Between Two Queens
The Second Book in The Magic of Scerone Trilogy
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
Steevon laughed then at their attempts to protect themselves. "It's useless. The game is over, the victor decided.
Jessica felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end at the sound of that voice. She looked up suddenly and, leaning slightly forward she peered between her father and her husband. For the first time she saw the two glittering figures already within the cabin.
"Jessica," Joshua called completely unaware of her predicament, without taking his eyes off of the approaching couple he called to her. "I need the power of the Amulet, now!"
The Guardian looked back down at the girl on the ground by her feet and then up into Charma's eyes, "You have to choose, child. Don't you see, that's what this whole thing was all about," the elderly woman whispered. Her words were filled with both pity and compassion for the decision she knew Jessica would have to make.
The Guardian looked down at the girl before her; ther was such hatred and malice in those young eyes. If she released the girl from the Amulet's touch, she could help Joshua defeat their attackers, but Reanna would die believing that the Guardian had orchestrated her abduction and abuse. If she stayed in contact with Reanna until she found a way to counter the spell...well, they might all be dead before she found a way to do that.
A flash of blue light struck the shield yet again, Tomas staggered back, clutching at his chest with a hand already stained with his own blood.
"Jessica!" Joshua cried in desperation, as he dug his heels in leaning hard against the barrier.
There was a voice screaming in Jessica's mind, it was telling her that she had just walked all of them into a trap and now their lives were on her shoulders.
She had condemened them all, a gift from the Guardian.
Steevon's eyes found the Guardian still kneeling in uncertainty. He had planned on that indecision, bet everything on it. The girl he had met over six months ago could no more make this decision than she could condemn him and Queen Maura to death. He smiled at her, a smile filled with the wicked intents of his mind.
"Hello, Little Guardian," he paused while he enjoyed the fear he saw playing across her face. "Hold that pose, I'll be with you in a moment."
"Jessie," Joshua spoke softly. It was only one word, her name, but in that one word was carried all the fear and uncertainty of his soul. Jessica was touched that he had not mentioned the fact that she had seemingly abandoned him until this very moment.
Steevon laughed, he had enjoyed the sound of the smaller man's fear. "Give us the Guardian and the rest of you can leave in peace," Steevon lied. "Except for you," he said pointing at Joshua, "We have something special planned for you."
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
In this sequel to The Amulet, Jessica and Joshua struggle to create the Crystal Ark, a talisman that has been prophesied would be necessary for their very survival. The dethroned queen Maura, and her ruthless champion, Steevon, have discovered a dark power that threatens the lives and freedom of the new king and queen. When death and terror are delivered to the surrounding cities, seemingly with the new Guardian's blessing, Jessica is forced to defend her honor. The strange nightmare's that plague the Guardian's sleep, her inability to create the Ark and the loss of all her allies combine against the young monarch in an effort to destroy her. It is then, when Jessica is the most vulnerable that a mysterious stranger appears claiming that she was destined to be his wife, and he, her Protector. It would seem the fates are against the new Guardian as she is forced to endure the last and most terrible betrayal that leaves her bereft even of the Amulet's power. It is then Jessica is forced to discover what she is truly made of.
About the Author
Nancy Beth Lawter married her husband, Buck, twenty five years ago. She is now the mother of nine children, all of whom she read to every night until they thought they were too old for her stories. But her love of reading and writing has influenced her children who are all avid readers. Nancy has written three books in the Magic of Scerone series. She was born in Ogden, Utah, but grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. She spent many wonderful summers on cedar mountain with her four sisters and two brothers. It was there on that mountain top that she first imagined a world called Scerone. Nancy has tearfully left the world of Scerone, (Though she does have plans for a prequel and one more later tale.) and is now working on Jack and the Magic Beans, a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk.