Seer Fey – an ancient collection of Fey that held the gift of “sight.” As time progressed, they morphed into the category of creatures called Pixies. Seer Fey still maintain a presence in this world, though their numbers are greatly reduced. Wendren is the ArchFey who solidified the covenant between the Stars, Seer Fey, Man, and Dragon with the Amulet in the Bond of Blood and Fire
Dimn – the trainers of the creatures in their respective Clan (e.g. Dragondimn live in the Dragon Clan)
Andrachen – the family name of the Lismarian heirs, beginning with Aarkan the Firebringer and descending through Sebastian, Cedric, and Kinna.
Clans of West Ashwynd:
Centaurs
Cerberuses
Direwolves
Dragons
Dryads
Elves
Goblins
Griffons
Mammoths
Ogres
Phoenixes
Pixies
Sirens
Trolls
Unicorns
Valkyries
Measurements:
Orlach – approximately three inches.
Span – approximately a foot.
Length – approximately a yard.
Fieldspans – approximately a mile.
Money:
Sceptremarks
Denn – a hundred denn to one sceptremark
Psuche – the soul-connection between a human and a creature that allows them to know each other's thoughts and feelings.
Taibe – magic
Taibos/Taibas – sorcerer/sorceress
Acknowledgments
This book was unarguably the hardest book I've ever written. I found myself wandering through complicated plot threads, pulling my hair out by the roots, because what had I gotten myself into?
And so I must acknowledge my deepest thanks to my editor, Emily June Street, who patiently untangled many of the knots I tossed into the story. She wins ALL the Girl Scout merit badges.
To the Shenandoah Valley Writers and the Shenandoah Christian Writers, thanks for your forbearing critiques as you tackled the first draft or two of this book.
To the folks over at National Novel Writing Month, I truly appreciate the fire you lit under me to get this thing written. It was slow going there for a while—until November, and then smoke came from my keyboard.
To my beta readers, Taryn Noelle Kloeden, Kary Phillips, and Angie Breneman, your feedback is priceless! I truly appreciate all the time you took out of your schedule to read my “Dragon book” and let me know your thoughts.
To my husband, who puts up with my quirks, and to my children, who are too young to be embarrassed by them yet, thank you for humoring my dreams.
And most of all, to my Creator, thank you for every door you've opened for me. May it all circle back to you.
About the Author
Tamara Shoemaker lives in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with her husband, three children, a few jars of Nutella, and a never-empty carafe of coffee. She authored the best-selling Shadows in the Nursery Christian mystery series and Soul Survivor, another Christian mystery. Her fantasy books include the Heart of the Dragon trilogy as well as Guardian of the Vale trilogy.
@TamaraShoemaker
tshoebooks
www.tamarashoemaker.org.
Also by Tamara Shoemaker
Heart of a Dragon, Book One:
Kindle the Flame
Three young people are tangled in a web of political intrigue and corruption: Kinna, a teenage girl, struggles to find her place in a Clan that doesn't want her; Ayden, a lonely man, faces a bitter, loveless life enforced by a dark curse; and Cedric, an innocent youth, seeks answers about his mysterious past. Sebastian, their conniving king, manipulates their destinies with wicked intent. Will the three survive Sebastian's plots when their fiery heritage is revealed?
Guardian of the Vale Series:
Mark of Four
In a post-apocalyptic world where Elemental abilities can save or squander all human life, a teenage girl with unique skills seeks to protect her family, her friends, and the source of elemental power from an escaped criminal and his followers.
Shadows of Uprising
Alayne Worth possesses the Vale, an object of mysterious power coveted by other Elementals. Danger shadows her every step when this secret spreads. As she grieves the sudden death of her boyfriend at the hands of the notorious Shadow-Caster, Simeon Malachi, Alayne unravels the mysteries of the Vale and her past.
Shadows in the Nursery Series:
Broken Crowns
Pretty Little Maids
Ashes, Ashes
Soul Survivor
Coming Soon
Guardian of the Vale
The trilogy’s conclusion:
Fall 2016
Copyright © 2016 Tamara Shoemaker
All rights reserved
No part of this book may be reproduced or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. This is a work of fiction.
Cover design by SelfPubBookCovers.com/Daniela
Book design and production by Emily June Street at Luminous Creatures Press.
“Diamond Dragon” image © Anton Petrus and used under license from Bigstock.com