Shawna Thomas Read online

  Journey of Dominion

  By Shawna Thomas

  Book two of The Triune Stones

  Sara, now known as Ilythra, the Wanderer of legend, continues north on her quest to find the Siobani, who hold the secrets of the magic stone around her neck.

  The stone’s magic leads her to help a trader in search of his brother. The hunt takes her into a land in the grip of an alchemical conspiracy. Lord Bredych of Greton has already schemed to control Ilythra’s stone once and weaves a web of scent, magic and manipulation to bring her to him. With Bredych’s fragrances intoxicating her and the song of his stone in her ears, Ilythra begins to forget her quest.

  The trader catches wind of Ilythra’s danger and rushes to her aid. With Ilythra’s mind muddled and the forces of an entire nation bent on controlling her stone, it will take an unthinkable act of sacrifice for her to continue her search for the Siobani.

  Sequel to Journey of Awakening.

  115,000 words

  Dear Reader,

  The month of May always brings, for me, the promise of new beginnings. I realize that it’s actually nearly the end of spring, but for some reason, I love the idea of May and that it means summer is coming and the fun is really about to begin!

  This month, very fitting for my excitement about new beginnings, we have three debut authors with stories releasing. Brighton Walsh joins Carina Press with her charming contemporary romance Plus One, where lifelong friends find deep-seated feelings growing into something more than friendship. Meanwhile, debut author Shawna Reppert has crafted a unique and captivating fantasy romance world in her male/male romance The Stolen Luck. Joining these two authors with a debut is S.G. Wong with the first Lola Starke novel, Die on Your Feet. Not only is this an unusual mix of mystery, paranormal and noir, but this book also has a striking cover that captured my imagination from the first look.

  Although not a debut author, Tamara Morgan joins Carina Press with the first in a new contemporary romance series. In The Rebound Girl, an outgoing plastic surgeon gets more than she bargained for when she offers to be the rebound girl for a sexy kindergarten teacher getting over his recent breakup.

  Along with new beginnings also come bittersweet goodbyes, and this month we wrap up Jax Garren’s fantastic science-fiction trilogy Tales of the Underlight. This series has kept us all on the edges of our seats with both the sexual tension between Hauk and Jolie and the fight to take out the Order of Ananke. Don’t miss the final installment, How Beauty Loved the Beast. Also wrapping up a trilogy this month, though on the opposite end of the romance spectrum, is contemporary romance author Kate Davies, offering the final installment of her high-school reunion trilogy, Girls Most Likely to…, with Life of the Party.

  As well, we have exciting offerings from a variety of veteran Carina Press authors this month. Jeffe Kennedy’s Ruby takes us to a contemporary world of BDSM and a sexy Cajun chef during the sensuality of New Orleans’s Mardis Gras. And last month saw the release of Volume 1 of our Love Letters anthologies. This month, discover four hot stories with a military twist in Love Letters Volume 2: Duty to Please.

  Sandy James, Shawna Thomas, Cathy Pegau and Stacy Gail all return to previously established worlds in their respective books. In Sandy James’s The Brazen Amazon, the Air Amazon is sent to protect computer wizard Zach from a rogue goddess who wants to use him to destroy the world. Journey of Dominion, book two of The Triune Stones series from Shawna Thomas, continues the story of Sara, trained from birth for one purpose: to reunite three ancient stones to restore balance to the lands.

  Female/female romance Deep Deception by Cathy Pegau follows the harrowing story of a beautiful agent and the woman she has no choice but to trust…until the secrets they’re each keeping threaten to get them both killed. And the plan for a demonic apocalypse is at last uncovered by a maimed member of the Nephilim and a scarred young woman who’s been to hell and back in Stacy Gail’s Wounded Angel, book three of The Earth Angels.

  Last but certainly not least, Dee J. Adams brings us the next installment in her high-octane Adrenaline Highs series with romantic suspense Living Dangerously. If you’re new to Dee’s books, you can easily start here, or go back to the beginning with Dangerous Race.

  This month, start a new series, revisit a favorite world or discover a new-to-you author with our May releases. And don’t forget to check out our catalog for backlist from these and other authors in all your preferred genres.

  We love to hear from readers, and you can email us your thoughts, comments and questions to [email protected]. You can also interact with Carina Press staff and authors on our blog, Twitter stream and Facebook fan page.

  Happy reading!

  ~Angela James

  Executive Editor, Carina Press

  www.carinapress.com

  www.twitter.com/carinapress

  www.facebook.com/carinapress

  Contents

  Part One

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Part Two

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Part Three

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Chapter Forty

  Chapter Forty-One

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Chapter Forty-Four

  Chapter Forty-Five

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Part One

  She was part of the stars and they were part of her. In their harmonies, she found rhythm and whirled down to earth with their light, the light of endless years, to touch upon a single grain of sand on a beach.

  Chapter One

  A gentle wind rustled the leaves over his head. Mohan paused and waited for the sporadic breeze to die down. Still no sounds issued from the glade, except an occasional snort from the horse. He stood motionless. A faint trace of roast meat and smoke tinted the air, a painful reminder that he’d not eaten when he broke camp hours before. Not that he had much to sink his teeth into, but denying reality took an edge from his hunger. The wind picked up again and he continued into the clearing, making no noise in the quiet night. He paused again as the trees thinned. Caution keeps thieves alive. Mohan smiled. It had been one of his grandpa’s favorite sayings. By the faint starlight and embers from a fire, he could see the silhouette of a horse on the near side of th
e clearing and across the fire pit, a still form under a dark blanket.

  The darkness softened. He glanced toward the sky almost hidden by interlaced branches and dense leaves. It would be dawn soon. Still, Mohan listened a moment more, picking up the even breaths from under the blanket before stepping into the clearing, his ears primed for any noise but careful not to look in the direction of the sleeper. “The eyes have magic,” his father used to say. “If you rest them on your mark, they will betray your presence.”

  Appreciation for the horse before him grew as he neared. It was a first-class animal with excellent proportions, no blemishes he could see and a lustrous coat that picked up the faint glow of the moon. He glanced quickly and added female to his assessment. Whoever was under the blanket took good care of his animal. A tradition Mohan would follow. Wide, intelligent eyes followed his advance. Arm outstretched, he neared the mare’s head, letting her grow accustomed to his scent. She nuzzled his hand as though looking for a treat. Mohan ran his other hand down her neck toward her legs. She was hobbled. He hesitated, debating whether or not to keep the hobble intact and decided against it; he didn’t know how much noise the mare would make if he attempted to remove the coiled rope from her legs. With care, he withdrew his knife to cut the cord, already plotting the course to his next destination, riding in style.

  Before he registered his knife flying from his hands into the brush, cold metal lay against his throat.

  “Now that’s really not very friendly, is it?”

  * * *

  When the man froze, Ilythra changed her stance, prepared for a sudden movement. “Get up, thief. Nice and easy.” Ilythra shifted her feet as the man stood. He was at least a head taller than she was, not thin but just shy of it. Her knife steady at his throat, she reached under his coat to the buckle that held a scabbard to his belt. He smelled of the woods in summer, a tad musty, but cleaner than most. A nice change from the traders she’d been traveling with. Ilythra resisted the urge to linger a moment and enjoy the scent and instead released the buckle and kicked his sword toward her bedding. He made a noise low in his throat. Like your sword, do you? “Now walk slowly to the fire.”

  The man moved toward the embers, his neck tense but not taking his gaze off her. Even with a knife at his throat, he had the hint of a swagger and the smooth movements of a seasoned fighter. His eyes gleamed in the faint light. He wasn’t scared, despite the metal pressed against his neck. Respect for him grew.

  “Who are you? And why shouldn’t I kill you?” Ilythra asked when they’d reached the scant light from the embers.

  “If you meant to kill me, you already would have.” His voice was smooth and even. She was right, not a trace of fear.

  Nothing so annoying as an arrogant thief.

  The faint light of the coals highlighted the sharp angle of his cheekbone and long, straight nose and strong jaw. “Don’t get cocky. I might still, given enough reason.” She increased the pressure of the knife against his skin, not enough to draw blood, but she knew he’d feel the blade’s bite.

  “Then, milady, I’ll give you no reason. It’s not often I met a woman of your...charms.” His gaze roamed her body.

  She was suddenly aware she only wore a thin shirt and leggings. He’s trying to distract me. Despite her words of caution, her cheeks warmed. Damn it. Men never affected her like this. “You already have given me enough reason. I suggest you leave my charms out of this and tell me who you are and why you’re here.”

  He shrugged, wincing as the blade broke his skin. “A traveler, making my way in the world.”

  Even with a small trickle of blood running down his neck, the man didn’t flinch or betray any fear. “And you tried to rob me because?”

  “From time to time I...relieve others of their excess baggage. Even things out. A service to society at large.”

  “You’re a thief.”

  His pale blue eyes sparkled in the faint light. “We all must use the talent we possess.”

  Ilythra grimaced. That much was true. “Then take a piece of advice. Choose whom you attempt to relieve of their excess baggage more wisely.”

  “I always heed the advice of a beautiful woman.”

  She removed the knife from his neck. “You’re irritating, but not dangerous.”

  “Why do I feel I’ve just been insulted?” He offered a short bow.

  She raised an eyebrow. “At being called irritating or not dangerous?”

  “Both, actually.” He smiled. “What is a beautiful woman doing out here on her own?”

  She was quite sure the quality of that smile had brought many women to their knees. “So you’re a thief, though not a very good one. You have a name?”

  “I object. I’m a very good thief.” He sounded insulted.

  Ilythra retrieved her tunic, slipped it over her shirt and laced it up. “Your name?”

  “Mohan.”

  “That’s not your name.”

  “If I answer to it, what does it matter?”

  She surprised herself with a laugh. It had been a long time since she’d even had the urge. It wasn’t often she enjoyed a conversation as much as she did this one. “I think I might like you.” She retrieved her boots from her bedroll, put them on and laced them up

  He grinned and moved to the fire pit, stretching his hands over the embers. “And you? Do you have name?”

  “They call me Ilythra.”

  “Which is not the same as your name.” He smiled again.

  Gods, that grin was a potent weapon. “It is who I am.”

  His teeth flashed in the glowing embers of the fire. “We’ll get along fine.”

  “Good. Now that that’s settled, why did you try and steal my horse?”

  “Why did you say I was no danger?”

  Her knife whirled through the air, burying itself in a tree behind and above Mohan.

  He eyed the knife then met her gaze. To his credit, he didn’t look ruffled, but his voice held new respect. “Good point.”

  “Answer the question.” She removed a packet of herbs and a clean cloth from her bag.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “You just did.”

  He smiled. “What woke you up? I made no noise.”

  Ilythra regarded him for a moment. The man seemed completely genuine. “Perhaps not to your ears. Tashi and I heard you long before you entered the clearing. Your second mistake was to assume I was sleeping. I wasn’t.”

  Mohan rubbed his neck, glancing around the camp and into the dusky forest. “I thought you were alone.”

  “I am. Tashi is my horse.” She nodded toward the mare casually regarding them.

  Mohan cocked his head, his blue eyes gleamed. “Wait a minute. Ilythra, you said? I know that name. The traveling healer, right?”

  So the stories had made their way out of the mountains. Ilythra knew she shouldn’t be surprised. She’d traveled with the traders since shortly after leaving the desert lands far to the south. Traders bargained with stories.

  “Didn’t you drive a horde of demons away from a village?”

  Ilythra squatted across the fire and stirred the embers with a charred stick, releasing sparks into the cool night air. She fed the coals, coaxing them to flames. The traders preferred colorful, entertaining tales. They weren’t restrained by accuracy.

  “Well?” Mohan insisted.

  “It was a fungus growing on their grain. No demons.” She poured water from her skin on the cloth and sprinkled it with a powder.

  “Ah, a fungus. On their grain.” His eyes gleamed. “And haven’t I heard that you defeated, single-handed, an army of bandits attacking a train of peddlers?”

  A small smiled stretched Ilythra’s mouth in answer to Mohan’s light tone. Asive and his band of traders. “Four. Now come here.”
>
  Mohan smiled, revealing dimples on either side of his mouth. His eyes were full of mischief and promise.

  “I want to see your wound,” she clarified.

  Mohan did as he was told, hissing a bit as the herb-coated cloth touched his neck. “Four?”

  “There were four bandits.”

  “I see. Either your name is bigger than you are or I’ve found the last humble and honest legend.”

  Ilythra’s smile turned wry. He was baiting her. “The two aren’t mutually exclusive.”

  One jaunty eyebrow raised, the thief continued to regard her. Firelight played along his features, caressing the plains and darkening the valleys. She followed the play, wondering if his skin was as soft as it appeared. Stop it, Ilythra.

  “I admit, rumors of my accomplishments have been stretched somewhat,” she said. “But not of my doing.”

  His eyebrow rose, further losing itself in dark bangs edged with gold from the firelight. “You do consider yourself a legend. Interesting.”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “You didn’t deny it either, and one would, don’t you think?” He neared. The warmth of his breath touched her skin. “You’re a friend of the traders?”

  She stood and moved toward Tashi. “The traders owe allegiance to no one.”

  “I know the trader’s creed as well as anyone. But we both know they have favorites.”

  She shrugged in silent agreement. “I often travel with them.”

  Mohan stared into the distance as if lost in thought. He nodded and stood in one fluid motion.

  Animal grace and charisma. Where Tobar had been muscled and powerful, this man was lean and built for speed. I should not feel like this. But she knew Tobar, leader of the Heleini, and the man who had stolen her heart wouldn’t consider it a betrayal. The Akier of the desert tribe had several wives. It was their custom and one of the reasons it was better she couldn’t stay in the Faisach with him. Sharing him would have eventually broken her heart.

  Even more than leaving him had.

  “And did you say what you were doing roaming through the woods, other than trying to rob defenseless women?”