The Fifth Pearl
Jade Faustina · Ongoing · 50.1k Words
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Introduction
Four there are meant to be,
Only four to rule the sea.
If one should pass, another be born,
To replace the last and keep the four.
A fifth was born, to replace the passed,
But a lie it was on the four's behalf.
A trick, a lie, a mistake all the same,
The fifth will forever be shamed.
A girl, who can create pearls in a land where only fire reigns; A boy, who is framed as a prince in order to survive; A plot, that will shake the throne until the end of time.
Hello dear readers! I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoy writing it.
To be blunt, I am not very good with making covers, so please feel free to experiment. I would love to see different cover ideas and would like to use them! Message me if you have any questions or covers!
(Cover done with Canva. Picture credit to shutterstock.com)
Only four to rule the sea.
If one should pass, another be born,
To replace the last and keep the four.
A fifth was born, to replace the passed,
But a lie it was on the four's behalf.
A trick, a lie, a mistake all the same,
The fifth will forever be shamed.
A girl, who can create pearls in a land where only fire reigns; A boy, who is framed as a prince in order to survive; A plot, that will shake the throne until the end of time.
Hello dear readers! I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoy writing it.
To be blunt, I am not very good with making covers, so please feel free to experiment. I would love to see different cover ideas and would like to use them! Message me if you have any questions or covers!
(Cover done with Canva. Picture credit to shutterstock.com)
Chapter 1
I saw them coming up over the hill.
Three figures, struggling to run; the biggest one limping with the two smaller ones on each side. I watched as they tumbled down to the base of the hill, got up and continued running. They were halfway to me when I saw horses reach the crest of the hill moments after.
I turned and sprinted to the edge of the sea cliff. I knew raising the sea was dangerous because of all the changing currents, not to mention the fish, but there wasn't any time for them to run to the beach. I chanced a look behind me and saw the three figures were much closer now. I could hear them shouting. The thunder of horse hooves were closing in as well, only confirming what I already assumed: time was up.
I gritted my teeth and heaved up the ocean, like one would heave up a heavy box, and brought it right to the edge of the sea cliff. A little dingy bobbed up and down as the sea sloshed back and forth like someone had kicked a bucket of water. I looked behind me to see the three people hobbling over the small incline: one boy, one man, and one girl.
"Remi!" The girl exclaimed, breathless. "The ocean! Pa said-"
"I know what Pa said! Now get in the boat!" I barked at them. My arms started to ache from the weight of the water. It was fighting against me this time.
"Torryn's injured." The boy wheezed. They hobbled past me and managed to settle Torryn into the small dingy. The cut went from his hip to the top of his knee, silver spilled out at a fast pace.
"You have to stop the bleeding Kas!" I looked behind me again and saw the horses were seventy gallops away, at least.
"Remi-" Torryn gasped.
Sixty gallops.
"I tried but the horses-!" Tears started to roll down Kas' face. I knew my young foster sister did what she could before she was cut short when the horses came after them.
Fifty gallops.
I could hardly keep my arms up. The water had already started draining down the side of the cliff, back into its original position.
"Remi, get in the boat!" The boy realized the water level was rapidly sinking.
Forty gallops.
"Listen to me!" I dropped to my left knee and, as a result, the water dropped to the same side. My foster siblings screamed and I quickly leveled the water. "Miles, you remember how to get to the Aquitis' home?"
Thirty gallops.
The boy, Miles, nodded. "Do you!?" I shouted, missing his quiet answer.
"Yes!" Miles shouted back. The water dropped another three feet.
Twenty gallops.
"Good. Kas, you remember your herbal lessons? Mina will help you once you're over there." Another three feet. "Follow the shoreline and don't stop rowing!" My arms and legs gave out and the water dropped several feet with a thundering crash.
Ten gallops.
On all fours, I crawled over to the edge. I saw a little brown boat being tossed around as the ocean settled and saw two bent heads. As I watched, Miles grabbed the oars and started to row while Kas was bent over to bind Torryn's leg to stop the bleeding.
They were right behind me.
In one last effort to save my foster siblings, I brought my shaking arms up in front of me, made a circular movement and gently blew a breath of air, efficiently creating a dense fog barrier between the ocean and cliff.
Energy completely gone, I collapsed onto the ground and closed my eyes.
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✦ ✦ ✦
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Book 2 - The Heir of Flame and Fang
At thirteen, everything changed.
After her parents were murdered, she was cursed by a powerful witch and used as a vessel for Elder magic. Saving her life came at an impossible cost; the curse was broken, but so was the wolf inside her, leaving her human.
Ten years later, Talia hides her grief behind sharp sarcasm and a smile she no longer believes. When a rogue attack proves she can no longer protect herself, or the people she loves, she leaves the only home she's ever known for the quiet human town of Ashbourne Hollow, determined to disappear.
Instead, she catches the attention of the town's most dangerous owner.
Alaric Lazarus is a vampire who rules from the black castle overlooking Ashbourne Hollow. He is cold, enigmatic, and impossible to read, but he awakens something in Talia she can't explain. She doesn't trust him. He trusts her even less.
Then vampires begin turning up dead.
Forced into an uneasy alliance, Talia and Alaric uncover a trail that leads back to the family she lost... and the curse she thought she'd escaped. As old enemies emerge from the shadows and buried secrets come to light, Talia discovers that everything she believed about her past was a lie.
Because the curse that stole her wolf was never meant to save her.
It was meant to lead her to him.
This is book 3 in the series, but it can be read as a standalone.
Book 1 - The Matchmaker
Book 2 - The Heir of Flame and Fang
