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Back The Shattered Lands Save as PDF
Chapters (47)
  1. Cover
  2. About the Author
  3. Dedication
  4. CHAPTER ONE
  5. CHAPTER TWO
  6. CHAPTER THREE
  7. CHAPTER FOUR
  8. CHAPTER FIVE
  9. CHAPTER SIX
  10. CHAPTER SEVEN
  11. CHAPTER EIGHT
  12. CHAPTER NINE
  13. CHAPTER TEN
  14. CHAPTER ELEVEN
  15. CHAPTER TWELVE
  16. CHAPTER THIRTEEN
  17. CHAPTER FOURTEEN
  18. CHAPTER FIFTEEN
  19. CHAPTER SIXTEEN
  20. CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
  21. CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
  22. CHAPTER NINETEEN
  23. CHAPTER TWENTY
  24. CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
  25. CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
  26. CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
  27. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
  28. CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
  29. CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
  30. CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
  31. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
  32. CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
  33. CHAPTER THIRTY
  34. CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
  35. CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
  36. CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
  37. CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
  38. CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
  39. CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
  40. CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
  41. CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
  42. CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
  43. CHAPTER FORTY
  44. CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
  45. CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
  46. Acknowledgements
  47. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING

The carriage came to a halt before she found the nerve to speak. Out of the window, a collapsed and ruined temple lay in heaps of rubble.

The altars, the offerings, the stained glass – all of it was shattered. Sapphire’s stomach turned at the sight.

An older woman took her hand when Sapphire climbed out of the carriage. She had the sign of the Elders hanging around her neck. A Prodigal – one of those who dedicated their lives to the Elders and their teachings.

‘We appreciate your visit, princess. Our mighty temple did not fare well.’

Sapphire stepped over a downed pillar, studying the debris.

‘How does a building like this collapse under a storm?’

‘We cannot be sure. Perhaps the Elders wanted a new place of worship.’

As they continued to walk, Sapphire couldn’t keep her eyes focused. Too many pieces of the puzzle were not making sense. Finally, they arrived at the centre of the rubble, a perfect circle free of any disturbance.

‘This is where we will rebuild. A sign of growth and a sign of where to begin.’ The Prodigal dropped to her knees and began to pray, and Kaian signalled that they should follow. But as Sapphire kneeled, she studied the untouched circle.

Do you like what you see, princess?

The voice was as clear as if the speaker kneeled beside her, and she jumped slightly at the intrusion. Kaian, Evera and the Prodigal did not notice, continuing their prayer.

Every temple they build will crumble.

The air was suddenly thick, causing Sapphire to cough. She stood up abruptly, walking away from the clearing and Kaian followed.

‘What is the history here?’

‘I don’t know what you mean.’

‘The war – was it fought here?’

The Prodigal joined them, and narrowed her eyes at Sapphire’s question. ‘The war was fought here, princess, yes. Won here, in fact. The Elders led in bravery and triumph against those who turned away from the proper life.’

‘Elders bless this land,’ Sapphire sputtered. ‘We will rebuild.’

The Prodigal smiled, and Kaian stepped away from her. Inside, Sapphire’s blood was boiling.

Blasphemy on your tongue, my child. Do not praise those beneath you.

She pulled at the jewelled collar that hung around her neck as the words ghosted over her skin. The Prodigal bowed, thanking them once again for visiting.

But as Sapphire stepped into the carriage, she looked over her shoulder once more to find the woman staring at her, an unpleasant look on her face.

And for a moment, Sapphire could have sworn she saw purple eyes staring at her from just beyond the woman’s shoulder.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Sapphire hated plenty about being a royal. The etiquette, the forced dinners and faked smiles – but she’d take a lifetime of all of that to never have to deal with wedding planning again.