BLURB:
When the Holder of the Yellow Jewel dies, her ward Liara believes she will become the new Yellow Holder. The dying word of the elderly woman astonishes the young woman. She will hold the White Jewel. This fabled gem has been lost for years since her mother and her sister fought and her aunt took hold of the Black Jewel.
Liara, accompanied by her foster brother set forth to find the jewel, escaping the soldiers sent by the Queen and Black Jewel Holder. During their escape, Liara meets Valmir who saves her and her foster brother during a shipwreck. During their journey, they meet other holders of the Jewels, including Reena, daughter of the now dead Queen. Though she has the Black Jewel, Reena has no idea how to use the gem.
EXCERPT:
"Liara,
come!"
She
lifted the necklace and hurried toward the path. "I'm on my way."
Brader
emerged at the edge of the meadow. "Mother said you would be here. She
wants you."
A
lock of amber hair fell across his forehead and brushed his lighter eyebrows.
Amber eyes studied her intently. She felt his leashed anger. With her or with
his mother? These days, she barely knew him.
Since
she'd begun her intensive studies with Tana, she and Brader had grown apart.
Her lessons, his time with the armsmen, and his excursions to the village
tavern left them with little in common.
"Have
the visitors left?" she asked.
"They
didn't stay for the evening meal. They're on their way to Pala. I begged leave
to join them but Mother refused to release me." He shoved his hair from
his forehead. "I'm tired of being caged here. There's much of Earda I want
to see."
"Did
Tana say why she wanted me?" She watched the setting sun stain the ocean
whitecaps with streaks of orange. "Not for lessons, I hope."
He
shrugged shoulders that had grown broader the past year. "You are to sup
in her room. Don't stay long. The visitors tired her."
"When
has she listened to me?" Liara held up the floral necklace. "Perhaps
this will refresh her."
"Maybe.
She's worried about something and she won't tell me what."
Liara
clasped his arm. "All will be well."
He
laughed. "Have you become a Healer making vague and pretty
predictions?" His muscles tensed beneath her hand. "All will be well
for you. You'll have her Jewel. Why else has she kept you by her side? I'm so
tired of the High Sanctuary and of being the Holder's son."
Liara
frowned. When had he grown so resentful? Did Tana know about his discontent?
When
they reached the postern gate, the armsman stepped aside so they could enter.
Never in all her years had there been armsmen at the gates.
Once
inside the massive stone tower, she hurried to her foster mother's rooms. At
the door, she paused and tucked stray strands of hair beneath the kerchief.
Then she opened the carved wooden door and stepped inside.
Tana
was abed. Liara crossed the room and kissed the older woman's flushed cheek,
then slipped the floral chain over her foster mother's head.
Tana
inhaled the blended fragrances. "Ah, Child, you remembered a bit of the
Healer's teachings. Sit and eat. There's much I must tell you."
Liara
studied her foster mother. Though flushed, there was a translucent quality to
Tana's skin. Sunken cheeks, glazed amber eyes. Liara knew Brader thought his
mother was tired, but there was more. The scent of death floated above the
aroma of the flowers.
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