In Stone's Clasp

by Christie Golden

  “Enter,” the Emperor called. The massive, dark doors slowly opened to reveal the slender form of a woman. She was in her middle years but still quite the beauty. Her proper, demure robes could not hide her exotic appearance, though, with her dark skin and black hair. She bowed to the Emperor, to the Mage, still picking up red pieces of the shattered orb, and nodded at the advisor, who stared at her with thinly veiled hostility.

  “This is your new colleague, my old friend. She knows a great deal about the Flame Dancer and is eager to work with us.”

  The woman now bowed to the advisor, but he could tell the gesture was an empty one.

  “Greetings,” she said in a cool voice. “My name is Yeshi.”

  * * * * *

  Under Sea’s Shadow

  the next Dancer

  will be found

  Coming from LUNA Books

  in 2006!

  GLOSSARY

  Arrun Woods: Mylikki’s village

  Arukan: the name of Kevla’s country

  Arukani: native to Arukan

  Bai: Generic term for Bai-khas and Bai-shas Bai-sha: “female without father,” derogatory term for illegitimate girl or woman

  Bayinba: Lamali term for “raids”

  Blessing cloth: magic fabric woven by the tasskali

  Clan of the Four Waters: Kevla’s clan

  Gahalgeese: bird of Lamal

  halaan: slang for “prostitute”

  hamantu: the spirit of stonesteaming, embodied by the steam rising up after water is tossed onto the hot rocks

  huskaa: bard or minstrel

  huskaa-lal: apprentice huskaa

  Kevat-aanta: “Spring-Bringer,” term for Jareth

  kha: unit of money, gold

  khashim: Lord of the clan; plural khashims

  khashima: Lady of the clan

  khashimu: the young heir, prince

  kirvi: Lamali deer

  kyndela: Lamali stringed instrument

  kurjah: Arukani term for the male organ

  kuli: demon

  Lamal: Jareth’s homeland, the farthest land north

  liah: gazelle-like creature

  Riversong: village in Lamal

  rhia: a flowing garment worn in Arukan by both sexes

  sa’abah: desert animals, with long, fluffy tails, long legs with broad feet, small “hands,” long ears

  Skalka Valley: Jareth’s village

  selva: large mythic Lamali creature similar to a deer or caribou; tended by the taaskali

  -sha-: “daughter of”

  Shamizan: board game with colored glass “stones”

  simmar: big cat of the desert

  skeltha: literally “long sticks” used by the Lamali as skis

  snow walkers: snowshoes

  stonesteaming hut: Lamali equivalent of a sauna or sweatlodge

  sulim: Arukani term for female genitalia

  Summer Realm: Lamali term for the afterlife

  Tahmu-kha-Rakyn: Kevla’s father, khashim of the Clan of Four Waters

  taaskal: a wizard or enchanter, person of powerful magic, plural taaskali

  Two Lakes: village where Taya is from

  uhlal: term of respect, “gentleman” or “sir”

  uhlala: female term, “Lady” or “Ma’am”

  usk: gathered bunch of birth branches used in the stonesteaming hut

  COMING NEXT MONTH

  Be enthralled, moved, thrilled, delighted…and satisfied by exceptional reads from outstanding authors and well-loved series.

  Come back every two weeks for newly released selections in eight varied categories offering stories that appeal to every taste and mood.

  Have a great time!

  AVAILABLE NOW

  Showcase

  Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books

  KILLER TAKES ALL by Erica Spindler, MIRA (psychological thriller)

  BEFORE SUNRISE by Diana Palmer, HQN (contemporary romance)

  DARK SKY by Carla Neggers, MIRA (romantic suspense)

  50 HARBOR STREET by Debbie Macomber, MIRA (women’s fiction)

  GHOST WALK by Heather Graham, MIRA (paranormal mystery)

  MASQUERADE by Brenda Joyce, HQN (historical romance)

  Sexy Reads

  Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents

  THE ITALIAN’S STOLEN BRIDE by Emma Darcy, Harlequin Presents

  UNCONTROLLABLE by Susan Kearney, Harlequin Blaze

  WHATEVER RILEY WANTS by Maureen Child, Silhouette Desire

  SEXY ALL OVER by Jamie Sobrato, Harlequin Blaze

  HOT TO THE TOUCH by Jennifer Greene, Silhouette Desire

  TALKING ABOUT SEX… by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Harlequin Blaze

  THE TYCOON’S TROPHY WIFE by Miranda Lee, Harlequin Presents

  Romantic Suspense

  Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments

  MAN OF HER DREAMS by Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue

  LOVING THE LONE WOLF by Ingrid Weaver, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  GHOST HORSE by Patricia Rosemoor, Harlequin Intrigue

  SUSPICIOUS by Heather Graham, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  RIDER ON FIRE by Sharon Sala, Silhouette Intimate Moments

  SECURITY MEASURES by Joanna Wayne, Harlequin Intrigue

  Inspirational

  Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café.

  LOVING FEELINGS by Gail Gaymer Martin, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  FOR THE TWINS’ SAKE by Jillian Hart, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  NOTE OF PERIL by Hannah Alexander, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  UNDER COVER OF DARKNESS by Elizabeth White, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  BLACK HILLS BRIDE by Deb Kastner, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  WINDINGO TWILIGHT by Colleen Rhoads, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  MILLION DOLLAR DILEMMA by Judy Baer, Steeple Hill Café

  STORM CLOUDS by Cheryl Wolverton, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  DIE BEFORE NIGHTFALL by Shirlee McCoy, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  DECK THE HALLS by Arlene James, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  Women’s Fiction

  Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next

  THERE’S ALWAYS PLAN B by Susan Mallery, Harlequin Next

  RIGGS PARK by Ellyn Bache, Harlequin Next

  CUTTING THROUGH by Joan Hohl, Harlequin Next

  THE ME I USED TO BE by Jennifer Archer, Harlequin Next

  PELICAN BAY by Charlotte Douglas, Harlequin Next

  Women’s Action Adventure

  Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell

  ONCE A THIEF by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell

  HOT PURSUIT by Kathryn Jensen, Silhouette Bombshell

  DEVIL’S BARGAIN by Rachel Caine, Silhouette Bombshell

  THE GOLDEN GIRL by Erica Orloff, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  FLAWLESS by Michele Hauf, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  Chick Lit

  Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink

  WITH OR WITHOUT YOU by Carole Matthews, Red Dress Ink

  KILLER SUMMER by Lynda Curnyn, Red Dress Ink

  DO THEY WEAR HIGH HEELS IN HEAVEN? By Erica Orloff, Red Dress Ink

  THE NIGHT I GOT LUCKY by Laura Caldwell, Red Dress Ink

  Fantasy/Science Fiction

  Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the fi
rst imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books

  THE DESTINED QUEEN by Deborah Hale, LUNA

  URBAN SHAMAN by C.E. Murphy, LUNA

  POISON STUDY by Maria V. Snyder, LUNA

  IN STONE’S CLASP by Christie Golden, LUNA

  ON SALE NOVEMBER 1

  Showcase

  Enthralling stories by the brightest stars in women’s fiction—from MIRA Books. Big romances that sweep you away—from HQN Books

  CODE NAME: BABY by Christina Skye, HQN Books (romantic suspense)

  Romantic Suspense

  Danger…romance…adventure…suspense! Stories that will take your breath away—from Harlequin Intrigue and Silhouette Intimate Moments

  EPIPHANY by Rita Heron, Mallery Kane, Debra Webb, Harlequin Intrigue

  Inspirational

  Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café.

  HER BROTHER’S KEEPER by Valerie Hansen, Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense

  Women’s Fiction

  Books that celebrate the “next” stage of women’s lives…because every life has a second chapter! From Harlequin Next

  STARTING FROM SCRATCH by Marie Ferrarella, Harlequin Next

  Fantasy/Science Fiction

  Powerful, magical tales, vivid characters and richly imagined worlds from the first imprint solely dedicated to female focused fantasy—Luna Books

  WINTER MOON by Mercedes Lackey, Tanith Lee, C.E. Murphy, LUNA

  ON SALE NOVEMBER 15

  Sexy Reads

  Powerful, provocative tales full of heat and passion—from Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire and Harlequin Presents

  BOSS MAN by Diana Palmer, Silhouette Desire

  Inspirational

  Stories of faith, hope and love that warm the heart and nourish the soul—from Steeple Hill Love Inspired. Compelling suspense—from Love Inspired Suspense. Faith-inspired chic lit from Steeple Hill Café.

  WEDDING AT WILDWOOD by Lenora Worth, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

  Women’s Action Adventure

  Strong, sexy, savvy heroines who save the day…and always get their man. From Silhouette Bombshell

  LETHALLY BLONDE by Nancy Bartholomew, Silhouette Bombshell The It Girls miniseries

  Chic Lit

  Women’s fiction with attitude, these humorous, edgy, hip stories celebrate life’s little curves…From Red Dress Ink

  SCENES FROM A HOLIDAY by Laurie Graff, Caren Lissner, Melanie Murray, Red Dress Ink