DragonBound, page 30
He closed his eyes and extended his senses, searching for the injuries still draining Bailey’s life. A puncture wound in his side and one in his leg. A vicious strangulation mark around his neck was the most probable cause, he thought, as he soothed inflamed muscles and widened swollen airways. He bent over him and breathed air into his lungs, watching Bailey’s chest rise and fall. As he repeated the motion, over and over, he drifted, leaving his body. Returning to the Oblivion Gate, he walked through its silent halls until he found Bailey sitting outside the lattice work gate. He looked so young and vulnerable, clothed in a grimy, blood-streaked shirt far too big for him, and not much else.
“This is not the place for you, Bailey,” Mav murmured as he sat on the onyx bench beside him.
“I’m tired,” Bailey said, his blue eyes dull and lifeless.
“I know, but you can survive these wounds if you want to. It’s up to you.”
“I’m tired of people expecting me to be more than I am. That just because I’m pretty they can choose what they do to me.” He sighed. “I’m tired of being weak and dependent on others to protect me.”
The brief altercation flashed through Mav’s mind. Of Bailey stepping in front of Brennan, protecting him with just a dagger. He had held his own for a brief moment but slid to one knee as the guard threw a knife and it embedded in his leg. The guard cinching a wire around his throat as another blade penetrated his ribs. Xylvin roared, and the guard flinched back and then screamed as Xylvin pounced and Bailey fell to the ground, blood pouring from his wounds.
“You are not weak and you are not defenceless. If it wasn’t for you protecting Brennan and the other kids, they would have been hurt too. You fought off a man much larger than yourself.”
“But he still hurt me enough that I ended up here.” There was a pause. “Kiara’s here, isn’t she?”
“Yes. I’m sorry, but she is.”
“She was shouting at me to go back, but she shouldn’t be here alone.”
“Oh, Bailey.” Mav swept him into a hug, dragging him onto his lap. “Kiara will never be alone, for she will always be with me. But you, it’s not your time yet, my dearest boy. You have much to give to this world yet, in the land of the living.”
Bailey leaned into him. “Really?”
“Yes, with me here in Eidolon, if you want to. I am the new Gate Keeper, and I have much to do.”
Bailey shifted in his arms. “The new Gate Keeper?” he asked as he peered up, a spark of interest in his vivid blue eyes.
Mav smiled. “Yes. Kiara is going to help me, and I want you to help me, too. But you have to help from the other side, the side of the living.”
“Kiara will still be with us?”
“For as long as she wants to be.”
“And I can stay here with you and her?”
Mav nodded and the rain-splattered glade returned to his awareness. Icy droplets penetrated his clothes and trickled down his neck.
Bailey’s chest rose and fell of its own accord, and Mav heaved a heartfelt sigh of relief as he leaned back on his heels. He waited and Bailey’s chest rose again.
“Xylvin, can you and Ryvalin take Bailey back to Puronia? Ask Felather to care for him and then return here?”
“Of course.”
Mav rose and pushed his hair out of his face, weariness tugging at him. “Solanji?”
“Here, my love.”
“Was it your brother, Brennan? Is he alright?”
“He’s a little traumatised, but he will be well.”
Rubbing his face, Mav smiled at Brennan, a smaller version of Solanji. “Hi, Brennan. It’s nice to finally meet you. I’m, Mav, Solanji’s friend.” His smile faltered as Brennan shrank away from him, pressing into Solanji’s side. “I’m glad you are safe. I think it’s best we return you along with Shandra and Muntra to the homestead for now, let the kids return to a little normality. Solanji can stay and look after you all while we figure out what’s best for everyone. Xylvin and Ryvalin will take you when they return from taking Bailey to Puronia.”
“I want to go where Bailey goes,” Muntra said, a determined expression on his face.
“Very well. Xylvin is taking him back to the citadel to recover. My scribe, Felather, will meet you there, along with Kerris.”
“Kerris? He’s in Puronia?” Muntra gasped.
“Yes. He crossed the divide to find me. I am sure he will be really glad to see you.”
“He stayed in Puronia? But how? We are all soulless.”
Mav smiled, certainty spreading through him. “Because he is my fledgling, just like you, Shandra, and Bailey are.”
Expressions of anguish and hope warred on Muntra’s face. “You can’t want me,” he whispered. “I failed them all.”
“Oh, Muntra. You never failed anyone.” Mav hugged him tight. “Without you, none of them would have survived. Bailey needs you, so get yourself on that dragon and make sure he arrives safely.”
Mav stared out over the burning compound, blind to the chaos and destruction. There was much in Eidolon that needed fixing. But for now, he would make sure his family were safe. He hugged Solanji tight, wrapping his arms around her and Brennan.
Given time, Solanji would master SoulBreathing and return Brennan’s soul. His fledglings would be given the choice of staying with him or leaving, and he needed to learn what being the Oblivion Gate’s Keeper meant. He intended on taking up the mantle and protecting these people. He had no doubt that was more easily said than done.
Instinctively, he recognised his connection to the Oblivion Gate. The Gate in return was tentative, uncertain of its regard. He would have to earn its respect.
And then there was Kaenera. The God would be incandescent with fury, weakened, and out for vengeance. And his target would be Demavrian.
EPILOGUE
Mav walked through the silent halls of the Oblivion Gate. Torches flared with green-tinged flames as he passed, casting eerie pools of light. His fledglings were scattered and in disarray. He needed to collect them all and speak to them, reassure them, offer them the choice. A new life in Puronia or a life with him in Eidolon. He hoped they would help him build a new home. There were many secrets the Oblivion Gate had yet to reveal; their company would be a blessing as they attempted to unravel them. There was even more work to be done in Eidolon.
Kiara’s cool presence embraced him, and he smiled as she briefly manifested, her cheeky grin undiminished. “Thank you, Mav,” she whispered. “I’ll be the best Gate Wraith ever.” Cold lips kissed his cheek.
“You’re the only Gate Wraith there’s ever been,” he replied as he tousled her hair.
“Low bar to cross then! I’m already the best,” she laughed as she spun away. “I’m the world’s best ever Gate Wraith to the world’s best ever Gate Keeper.”
“Of that I have no doubt,” Mav said with a grin, as he followed her through the halls of the Oblivion Gate. The new Gate Keeper surveyed his domain and smiled.
THE END
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Mav needs to discover the secrets of the Oblivion Gate and defend himself against Kaenera's revenge. Solanji tries to find her brother’s soul, and Mav’s fledglings decide whether they want to take up residence in the Oblivion Gate.
BOOK THREE OF THE SOULMIST SERIES
Due to be released in 2024.
OblivionGate, Book Three of the SoulMist series
Having defeated four counts of Apologia, Demavrian has every right to be feeling triumphant, but the threat hanging over his head from the vengeful god, Kaenera, is enough to snuff out any celebrations.
His fledglings are distraught and in disarray. Solanji’s brother is still without a soul and she has no idea how her soulbreathing works. He has no idea how to manage the Oblivion Gate and even with his Gate Wraith’s help, the burden of the soulless banging on the gate may be his undoing.
If Demavrian doesn’t learn the secrets of the Oblivion Gate fast enough, he may be the shortest lived Gate Keeper in history.
Sign up to my newsletter (via www.helengarraway.com) to find out first when book three of the SoulMist series is released.
GLOSSARY
Angels
Demavrian (duh-MAV-ri-un) Archdeus
Amaridin (a-MA-RI-din) Archdeus
Veradeus (v-AIR-ad-ay-us) God, father of Demavrian and Amaridin
Malena, (Mah-Lain-ah) Veradeus’ Wife
Kaenara (k-nair-a) Veradeus’ brother
Serenia (s-REN-i-a) Archangel
Athenia (a-th-eh-ni-a) Archangel, SoulBreather
Goloran (go-law-ran) Archangel
Capt. Julius Teravin (t-air-a-vin) Captain of the Heavenly Host
Eladriz/Adriz (el-a-driz) Cherubim
Felather (fell-a-th-ur) Scribe
Sero (s-air-ro) Cherub
Ryvalin (riv-a-lin) Captain of the Heavenly Host
Xylvin (SHIL-vin) Dragon
Kyrill (k-i-rill) Seraphim
Valerian (Val-AIR-ian) Amaridin’s partner
Dalruan (Dal-rue-an) Seraphim
Lianderis (Lee-an-dare-iss) Seraphim
Councillors
Neralon (N-AIR-ah-lon)
Palent (Pay-lent)
Mort (Mor-t)
Groller (Gruh-ler)
Laener (LAY-ner)
Dorne (Door-n)
Mortals
Solanji (so-lan-j-i) Mortal
Brennan/Bren (bren-an) Solanji’s younger brother
Georgi (j-or-gi) Solanji’s elder brother
Kerris. (k-air-riss) Orphan
Shandra (sh-an-druh) Orphan
Muntra (mun-truh) Orphan
Bailey (bay-li) Orphan
Kiara (key-ar-a) Orphan
Tannie (Tan-ee) Orphan
Locations
Angelicus (an-zh-el-i-cus) country
Puronia (p-roh-ni-a) Capital city of Angelicus
Bruatra (bru-ar-tra) Town in south Angelicus
Eidolon (Eye-d-oh-lon) Country
Merapol (m-air-a-pol) town
Jinnel (j-in-eh-l) town
Apologia (ap-o-low-gee-a) Formal process to prove innocence of charges or forfeit life.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing is such a joy and a pleasure. I am so relieved that I put pen to paper that day and started writing and haven’t stopped.
DragonBound is the second book in the SoulMist series, the second series I have written, and it is just as exciting to be writing ‘The End’ in this book, as it has been for any other book.
Writing a book is a labour of love. You create characters you fall in love with, and then you put them through all sorts of pain and anguish, and have to get them out the other end, resolving those situations you put them in and offering them some sense of completion. It certainly gets your brain cells working, but it is such fun!
Thank to my editor, Maddy Glenn, for making me dig deep and split my original story into two books. You wouldn’t have been reading DragonBound otherwise. Delving deeper into the world and my characters has made for a much richer story. I hope you agree! The benefit to my readers is of course this series is now at least a trilogy instead of the duology I had planned.
Thank you to Michael, my alpha reader who has been on this journey with me from day one, offers unstinting support, and is always ready to read another one of my books.
My wonderful team of ARC readers continues to grow. Thank you to each of you for joining me on this journey, I really appreciate all your support, comments and feedback. Click this link to sign up to my ARC team if you are interested in reading my books early.
I love my cover. Seeing my characters brought to life is such a great feeling. The cover was designed by the Ukrainian creative company MiblArt, who have continued to support their authors through very difficult times. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
Thank you all.
Helen
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Helen Garraway is the USA Today Bestselling author of the award winning epic fantasy Sentinal series which was first published in 2020, followed by the first book of the fantasy romance SoulMist series, SoulBreather, released in 2022 as part of the Realm of Darkness boxset.
An avid reader of many different fiction genres, a love she inherited from her mother, Helen writes fantasy novels and also enjoys paper crafting and scrapbooking as an escape from the pressure of the day job.
Having graduated from the University of Southampton with a Degree in Politics and International Relations, she remains an active member of their alumni.You can find out more at www.helengarraway.com.
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SENTINAL SERIES
Interested in my epic Fantasy Sentinal series? Find out more at www.helengarraway.com
Available in the format of your choice.
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Sentinals Awaken is the first book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.
Remargaren is a vibrant, ancient world. With Goddesses, Sentinals, Rangers and Ascendants all trying to protect or attain that which is important to them.
Join me on the journey, as we meet Jerrol Haven, a King’s Ranger, who is destined to become Lady Leyandrii’s Captain. A role lost in the mists of time after her last Captain spectacularly disappeared with her when she sundered the Bloodstone and banished all magic from the world.
Throw into the mix some magical creatures, magic seeping back into the world, an insidious disease affecting the Watches of Vespiri and the tall sentinal trees, the only reminder of the Lady's Guards, her faithful Sentinals, and we have the Sentinals Series.
We travel deeper into the world of Remargaren as Jerrol grapples with the expectations of goddesses and kings, and tries to stay alive long enough to figure out how he can wake the ancient guards sleeping in their tall trees. They are his only hope to help him protect their world against the wild magic of the shadowy Ascendants.
SENTINALS AWAKEN
Sentinals Awaken is the first book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.
As a three thousand-year-old threat reemerges, only one man has the power to awaken the world's greatest protectors and restore order to the realm. He just doesn’t know it yet. When Jerrol Haven, a captain in the King’s Rangers, discovers treason at the highest level, he knows immediately that the knowledge puts his life at risk. And indeed, though he expected the ailing king to shield him, the ambitious Crown Prince sentences Jerrol to death.
What hold does the Prince have over his weakened father, and who or what is he protecting?
Now, with signs that her veil is weakening and the Ascendants are creeping back into power, the goddess, Leyandrii, has returned and is in dire need of Jerrol’s help. For though he doesn’t know it, Jerrol possesses a rare gift: By chance, he touches a revered Sentinal tree and awakens Birlerion, one of the Lady’s personal guard who have been sleeping in the strange, tall trees since they were last called to battle. Aided by Birlerion, Jerrol flees and begins his journey to help Lady Leyandrii save Remargaren once more.
But time is running out: As it was with the king, the old guard lords are everywhere being usurped, attacked, and assassinated. Jerrol must unravel the mystery of the Ascendants’ return, stop the sinister force that is dividing good families through bloodshed and betrayal, and rescue the king—and his troubles are only just beginning.
Ideal for lovers of The Witcher, Tad William’s Shadowmarch or David Eddings’ Belgarion series.
Global Book Award Silver Medal, Wishing Shelf Book Award Bronze Medal, Readers’ Favorite Finalist.
Helen Garraway, DragonBound
