Novels by Lorene Smith

The women doled out bowls to everyone, and I sat apart while I ate my food and stewed over my circumstances. When I finished, I laid my bowl down and opened the ointment Lyra had given me.The contents were waxy and smelly, but though the smell was not terrible, I sealed it.“You need to use it because it will help.” I twitched at Tristan ’s voice, having not heard him approach out of the shadowed trees.He sat across the fire from me, picking up a stick and poking pensively at the embers before adding more wood. Then he looked up. “Well? Aren’t you going to put it on?”My fingers were stiff and would be worse come the morning, but for reasons I couldn’t explain, I set aside the jar.And was rewarded with a cry of exasperation from Tristan , who rose and circled the fire. “Give me the poultice.” Deeply aware that all eyes were on us, I handed over the tiny pot, cringing as he removed a large glob, the frugalness in me rejecting the excess.“You aren’t aware of the chests of silver

“Careful!” I tensed, frightened that the power might fracture his hand. But with absolute courage, he pushed his palm against the magic. Instead of resisting his touch, my magic allowed Tristan ’s palm to sink into it like water. I felt the moment he touched the pot itself, a soft pressure, whereas, with the blow of his axe, I’d felt nothing. The sensation traveled up my arm and down into my core, as though he touched not magic and metal, but my bare skin, and I shivered.“You get what you give,” he mumbled, then lifted his eyes from the magic to face mine. “Or perhaps more accurately, you give what you get.” The rest of the world slipped away as I considered his remarks, it felt for all the world like he was the first person to ever understand me. Except…that wasn’t quite it.My family understood me. My friends understood me. But there were things about me that they wanted to change, but Tristan appeared to accept the way I was. Seemed to foster the parts of my character that ev

The mountain top is a sacred ground.” Tristan’s palm pressed into my ribs to hold me stable. “No weapons are allowed, as all deaths must be in sacrifice to the gods, which means some level of safety within Vanda’s borders.” I didn’t take much comfort in that. “How long will it take us to reach the mountain?” “Tomorrow we’ll reach the village at the base of the mountain, where we’ll leave the horses,” he continued. Then another half day’s climb.” A night out in the open. I swallowed hard.“I think we should ride faster.” By the time dusk arrived, the horses were laboring hard and my body hurt from bouncing up and down for hours on Tristan’s lap. Judging from his groans as he gently dismounted his horse, collapsing on his back in the dirt and shouting at the heavens that he’d lost the ability to sire offspring, he’d not fared much better. Yet it was the first time since we’d left Mystic Rune pack that anyone laughed, so I appreciated the release of tension even i

Vanda was the sacred temple on the very summit of the mountain known as Hammar. Every nine years there was a gathering that attracted people from near and far to pay tribute to the gods and offer their sacrifices. I’d never been before, my parents had always declared that it was not a place for children, and this would be the first time it took place since I’d come of age.The great hall was in a bustle of activity, two dozen horses and several pack animals were mounted and loaded when I emerged in dry clothes and a heavy cloak. Lyra was guiding the procedure, the Luna of Mystic Rune pack no longer attired in a costly dress, but in warrior’s gear, including a mail shirt, and a long axe hanging from her belt. I had no question that she knew how to utilize it. Particularly when her opponent’s back was turned.“You will remain with the warriors I’m leaving behind to protect Mystic Rune pack,” Orion remarked to Owen. “You will be alpha in my absence. Send word across my domains call

My interest rose with each passing second as we traveled, soaking, back to the vast hall. ?” Tristan shook his head. “I merely provided the flame. Was Andronika who set them ablaze.” At my name, Owen turned from his brother, gazing at me up and down. I gave him the same courtesy. He was only slightly taller than I was and fairly thin, his hair golden blond where his brother’s was dark, and his eyes blue rather than green. “You are the warrior princess, then?” he asked, and without waiting for a response added, “I suppose I must congratulate you on your marriage to my father.” Nothing in his tone suggested congratulations, which was perhaps reasonable, considering that Lyra was his mother, but I gave him a little nod. “Thank you.” He glared, then turned his back on me in favor of his brother. “We captured a spy.” Tristan moved on his feet, gaze narrowing. “Whose spy?” An elder warrior, a man with brown skin and silver-streaked dark hair coiled

Tristan rushed at me again, and as I braced, I said, “Freyja, give me strength.”Power poured through me, magic encompassing my shield. I watchedTristan’s eyes widen, but it was too late for him to stop his blow.His barrier impacted my magic, and the contact catapulted him backward with such power that he sailed through the air, landing in the sea with a splash.Vanquishing my magic, I moved to the edge of the pier and saw him come spluttering to the surface, his shield floating nearby. “It seems you are the one who is wet, Tristan.” He stared at me and then swam toward the dock with forceful strokes, shield abandoned in the water. “Magic will only take you so far,” he growled. Alpha Orion wants you to become a warrior, not a glowing beacon in the shield wall that everyone will try to kill.”“You think I want to be a figurehead?” I demanded. “You think I asked to be named in a seer’s prophecy? I was going about my life when you galloped into it and tore it to shreds.”“Because life