Lapidary

I climbed the steps up Heaven’s Window, ignoring my aching muscles. Once I reached the top, I looked around at the beautiful islands surrounding me then straight down where pieces of stone were scattered – these were the gargoyles. They had turned back to stone once they had died, which meant Astaroth and Luther had won the fight. Or had Devton stepped in, once I had flown away, and ended them?

In the ocean, several kelpies were swimming with the mermaids. There was no sign of the sea serpent, and I assumed it had moved on again. I hoped it didn’t return. On the land, the daimons were walking around, and everyone was going on about their business. People were whispering on the street that today, the day I had created a shield to protect Vesea, would be remembered as The Shielding.

I studied the painting of Devton’s father before clicking my fingers, summoning heavenly fire – the same fire that had been lost since the angel Hockmael had died in The Shaking. I don’t know how I possessed this gift, but it came to me as naturally as blinking. Yet, my fire did nothing to the painting and I realized that we would need to find another way to get rid of it. I went downstairs and found Devton at the bottom, where he said he’d meet me. He stuck his hand into his pocket and pulled out my engagement ring – White Crystal and all. “This belongs to you.”

I took it and slid it into my pocket. My heart tightened because he had stolen from me and because he had lied about the other half of the crystal. I had trusted him with all my heart, and he had broken it.

“The reapers were able to take the many souls to other worlds,” Devton said. “They were able to move on.”

“But the world isn’t back to normal, is it?”

“Depends on what you see as normal.”

I remained silent for a moment, contemplating what I could tell him. Should I tell him my wings had turned silver because of the different types of magic which were now a part of me? Should I tell him that Ayana had visited me?

“Nat, what you said…”

I love you too much to let you lose me. In that moment, I had meant those words. I had thought I was going to die. And now I had another chance to tell Devton how I felt, and I certainly did love him, and didn’t want to lose him, but I no longer trusted him.

“Dev….” I looked past him and tensed when I saw someone standing in front of the ice cream shop, watching me. Alinac wasn’t the only one who had gone to the Netherworld and returned. This male was looking at me, with deep yearning eyes. His hair was as black as night and silky as ever. His pointy ears were prominent, and he opened his arms for me. I couldn’t stop myself from running to him and flinging myself against his chest. Solid. Real. He was back.

My Ryker was back.

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank each and every person who has transformed this duology from a Word Document on my laptop, to a published novel on Amazon. Without my team, I would never have been able to complete this project.

I’d like to thank my editor, Nerine Dorman, for her continual support, hard work and suggestions regarding the improvement of Lapidary. I learn something new every time we work together.

I’d also like to thank my designer, Disa Jane Burger, for bringing the world of Testatha, and the city of Vesea, to life by creating two maps as well as the book covers. Your creativity and dedication inspires me.

Thank you for my proofreaders! This includes my mother, Heidi Grossberg. Thank you for reading the novel before publication to check for typos. I appreciate your effort and support.

Kealyn (Geertruida) Rijnhout, thank you for taking the time to check for errors so diligently. It means a lot to me that you’ve read some of my first books, and stayed a loyal friend and supporter.

Thank you, Malgorzata Siwecka, for proofreading this book and always being there to talk to. Your friendship means so much to me.

Thank you, JP Nel, for my author photo. Thank you, Masha du Toit for formatting Lapidary for kindle, and Nerine, thank you for formatting it for paperback.

And, thank you, each and every reader!

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