THE SEED AND THE STONE
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Jayce’s fingers scrambled against the floorboards beneath the mat she slept upon, and sweat drenched her clothes, her hair, her pillow as she tossed and turned with dreams of plague spores sweeping Enterea, crossing the sea, finding her in Loshar…
A cool hand slid into hers, and a voice hushed her nightmares, calling her out of them and back to the light of a small, flickering lantern, held by a brown-haired man with lake-blue eyes and a gentle, concerned expression on his face.
Nels.
Jayce breathed, anchoring herself in the feel of his hand, noting how it warmed in hers, trying to ignore how sweaty her palm must feel. She squeezed his hand, then sat up, wrapping her arms around her knees and staring forward.
“Have they always been this bad? The nightmares?” Nels asked, setting the lantern down and scooting to be closer, his shoulder touching hers.
“No. They’re worse since…” she couldn’t get the words out. Tears squeezed from between her eyelids at the memory of that horrid, shadowy figure looming over Sav, who bled from a knife wound delivered by Leth Alend. She replayed it over and over in her mind, awake, asleep, it didn’t matter. She saw him, and she saw him taken away, like Javin had been.
She hadn’t been able to prevent it, even knowing what was going to happen. She had failed again.
She shuddered and dropped her head, gazing into her lap, creating a tiny, dark cave she could crawl into.
Nels wouldn’t let her be engulfed by the memories. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head softly.
His murmurs came out garbled in the wake of Jayce’s exhaustion, and she drifted off to sleep, this time without dreaming, her last awareness of him laying her down, and his warmth beside her.
The patter of raindrops and pale light through the room’s only window woke Jayce the next morning. The space beside her mat lay empty, and Nels was nowhere in sight. She lay a hand on the blankets and they were cool to the touch. He must have left soon after she fell asleep, then.
Was he trying to avoid starting rumors about where they were in their relationship?
She didn’t know what was normal when a man and woman were together. It had been several weeks since she and Nels had kissed in the ivy, and while they hadn’t announced anything, she was certain the others had picked up on the fact that they were together. Nels hardly left her side when he was around, and he was always touching her shoulder or elbow, or holding her hand.
They hadn’t gotten any farther than kissing in the close quarters they shared with Bentley and Yamalda, and Nels had insisted everyone have their own room. Even though he ended up in Jayce’s room often, when she cried out from the nightmares she had of the Plague King.
She absently rubbed at her eyebrow, then jerked her hand away. It was already half bald, and she was worried it wouldn’t grow back if she kept it up.
She clasped her hands together in her lap, yawning and staring at the plant marks on her skin.
More questions than answers still swirled in her mind. She had put off going to the temple of the Three in Loshar for three weeks. At first, her excuse had been looking after Javin. But as he regained his strength, her ability to dodge Yamalda’s demands had grown weaker.
Almost as if summoned by her thoughts, the warrior’s shadow darkened her doorway, leaning against the solid wood and picking under her fingernails with a knife.
“Get dressed. You’re coming with me this morning.”
Jayce gathered her legs beneath her and rose to her feet. “I was going to go to the market with Nels. We need supplies-”
“What we need,” Yamalda growled, stalking towards her. “Is for you to pull yourself together and rescue Savage.”
She stood taller than her usual height, bringing herself nose-to-nose with Jayce and managing to give off an air of intimidation that could have frightened any trained soldier.
Jayce took a shaky breath in and squared her shoulders, then stepped back to put more space between herself and the warrior. “I miss him too.”
“You don’t act like it,” Yamalda snarled.
“Put the knife away, Yamalda,” Bentley’s voice drifted into the room.
Yamalda gripped the knife’s hilt hard enough her knuckles turned white, and stared Jayce down for what seemed like an eternity, her green eyes fiery.
“Is something the problem?” Nels asked, coming up behind Bentley. His posture was casual, but his gaze searched over Jayce as if checking to make sure she hadn’t been harmed.
Yamalda crossed her arms over her chest. “We’ve put things off long enough. Sav has been trapped with the Plague King for nearly two turns while the temple of the Three is mere steps away. She could have rescued him weeks ago, but we’re all still here and I want to know why.”
“This magic is new to her. She had to recover, take care of her brother, and study Wortcunning’s work for any clues that might give vital context. Until she feels ready-”
“Nels,” Jayce cut in, gripping the sides of her nightdress. She wished she were dressed to have guests in her room, but she would say what needed to be said regardless.
All eyes rested on her, and she breathed deep, drawing strength from Nels’s presence.
“Yamalda is right. I’ve been putting it off. That isn’t fair to Sav, and it isn’t fair to any of you. I think…I think I’m finally ready to admit that it’s past time I went to the temple. I’ll go this afternoon.”
Her heart thudded so loudly she was certain everyone in the room could hear it, and she wiped her sweaty palms on her night dress.
“It might be better to wait for evening, so no one recognizes your face,” Nels urged.
Jayce shook her head, throat tightening. “The temple doors close after the Evening Song. I’ll leave as soon as I’ve dressed and eaten.”
To her relief, Yamalda and Bentley filed from her room without another word.
Nels lingered, rolling a polished stone between the fingers and palm of one hand. “I’m going with you, of course.”
She nodded, not seeing any need to argue. She would welcome him. Anything could happen at the temple, and getting there would be stressful enough.
He sighed, pocketing the stone and glancing around the bare room. “I’d hoped it would be more furnished before you came.”
She raised an eyebrow. What did he mean by that?
He caught her look and laughed, shaking his head. “Never mind. Silly dreams of a silly boy. I’ll let you get dressed.”
He turned to go.
Jayce’s heart leapt. She had wondered why he had chosen this house since they had arrived. A few strides forward brought her in reach of his hand and she took it.
“You aren’t silly. If this place is somehow part of a dream you have, I want to hear about it.” She glanced around at the rundown walls she had dusted, at the floor that she’d had to scrub when they first arrived. Everything had been covered in dust and cobwebs, and several areas were in the process of being renovated, with all the chaos that came with that.
But it was an enormous house for a man living by himself. What vision did he have for it? A store, perhaps?
His eyes shone as he gazed at her. “I haven’t given you the official tour, have I? Change your clothes and meet me downstairs.” Nels brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, then backed out of the room, shutting the door behind him.
Heart and mind racing, Jayce dressed as fast as she could, doing her hair in a braid and pinning it up against her head. She left her gloves. There were no plants to bother her in here, especially since she gained the ability to block out their voices and their touch was no longer frigid. Her hands still felt naked. She wasn’t used to leaving them bare. But it was freeing, too.
She found Nels in the front room across from the room they were using as a kitchen and dining area. She had assumed it was a sitting room, but he had stopped in the middle of building some sort of counter through the middle, which seemed odd.
He leaned against the half-made counter, running his hands along it. “I found a nice slab of granite to top this. It’ll be beautiful after I finish shaping and polishing it. Perfect place for your alchemistry set and apothecary tools.”
“I lost my alchemistry set in Enterea,” Jayce murmured, wondering why her heart was still beating so fast.
Nels pushed off from the counter and walked around behind, gesturing at the wide space. “Shelves would go here. All of your books and herbs, whatever else you need.” he glanced at her as he moved past her to the front of the room. “And this side is for my gems and jewelry. I’ll have display cases and a mirror on that wall, for ladies trying things on. And through this door…” he crossed the room again and opened the strange door on the opposite side.
Through it lay an overgrown garden, filled with brown and dead things, looking as if no one had touched it in ages.
She could just make out the stone path that wound through it.
“I have no idea what’s in there, but I’m sure you could bring plants from your garden at the apothecary. Or you could keep your business there, but I always imagined us working side by side.”
He stopped a few feet away, swinging his arms wide to gesture at the space, then shrugged his shoulders.
Jayce licked her lips. “You…you expect me to live here? With you?” She kept her tone curious, hoping he wouldn’t be offended by the question. She was still trying to wrap her mind around the thought.
“When my gem selling took off, this was the first thing I bought. Logically, I knew it was foolish. But I figured even if it took many ages for me to find a wife, to have children, or if I never married, I could always sell the place after fixing it up. Somewhere along the way, I started picturing you here, and after that…” he chuckled, rubbing the back of his head. “Well, I couldn’t get it out of my head. I think that’s when I knew I was really in love with you.”
He closed the space between them, taking her hands in his.
She gazed around the room, trying to imagine living and working there, Nels at her side, children playing at their feet while they worked…she felt the intensity of his stare and tried to muster the courage to meet it.
When she finally did, her breath caught at the blatant admiration shining from his lake-blue eyes.
“It’s a beautiful dream, Nels. I…” her conviction faltered. She had spent so long envisioning a future by herself, paying off her lifedebt. She couldn’t recall the last time she had let herself dream about anything else, and the past few turns had been full of chaos and adventure; she hadn’t had a moment to consider what would happen after.
Did she dare dream that there would be a life for her if she succeeded in rescuing Sav, in ridding the realm of the plague?
“You don’t have to say anything now. I know it might be overwhelming, and this,” he gestured between them. “Is still so new. But I wanted you to know what I hope for is a life with you, and I can provide, if that’s what you want. You can keep your apothecary, or you could never work another cycle in your life. I just want to spend mine with you.”
She tilted her chin up and met his lips halfway. His arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly against him. Moments passed. She didn’t know how long they stood like that, embracing, hearts pounding and blood rushing until they finally pulled away, slightly breathless, flush with the thrill.
“Thank you for showing this to me,” she said, leaning her head onto his shoulder.
He seemed to be expecting her to say more. Was this his way of proposing? Did he want her to agree to live this life with him, to make a permanent plan for the future? If she loved him, why did thinking about it fill her chest with a heavy sense of dread?
She opened her mouth, then closed it again, keenly aware of the silence stretching between them.
“It sounds wonderful. But I don’t think I can think about the future right now.”
He squeezed her again, sighing as he pulled away. “That’s all right. We can take this a cycle at a time.”
Jayce swallowed. He was so patient. Maybe too patient. He deserved someone who knew what they wanted - who wanted him, with hesitation.
She pushed the uncomfortable thoughts away and forced a smile on her face.
“When this is all over, I’d like to talk about your dream again,” she said, with some relief. Not a promise, but hopefully it would be enough.
He kissed the top of her head. “I’ve waited this long. I can wait a bit longer.”
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Plague King Chronicles
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Quill and the Vial SIGNED Special Edition Paperback
Order yours before they're all claimed!
Plants lie, and Jayce can hear them.
For seven years, a deadly plague has threatened the realm. Jayce has survived by using her plant magic to make and sell remedies, but most of her funds have been sucked dry by a corrupt debt collector and the impossible debt she owes the realm.
When a so-called “miracle cure” poisons Jayce’s clients, she seeks evidence to convict its creator of murder. Digging too deep exposes enemies that stalk and threaten her as she flees the capital, heading for the realm’s largest library.
On the way, she’ll face warrior monks, carnivorous reindeer, and her own dark past as she journeys to find a cure before the Plague King rises to wipe out the realm.
Jayce failed the world once. Can she prevent it from happening again?
THE QUILL AND THE VIAL is the first book in the Plague King Chronicles, a magical epic fantasy trilogy that is both cozy and dark. If you like warm drinks by the fire, vast lands, and fantastic adventures, you’ll love the Plague King Chronicles.
Travel the realm of Neldor with Jayce and Sav and buy this book today!
This SIGNED special edition paperback book comes with:
Painted edges
Colored Illustrations
Foiled and raised cover title font
Bonus apothecary journal pages
Adorable chapter headings
Fantasy map
Foil bookmark
Stickers
Author signature and personalization
Shipping internationally is available and will be billed seperately once I've gotten an accurate quote. I will email you with the final total, so please watch your email!
Quill and the Vial SIGNED Special Edition Hardcover
This is the second print run, now with NEW under the cover art. Order yours before they're all claimed!
Plants lie, and Jayce can hear them.
For seven years, a deadly plague has threatened the realm. Jayce has survived by using her plant magic to make and sell remedies, but most of her funds have been sucked dry by a corrupt debt collector and the impossible debt she owes the realm.
When a so-called “miracle cure” poisons Jayce’s clients, she seeks evidence to convict its creator of murder. Digging too deep exposes enemies that stalk and threaten her as she flees the capital, heading for the realm’s largest library.
On the way, she’ll face warrior monks, carnivorous reindeer, and her own dark past as she journeys to find a cure before the Plague King rises to wipe out the realm.
Jayce failed the world once. Can she prevent it from happening again?
THE QUILL AND THE VIAL is the first book in the Plague King Chronicles, a magical epic fantasy trilogy that is both cozy and dark. If you like warm drinks by the fire, vast lands, and fantastic adventures, you’ll love the Plague King Chronicles.
Travel the realm of Neldor with Jayce and Sav and buy this book today!
This SIGNED hardcover book comes with:
- Painted edges
- Art UNDER the dust jacket!
- Colored Illustrations
- Foiled and raised dust jacket cover title font
- Bonus apothecary journal pages
- Adorable chapter headings
- Fantasy map
- Foiled bookmark
- Stickers
- Author signature and personalization
Shipping internationally is available and will be billed seperately once I've gotten an accurate quote. I will email you with the final total, so please watch your email!
Quill and the Vial AUDIOBOOK
“An epic fantasy adventure with a cozy, magical twist.”
Jayce has the unique ability to communicate with plants, giving her an edge as she journeys across a plague-threatened realm on a quest to find a cure.
The Quill and the Vial is an immersive, fun read for fans of epic fantasy looking for something both sweeping and heartwarming.
Get the audiobook of The Quill and the Vial for only $10! Discount only available on my bookstore.
**This is a digital download. A link to download on Bookfunnel will be provided via a PDF download after purchase.**
Quill and the Vial Ebook
Get the ebook before it hits retailers and at a DISCOUNT!
Plants lie, and Jayce can hear them.
For seven years, a deadly plague has threatened the realm. Jayce has survived by using her plant magic to make and sell remedies, but most of her funds have been sucked dry by a corrupt debt collector and the impossible debt she owes the realm.
When a so-called “miracle cure” poisons Jayce’s clients, she seeks evidence to convict its creator of murder. Digging too deep exposes enemies that stalk and threaten her as she flees the capital, heading for the realm’s largest library.
On the way, she’ll face warrior monks, carnivorous reindeer, and her own dark past as she journeys to find a cure before the Plague King rises to wipe out the realm.
Jayce failed the world once. Can she prevent it from happening again?
THE QUILL AND THE VIAL is the first book in the Plague King Chronicles, a magical epic fantasy trilogy that is both cozy and dark. If you like warm drinks by the fire, vast lands, and fantastic adventures, you’ll love the Plague King Chronicles.
Travel the realm of Neldor with Jayce and Sav and buy this book today!
**This is a digital download. A link to download on Bookfunnel will be provided via a PDF download after purchase.**
Arrow & the Ivy SIGNED Special Edition Paperback
Order yours before they're all claimed!
Trees keep secrets.
With a magical plague devastating Neldor, Jayce journeys to the prestigious Ivory Guilds to seek a translation and a cure. Yet the Guilds, with their ancient halls of knowledge, are anything but safe. Secrets grow like ivy in the shadows—tangled with ambition, betrayal, and whispers of rebellion.
The deeper Jayce dives into her quest to find a cure, the more evidence arises that her enigmatic ally, Sav, withholds information that endangers them all. To complicate matters further, a childhood friend guards his own secret—a truth she’s not ready to confront. As these secrets unravel, Jayce must decide who she can truly trust.
Can Jayce untangle the mysteries of the Guilds before the plague consumes everything? Or will the truth she uncovers unravel her world—and her heart?
The Arrow and the Ivy, the enchanting second book in the Plague King Chronicles, is a tale for readers who crave rich worlds, quiet magic, and unforgettable characters.
Curl up with a cup of tea and continue the Plague King Chronicles adventure today!
This SIGNED paperback book comes with:
- Printed edges
- Foiled and raised cover title font
- Bonus journal pages
- Fancy chapter headings
- Character art
- Foiled bookmark
- Stickers
- Author signature and personalization
Shipping internationally is available and will be billed seperately once I've gotten an accurate quote. I will email you with the final total, so please watch your email!
Arrow & the Ivy SIGNED Special Edition Hardcover
Order yours before they're all claimed!
Trees keep secrets.
With a magical plague devastating Neldor, Jayce journeys to the prestigious Ivory Guilds to seek a translation and a cure. Yet the Guilds, with their ancient halls of knowledge, are anything but safe. Secrets grow like ivy in the shadows—tangled with ambition, betrayal, and whispers of rebellion.
The deeper Jayce dives into her quest to find a cure, the more evidence arises that her enigmatic ally, Sav, withholds information that endangers them all. To complicate matters further, a childhood friend guards his own secret—a truth she’s not ready to confront. As these secrets unravel, Jayce must decide who she can truly trust.
Can Jayce untangle the mysteries of the Guilds before the plague consumes everything? Or will the truth she uncovers unravel her world—and her heart?
The Arrow and the Ivy, the enchanting second book in the Plague King Chronicles, is a tale for readers who crave rich worlds, quiet magic, and unforgettable characters.
Curl up with a cup of tea and continue the Plague King Chronicles adventure today!
This SIGNED hardcover book comes with:
- Printed edges
- Foiled Art UNDER the dust jacket!
- Colored Illustrations
- Foiled and raised dust jacket cover title font
- Bonus journal pages
- Fancy chapter headings
- Character art
- Fantasy map
- Foiled bookmark
- Stickers
- Author signature and personalization
Shipping internationally is available and will be billed seperately once I've gotten an accurate quote. I will email you with the final total, so please watch your email!
Arrow & the Ivy Audiobook
The lovely Elaina Anderson has returned as narrator for book 2!
Trees keep secrets.
With a magical plague devastating Neldor, Jayce journeys to the prestigious Ivory Guilds to seek a translation and a cure. Yet the Guilds, with their ancient halls of knowledge, are anything but safe. Secrets grow like ivy in the shadows—tangled with ambition, betrayal, and whispers of rebellion.
The deeper Jayce dives into her quest to find a cure, the more evidence arises that her enigmatic ally, Sav, withholds information that endangers them all. To complicate matters further, a childhood friend guards his own secret—a truth she’s not ready to confront. As these secrets unravel, Jayce must decide who she can truly trust.
Can Jayce untangle the mysteries of the Guilds before the plague consumes everything? Or will the truth she uncovers unravel her world—and her heart?
The Arrow and the Ivy, the enchanting second book in the Plague King Chronicles, is a tale for readers who crave rich worlds, quiet magic, and unforgettable characters.
Curl up with a cup of tea and continue the Plague King Chronicles adventure today!
**Delivered via a PDF containing a Bookfunnel link**
Arrow & the Ivy Ebook
Trees keep secrets.
With a magical plague devastating Neldor, Jayce journeys to the prestigious Ivory Guilds to seek a translation and a cure. Yet the Guilds, with their ancient halls of knowledge, are anything but safe. Secrets grow like ivy in the shadows—tangled with ambition, betrayal, and whispers of rebellion.
The deeper Jayce dives into her quest to find a cure, the more evidence arises that her enigmatic ally, Sav, withholds information that endangers them all. To complicate matters further, a childhood friend guards his own secret—a truth she’s not ready to confront. As these secrets unravel, Jayce must decide who she can truly trust.
Can Jayce untangle the mysteries of the Guilds before the plague consumes everything? Or will the truth she uncovers unravel her world—and her heart?
The Arrow and the Ivy, the enchanting second book in the Plague King Chronicles, is a tale for readers who crave rich worlds, quiet magic, and unforgettable characters.
Curl up with a cup of tea and continue the Plague King Chronicles adventure today!
**Delivered via a PDF containing a Bookfunnel link**
