camion determined to train me harder than before, I needed to be able to cut through the distractions, and I was overwhelmed by how many there were.
He was definitely one of them. Two weeks had passed since returning from Emberlyn Forest. Two weeks of stolen moments in lessons and during quiet evenings.
Camion spent most of his days training with Marius—the palace blacksmith and Arms Master. While the man had little to offer his apprentice on the craft, he had plenty to teach him about the palace armory. Camion seemed to be doing well with the tasks given to him, but I rarely saw him before the evening meal. The exception, of course, being lesson days.
Marius, on the other hand, was overjoyed that we had found a suitable replacement for him and so quickly. More than a fortnight had passed since he had located his missing family and, though he kept steady correspondence with them, I knew he was eager to start his new life.
So, Camion was a gift—to both Marius and the palace. Thankfully, I had already wanted to offer Camion a more permanent position in my staff. His talent was wasted on Fentyn, the town blacksmith. I wanted to be selfish, though. I wanted him all to myself, even if for a few hours.
Sighing, I paused my steps and waited for Camion to catch up. His focus was on the swords in his hands though, specifically on the oiled cloth he used to polish the metal until the blades glistened.
For once, he was unaware of my scrutiny.
My attention fell to his shirt, where the thin cotton hugged against him as he moved. His side had healed well enough, and the Kotsani attack had dimmed in both our minds. The scars were tender, an unfortunate side effect the healers seemed to think would last for a while yet. His wounds were closed, though, and his movement didn’t seem impaired. Internally, he was rapidly on the mend. Mentally, only a bit worse for wear.
For now.
I lifted my fingers to the rough wound on the back of my head. The scar would be small enough. No one would notice once my hair grew out a bit.
My hair . . .
A small price to pay when the shadowed creature in the catacombs had wanted to take my life instead. If I let my mind wander there, I could still feel the stone bridge trembling beneath my feet, the release when Camion had cut through my braid, the warm blood that had splattered my skin while I impaled the creature’s eye with my blade.
My shoulders shook as a tremor raced up my spine. I let my fingers pull at the black strands falling over my cheeks, as the corners of my mouth tilted down. Raye had helped clean up the hacked mess that Camion had left, but very little remained. Or, little to me. The jagged and uneven locks had barely brushed my shoulders.
A hand caught my wrist and tugged gently. I glanced up, long enough to see the shift in Camion’s eyes from concern to mischief. He brushed a kiss against my fingers before sliding his free hand to the small of my back and pulling me against him.
“Are we done for the day, then?” he asked, slipping his other arm around me.
My attention lingered on his mouth. I pressed into him, breathing in the lavender and woodsmoke that was beginning to linger around the palace. This, the nearness, the seconds alone together—wanting to be alone with him—felt so new. I hadn’t thought I would want to be like this with someone again, not after . . .
I closed my eyes and lost myself for a moment in the solid, safe warmth of him. A contented hum vibrated through his chest, his chin a gentle weight on my head. I leaned away. His sigh ruffled my hair. I lifted myself onto the tip of my toes and kissed the corner of his mouth, a smile on my lips. “I’m done for the day.”
“You wound me.” Camion’s lower lip trembled unconvincingly.
“You promised Devlyn you’d see Marius off.”
Camion tightened his hold while offering a half smile that sent flutters through my chest. I bit down on my bottom lip as he pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I wouldn’t dream of breaking my word, Tyli. When does Wulfric arrive?”
Wulfric . . . A member of the Council, a group charged with overseeing the three kingdoms and keeping balance between their rulers. They had the power to override actions or decisions made by the royals, to prevent wars and keep our people safe. The Council could even remove a king or queen if the need arose and, in the case of civil uprising, they could act as civil protectors.
Their power was mostly limited to written agreements, but they could take action agains
t a kingdom with ease. And this was the very Council who had expressed outrage at my absence a fortnight ago. My sister Annalea had share their threats with us; all manner of horrible actions and punishments, with plans to arrive within the week of my return. However, the moment news arrived that I had reappeared, they were conveniently delayed.
Their arrival date still sat unconfirmed. Perhaps they didn’t want to make the trip—most of them resided in Edra, north of Vitic, in a home specially built for the Council. Some lived farther south, Wulfric included. He held a residence in Morland, where he spent much of his time. Sending Wulfric ahead to scout the situation made sense.
No matter what their reasons, only he had given word of his arrival—and he could be here any time now. With Annalea as a lone defender, they were eager to visit. Now that I was back, they would probably find trouble taking formal action against me.
I could hope.
“Tyli? Did you receive word?”
“No, sorry, I’m not sure about Wulfric,” I admitted, shaking myself from my thoughts. “Jyn was supposed to be meeting a courier from the Council, but since he hasn’t returned yet I’m going to assume none have arrived.” I ran a hand up Camion’s chest, toying with the stitching on the collar of his shirt. The silver chain around his neck glinted in the sun. “You wouldn’t want to leave me unattended, so . . . I guess you’re stuck with me until Jyn gets back.”
“What a punishment.”
I smirked, gripping the soft fabric between my fingers, pulling gently until Camion leaned down to my level. Our lips met, only for a moment, before I heard a low drawl behind me.
“I leave you two alone for one lesson. One.” I sighed, leaning away in time to catch Jyn throwing his hands up with mock exasperation. “I thought you were training her.”
Camion looped his arm around my shoulders. I groaned, narrowing my eyes at Jyn before I muttered, “How is your timing always this impeccable? I swear if I so much as have an impure thought, you appear out of nowhere.”
“I, for one, would like to hear more about these impure thoughts,” Camion teased.
Jyn snickered as warmth burned up my neck and across my cheeks. I caught Camion’s glance. His eyes were a war between playful joking and genuine interest. My throat stuck. I pressed my forehead into the palm of my hand, wondering vaguely if my arcane talents would allow me to open the earth and vanish beneath. Useless wish, though, since I didn’t know how to control my magic.
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