For a few moments, we simply stand there, holding on to the one thing that has always been constant in our lives. My brother and me. Two shifters in a land that’s changing. Remnants of the magic that’s building once more.
Then he releases me, and I curl my hair behind my ear, smiling. “I was going to say I’ll see you soon.”
With one final look, I grab the straps of my pack and head for the woods.
I make it only a few steps before something hits me between the shoulder blades. My head snaps back, then I grab the object from the ground and pocket it. It’s a pebble from the riverbed, but it’s also love.
“Easy as always,” I say, returning his grin. “Try harder next time.”
Then I let the shadows of the forest embrace me once more, turning my thoughts to the journey ahead. Jol may want me to come to him, but I’ll do so on my terms, and with a plan of my own. His pretty words don’t fool me; I know little kindness awaits me in a kingdom that would rather see me exiled or dead. Still, someone has to hold him accountable for his actions, and that person may as well be his kin.
Perhaps King Gerar’s advisers were right, and my brother and I really will bring about the end of a royal line. But it won’t be because of three hastily scribbled words on parchment.
It will be because this misplaced tension and punishing fear must end. I’m not the subject of anyone’s prophecy, there to assign meaning to however they like, but my own person, a good person, my actions determined by my will alone. I’m one in a pair of shifters, both of us bent on mending the cracks in this broken world. Survivors.
And to people like Jol, that’s infinitely more dangerous.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing is famous for being a solitary pursuit, hours and hours spent penning a story that exists only in your own mind. But I’ve learned the path to publication is not one you wander alone, and I’m lucky enough to have had so many wonderful people supporting me on this journey.
Thank you to Hillary Jacobson, agent extraordinaire, who saw something in my writing and—with boundless insight and encouragement—helped me see it, too. I am so glad to walk this path with you.
To my editor, Lindsey Hall, who breathed new life into this story when I needed it most, and who continually amazes me with her wisdom, enthusiasm, and infectious energy. I’m so grateful to be on your team.
To Melissa Frain, aka Coach, who made my dream come true.
Endless thanks to the team at Tor Teen—my colleagues and friends. You inspire me with your unrelenting passion for all things magical and twisted. Special thanks go to Devi Pillai, Lucille Rettino, Eileen Lawrence, Sarah Reidy, Giselle Gonzalez, Rachel Bass, Anthony Parisi, Isa Caban, Andrew King, Sarah Pannenberg, and Jeff LaSala. And of course, thank you to Rhys Davies for drawing such a stunning map of Alemara, as well as to Lesley Worrell and Katie Ponder for creating the beautiful cover!
To AJ Stuhrenberg, my forever best friend, who has brainstormed revision strategies and talked me off the literary ledge more times than I can count. My God, I owe you so much cake.
To Bess McAllister, the Éowyn to my Merry, writing sister and honorary twin. It’s your turn next.
Thank you to early readers Ali Fisher, Dave Rosenkranz, Amy Schettino, Edwin Rivera, Alex Cameron, and Hilary Mauro for your insight and support in the book’s initial stages. I am particularly grateful to Clara-Ann Joyce, my nature-loving friend with the heart of an Ent who helps me bring Alemara’s topography to life, and to Ryan Meese, Rora’s #1 supporter, who always insists I Do the Thing and close all the plot holes. I’m sure I missed a few and look forward to hearing of them in due course.
Thank you to Curtis Dozier, my former college professor and mentor, who once told me to stop apologizing for what I write. I haven’t forgotten, and I’m trying.
To every reader, bookseller, blogger, and librarian who decides to give this book a chance.
And finally, to the family Rora always wanted, the family I am immeasurably lucky to have: to my dad, who instills in me his love of literature, adventure, and the outdoors; to my brother, best friend, endless advocate, and fellow cat enthusiast; and to my tireless mom, who teaches me strength in femininity and the value of hard work, and who saved every one of my childhood stories in a folder she’s kept all these years. Mom, I’m afraid this one’s too big for the folder, but I think you’ll find it fits perfectly on a bookshelf.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ELAYNE AUDREY BECKER is a storyteller with a passion for history, myth, mountains, and magic. She holds a B.A. from Vassar College and a master of science from the University of Aberdeen and has worked as an editor at a New York publisher. Born and raised in Georgia, she grew up with a lake and woods as her backyard, spending long days outside and visiting national parks with her family. You can sign up for email updates here.
Thank you for buying this
Tom Doherty Associates ebook.
To receive special offers, bonus content,
and info on new releases and other great reads,
sign up for our newsletters.
Or visit us online at
us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup
For email updates on the author, click here.
CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Map
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
FORESTBORN
Copyright © 2021 by Elayne Audrey Becker
All rights reserved.
Map by Rhys Davies
Cover art by Katie Ponder and Shutterstock.com
Cover design by Lesley Worrell
A Tor Teen Book
Published by Tom Doherty Associates
120 Broadway
New York, NY 10271
www.tor-forge.com
Tor® is a registered trademark of Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC.
The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:
Names: Becker, Elayne Audrey, author.
Title: Forestborn / Elayne Audrey Becker.
Description: First edition. | New York: Tor Teen/Tom Doherty Associates, 2021.
Identifiers: LCCN 2021010726 (print) | LCCN 2021010727 (ebook) | ISBN 978-1-250-75216-1 (hardcover) | ISBN 978-1-250-75226-0 (ebook)
Subjects: CYAC: Magic—Fiction. | Shapeshifting—Fiction. | Fantasy.
Classification: LCC PZ7.1.B434746 Fo 2021 (print) | LCC PZ7.1.B434746 (ebook) | DDC [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021010726
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021010727
eISBN 9781250752260
Our ebooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by email at [email protected].
First Ed
ition: 2021
Forestborn Page 37