The Stones of Kaldaar (Song of the Swords Book 1)

by Tameri Etherton

  My RWA Chapters of Orange County and San Diego, as well as my online chapters, again, I couldn’t have done this without you! The advice, the support, the camaraderie, it’s all helped shape me into the writer I am today, and this book into the book it is. Which brings me to the fabulous editors who helped whip my writing into shape. Faith DeBishop Williams, Danielle Rose Poiesz, and the incomparable Sharon Pickrel. Much love to you ladies. This book would be rubbish without the fantastic Kitty Bucholtz putting it into readable order. Thanks, Doll! I have to thank Carol Phillips for the freaking awesome cover art, sword art, dragons, and map! She never flinched from my crazy ideas and always came up with something far more amazing than I ever dreamed. To Debra Kristi, Kate Wood, and Gayle Carline, my fellow adventurers, you put up with my mischief, and keep me sane. Mostly. I love you. Truly. Madly. Deeply.

  A special thank you to these four ladies who gave of their wisdom freely and inspired me not only in my writing, but through their generosity. It’s a beautiful thing when I can pass on what they have shared with me. Bella Andre, Sheri Fink, Rebecca Zanetti, and my darling Steena Holmes. Thank you.

  And finally, I am thankful to my family for their continued support and enthusiasm. None of this would be possible without them. David, Alexzandra, and Michael, you are my everything. Always.

  MEET THE AUTHOR

  Rocker of sparkly tiaras, friend of dragons, and lover of all things sexy, Tameri Etherton leaves a trail of glitter in her wake as she creates and conquers new worlds and the villains who inhabit them. When not masquerading as a mom and writer, rumor has it she travels to far off places, drinking tea and finding inspiration for her kickass heroines—and the rogues who steal their hearts—with her own Prince Charming by her side.

  To find out more about the author, visit her web site at

  www.TameriEtherton.com. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusives like advanced notice of upcoming releases, secret scenes, and other enticing tidbits about the Song of the Swords series.

  There you’ll discover the World of Aelinae where you’ll find maps, glossaries, and a complete cast of characters to further your reading experience.

  If you enjoyed THE STONES OF KALDAAR: SONG OF THE SWORDS BOOK ONE, look for THE TEMPLE OF ARDYN: SONG OF THE SWORDS BOOK TWO

  by Tameri Etherton

  NO moon guided their way as they traveled southeast toward the Dierlin Pass. The first night of their escape, Taryn found them shelter in an abandoned shepherd’s cottage. Niko munched some hay and Kaida caught several rats in the loft while Taryn and the faerie ate what crumbs they could find in the cupboard. When she sank to the floor, exhausted, a wave of emotion washed over her but she held back her tears for fear if she let one fall, a dam would burst.

  They rode hard day and night. Only when she felt faint from lack of food would they stop to set snares or fish in a stream. At first, the faerie would snatch his food from her with greedy hands, taking gulping bites, afraid Taryn would take the food from him.

  Very gently, as if she were speaking to a child, she would say, “You must eat slower or you’ll make yourself sick.” When she put a hand on his, he snarled at her, baring his teeth. “I’m not going to take your food. Slowly, that’s it. Just a small bite.” When she gave him another portion, he looked at her with apprehension. “You can trust me. I’m going to take care of you.”

  Gradually, she earned his trust and one night, under a blanket of stars, the faerie found the courage to speak. Not with his voice, but in her mind.

  His name was Gian. He belonged to a clan on the western border of the Narthvier. They traded goods with several villages nearby and it was when he was out hunting for pelts that Zakael had come upon him. He bound Gian in his ShantiMari and then took him back to Caer Idris. Beyond that Gian would say no more. When Taryn suggested she take him to the vier, he sobbed against her, his sounds muffled in his throat. He insisted over and over again that he could never return to the Narthvier.

  Whatever he’d suffered while imprisoned in Zakael’s dungeons had scarred Gian physically and emotionally. Taryn held him close, promising she wouldn’t let anything happen to him. She stretched her ShantiMari out, pulling the shadows over them like a thick cloak.

  On the sixth day of their escape, Taryn noticed a sleek black bird flying overhead. When it circled above them, her pulse quickened. Niko must’ve sensed the bird’s presence because he pawed at the ground, snorting with angry huffs. She led him off the road and slid from the saddle, taking Gian with her.

  “Go hide over there behind those trees,” she told him. “Do not come out no matter what you see. Do you understand?” He nodded mutely at her and ran off to where she’d indicated. “Kaida, go with him. Zakael will be here any moment; you must keep Gian safe.”

  Taryn took her sword from its scabbard and stood in the center of a small clearing. The bird circled once and then swooped down, dissolving into the form of Zakael when its claws touched the ground. Her brother shook out his cloak, cracking his neck and shoulders before turning to face her. A sword appeared in his hand, its black steel glinting in the sunlight.

  “You aren’t making a very good escape, sister. I found you too easily. Why did you run away? It was most vexing to Father. And myself.”

  “I didn’t run away. You and Valterys disappeared. I got bored, so I left.”

  “That’s twice now you’ve left my home on short notice. Is it something I said?”

  “What do you want?” Taryn flexed her fingers around the sword hilt.

  “For you to return with me, what else?”

  “Why—so you can ignore me? No, thanks.”

  “You seem to think you have a choice, dear sister, when in fact, you don’t.” He threw a ball of power at her and she sliced through it with her sword.

  “Yes, I do.” She deflected another of his attacks before swinging her sword low to catch his thigh. He danced back out of reach, laughing. The sound grated on her, like the incessant nattering of a fly too close to one’s ear.

  He came at her hard and fast, but she was ready.

  With each of his thrusts, she parried and deflected, circling around him to slice at his knees, followed by a cut to his chest, deliberately trying to throw him off balance. The longer they fought, the more he looked astonished. He’d underestimated her skill in all things, especially with a sword. A tangle of his Shanti pulled her feet out from beneath her. She hit the ground with a thud and then immediately rolled to spring up before him.

  The clash of metal rang out as they slashed and thrust at each other. Sweat ran down Taryn’s face as she danced around Zakael. She saw that he, too, was dripping with exertion. She spun quickly, elbowing him in the gut and then stamping on his foot before turning to knock him on the head with the hilt of her sword. He went down on his knees, breathing heavily. She paused only a moment to gather her strength and he grabbed her with his power.

  His ShantiMari whipped around her neck, lifting her from the ground. She thrashed against his power, gasping for breath. A thread of Shanti snatched her sword away while another pulled her arms above her head. She spat curses at him and herself for giving him the opportunity to restrain her.

  A sharp jab to her mind sent her thoughts scattering for a heartbeat before she closed it against him. When she pulled at her ShantiMari, a barrier prevented her from reaching it. Zakael stood, one hand on his stomach, the other outstretched to her. A thread of his power ran from his fingertips to her head. Somehow he was blocking her from reaching her ShantiMari. To block another’s power was strictly forbidden.

  “You’ve no idea how much I’ve been looking forward to this moment.” He moved a step closer. “Father wants you alive, but he didn’t say by how much.” His fingers twitched and the power tightened around her throat, cutting off all air.

  She stopped thrashing and hung limp. Thick cords of his power wrapped around her ankles, pulling her legs wide apart. A gasp of pain came out muffled and pitiful. The exertion spent the air
in her lungs.

  Darennsai, shall I attack him?Kaida asked, surprising Taryn that Zakael had not cut off her thoughts as well.

  Not yet. Wait for my call. Until then, keep Gian safe.

  “Don’t fight me, my beautiful sister.” Zakael held his sword at waist level, chuckling under his breath. “You could still join me willingly. Either way, I will have you.” He moved his sword to the top of her leather pants and then down to between her legs. “We were meant to rule Aelinae together, you and I.” He reached out suddenly, grabbing her side, sending his power into her vorlock scar. Pain shot through her, sparking fire in her blood. Once more, she sought her ShantiMari, but found nothing. Again, she thrashed against the bonds, but they were too tight.

  “I will never rule with you,” she managed between breaths.

  He pushed against her ribs. Searing heat, followed by icy chills, sliced to her core. She bit back a scream. “So much pride. Even this close to death, you think you have a choice. You’ve never had a choice, Taryn. Your fate was decided a long time ago and guess what? It’s with me.” He lifted her tunic, whistling at her scar. “That’s really something. Marissa told me of your bravery that day and I’ll confess—I did not quite believe her.”

  Taryn flinched when he reached out to touch it, but there was nowhere for her to hide from his grasping hands. “Oh, my sweet, after a few days in my playroom, you’ll think this scar was nothing.” He slid his other hand between her legs, rubbing his fingers against her above the hilt of his sword as if he meant to impale her upon it. Eyes half-closed in dreamy expectation, he bent low, his hot tongue licking from one end of her scar to the other.

  Something broke in Taryn. Rage like she’d never known coursed through her. Hate. Vengeance. Images flashed in her mind, cruel and vicious in their scope. She wanted to hurt Zakael, to maim him beyond recognition so that he could never inflict pain again. A low chuckle started in her belly, working its way up until she was laughing out loud so hard that the bonds at her neck constricted, cutting off what little air she had.

  He screamed at her for silence, striking her across the face with his fist. A flash of white was all Taryn saw through the stars of pain. Then Kaida was on him, snarling and snapping at his face. The unexpected attack was the break she needed to reach her power. ShantiMari flashed through her limbs, burning through Zakael’s bonds.

  Taryn tasted blood and sent a wave of power at Zakael, pinning him down. Gian ran forward to grab Zakael’s sword, then ducked behind her, disappearing into the bushes.

  Kaida, stop. See to Gian. The grierbas snarled at Zakael a final time and then loped away to join the faerie.

  She pulled Zakael’s power from around her neck and fell to the ground. Ynyd Eirathnacht flew to her outstretched hand, pulsing energy through her, renewing her strength. The pain in her scar thrummed and then faded. Her pendant rose in song, with the sword answering the melody. Her ShantiMari burned like a flame and she savored the sensation. Freedom, release, pure infinite pleasure coursed through her veins.

  Zakael scrambled to his feet, but Taryn was on him. She punched him in the nose and then the sternum in quick succession before smashing the side of his head with the hilt of her sword. A trickle of blood oozed down his temple. She wrapped her ShantiMari around him, throwing him high in the air. During his fall, he began to transform into a bird but she pulled her power tightly against him, stopping the transformation with him as half-man, half-bird. He screamed against her bonds in a terrible cry that scattered the creatures in nearby trees.

  “Become Aelan,” she commanded.

  “Fuck off,” he spat at her.

  “Very well. I’ll just leave you here.” She walked away.

  “Wait!”

  He transformed back into his Aelan form. She lowered the bubble of power until it touched the ground. His Shanti swirled within the confines of hers.

  “Release me. I’ll not harm you,” he pleaded.

  “I’m not that stupid, Zakael. As soon as I let the barrier down, you’ll try to trap me again. I should leave you here in this prison at least long enough for me to return to Talaith.”

  His eyes grew large. “I’ll starve to death.”

  “And I should care why? Weren’t you just gloating about how close to death you could bring me?” Taryn asked, her voice cool.

  “Taryn, you aren’t like this. You are caring and good.”

  “You make me sick.” Her mind screamed at her to kill him, but her bloodlust had passed.

  “I’ll return to Caer Idris and tell Father I couldn’t find you. I swear—I won’t harm you.” He held up his hands, placatingly.

  “Teach me to transform and I’ll let you go.”

  He sputtered at her, shaking his head. “It isn’t something you do immediately. It takes a season or more to master.”

  “You don’t have that long. Teach me.” When she put her sword at his throat, it sang a song of death and by the look on his face he heard it, too.

  “Put that down. I can’t think with your blade on me.” His power strengthened around him.

  “Don’t do it, Zakael. I’ll know whether you’re trying to overpower me.”

  Indecision etched across his features and then he relaxed, drawing in a deep breath. “First, you imagine the beast you wish to become. Bird, grierbas, horse, cat—anything. Think of the lines of the animal, the musculature, the fur or feathers. All of it. You must become the animal in your thoughts and heart.”

  “Show me. Slowly.”

  “Shape shifting is very dangerous. If you get it wrong, you could stay as the animal forever. Or worse.” He actually sounded concerned for her.

  She touched his throat with her blade, drawing blood. “I said show me and take your time. Move by move.” His arms began to change from that of a man to the long wings of a levon. His head and torso were replaced by a feathered crown and body. Finally, his legs grew scales and he stood on long claws.

  Taryn watched transfixed as he changed back into Zakael once more. “Are you ever anything other than a levon?” she asked.

  “No more questions. I showed you how it’s done. Release me.”

  “I need to make sure I can do it first.”

  “Not on your first try. No one ever gets it right the first time out. Practice when I’m not around.”

  Taryn tied off her ShantiMari so he couldn’t move. She closed her eyes, thinking of a great beast, her silver scales shining in the afternoon light. Her wings flowed out from her arms and her head and body convulsed into the form of a fanged dragon. She scratched her feet against the ground, feeling her talons rake through the grass. She turned her azure gaze on Zakael. He stared back at her in absolute panic.

  I am darathi vorsi, she said in Eleri and heard a great shifting of leathery wings, the scrape of a million million scales.

  She beat her wings, lifting into the air. Kaida crouched low, near the edge of the clearing, and she sent a thought to her grierbas friend to not be afraid.Stay with Gian; I’ll be back shortly. She reached out with a talon and picked up Zakael as if he were a doll. He fought against her firm grip as she beat her wings harder, rising up into the sky. Exhilaration and terror commingled within her.

  Once airborne, she panicked and plummeted toward the ground.

  Zakael screamed at her, “Be the dragon! Don’t think like Taryn—link your mind to hers.”

  Taryn let her mind drift into the dragon’s and gasped as everything came into sharp focus. She saw through the dragon’s eyes, felt the wind across her long snout. They moved through the air at an alarming speed. Her dragon mind scanned the landscape below them and then she dove into a small canyon. Zakael cried out for her to stop, but the dragon knew what she wanted.

  She sent a thought to Zakael to sleep and when he hung limp, she gently lowered herself to the canyon floor, dropping him to the ground before transforming back into a woman with ease. Despite what Zakael said, the change wasn’t difficult at all. A part of her had always been a dragon. Or the
dragon a part of her. After she tied several bonds around Zakael, making certain they would take most of the day to untie, she spiraled into the air, snorting a burst of flame from sheer happiness. When she returned to the clearing and transformed back into Taryn once more, it was with great reluctance.

  Kaida crept forward and lay before her.You are Darennsai.

  Gian came out from his hiding place to prostrate himself.Great One, I am yours to command until my last dying breath. This I, Gian of the clan Brenbold, swear to you.

  Their response to her transformation unnerved her. “Get up, Gian. You cannot tell anyone of this—do you understand?” He nodded and kissed his thumb before placing it over his heart. “Good,” she said as she went to find Nikosana. “Because if Rhoane knew what I just did, he’d never let me out of his sight again.”

  THE TEMPLE OF ARDYN is now available

  in digital and print!