The Stones of Resurrection

by Tameri Etherton

  Evil lived alongside kindness. There could be no Light without Dark and no darkness without light. Within each power were those filled with goodness and others equally as coldhearted. Except for the Black Arts—those practitioners sold their souls to the fires of Dal Ferran. No compassion dwelled in them. She’d sensed it in the phantom. The absolute void of anything human, and yet when it shattered, she thought she sensed the slightest hint of pain.

  Rhoane turned Taryn toward him and ran his hands up her neck. He wrapped her silken hair around his fingertips and smoothed the tresses straight. In his mossy eyes lingered the same fear, the same doubt. His Shanti embraced her, searching for unseen injuries, soothing her fractured nerves.

  “We are as one, Darennsai. Together, we are stronger than all of them. We must be united.”

  She swallowed down her excuses. He was right. She should’ve trusted him enough to tell him about Celia. Her ShantiMari flowed over his, entwining with his power until the strands became one.

  “We are. Always.”

  His lips pressed down on hers, and she opened herself to him. Fully. Unconditionally. Without him, she would fail. All the prophecies said as much.

  Kaida scratched at their legs, and they looked up to see the sun stretching above the sea far to the west. There would be time later to plan for what was to come. Taryn melded herself against Rhoane, curled her fingers in his hair. The sun warmed them as it rose, but it did little to dispel the cold that lingered since defeating the phantom. It was always there, the darkness. Waiting. Watching. Planning.

  She tipped her face toward the light, welcoming the sun’s rays. For now, she’d embrace every bit of warmth she could find.

  THE sounds of the city rumbled past his window, deafening his fragile senses. The Shadow Assassin bathed his trembling body with warm blood, pressing the cloth against his white skin, bringing color back.

  The Eirielle was stronger than he’d assumed. Her connection to the sword manifesting a strength he’d not calculated into his plans. At least before she’d expelled him, he was able to thread a link of Black Shanti to her core.

  The vanquishing almost destroyed him.

  Creating a phantom was not difficult for a seasoned Master, especially one as powerful as he, but there were few who could actualize physicality. He was the greatest the Black Brotherhood would ever know.

  And he’d failed their lord.

  Kaldaar remained exiled.

  He would have to find another way to release him.

  “Rest,” the ragged voice of his son, his creation, whispered.

  “Yes, rest.” He placed a hand on the Shadow Spawn’s shoulder where the Eleri prince’s sword had drawn blood. “We both need our rest. There is yet time.”

  A lopsided smile pulled the demon’s lips tight. It did not reach his dead eyes.

  There was still time.

  Aelinae had waited thousands of seasons for the Eirielle.

  The Brotherhood even longer.

  * * *

  The End

  Thank you for reading The Stones of Resurrection. Taryn and Rhoane’s adventure continues in THE TEMPLE OF SACRIFICE (previously published as The Temple of Ardyn), available in ebook and print.

  * * *

  IT’S HARD TO SAVE A WORLD WHEN YOUR FAMILY IS OUT TO KILL YOU

  * * *

  Taryn banished the phantom, but someone, or something, is invading her thoughts. To escape the torture and bring balance to Aelinae, Taryn must do the one thing she fears most—unlock her Dark powers.

  * * *

  Rhoane swore an oath to protect Taryn, forsaking all others to keep her from harm, yet her independent spirit and lack of trust almost cost her life. Now, he’ll do what it takes to save the woman he loves from the Blackness growing inside her.

  * * *

  But there’s evil in this world, and it’s just as desperate for them to fail.

  * * *

  Get it Now

  Be the First to Know!

  To get exclusive giveaways, deleted scenes, and the latest release news delivered to your inbox, please sign up for my newsletter.

  www.TameriEtherton.com/Newsletter

  Also by Tameri Etherton

  * * *

  The Song of the Swords

  The Prince of Dragons

  (Previously published as The Darathi Vorsi Prince)

  The Stones of Resurrection

  (Previously published as The Stones of Kaldaar)

  The Temple of Sacrifice

  (Previously published as The Temple of Ardyn)

  The Ruins of Betrayal

  * * *

  The Fatal Fae

  Fatal Illusion

  Fatal Assassin

  If you loved the book and have a moment to spare, I would really appreciate a short review on the retail site where you bought the book. Your help in spreading the word is gratefully appreciated. Reviews make a huge difference in helping new readers find the series.

  * * *

  Thank you!

  Cast of Characters

  Aislinn al Glennwoods ap Narthvier (Ay-s-lynn) ~ Queen of the Eleri. Aislinn perished in a ShantiMari accident when Rhoane was a young man.

  Alasdair (Alice-dare) ~ A faerie servant in the service of Rhoane. Brother to Illanr and Carld.

  Alswyth Myrddin (Alls-with Mere-din) ~ Mage with exceedingly long life. Myrddin is the advisor to Empress Lliandra and is often far from court on assignments from the crown. No known children or spouses. No known House.

  Anje ap Paderau (Ann-jee ap Paw-der-oo) ~ Duke of Paderau, father to Hayden, husband to Gwyneira (now deceased). Anje is cousin to the Lord of Darkness, and third in line for the Obsidian Throne. His father was brother to Valterys’s father. A prince in his own right, Anje renounced his Dark heritage to live with his wife in the Light. Descendant of House Djeba.

  Aomori di Monsenti (A-more-ee di Mon-scent-ee) ~ A young Danuri lord fostering with Tinsley in Paderau. Descendant of House Monsenti.

  Armando ~ Summerlander. Lover of Tarro. Whore in Nena’s house. Marissa’s favorite.

  Ashanni (A-shawn-ee) ~ A mare Duke Anje gives to Taryn.

  Baehlon de Monteferron (Bay-lohn de Mont-fair-on) ~ Danuri and Geigan knight employed by Empress Lliandra, sworn to protect Taryn and her House. Descendant of House Monteferron.

  Beary ~ (Master) Unseen character in book one. Advisor to Taryn on household matters.

  Brandt kaj Endion (Brant) ~ Aelan. High Priest of Talaith and advisor to Empress Lliandra, Brandt was commissioned with Taryn’s safety when she was born. After his death, Nadra took Brandt to Dal Tara, (home of the gods), which allows Brandt to communicate with Taryn. House Arran.

  Bressal ap Narthvier (Bress-all) ~ Eleri. Second Son to King Stephan and Queen Aislinn (now passed beyond the veils).

  Carga ap Narthvier ~ Eleri. Daughter to King Stephan and Queen Aislinn (now passed beyond the veils). Currently exiled from the Eleri (known as sheanna to her clan) and working as a cook in the kitchens of Duke Anje.

  Carina (Ka-reen-a) ~ Aelan. A soldier in the employ of Duke Anje, she is assigned to Taryn’s personal guard.

  Carld (Car-uld) ~ A faerie maid in the service of King Stephan. Sister to Illanr and Alasdair.

  Celia ~ Aelan. Lady-in-waiting to Marissa and minor noble. Descendant of House Deltanna.

  Cora ~ Aelan. A maid in the service of Empress Lliandra assigned to Taryn upon her arrival in Talaith.

  Cynda (Sin-dah) ~ A mare Rhoane provides for Taryn.

  Daknys (Dak-niss) ~ Elder Goddess. Daughter of Nadra and Ohlin, she is worshipped by the Light and Dark in the central area of Aelinae.

  Ebus (Ee-bus) ~ Race unknown. Thief known to Rhoane. Becomes spy for Taryn and Rhoane. Can see the Shadow Assassin.

  Eiric (Err-ic) ~ Danuri. Lover of Zakael.

  Eliahnna Tjaru (Ee-lahn-ah Shar-U) ~ Aelan. Daughter of Lliandra. Her heritage is much debated since Lliandra has never publicly named her father. She is third in line to the Light Throne. Descendant of Ho
use Nadrene.

  Ellie ~ Aelan. A maid in the service of Empress Lliandra assigned to Taryn upon her arrival in Talaith.

  Eoghan ap Narthvier (Eee-gan) ~ Eleri. Third Son to King Stephan and Queen Aislinn (now passed beyond the veils).

  Faelara Dal Arran (Fay-lara) ~ Aelan. Daughter of Brandt, Faelara is currently a lady-in-waiting to Empress Lliandra. Her Healing skills are legendary, as were her father’s. House Arran.

  Faisal dei Tarnovo (Fay-sal) ~ Summerlander. Sabina’s father and the king of the Summerlands. House Tarnov.

  Fayngaar (Fain-gar) ~ Rhoane’s stallion.

  Gameson ~ Aelan. (Master) Head tutor in the service of Empress Lliandra.

  Gris ~ Aelan. A kitchen boy in the service of Duke Anje.

  Gwyneira Tjaru ap Paderau (Gwin-eera ap Shar-U) ~ Aelan. Sister to Empress Lliandra, wife of Duke Anje, mother to Hayden. Gwyneira died after childbirth when Hayden was a young man. Houses Nadrene and Djeba.

  Hayden ap Valen ~ Aelan. Lord Valen, Marquis of the province Valen, son of Anje and Gwyneira. Hayden is cousin to the heirs of the Light Throne and the Obsidian Throne. Descendant of House Djeba.

  Herbret ~ Aelan. A minor noble in Talaith’s court. Descendant of House Gilfroy.

  Illanr (Ill-an-or) ~ A faerie maid in the service of King Stephan. Sister to Carld and Alasdair.

  Janeira (Juh-nair-a) ~ An Eleri warrior of great standing, excellent skill, and deadly capabilities.

  Julieta ~ Younger Goddess. Daughter of Rykoto and Daknys.

  Kaida (Kay-da) ~ A grierbas Taryn rescues in the Narthvier. They become companions and have the ability to speak with each other in their minds. Kaida can track the Shadow Assassin.

  Kaldaar (Cal-dar) ~ Elder God. Son of Nadra and Ohlin, worshipped by inhabitants of the Southeast until his banishment after the Great War. Kaldaar hasn’t been seen in Aelinae in over five thousand seasons.

  Lliandra Tjaru (Lee-on-dra Shar-U) ~ Aelan. Empress of Talaith, Lady of Light. Mother to Marissa, Taryn, Eliahnna, and Tessa. Lliandra is directly descended from the goddess Nadra. She is thought to be a just ruler who thinks of her subjects in all matters. House Nadrene.

  Lorilee ~ Aelan. A maid in the service of Duke Anje. Sister to Mayla.

  Marissa Tjaru (Shar-U) ~ Aelan. Crown Princess of Talaith, heir to the Light Throne, daughter of Lliandra and Esna (not named in books one or two). Descendant of House Nadrene.

  Mayla ~ Aelan. A maid in the service of Duke Anje. Sister to Lorilee.

  Margaret Tan ~ Geigan. Seamstress to Empress Lliandra, she often travels with the court. Her tailoring skills are said to be admired in all the kingdoms.

  Nadra ~ Mother of Aelinae, Great Mother of all Creation. Along with Ohlin, Nadra created Aelinae. Mother to Daknys, Rykoto, Kaldaar, and Verdaine.

  Nena ~ Race unknown. Owner of a house of prostitution in Talaith.

  Ohlin (O-lynn) ~ Father of Aelinae, Great Father of all Creation. Along with Nadra, Ohlin created Aelinae. Father to to Daknys, Rykoto, Kaldaar, and Verdaine.

  Oliver ~ Aelan. A servant in the service of Hayden, Lord Valen.

  Phantom ~ An unknown entity manipulating Celia, Herbret, and Marissa. The phantom is thought to be an agent of Kaldaar.

  Prateeni dei Tarnovo (Pruh-teen-ee) ~ Summerlander. Sabina’s mother and the Queen of the Summerlands. House Tarnov.

  Rhoane al Glennwoods ap Narthvier (Rone) ~ Eleri. First Son of Stephan, King of the Eleri, and Aislinn, Queen of the Eleri (now passed beyond the veils). At birth Rhoane was prophesied to be the Eirielle’s protector. When he was old enough, he took an oath forsaking all others and devoting his life to upholding Verdaine’s prophecy.

  Rykoto (Ree-ko-toe) ~ Elder God. Son of Nadra and Ohlin, worshipped by inhabitants of the Northwest and of the Dark. Rykoto was imprisoned in the Temple of Ardyn after the Great War.

  Sabina dei Tarnovo ~ Summerlander. Daughter of King Faisal and Queen Prateeni, Sabina was sent to Talaith to foster with Empress Lliandra. She was born without ShantiMari, a great disgrace to her family. Descendant of House Tarnov.

  Saeko (Say-koh) ~ A maid in the service of Taryn.

  Shadow Assassin ~ An unknown assailant stalking Taryn. He can ‘disappear’.

  Stephan ap Narthvier ~ King of the Eleri. Direct descendant from Verdaine.

  Tabul (Tah-buhl) ~ Summerlander. Spice merchant from Paderau.

  Tarro (Tare-O) ~ Danuri. Assistant to Margaret Tan. Lover of Armando.

  Taryn Rose ap Galendrin (Tare-in) ~ Daughter of Lliandra, Empress of Talaith, Lady of Light and Valterys, Overlord of the West, Lord of Darkness. Raised on Earth, Taryn grew up unaware of Aelinae, believing Brandt was her grandfather and only family. House Galendrin.

  Tessa Tjaru (Shar-U) ~ Aelan. Daughter of Lliandra and Razlog (not named in books one or two). She is fourth in line to the Light Throne. Descendant of House Nadrene.

  Timor (Tim-or) ~ Aelan. A soldier in the employ of Duke Anje, he is assigned to Taryn’s personal guard.

  Tinsley Alcath (Tins-lee All-koth) ~ Aelan. A young lord with business ties to Duke Anje and is often at Paderau Palace. Descendant of House Alcath.

  Tudyk (Too-dic) ~ Aelan. Sword Master in the service of Empress Lliandra.

  Valterys Djeba (Val-terr-iss D-jj-ay-ba) ~ Aelan. Overlord of the West, Lord of the Dark. Father to Taryn and Zakael. Valterys is directly descended from the god Ohlin. He rules his kingdom with a tight grasp on its economy and trade. His subjects think of him favorably. House Djeba.

  Verdaine (Vare-dane) ~ Elder Goddess. Daughter of Nadra and Ohlin, she is worshipped by the Eleri in the Narthvier.

  Zakael Djeba (Zah-K-ay-eel D-jj-ay-ba) ~ Aelan. Prince, heir to the Obsidian Throne. Son of Valterys and Troyanna. Descendant of House Djeba.

  Glossary of Terms

  Aelan (Ay-lan) Any person born of Aelinaen descent. These are usually men and women descended from the Elder Gods: Nadra, Ohlin, Daknys, Rykoto, and Kaldaar. In modern times, Aelan refers to those not of another race.

  Aelinae (Ay-lynn-ay) A world created by Nadra and Ohlin. It is disk-shaped with waterfalls at the edge of the world, and volcanoes beneath it.

  Aelinaen(s) (Ay-lynn-ee-an) Of or having to do with Aelan culture.

  Aergan (Air-gahn) An ancient, valuable ore found in only a few places on Aelinae.

  Air Faerie Winged Faeries who call on the elements of air for power.

  Anklam (Ahnk-lahm) A city on the coast, south of Talaith.

  Artagh (R-tah-g) Related to the Eleri, Artaghs lack the Eleri Glamour, as well as the sophistication of the ancient race. They are rumored to be the best at making weapons and working with metals, especially the fabled Godsteel found only in the Haversham Mountains. Outsiders are often distrusted and it's rare to find Artaghs far from their caves.

  Black Arts A twisted version of ShantiMari that binds ones soul forever to the banished god, Kaldaar. Practitioners can be either male or female, but females become barren once they invoke the Oath of Fealty. Because of this, they are viewed as Brothers alongside the men.

  Black Brotherhood The oldest, most secret religion in Aelinae's history. Much of the Brotherhood is unknown to any except those who are counted among the members. Once a practitioner is invited to join the Brotherhood, they are challenged to a series of tests, many of which require virginal sacrifices. See also Vessel. Membership is often passed from one family member to another, but the terms must be satisfied before being accepted. Those who do not satisfy the requirements, or are not deemed worthy are destroyed.

  Black Shanti and Black ShantiMari See also Black Arts. This form of ShantiMari uses chaos to fuel its power. External and internal sources give practitioners their strength. They pull their power from the world around them, or the inner conflict people try to conceal. The use of Black ShantiMari is shunned by the Light and Dark, but there are those who have found a way to manipulate the strands of light and shadow into a woven tapestry of devastation that cannot be traced. These are Masters that even the Black Brotherhood fear.

>   Caer Idris (Care Ee-dris) The ancestral home of The Overlord of the West. Currently, Valterys, Lord of Darkness sits on the Obsidian Throne.

  Carlix A sleek, winged feline who makes her home in the mountains known as the Spine of Ohlin. One of the first creatures to inhabit the planet of Aelinae. Often referred to for their flexibility and quick responses, the number of people who have actually seen a carlix is few.

  Cockleberry A yellowish fruit that grows in glens and meadows throughout Aelinae. With a taste similar to blackberries, cockleberries are often used in pies and tasty treats.

  Crystal Court The accepted nickname for the court of the Empress of Talaith.

  Crystal Palace The accepted nickname for the palace in Talaith where the Empress rules. It's fabled walls are made from a thin layer of rock clear enough to see through, yet unable to be penetrated by weapons or ShantiMari. No one knows who built the great palace, or where the stone came from.

  Cynfar (Sin-far) The Eleri name for a talisman given to someone. Usually a pendant, it can also be a bracelet, earrings, or even a small stone. It must be kept close to the recipient for maximum benefit, hence the use of jewelry.

  Dal Ferran (Dahl Fair-en) The fiery pits of hell beneath Aelinae's surface.

  Dal Tara (Dahl Tar-a) A celestial resting place for the Gods and those they deem worthy. It is located in the second quadrant of the Meirdia Nebula.