Destiny's Star

Table of Contents

 

 

Praise for
WHITE STAR

 

“An engrossing story that will keep readers enthralled. The characters are interesting and appealing . . . Ms. Vaughan has crafted an interesting world where myths and reality blur. Filled with magic, gods and goddesses, and heroic deeds, the reader will never want to put this book down.”

—
Fresh Fiction

 

“There’s tension, turmoil, and adventure on every page. The characters—main and side alike—are interesting and enjoyable. The sex is fun, and the romance is undeniably sweet.”

—
Errant Dreams Reviews

 

“Vaughan world-builds with a depth and clarity that allows you to immerse yourself in the world of the hero and heroine . . . If you are looking for a book with colorful world-building, solid characters, and sound storytelling, this one might be just what you’re looking for.”

—
All About Romance

 

“A riveting and thoroughly enjoyable story.”

—
Romance Reviews Today

 

“Fans will appreciate the clever twist that Elizabeth Vaughan writes in
White Star,
as the latest return to her Warlands saga is a welcome entry in one of the best romantic fantasies of the last few years.”

—
Alternative Worlds

 

 

Praise for
DAGGER-STAR

 

“
Dagger-Star
is the perfect blend of fantasy and romance . . . A really enjoyable read.”

—
Fresh Fiction

 

“An excellent romantic fantasy . . . Readers will enjoy Elizabeth Vaughan’s superb, clever return to the desolate Warlands.”

—
Midwest Book Review

“Elizabeth Vaughan pens a story of love and adventure . . . You feel yourself being sucked into the adventure and don’t want to put the book down.”

—
Manic Readers

 

“In a return to the world of the Warlands trilogy, Elizabeth Vaughan successfully creates a new set of characters and a new story . . . A very satisfying read.”

—
Romance Reviews Today

 

“Gifted storyteller Vaughan delivers a tale of prophecy and rebellion . . . It’s as inventive and riveting as the rest of Vaughan’s novels!”

—
Romantic Times

 

 

 

WARLORD

 

“A superb climax to an excellent saga . . . Romance and fantasy readers will appreciate this terrific trio as Elizabeth Vaughan provides a fabulous finish to a superior story.”

—
Midwest Book Review

 

“An outstanding conclusion to an inventive and riveting trilogy with a passionate, powerful love story at its core.”

—
The Romance Reader

 

“A top-notch series, well written and enjoyable.”

—
Curled Up With a Good Book

 

 

WARSWORN

 

“A moving continuation of the wonderful
Warprize
. Bravo.”

—Jo Beverley

 

“I loved [this] sequel . . . I can’t wait for number three!”

—Anne McCaffrey

“The dramatic tension is riveting, and the emotional stakes are high in this excellent novel. Vaughan is an exceptional new talent, and the next chapter in this series will be highly anticipated!”

—
Romantic Times

 

“Readers will be delighted . . . Unusual and thoroughly enjoyable.”

—
Booklist

 

 

WARPRIZE

 

“Possibly the best romantic fantasy I have ever read!”

—Anne McCaffrey

 

“I loved
Warprize
! Keir is a hero to savor, and Elizabeth Vaughan is an author to watch.”

—Claire Delacroix

 

“Vaughan’s brawny barbarian romance re-creates the delicious feeling of adventure and the thrill of exploring mysterious cultures created by Robert E. Howard in his Conan books and makes for a satisfying escapist read with its enjoyable romance between a plucky . . . heroine and a truly heroic hero.”

—
Booklist

 

“The most entertaining book I’ve read all year.”

 

“Simply mesmerizing. The story is told flawlessly.”

 

“Wonderful . . . Run to the bookstore and pick up this debut.”

 

DAGGER-STAR
WHITE STAR
DESTINY’S STAR

Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada (a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)

Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

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Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

 

Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England

 

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.

 

DESTINY’S STAR

 

A Berkley Sensation Book / published by arrangement with the author PRINTING HISTORY

Berkley Sensation mass-market edition / April 2010

Copyright © 2010 by Elizabeth Vaughan.

 

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.

For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.

 

eISBN : 978-1-101-18658-9

 

BERKLEY
^®
SENSATION Berkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. BERKLEY
^®
SENSATION and the “B” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

 

 

SHE frowned, contemplating her choices, considering well. Lives depended on her choice, especially her own.

A blade? Or a mace?

Lady Bethral, Warder of the Castle of Edenrich and Protector of Her Majesty, Queen Gloriana, the Chosen of Palins, tightened the last of the buckles on her armor as she looked over the rack of weapons at her disposal.

“Don’t see why you bother even pretending,” Oris grumbled from behind her, his deep voice echoing off the stone walls of her office. “You’re gonna take the mace.”

Bethral looked over her shoulder at the older man, and raised an eyebrow. He shrugged, lifting his chin to meet her eyes. “You always do.”

“It’s true, Lady,” Alad chimed in. The younger man was nearer her height and could look her straight in the eye. He gave her one of his boyish grins, his blond hair falling into his eyes.

Bethral shrugged, then turned back and pulled the mace off the rack, securing it to her belt. “I like the feel of a mace.”

“Can’t understand why,” Oris said. “A blade’s a better choice. What if . . .”

Bethral ignored him as she checked her saddlebags for the final time. Oris was a good man of strong opinion. He did his job well, and if he voiced his opinion of weapons once in a while, it was fair enough.

“There’s times you need to slash, then there’s times you need to hack away,” Oris continued.

Alad sighed, and rolled his eyes.

Bethral looked around her office. Odd how things had turned out. She’d gone from simple mercenary to this in less than a year’s passing.

There was a grumbling sound from the windowsill. The ugly barn cat roused itself, stretching in the sun as it woke from its third nap of the morning. Red Gloves had once said that it looked like a soured boil with its mottled fur. Bethral wasn’t sure that was true, but it wasn’t the loveliest creature, that was certain.

The cat yawned, showing all its teeth, then started to wash its face.

“Then there’s stabbing,” Oris continued. “What good is a mace if you need to run something through? I ask you—”