“No,” she said boldly, standing. “Raithym said for me to stay. Please. He’s wantin’ our child. I can’t leave him. I won’t.”
Zeta’s face darkened as she pushed to her feet. “You won’t? I’ve presented you with no choice. You’ll leave this citadel on the morrow if I must have the guards drag you out the doors. Don’t make this more difficult than it has to be. This isn’t a punishment for your betrayal. It’s the only way.”
“Where’s Raithym?”
“Would you like to hear his opinion on the matter?”
“Yes’m, please. He’ll tell what he promised me.”
“Oh, like you promised me?”
Ceron shook her head, looking up with pleading eyes. “I—I didn’t mean to come false.”
“Well, neither did Raithym. He can’t be a father to your child, Ceron. Just take the coin and go. You have much to prepare before your leave on the morrow.”
“Please, just lemme see him for a bit.”
Zeta shrugged, tossing up her hands. “You are persistent, aren’t you? I’m certain that same persistence is how you coerced my son into your bed. Well, I guess you’ve worn me down as well.
“Raithym was tired after we returned. He’s sleeping just there,” Zeta said, motioning to the draped bed.
Ceron dropped the pouch in her pocket, drying her eyes. After taking a sobering breath, she inched past Zeta, sliding the drapes from the bed. When she looked down at the sleeping child, she nearly screamed.
“It—it can’t be,” she gasped, stumbling back and slamming against the wall. Ceron’s entire body trembled as she stared at the child asleep in the bed…the four-year-old Raithym.
“No. No, it can’t be. How? Gods, no.”
“There lies the sire of your son, Ceron. What do you think he can do for you?”
“Please, no. Where’s Raithym? It can’t be. I’m pregnant with his child. Please,” Ceron begged, swaying to the floor, and crying irrepressibly.
“You’re going to leave on the morrow and not return. I warned you, and you didn’t listen. You violated my son and our trust. The Guardians restored his life, and I won’t allow you or anyone else to take it away from him again.” Zeta’s eyes narrowed, stepping toward her threateningly. “Get out of my sight and don’t return to Nazil. If I learn that you’ve attempted to betray me again, I promise that you’ll regret it.”
Ceron looked into Zeta’s hate-filled eyes, and then back to Raithym. Not since the Vereux’ had she felt such fear. At that moment, Zeta evoked and unnatural terror that seeped into the very essence of Ceron’s being.
She had no choice.
Resting a hand on her abdomen, Ceron struggled to her feet. With a sorrowful glance at Raithym, she labored to the door, leaving her life and the father of her child behind.
Thank you for reading The Rise of Nazil Trilogy .
If you enjoyed this Diverse Epic Fantasy, please leave a review.
Thank you.
about the author
Aaron-Michael Hall is an award-winning author who enjoys writing diverse epic fantasy with a grimdark edge, high fantasy, and science fantasy romance. The debut novel, The Rise of Nazil is a Readers’ Favorite award winner (2017), and has won numerous reader awards.
Now, when she’s not enjoying her favorite authors (Octavia Butler, Michael Moorcock, Robert Jordan, NK Jemisin, RA Salvatore, Brandon Sanderson, etc.), being super mom, wrangling stampeding miniature dachshunds, or managing her 9 to 5, she’s interweaving genres, creating languages, and adding just the right edge to keep you turning pages.
When asked why she wrote the Nazil series, Aaron-Michael simply said, “It needed to be written.”
Visit the following sites for more about Aaron-Michael Hall
WEBSITE
BOOKBUB
FACEBOOK
TWITTER
INSTAGRAM
YOUTUBE
MAILING LIST
Listen to the spoken Mehlonii language
View maps of Faélondul HERE
If you enjoyed The Rise of Nazil Trilogy, please leave a review on your favorite site.
Thank you
Author Extra
Most people don’t know that my first love is Science Fiction. Even though I typically write Epic Fantasy with a Grim Dark edge, I prefer to read and watch Sci-Fi. In fact, I’ve been a Trekker all my life (my mother did this to me…God bless her).
One way I express my love of Sci-Fi is by paying homage to Star Trek in my novels. Anytime you see the word, “fascinating,” envision Spock saying it. In my Science Fantasy, Orbs of Trenihgea, I have a creature referred to as a Drydenion slime troll. Well, that is a cousin to the Denebian slime devil that the Klingon, Korax compared James T. Kirk to in the Trouble with Tribbles episode.
There are numerous other intentional references that Star Trek fans might recognize. From FC Raydren saying, “Make it so,” to my character Droxahn being named after Droxine in The Cloud Minders episode of TOS.
Now that my secret is out, I’d love to hear about any references you noticed in my novels. They are always minor references, and usually only one or two in each novel. Still, they are there, and I smile every time I read one.
You can email me at: [email protected] and let me know which ones you’ve discovered. Engage!
Qapla’
More Books by Aaron-Michael Hall
Gritty Epic Fantasy:
The Rise of Nazil I
Seed of Scorn II
Piercing the Darkness III
Science Fantasy:
Rites of Heirdron I
Orbs of Trenihgea II
Diverse Epic Fantasy:
Kurintor Nyusi
Tamesa
Coming Soon
Shadokyn: Blood of Oisin I
Keepers of Nine
Shades of Ashemohn
Triplex Spires of Isabis
INDEX
Common Faélondulian Terms
Ahgelon
Naidisian Leader (Fire Walkers)
Amzi
The age of decision – K’ohshul
AsZar
Ruler/Leader of Afferea
Caretaker
Overseer of a city or village
Cha
Nazilian priest
Cha Asham
Head Nazilian priest
Chosen Guard
Nazilian’s elite guard
Dawa
Place for healing
Desu Beast
Beast companion of the Protectors
Doh’mahn Vwazi Tr’Eon
The dark gate
Dream Wine
Tincture of herbs for sleep
Drahgodeage
Handler/Trainer
Drah’kuu
Priest – Mehlonii language
Fire Lands
Eastern desert lands
First Chosen
Head of the Chosen Guard
The Four
Nazilian gods
Helding
Priest in training
Jaenitu
Beast resembling a panther and wolf mix
Jasiri
Warriors of K’ohshul
K’ohshul
Southern isle - Jasiri
Ke’ohnzi
Conduit of the Guardians
Lakaar
Human healer
Maiden’s Tears
Herbal mixture to prevent/end pregnancy
Mehlonii
Arcane language of the Guardians
Miir Stones
Ancient communing stones
Nakshij
Second only to the Zaxson
Naidisia
Home of the Fire Walkers
N’gohne
Ceremony of Selection
Nohek
Human priest
Nohek Karab
Human Head priest
Ohor
Otherworld Spirit Beings
Pledge
Nazilian betrothal
Promise
Human betrothal
Protector (Dessalonian)
(Giants) Children of the Guardians
Sanctium
The cursed isle of Lilinth
Sentries
Human Guards
Serpent’s Venom
Paralyzing serum used in Nazil
The Seven
Human gods
Shadokyn
One of the dark realms
Shadow Frost
Frozen land beyond Dessalonia
Shijahn
Wife of the Nakshij
Sulos
Holy book of the Cha
Syahndru
Western Isle
Threshold
Preternatural passageways
Ti’embre
Summoning shard
T’reyUhm R’aFek
Divine gate
Tumishi
Female temple servants - human
Uzon
General of K’ohshul
Xtabyren
Honored sword of the Chosen Guard
Zaontras
Wife of the Zaxson
Zaxson
Leader of Nazil and Faélondul
Denizens of Faélondul
City of Nazil
Draizeyn Vereux
Nazilian
Zaxson of Nazil
(Succeeded his brother, Nikolaj, after his sudden death)
Daracus Vereux
Nazilian
Nakshij of Nazil
Father: Draizeyn
Sister: Denotra
Denotra Vereux
Nazilian
First Lady of Nazil
Father: Draizeyn
Brother: Daracus
Oxilon Benoist
Nazilian
High Advisor of Nazil
Brother: Manifir (D)
Nephews: Pentanimir, Danimore
Pentanimir Benoist
Nazilian
First Chosen of Nazil
Father: Manifir Benoist
Mother: Kitrin Thaon
Siblings: Danimore
Uncle: Oxilon
Danimore Benoist
Nazilian
Second Guard of Nazil
Father: Manifir Benoist
Mother: Kitrin Thaon
Siblings: Pentanimir
Uncle: Oxilon
Cha of Nazil
Nazilian Priests
Lymbach (Cha Asham), Reaglen, Bisdan, Grimmish, Temian
Yannick Merrimont
Nazilian
Second Chosen of Nazil
Wife: Sidra
Children: Bastian
Nakaris Middleton
Nazilian
Nazilian guard (Danimore’s friend)
Symeon Yego
Human
Attendant in Nazil, Jasiri Warrior
Father: Karesh
Mother: Kaisa
Siblings: Marini, Omar
Uncle: Turahn Osei
Beilzen de Braose
Nazilian
Second guard of Nazil
Father: Perrin
Mother: Hasina
Allister d’Garrion
Nazilian
Scribe for the Cha of Nazil
Children: Nikolina
Perrin de Braose
Nazilian
Treasurer for the Cha of Nazil
Children: Beilzen de Braose
Attendants
Surma, Ceron, Symeon, Zeta, Sarai, Jahno, Micah, Gerhma, Ahndargae, Gali (Yannick Merrimont’s)
Guards
Nigel, Elodie, Velnic, Ladir
Cazaal
Hacom Ravenot
Human
Caretaker of Cazaal
Wife: Amani
Children: Brahanu, Julaybeim, Ameya
Brahanu Ravenot
Human
Lady of Cazaal
Father: Hacom
Mother: Amani
Siblings: Julaybeim, Ameya
(Promised to Itai)
Tioch Gael
Human
Master Craftsman
Spouse: Lillian
Son: Itai Gael
Attendant: Old Naji
Itai Gael
Human
Craftsman
Father: Tioch
Mother Lilian (D)
(Promised to Brahanu)
Aschelon Batali
Human
Personal guard and friend of Julaybeim
Attendants for House Ravenot
Almaz, Katar, Drummond, Kailen
Briac
Human
Lakaar
(Brahanu’s Mentor)
Nohek Glennon
Human
Nohek Karab (Head priest)
Priests: Berinon, Xalvador
Bandari
Vot Osmont
Human
Elder of Bandari, (Former lord of Hyorin)
Spouse: Huname
Children: Aizen, Ahni, Eylul (D), Anissah (D)
Kuhani Nwosu
Human
High Priest of Bandari, Drah’kuu of K’ohshul, Jasiri Warrior Father: OrÚn
Mother: Emoja
Siblings: Sumaré (D)
Saifu Voney
Human
Lakaar and Magister (Former High Lord of Noraa)
Spouse: Yeshe-Nazilian
Children: Hibret, Sahma
Siblings: Osmara
(Fled to Bandari with his Nazilian wife)
Emet Karidian
Human/Nazilian
Elder of Bandari
Father: Gayu (D)
Mother: Tabitha (D)
Siblings: Nzuri
Nzuri Karidian
Human/Nazilian
Priest of Bandari
Father: Gayu (D)
Mother: Tabitha (D)
Siblings: Emet
Olam Ojarz
Human
Elder of Bandari
Spouse: Eleni
Children: Kaleb, Kassa
(Conduit of the Guardians)
Hosdaq Neufmarche
Nazilian
Elder of Bandari (Former Chosen of Nazil)
Spouse: Esme Ilani-Human (D)
Father: Wesleyon
Mother: D’lanya
Children: Wosen, Malkia
Wosen Neufmarche
Human/Nazilian
Parents: Hosdaq and Esme
Sibling: Malkia
Yonas Yeondi
Human
Priest of Bandari (former fisherman/merchant of Kaleo) Father: Kehrn (D)
Mother: Dawn
Nurul
Human
Head Guard-Bandari (Former fisherman of Kaleo)
Children: Antenah
City of Spero
Javyn Shengis
Nazilian
Council member (former merchant from Leachim)
*Informant. Uncle of Micah.
Shintao
Human
From Syahndru.
*Friend of Kuhani. Companion of Zol.
Yasu
Human
Priest – From Syahndru, trained with Drah’kuu Malachi.
Liam
Nazilian
Attendant
Lazarte
Human
Brother of Shintao
Kaleo
Nesdin
Human
Caretaker of Kaleo
Siblings: Nissim
Children: Aubry, Chauncer
Amare Yeondi
Human
Sentry
Father: Kehrn
Mother: Dawntaylesha
(Father and sister captured and enslaved by Nazilians)
Reinhold Westernan
Human
Head Sentry
Spouse: Tanya
Children: Sebreile, Kane
Janiya
Human
Promised to Yonas
Father: Balor (D), Mother: Felicia
Yarah
Urdan Swayne
Nazilian
Caretaker of Yarah, former High Advisor of Yarah.
Spouse: Eira. Father: Tate. Mother: Chre. Siblings: Davin, Bale. Children: Arianna, Jarin
Jarin Swayne
Nazilian
Lord/Chosen
Father: Urdan. Mother: Eira. Siblings: Arianna, Temian
Aronin Thaon
Nazilian
Lord/Warden
Spouse: Kahrmyn
Father: Helmut. Mother: Kailah. Siblings: Predrag.
*Cousin of Pentanimir.
Cha Freydon
Nazilian
Cha Asham of Yarah
City of Noraa
Riok Estenbrook
Human
Caretaker of Noraa
Spouse: Oana
Children: Janshai, Natasha, Maisha
Nohek Asmaa
Human
Nohek Karab of Noraa (Former Nohek of Hyorin)
Ahvixx Ahllendale
Nazilian
Helding/Guardians’ conduit
Siblings: Droxahn
Droxahn Ahllendale
Nazilian
Assistant to the Nohek and Tumishi
Father: Haden. Mother: Alena Siblings: Ahvixx
The Rise of Nazil- Complete Epic Fantasy Trilogy Page 169