I followed his gaze to the unfinished building, then met his eyes with a grin. “I can accept those terms.”
Teryn entered the tent, and I continued toward the new palace. I took off my shoes, feeling the soft grass beneath my feet, letting the morning sun warm my face as it peeked above the hills surrounding the valley. As I approached the new great hall, I closed my eyes, imagining what the palace would look like once finished. It wouldn’t be as grand as Verlot, and it wouldn’t have the same charm as Dermaine. And it would never be like Ridine, a place that held so much pain and joy in equal measure. It would be new. That’s all I wanted.
I circled the construction site to what would one day be the palace gardens. There, I found Centerpointe Rock. This too, had once been a place of great suffering. It had also been a source of immense power. Now it would be our home, where Teryn and I would rule Lela together.
I pulled myself onto the Rock, then crossed my legs beneath me. There I watched the sun rise over the hills, watched the birds flit across the sky. Sometimes I’d catch myself expecting one of the birds to be the silhouette of a dragon, and I’d laugh. Would I ever forget what it was like to see a dragon in the sky? I hoped not.
A sudden tingling crawled up my spine, and I froze. Someone was near. Watching me.
I looked side to side but couldn’t find the source. With a shake of my head, I tried to clear my thoughts. Had I imagined it?
No, it was there again, like a tug at the corner of my mind. I stood, then jumped from the Rock to the grass below. Eyes closed, I extended my senses.
There.
I looked toward where I sensed the presence. It was at the edge of the field where the valley met the rising hills and the trees that blanketed them. It was coming closer.
I couldn’t see it, but I could feel it.
It was familiar.
A flash of white darted from the line of trees, speeding toward me across the field. My breath caught, heart racing as my eyes took in the impossible.
Valorre.
I ran to meet him, feet flying beneath me. His joy reached me before he did, filling my entire being with calm warmth, with love, with pure excitement.
“How? How is this possible?” I cried as I wrapped my arms around his neck. Dark thoughts tugged at me. Was something wrong? Had the veil fallen after all?
Valorre seemed to sense my worry. I am here and nothing is wrong. I told you I will be home. I told you I will be with you. Were you not expecting me?
I couldn’t help but laugh as I pulled away to stare at him. “No, I was not expecting you. How did you get here?”
He tossed his mane. Veil could never keep me out before. Why would it now?
“Your horn. It can still pierce the veil?”
Yes. It was hard at first. At times I thought it would be impossible. But I figured it out. I followed thoughts of home.
“Home,” I said, brow furrowed.
You. You are my home, and I stay with you.
“You will be the last of your kind here.”
I am all right with that. We are all the last of our kind. You are the only you. Teryn is the only Teryn. I am the only me. Why should that worry me?
“You’re right. Absolutely right.” I turned to face Centerpointe Rock, the sound of hammers now ringing across the valley. I smiled, feeling peace radiating from the crown of my head to the tips of my toes that dug into the warm earth beneath my feet. “Welcome home.”
See where it all began...
Before the Quest, there was a princess with a heart of thorns…
Mareleau has grown a lot since Shadows of Lela. From a selfish, conniving princess to a queen with powerful magic, willing to sacrifice herself for those she loves. But where did it all begin?
Mareleau’s powers in the Arts began growing long before she knew about them. In fact, they were hiding in plain sight in Princess of Thorns, a Lela Short Story Prequel.
Click here to get your FREE copy of Princess of Thorns, A Lela Short Story Prequel: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/g37kek0vhc
Thank You
Thank you, lovely readers, for being on this journey with me! I am so grateful to every one of you who has enjoyed this trilogy. It’s been a long time in the making and I can’t express how good it feels to share this finished project with the world.
To help spread the word and get this book into the hands of as many readers as possible, please consider leaving an honest review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Reviews really do make a difference for new readers trying to decide if a series is right for them.
As always, Dustin, thank you for once again being my alpha reader and listening to me babble on nonstop about my book, my ideas, and my challenges. Thank you for your love and support as well as your honest guidance.
Nova, you are so creative! I love watching you write books of your own and look forward to everything you create. Never doubt your ability to make magic in any way you choose.
Thank you NibelArt for your incredible cover illustration. You captured the essence of this final book perfectly.
Thank you Kristen Portillo from Your Editing Lounge for another fantastic edit.
Thank you Rose Garcia for naming my smuggler! Stone suits him perfectly.
Thank you to my beta readers, Street Team and ARC readers, friends and family, and all the people who make this work so enjoyable.
Love, light, and all the magic,
Tessonja
About Tessonja
Tessonja Odette is a young mother living in Seattle. Young, meaning 30-something. It’s the new 20, right? Tessonja has always loved to write. Her wild imagination and fascination with the great unknown led her writing into the realm of fantasy. She writes books that inspire and expand the imaginations of others. When she isn’t writing, she’s watching dog videos, having dance parties with her daughter, or pursuing her many creative hobbies. Find out more about Tessonja by visiting her website at www.tessonjaodette.com
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Shades of Prophecy Page 31