It’s #BookQW – don’t get caught ‘short’ of reads for #PrideMonth!
Guardian of the Pines brings back old friends from Book 1 and meets new wizards for outdoor adventure, ancient tree magic and a sweet gay romance.
More of the excerpt from Chapter 8:
Fern crossed her arms. She shouldn’t say it, but… “You’re being unreasonably stubborn about blocking outsiders from a resource everyone admires.”
“The very reason it’s still a resource,” Lady Pina huffed and bestowed another frown on them. “I suppose we can make an exception for a visit. This young man’s project did outline a deep interest in trees.”
“Very deep.” Cor nodded. “Like, my life.”
By now, Fern could tell he meant this, but Lady Pina smiled a rather patronizing smile, her gaze pausing on his shiny boots and the phone stuffed into his blazer’s breast pocket.
“Considering you live in the largest wizard city in the United Kingdom, I doubt it. Leave instructions with Fern on how to contact you, and I will make the arrangements for a visit.” She gave a final nod and joined the armory line.
Fern tilted her head that they should follow, and he fell into step with her. “You nearly blew that one,” she muttered under her breath.
“Thanks for the save.”
He truly did want this, and she had to admire his persistence. Still, he wasn’t telling her everything, and he’d have to if he wanted more of her help. “The elders running Giuthas are strict, but it’s worth your time navigating their rules to see the isle.”
“I’ll be careful. Appreciate you holding up your end of the pledge to get me this first step.”
She side-eyed him. Heck, he was dreaming if he still thought he could pull off getting an apprenticeship. But that wasn’t up to her. She pulled out her phone. “Give me your e-mail.”
He glanced at Lady Pina’s back and shook his head. “Tomorrow, when she isn’t around. I’ll find you in the afternoon.” He gestured her ahead of him into the armory. “As a fellow plant enthusiast, you need to admire Leafbringer, Clarence’s pride and joy.” He pointed to the back wall.
Amid other shiny swords, the lit one in the center had a short blade made of brown steel engraved with a bough of leaves, each one a different species. The darker hilt was set with square-cut emeralds winking between bronze crossed feathers and the twigs of the bail.
It was a beautiful thing, certainly created by a plant lover.
“Did he really heal trees with it?”
Cor grinned, the first sincere happiness she’d seen in him. “So they say.”
* * *
Want to know more about Guardian of the Pines? Meet Cor here.
Buy this second book in The Windborne series in ebook or paperback:
Leave a Reply