The Rise of the DawnstarThe Avalonia Chronicles, Book 2 Farah Oomerbhoy The Rise of the Dawnstar: The Avalonia Chronicles, Book 2 Copyright © 2019 Farah Oomerbhoy 2nd Edition This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance of fictional characters to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. All right reserved. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, photocopying, mechanical, or otherwise—without prior permission of the publisher and author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. eBook ISBN: 978-1-63489-933-8 Paperback ISBN: 978-1-63489-284-1 Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-63489-934-5 Audiobook ISBN: 978-1-63489-280-3 Library of Congress Catalog Number: 2017931500 Printed in the United States of America First Printing: 2019 23 22 212019 5 4 3 2 1 Editing by A R Editorial Solutions and Proof Positive Cover design by Steven Meyer-Rassow Map design by Josh Stolarz Interior design by Kate Tilton’s Author Services, LLC Wise Ink Creative Publishing 807 Broadway St. NE, Suite 46 Minneapolis, MN 55413 wiseink.com To my mother, for always believing in me. Contents Prologue 1. The Journey Begins 2. Briarwood Castle 3. Fugitive 4. Masquerade 5. The Archmage of Avalonia 6. Aurora Firedrake 7. The Starfire 8. The Pirate Prince 9. The Legend of the Dawnstar 10. The Drakaar 11. Tristan Nightshade 12. Iris 13. The Crystal Castle 14. The High Fae 15. The Ancient Fae 16. The Fae Codex 17. The House of Eos-Eirendil 18. Secrets 19. The Elder Council 20. The Temple 21. The Alkana 22. The Betrothal 23. Traitor 24. The Book of Abraxas 25. Illaria’s Chamber 26. The Heir of Illaria Lightbringer 27. The Rise of the Dawnstar 28. The Winds of Change Next up for Aurora… The Return of the Dragon Queen: Prologue Acknowledgments About the Author Prologue “Why is the girl still alive, Lucian?” asked a woman’s voice from a shadowy corner. “I’m working on it, my queen.” The Archmage of Avalonia swept into the darkened room, his black mage robes, bordered with gold, billowing around him as he walked. Broad-shouldered and regal in his bearing, he raised his right hand; the damp fireplace flared to life, warming the cold stone floor. The Queen of Illiador sat in a red velvet chair, staring into the flames that illuminated her heart-shaped face. The windows were shut against the cold air that had started blowing down from the north, and a dark mist swirled outside as the wind howled, racing through the kingdoms of Avalonia, heralding the coming of winter. “Then where is she?” Morgana snarled, rising slowly from her high-backed chair and turning to face the archmage. Her obsidian hair was loose and tangled, and her emerald eyes were bloodshot. Lucian bowed and his eyes narrowed as he addressed Morgana. “We have no idea. It is proving impossible to find her with magic. As long as she wears the Amulet of Auraken, I cannot determine her whereabouts.” “Yes, I know. But surely there are other ways to find her?” “Not with magic.” “Then find her without magic,” Morgana hissed. The archmage’s jaw tightened. “I have spies everywhere looking for the princess. The last we heard, she left the Summer Palace in the dark of night. That was days ago—by now she could be anywhere in the seven kingdoms.” Morgana clasped her hands together and started pacing in front of the fireplace. “She won’t get far on a normal horse; at least she doesn’t have the added advantage of a pegasus anymore.” Lucian coughed and looked down. Morgana’s eyebrows rose. “What are you not telling me, Lucian?” “There was an incident in the ruins, after you, um, left. My sources say the princess healed the pegasus.” “How is that possible? The pegasus was dead, I saw it with my own eyes.” Morgana paused as she assessed the archmage. “Is her healing power so great?” “I believe it is. She has the blood of the immortal fae running through her veins. You know how powerful their healers are, and she is stronger still. My sources say the healing she performed on that day was something no one has ever seen before.” Morgana seemed utterly unimpressed. “The Shadow Guard were supposed to kill the pegasus and the princess, but they failed.” Her eyes narrowed. “I thought you had trained them all personally. How can a little fool of a girl defeat the deadliest warriors of Illiador?” “She is too strong,” the archmage said, his face almost feral at the thought of the girl who had evaded them for over fifteen years. “The more she uses her magic, the more her power grows. There is no mage who can stand in her way now.” “Rubbish!” The flames in the fireplace leapt and danced as Morgana’s anger flared. “There is always a way.” Lucian didn’t blink an eye. “Whatever you say, my queen.” She flashed him a glare. “And what news is there from Eldoren? Are you sure your sister and her husband know what they’re doing?” Lucian nodded. “The Blackwaters will take over the throne of Eldoren as you have commanded. The plans are already set in motion.” “That is not enough,” Morgana snapped. “I want Prince Rafael dead as well. The Ravenswood dynasty supports Aurora, and none must be allowed to survive. We will strip her of all her allies and her friends. Without proper guidance, the girl is likely to destroy herself. Then we will strike when she is at her weakest.” “What about Izadora? The fae queen will never bow to your rule, you know.” She gave Lucian a pointed look. “Izadora will have no choice once I am done with her. My plans concerning Elfi are already underway. You just make sure Aurora never reaches her grandmother’s kingdom.” Lucian shook his head. “Forget her, Morgana.” He came closer and put his hand on her shoulder. “She is weak and foolish. She doesn’t have it in her to be queen. Like you said, she will eventually destroy herself. Concentrate on taking over the other kingdoms first. Once you are crowned High Queen of Avalonia, Aurora Firedrake will become a memory.” “I want her dead,
