Streams to ashes, p.24
Streams to Ashes, page 24
“You’re not wearing your gown?” he asked as he pulled the ascot off his neck.
“Are you kidding me? And get a stain on this dress? It might be beautiful, but it’s as uncomfortable as riding backward on a goat.”
Once they had changed from their formal attire into clothes more comfortable, Ian led Abbi down the stairs, but instead of going to the wedding reception where the crowd celebrated Cassie’s marriage, Ian guided Abbie along a trail behind the castle kitchen to an old chapel and an herb garden. He stopped there, for the fresh fragrance of rosemary gave him pause. Ivy enveloped the wooden structure, and a soft moss coated the rotting wood. But what Ian found most remarkable was the effect the chapel had on him, as if he could almost hear a plea from the past, the voice being his daughter’s calling for him.
“I wonder if this was the place where Cassie hid from the soldiers,” Abbi whispered.
Ian didn’t answer, yet he was certain it was.
From there, he took a trail that wound its way through lush vegetation, down a hill, and which ended at the beach of a quiet bay. Ian stopped and listened to the crickets before he turned Abbi around to face him.
“Your eyes are red,” she said.
“So are yours.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out the remote that Elisa had given him. Tossing it in the air, and catching it again, he glanced at Abbi to see her reaction. Her eyes were wide.
“Not now,” she gasped. “Don’t go back now.”
He shook his head and bit his lip.
“How can we not share in the next chapter of Cassie’s life? There might be grandchildren.”
Tears had already trickled down her cheek. He kissed them gently.
“And you’re right. Alex abandoned me for this world when I needed him most. I won’t do that to my daughter. We’re good parents, Abbi. We aren’t going to forsake her. Besides, Martim seemed eager to have a new family.”
“We’re staying?” Her voice cracked.
“Does that sit well with you?”
“I would love to stay, Ian,” she whispered.
“Not at the palace. I’m not ready for that.”
“Where?” she asked.
“You won’t believe this.” He breathed a laugh.
“Tell me.”
“I met Brad and Elisa today. They’ve been chasing after the wizards on the back of the dragon, and Brad said something to me I couldn’t get out of my mind. I thought it ridiculous at first, but the more I let it stew, the more it seemed like ... I don’t know, like fate.”
Abbi gave him a puzzled look.
“Three times this last week someone called me King of Alcove Forest. You are one of them.”
Abbi’s eyes lit up. ‘We could do some real homesteading there. Alcove is a lovely woodland and it’s right on the water. In some places, you can look out over Elysian Fields and see the snow-covered peaks in the distance. We could travel to Kaempern and Alisubbo by boat. I would have Claudia to chat with. Horses to ride. You wouldn’t be far from your friends, and I bet they’d visit often. They might even help you build a log home. I say let’s do it.”
Ian studied her, captivated by her genuine smile and the twinkle that shone through her tears. Suddenly, he felt young again and motivated by another dream.
Ian squeezed the remote one last time and stepped back. With a burst of energy, he thrust it as hard as he could. It hit the water with a splash that sent a stream of blue dust flickering into the sky. He caressed Abbi and together they watched the ripples shimmer in the setting sun and finally melt into the bay.
“I think Silvio is right. The King of Alcove forest is on his way home.”
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Did you love Streams to Ashes? Then you should read Sword of Cho Nisi book 1 by D.L. Gardner!
When Erika accidentally kills the king of an allied island whose magic her father's kingdom needs, the entire populace is in jeopardy. With an enemy nation in the east, and an evil thaumaturge's army attacking from the north, King Tobias is left powerless against his foes.
Despondent over her mistake, Erika travels across the sea to make amends.
Arell had always thought of himself as a simple man, never imagining he could be a king. Despite his father's immigration to the island, he favors his mother's cultural traditions over his father's royal lineage. He has a strong aversion to residing in a castle, but his life is turned upside down when his father's body arrives home covered in mourning cloth, assuring Arell's coronation as King of Cho Nisi.
The only comfort he finds after the death of his father, and the burden of being king, is the comfort that a lovely red-haired princess offers. He loses his heart to her, but little does he know that she is the one who killed his father.
The islanders are relentless in their pursuit for justice and vengeance for their king's death. When they discover that Erika is the one responsible, Arell is faced with a gut-wrenching decision.
Meanwhile, Erika's brother, left without a wizard in the face of the dark lord's army, is overcome by evil.
"A masterful painter of words, D.L. Gardner's brushstrokes of prose bring to life a compelling fantasy tale that demonstrates the power of forgiveness and redemption in the aftermath of tragedy." - award-winning author Stephen Zimmer of the Fires In Eden Series
Overall, Rise of the Tobian Princess is a nicely packaged fantasy adventure with a good secondary romance. There's never a dull moment in here; it's jam-packed with monumental events and action to look forward to. Princess Erika is one hero that readers are going to be thrilled to discover. - Independent Book Review
Read more at D.L. Gardner’s site.
Also by D.L. Gardner
Hoarfrost Mysteries
Hoarfrost to Roses
Night Ice
Ian's Realm Saga
Ian's Realm Saga 10th Anniversary
Ian's Realm 10th Anniversary Edition
Layla
Diary of a Conjurer 10th Anniversary
Streams to Ashes
Lost on Taikus
The Tale of the Four Wizards
Escapades of the Magic Thief
Cassandra's Castle
Song of the Sea series
Sasha
Sword of Cho Nisi
Sword of Cho Nisi book 1
Fall of the Kings
Curse of Mount Ream
The Keeper
Silver Threads
Darkness Holds the Son
Sword of Cho Nisi Boxed Set
Standalone
Altered 2nd Edition
Thread of a Spider
Altered
An Unconventional Mr. Peadlebody
Pouraka
Where the Yellow Violets Grow
Dylan
The Far Side of Heaven
Ferris Wheel
The Magic Plum
Fables and Fantasy
Awakening of the Apprentice
Tales of Wonder Extended Edition
Watch for more at D.L. Gardner’s site.
About the Author
D.L. Gardner is an award-winning author and artist living in the Pacific Northwest. A lover of ocean breeze and mountain wildflowers, her works reflect a love for nature and an understanding of the human condition. Her fantasy works are character driven and classified as noblebright.
All her books are available on her website. Subscribe to her newsletter to keep up with the latest news.
https://gardnersart.com
Read more at D.L. Gardner’s site.
D.L. Gardner, Streams to Ashes
