“And what now?”
“I should forget about you,” she said gently. “I should, but I’m going to ask you one more time, Luykas. I love you. You’re my son. What can I do to get you to stop?”
“I’ll die before you destroy what’s left of the Andinna for your own power.”
“And for my children, your siblings. Don’t forget I’m leaving them a legacy of power and security. You would have had a part in it if you stayed with me.” She reached up, a spectral hand whispering over his cheek. “Are you sure this is the path you want?”
“Yes.” This wasn’t the first time he’d received the question from her. It wasn’t the first time he rejected her offer.
Her hand curled a little, almost clawing against his cheek, even though he couldn’t feel it.
“I won’t disown you,” she whispered. “I brought you into this world, just as I’ve brought two other children into this world. I’ll take you out of it if I have to, to protect them and the future I’m going to give them.”
“You can try.”
“I love you, Luykas. You’ll always be my firstborn.” She began to fade. “Grant me one boon. Find love. I want you to have that beautiful experience before this is over. Grant that one request from a mother about to see her son die.”
His chest tightened. He always knew when his mother was telling the truth—there was a sincerity she saved for her children that no one else ever saw.
She genuinely wanted him to fall in love.
She disappeared, her request hanging on the air.
He fell to his knees. He didn’t know how long he was there, trying to come to terms with the feelings.
A hand touched his back, and he looked up to see his brother.
“Will she come back?” he asked softly.
“No.” The word broke. Luykas despised his mother. He hated everything she did and allowed to be done in her name. He hated her. “She’ll be unable to once we’re further into the Dragon Spine.”
“Tomorrow, we’re going to begin planning the rebellion. Are you with me?”
Luykas looked up, staring into amber eyes his brother claimed from the Andinna. Luykas knew his gold was a gift from his mother’s side of the family. His grandfather had them. One of his half-siblings did as well.
It was cosmic cruelty, his mother’s request. She wanted him to experience love—little did she know, he was already in love with someone—someone who would never allow him to live if she knew he was Shadra’s son.
His mother had broken his heart before he even got to give it away.
And he wanted to kill her for it.
“I’m with you.”
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading!
Ah yeah. I did that. So, Mave and the Ivory Shadow Mercenary Company, truly the King’s Guard, and their people, will begin a rebellion. I can tell you from here, we’re going to explore the long talked about home of the Andinna, and much more of their histories and cultures, especially now that they’re home. I’m looking forward to the twists and turns of rebellion.
Mave is once again titled a Champion, this time in the name of her King, but first, she needs to prove she can be a rebel.
It’s going to be a ride.
Reviews are always welcome, whether you loved or hated the book. Please consider taking a few moments to leave one and know I appreciate every second of your time and I’m thankful.
And if I still have you…
You can come join me in being a little bit crazy in The Banet Pride, my facebook reader’s group. I have deleted scenes and chapters from different points of view posted for free!
About the Author
KristenBanetAuthor.com
Kristen Banet loves to read books that make people cry. She likes to write books that make people cry (and she wants to hear about it). She’s a firm believer that nothing and no one in this world is perfect, and she enjoys exploring those imperfections—trying to make the characters seem real on the page and not just in her head. Worlds of action, adventure, trying times, and true love are the things that get her writing.
She might be crazy, though. Her characters think so, but this can’t be confirmed. You might want to try asking her husband, two dogs, and cat.
You can join her in being a little bit crazy in The Banet Pride, her facebook reader’s group.
Also by Kristen Banet
The Tribunal Archives
Urban Fantasy
Jacky Leon
Oath Sworn
Family and Honor
Broken Loyalty
Kaliya Sahni
Bounty
Also by Kristen Banet
Reverse Harem
Epic Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance
Age of the Andinna
The Gladiator’s Downfall
The Mercenary’s Bounty
The Warrior’s Assault
The Rebel’s Vision
Witch of the Wild West
Bounty Hunters and Black Magic
Werewolves and Wranglers
Complete Series
The Redemption Saga
A Life of Shadows
A Heart of Shame
A Nature of Conflict
An Echo of Darkness
A Night of Redemption
Wild Junction
The Kingson Pride Series
Wild Pride
Wild Fire
Wild Souls
Wild Love
The Wolves of Wild Junction Duet
Prey to the Heart
Heart of the Pack
Andena Glossary
Feminine- ‘am’
Amin- Female
Ami- Baby
Amra- Mother
Arra- Mommy/Mom (Informal mother)
Amir- Sister
Amrya- Aunt
Amyra- Neice
Amran- Grandmother
Amanra- Lover/Wife
Masculine- ‘bod’
Bodin- Male
Bodi- Baby
Bodra- Father
Baba- Daddy/Dad (Informal father)
Bodara- Son
Bodyr- Brother
Bodrya- Uncle
Bodyra- Nephew
Bodran- Grandfather
Bodanra- Lover/Husband
Alternative Male and Female
Ahin- A gay female
Ahren- A female that is excessively submissive. Normally isn’t strong enough in personality to attract males.
Ahyara- Committed female-only relationship.
Bedin- A gay male.
Bedru- A male that is excessively dominate and possessive. Normally considered unsuitable to females due to dominance issues.
Bedyara- Committed male-only relationship.
General Terms
Ahea- Hello
Ohea- Goodbye
Al- The
Ut- You
Uta- Them
Et- Me/I
Rai- The term for the Andinna temper. No real translation.
Mativa- A ‘tradition keeper’, or someone, normally female, who passes on important cultural knowledge and leads a community.
Olda- Blood
Oldura- Official Andena word for a ‘Blackblood’. No real translation.
Tatua- The Andinna ‘ink’ normally done by a Blackblood with blood magic.
Mayara- Andinna family unit. The band of males who center on a female to protect serve, and in most cases, love. Generally husbands/lovers, but can also include brothers, fathers, sons, or just close male friends.
Illo- Big, large (Illon- bigger, larger)
Illi- Little, small (Illin- smaller, littler)
Oto- Old (Oton- older)
Oti- Young (Otin- younger)
Ildan- Friend
Ilanra- Beloved
Ildar- Adopted/Adopt/Adoptive in terms of family.
Raki- Mixed blood/mutt.
Ensam- An Andinna without social place. Forced out by the community or
by choice.
Mara- Life
Olmara- Birth
Moro- Death
Somaro- Elite warrior
Morok- Classic Andinna curved blade
Svamor- War group of Andinna.
Semara- Soul
Sema- Skies or just the sky.
Sita- Submit/Submissive
Andin- Dragon
Andinno- Wyvern
Vahne- Strong
Nola- King
Lera- Walk (Lerani- run)
Vorha- Mountain
Curses and Sayings
Kak- Shit
Amov/Bodov- Bitch for female and male respectively
Kuk- Ass
Voek- Damn
Linti- Pigeon
Voek al Sema- Damn the Skies
Na al Sema- By the Skies
Skies/Sema- a way Andinna reference their gods without blaspheming. “Damn the Skies.” “By the Skies.”
Anvea et- I’m sorry or ‘forgive me’
Et anvea ut- Apology accepted or ‘I forgive you’