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  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 consistent cheerleaders: my parents and my close friends and family, both home and abroad, thanks! You've sometimes brought me back from the edge of giving up.

  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