Sheâs fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?
Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears heâs gone forever.
But thereâs a more immediate threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avryâs healing powers are needed now more than ever.
Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decisionâ¦.
Praise for New York Times bestselling author
âThe action in this book is non-stop, with many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing about whatâs in store on the next page.â
âExaminer.com on Scent of Magic
âFilled with Snyderâs trademark sarcastic humor, fast-paced action and creepy villainy, Touch of Power is a spellbinding romantic adventure that will leave readers salivating for the next book in the series.â
âUSA TODAY
âThe descriptions are vivid and draw you
into the rugged journey across the mountains. Youâll want to follow their voyage into the next book.â âRT Book Reviews on Touch of Power
âThis is one of those rare books
that will keep readers dreaming long after theyâve read it.â âPublishers Weekly on Poison Study, starred review
âSnyder delivers another excellent adventure.â
âPublishers Weekly on Fire Study
âA compelling new fantasy series.â
âSFX magazine on Sea Glass
CHAPTER 1
Cold air caressed my back. I rolled over, muttering at Kerrick for hogging the blanket, but stopped. Something felt...odd, wrong, missing. Opening my eyes, I confirmed the emptiness next to me. Kerrick was gone.
For a moment, I stared at the dent in the pillow. Had yesterday been a dream? Had I imagined Wynnâs betrayal, Tohon trapped in a magical stasis, Kerrickâs miraculous arrival, and the rest of the insanity?
No. The events replayed in my head with vivid details. The blood, the overpowering reek of dead ufas, and Wynnâs poisoned knife striking Kerrickâs arm. Poisoned with Death Lily toxin. Iâd thought Iâd sucked all the deadly poison from Kerrickâs wound...but what if I hadnât?
Icy fingers of fear wrapped around my heart. I shot to my feet and dressed in record time. Kerrickâs shirt, boots, and sword lay in a heap by the dying fire. Not good.
Out in the large main cavern, the rest of the infirmary staff stirred. I scanned the patientsâ cots on the off chance Kerrick had collapsed into one. He hadnât.
Loren added wood to the cooking hearth, poking it into a bright blaze.
I rushed over to him. âHave you seen Kerrick?â
âNope, and we figured we wouldnât see either of you until...â His smirk faded. âMaybe he went outside for some fresh air.â This in a hopeful tone.
âWithout his shirt?â
âWell, when nature calls...â
âOr his sword?â
Loren jumped up. âLetâs not panic, Avry.â
Too late.
âHave you searched the other caverns?â he asked.
âNot yet.â
âOkay, then you look for him inside, and Iâll go outside. If heâs not nearby, Iâll ask the guards if they saw him last night. All right?â
I nodded, but dread clawed up my throat. Kerrick wouldnât be in another cavern unless heâd been too sick to find his way back to me. Gulping down the tight knot, I grabbed a lantern and checked all the other sleeping areas.
A few people grumbled after I swept the light over them, but I didnât care.
Odd squinted in the brightness, but sat up as if heâd been awake. âWhatâs wrong?â
I explained.
He cursed. âNot only did Wynn stab us in the back, sheâs twisted the blade, too.â
âWhile Iâd love to plot revenge with youââ
âYeah, go. Iâll be right out.â
The other caverns yielded the same results. Even the one reserved for the privy. A detached part of my mind noted the buckets needed to be dumped. However my heart kept its frantic rhythm. That was the last place inside. Perhaps...
Running back to the main cavern, I spotted Loren and Odd talking to a soldier.
â...sometime after midnight,â the man said. âDonât recall if he came back or not.â