Telyn couldn't tear her worried gaze from the portal as it fluxed one last time, then disappeared, pitching the cavern into complete darkness. After a moment, the sensation of a hand on her arm drew Telyn back to her surroundings, and she turned into Nacaris' arms, craving his steadfast support like she never had before. Blessed Kishfa, her condition made her emotional!
"He'll be all right, Telyn."
Telyn nodded, withdrawing from his embrace. "I know."
As she turned to look at Paduari and Reaphia, Telyn sighed. "So, what now? I don't know if we can--"
"Look!" Reaphia pointed excitedly over Telyn's shoulder. Before Telyn could turn to see what startled the other woman, the cause made herself apparent, settling comfortably onto Telyn's shoulder.
"I was wondering when you'd show up." Telyn offered her diminutive companion a wry smile. "You're a little late, if you meant to talk me out of this journey."
Sala's tinkling laugh danced on the air. No, Daughter of Ashes. Your journey is just beginning.
Telyn tossed the Salamandar a sharp glance. "What do you mean by that?"
The destiny set in motion by your father's oath has not yet run its course. As only peace can forge the perfect warrior, so too can only love and trust shape the perfect union of peace and war which brings about that warrior. Ashes sought this truth and found peace and love, but the betrayal he suffered forged your mistrust even before your birth, Phoenix. Only the renewal of your trust could set that course right again, and it was a hard path to walk. You must teach your daughter through love and trust. You must teach her to forgive by forgiving yourself first.
Telyn's jaw dropped. How did Sala even know? "My..."
Sala sparked and twirled in excitement. The child you carry is your salvation, Phoenix. Help her find the truth that bridges peace and war, for she must stand that watch. Let her, and her father, help you embrace your heart again.
Telyn shook her head with a laugh. Leave it to Sala. She should have known better than to wonder how Sala knew about her state of motherhood. The little scamp never missed a thing when she deemed it important.
Remember the temple, Telyn. Not all attacks are what they seem.
Telyn winced as she recalled the twisting pain of Reaphia's attack that finally brought Telyn to her knees. It had been her womb, rather than her head or heart, which brought her down, almost as if the attack wasn't meant to destroy Telyn, but rather to destroy what she carried within her. Her child. Telyn swallowed hard as she glanced Nacaris' way, and wondered when she should tell him. Not now. Instinctively, she knew a declaration in front of Paduari and Reaphia would never go over well with Nacaris. She had been given a chance to start everything over, and she wasn't about to ruin it by blurting out her news with an audience.
"Telyn, are you all right?" Nacaris' worried voice reached her, pulling her back to the present. "You look like you've just seen a ghost."
She smiled wanly at him. "I'm fine. We should be going, before this cavern collapses. We've got to get Reaphia back to her father. We have a long journey ahead of us."
Still smiling, Telyn shouldered her pack again, and started off. For the first time in her life, she was sure whatever Kishfa had planned for her would lead her exactly where she needed to be. No matter the mistakes in her past, or those she might make in the future, as long as Nacaris was at her side, she could take whatever destiny threw at her.
When returning a long-lost princess to her home
turns into a battle to save a mythic race from a madman’s grasp,
will Telyn risk her own future
for the sake of another Chosen?
Find out in
Legends of Tirum, Book Four:
Mistress of Cats
About Esther Mitchell
Esther Mitchell has a lifelong connection with the written word. With educational backgrounds in world mythology, the paranormal, forensics and anthropology, her interests steered her into writing Suspense, often with a paranormal or mythological motif. Her early love of Romance also helped develop her writing into the area of fiction she embraces today.
She has been a published author for over fifteen years, with several series to her credit, including Science Fiction, Fantasy and Paranormal, all with Suspense and Romance elements. Readers and reviewers alike have dubbed her work "exciting" and "edge of your seat."
You can find out more about Esther Mitchell at
http://www.esthermitchell.com
or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/authoresthermitchell
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