Descendant

by Giles, Nichole

  Kye tips my chin up with his finger. “And however liberal you think your mother is, she already had ‘the chat’ with me.”

  “The chat?”

  “The one in which she grilled me on my behavior during our trip and in which I assured her about my manners and how I treated you like a lady. Also, she happened to be present when future plans were being discussed. My moving into this house is clearly not an option for her either.”

  I roll my stiff neck, stretch, and yawn. “I’m relieved she voiced an opinion. Though, I still wonder if she’s more worried about what the neighbors think than what’s really happening.”

  “Give her some credit, Abby.” When he stretches, the long, lean muscles in his chest ripple under his T-shirt. “Anyway, I’ll still be spending lots of time here, parents or not.”

  “I’m good with that.”

  He stands, helps me up, and twines his hands lightly around the small of my back. “Guess I’m going to be a regular at school again.” He pulls me close and kisses me. A long, drawn out kiss that speaks of ... well, goodbye.

  “Abby.” He sighs my name—just my name—then leans his forehead on mine.

  “You have to go, don’t you?”

  He nods, wrinkling his nose. “For tonight. I’ll crash at Akers’s house until Val can find us a place closer to town.” He touches the tip of my nose with his finger. “You, Princess Abby, should get to bed. You have a big day back at school tomorrow.”

  He zips his coat, touches his fingers to his lips, and whispers, “Night.”

  As he drives away, I think back to the day we met and realize it was a turning point for me. Possibly the biggest one I’ll ever experience.

  Longing for Gram rises in my chest, but suddenly I understand why she had to go when she did. She was ready to move on to another life, one where she could find my grandfather, her one and only true love. I can’t fault her for that. She knew I had to stay and fulfill my destiny—both Abby’s and Raina’s. And even though I wish she had been more forthcoming, I don’t fault her for that either.

  Guilt makes my stomach flutter. I should have read her letter to me that very first day. My bare feet slap on the wood floor on the way to my room, where I crouch in front of the bottom drawer, groaning with the pain caused by every movement, and remove the unopened letter.

  My name is scrolled across the front in Gram’s feminine handwriting as I turn it over and finally break the seal.

  My dearest Abigail,

  Since you’re reading this letter, my time in this life has come to an end. There are so many things I’ve tried to teach you, but Healing is an art you’ll have to learn on your own. And you will. When someone important to you is in jeopardy, you’ll find your hidden memories. Memory becomes knowledge, and once you know, you’ll never forget.

  The world is vast, and the things you’ve experienced such a small portion of the whole. I could try to explain the existence of other worlds, other creatures, but there are things you won’t understand until you see and experience them for yourself.

  I’d give my life to wrap you in a protective bubble and keep you from your future. Fate has plenty in store for you, I’m afraid.

  Your soul is so much older than your body. Even though many layers have been piled upon her in the past several hundred years, I believe you were once a young maiden who fell in love with a prince and became his bride.

  The two of you died, each attempting to save the other from an evil curse, pronounced on you by the Dark Prince Tynan of the Otherworld Nairn. The curse has held strong for all the centuries since the maiden Raina sealed Tynan and his demon army inside a poisonous tomb, using the power of her wedding ring, the very ring I’m leaving to you. It must be protected at all costs—even your life. To this day, Gifted scholars dedicate themselves to finding a way to break the curse that keeps the lovers apart. Until then, we are limited in our powers and must rely on the Dragons to keep peace and order among our kind.

  By staying together, Prince Theron and Raina bring illness and death on each other. Their love is strong, and when one passes on, the other follows quickly behind. Because of this, Theron and Raina never live long in any existence after they find each other. It makes sense that paradise can’t last forever, but it’s a bittersweet crust to bite. Especially to Theron’s people, who wait to see his throne restored.

  In this life, the blood bonds remain strong. You are descended from the child Raina bore before she died. Theron’s child. The only remaining royal flesh and blood. I believe it will be you, my darling, who will lead the Gifted into peace and who will destroy the immortal Elen.

  You’re young, Abby, and Raina’s soul is stronger than it’s ever been. I see it in your face every time you open your eyes. Every time I hear your voice, I feel the jolt of recognition I first experienced on the day you were born. This time the curse will be broken. You have the power, strength, and knowledge to see this through and finish it.

  When you find Theron, cling to him. Love him with everything you have—the same way you always did. Only together will you break the spell that has held our people bound for so many years.

  I believe in you.

  All my love until we meet again,

  Your Gram.

  A giggle bubbles in my throat as I fall back on my bed. Gram knew. The day I was born, she knew who I was. Who I am. And while she may have pushed me to learn, she never tried to force me to see what she must have known I couldn’t understand.

  Not then.

  Reading her words now gives me strength and confidence. Things I’m going to need. I feel her spirit hovering near, holding me close. Giving me strength.

  Kye’s mention of loose shadow demons hasn’t escaped me. We have lots to do, curses to break, secrets to protect. And learning. About Healing, about Sight, about the Witch Light I’ve never heard of before now. Not to mention the amount of time it’s going to take for me to make up all my missed schoolwork.

  Ugh.

  The full moon glows like a lemon outside my window and the wind sings in the trees, whistling Gram’s happy tones. My life has never been better. Right now, I’m going to live moment by moment and take the rest as it comes.

  Because no matter what Val told Kye, deep down I know.

  The battle isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

  Author Bio

  Nichole Giles was born in Nevada and has lived in a number of cities in and around the Midwest. Her early career plans included becoming an actress or a rock star, but she decided instead to have a family and then become a writer. Writing is her passion, but she also loves to spend time with her husband and four children, travel to tropical and exotic destinations, drive in the rain with the convertible top down, and play music at full volume so she can sing along.

  Acknowledgements

  If publishing a book is a journey, mine has been a thousand miles long, with people cheering for my every step.

  Those steps begin and end with my family. Biggest, most important thanks to Gary, who held me up and loved me through hundreds of rejections, who let me be who I am, and who worked extra hours to pay for all my most favorite writing conferences. To Brayden for brainstorming genius, endless nights spent helping me build worlds and plots, and then for painting them, and Brittany, Madison, and McKay for all the do-it-yourself dinners, missed games, messy house, clothes washed but not dried, and for always patiently waiting for me to “just finish this page.” You five are my world and I love you bigger than the universe.

  I have progressed by miles since I joined forces with the spectacular people at Authors Incognito, and then miles more, thanks to my Super Edits group: Tristi Pinkston, Keith Fisher, Heather Justesen, and Kimberly Job, who have read and red-lined thousands of words for me. My Novel Thoughts group: Cindy and Russ Beck, Connie Hall, and Rachelle Christensen used colors other than red, but the results were the same, and I would not be where I am without each of you.

  Special thanks to Elana Johnson for being my
other half at events, for countless hours of conversations, and for rescuing me from the ledge every time I find one. To James Dashner for challenging me to finish a full draft when I was a wide-eyed beginner, J. Scott Savage for inspiring me to keep going when I’d had hundreds of rejections, and Darvell Hunt for telling me it would be my year. Also to TJR who told me I should try in the first place. You were all right.

  Lots of people write books, but very few manage to find a publisher to help breathe life into them. Michelle Davidson Argyle pointed me toward mine and left me forever in her debt. Hugs to you and to Rhett and Emmaline Hoffmeister for open minds, creative hearts, and for giving me choices I never knew I could have. Thanks to the Rhemalda crew for helping me pull this off, and also to my lovely agent, Brittany Howard, for believing in me and championing my work. I am so blessed to have you all in my support car.

  Karen Hoover, L.T. Elliott, Carolyn Vawdrey, Jenn Johansson, Debbie Davis, Windy Aphayrath, Sheralyn Pratt, Ali Cross, and Christine Bryant have made incredible cheerleaders as well as friends. I’m lucky to have you on the road with me.

  Positive energy and love to Tova Heaton, at www.thewayofthewitch.com, for running a workshop that became the inspiration behind Abby’s healing ability, and who is my number one source of information on holistic healing. Also for life-long friendship and hundreds of lunches filled with endless possibilities.

  Loves and kisses to my FABs, Lori Smith, Raylene Long, Jennifer Brown and Tiffany Wood-McCarthy, for giving me courage when I didn’t know where to borrow it, for knowing the real me and loving me anyway, for Mexico and Midway and any future destinations, and who are the best, best, best friends a girl could have. Most people are lucky if they find one. I have four.

  Thanks to my brothers and sisters, who are always there when it matters most, and who will shove me from behind when I start to lose momentum. To my parents, Joe and Pam Petersen and Steve and Deanne Hechtle, for teaching me that families are as much about love as about blood, and for raising me to believe in our power of choice. Thanks to my grandparents, Ernie and Mona Ketchum and Mel and Jeneal Petersen, who was the inspiration behind Gram. Special thanks to Kay and Carol Giles, for accepting, teaching, and loving me as their own. And to my extended family, just for being awesome.

  The steps have been long and the road treacherous. I wouldn’t be where I am without the influence of countless other important people. If you are one of those I was unable to name, I remember, I love you, and I thank you for being part of my journey. This, my friends, is only the beginning.