Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 619(@200wpm)___ 495(@250wpm)___ 413(@300wpm)
With the sound of the music, laughter, and talking fading into the distance, the calmness of the night settles around us.
The stars shine bright above us, and for the first time in a long while, I feel at peace.
When I spot flickering lights in the long grass, I ask, “What are those?”
“Fireflies.”
A smile spreads over my face, and grinning at Raighne, I whisper, “Yes.”
“Yes?” He asks.
“I’d love to become your wife,” I explain my answer.
I’m yanked to a stop and wrapped up in his strong arms. His eyes sparkle in the dark as he stares at me. “Do you mean that?”
“Of course. I love you, and you’re my home.”
He looks deep into my eyes, then his voice sounds up in my mind. “We are bound as one and will never live as two again.”
“Forever,” I agree as I push myself up on my tiptoes and press my mouth to his.
Chapter 35
Alchera
Standing on the stretch of beach of a lake that has an eerie mist creeping over the water, I stare at a great willow tree to my left. Its roots are covered in the greenest moss I’ve ever seen.
Looking to my right, my lips part and the air is ripped from my lungs. Beyond the forest, everything is dark. There are massive tunneling clouds looming overhead. The one nearest to me surges with bolts of lightning, ripping a tree from the ground, roots and all.
What’s happening?
Unable to stop myself, I walk toward the darkness before I float into the sky, the pull unbelievably strong.
I stare beneath me at the landscape that’s turning from green and colorful to dark and gray and soon find myself hovering over a barren land where a man is kneeling.
Ares.
His head snaps back, and he looks up at me.
“Leave this place, Luna!” He shouts.
Luna? I glance down at myself, and seeing the silver strands of hair billowing in the air and the balls of light forming in my palms, I gasp.
What is Luna doing here?
There’s a rumble of thunder, and shadows begin to move, swirling around each other until Void takes on a shadowy form with a black cloak billowing in the wind.
“I’ve been waiting for you, child of the moon,” he tells Luna, his tone eerie and hollow.
“Free her mind,” Luna demands, her tone filled with aggression, “Or I will kill you right here and now.”
Void’s laughter fills the air, and it sounds so evil I shrink back.
His arm flies up, and a tidal wave of shadows rushes toward Luna, but she shoves her arms forward, and streaks of light race to collide with the advancing shadows.
The thunderous force of light and shadows colliding makes the air vibrate and the ground shudder.
Jerking awake, I shoot upright in bed while shouting, “Luna!”
To be continued…
Luna & Storm’s story is next in The Land Of Shadows, which will be released in 2025.
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Noteworthy Details about Vaalbara
Earth: Earth as we know it at this precise time.
Vaalbara: New Earth, where the chosen ten will begin a new life. Home to the Immortalis who watch over humankind.
Immortalis: The Latin word for immortal. The race that watches over humankind.
Virtutes: The Latin word for Virtue/Virtute.
Virtutes Waterfall: The entrance to Vaalbara and exit to other realms and planets.
House Regales: The Royal family of Vaalbara.
Infirmarius: Hospital. Also, the place where all potions are stored.
Sanitorium: Where they learn to make elixirs and cast spells.
Seminarium: The school where they learn about different powers.
Sepulturae: Burial rites for an immortalis to send their soul to Awo.
Shift: Moving from one place to another through a waterfall.
Shimmer: The power of moving anywhere at any time.
EYES:
Amethyst: Purple – Protection & healing.
Emerald: Green – A life-affirming stone. Promotes friendship, peace, harmony, and domestic bliss by enabling the wearer to both give and receive unconditional love.
Moonstone: Pearl – Represents inner clarity, cyclical change, and a connection to the feminine. It is a symbol of light and hope and also encourages us to embrace new beginnings.
Sunstone: Sunny/red/orange – Freedom and originality.
Amber: Orange or brown - Cleansing and renewal. Ancient energy.
Obsidian: Black - Grounding, healing, and protection.
Blue Lace Agate: Light blue - Tranquillity and calming an anxious mind.
Lapis Lazuli: Blue sprinkled with gold – Wisdom, knowledge, truth, and understanding.
Sapphire: Deep blue – Wisdom and virtue. Brings insight, clarity, and spiritual truth.
Ruby: Red – Royalty. Powerful protection, guarding against negativity, and dynamic leadership.
Bloodstone: Dark green with flecks of red – Warrior’s stone. Courage and perseverance.
Character list
Alchera:
- Meaning ‘dream time.’ (The remote period of time in which the ancestral spirits of aboriginal tribes in Australia walked the earth – The Oxford Dictionary.)
- Talents – has visions of the future and the chosen ten and is a weaver of dreams.
- Also known as Jane: This is Alchera’s human name.
- Youngest daughter of House Regales.