Billow (45 page)

Rogue
: Ondines or demillirs who have left water elemental communities to live among humans in the regular world. Once Rogue, they do not have to abide by the laws and customs of elementals, and they are also without protection from gardinels or chevaliers.

Selkies
: Shape-shifting warrior race that makes up one-fourth of the quadrangle of power that governs the water elemental world. Their physical strength and speed, combined with their ability to shape-shift between human and seal forms, allow them to protect and fight both on land and in water.

The
Shadow
: The legendary leader and creator of the Aquidae. Originally meant to be the dark that balanced Jourdain's light, his roots are the same as dark creatures like nixes. He takes mortal form to manage the structure and day to day dealings of running the Aquidae. He's of unknowable strength and power.

Sondaleur
: From the phrase "
le son de la fleur
", it means the sound of the flower. A chosen ondine prophesied to finally defeat the Shadow and end the war with the Aquidae.

Virtue
: A particularly strong gift of magic possessed by first born Redavi ondines. The only two known exceptions are Jeeves and Julian. There are eight Virtues: Clairvoyance, Kinesis, Projection, Healing, Cloaking, Empath, Teleportation, and Transmutation.

Warden Pairs
: A strong ondine and demillir couple who enforce the magical wards surrounding an ondine community. There are always four Warden Pairs for each community, one for each point on the compass. The magic wards are tied to the bond between the couple, as well as the life force of the ondine.

Acknowledgements

This book would not exist without my husband's encouragement, patience, love, humor, and much valued input. I'm deeply grateful to have him as my partner in life.

My sweet dog has continued to sit beside my desk, watching with loving patience as I furiously typed away at all hours. I cherish her silent, unconditional form of support.

Thank you to my beautiful mother who continues to inspire and my brother who never fails to make me laugh.

Additional thanks go to BA, JA, FD, and IA, for your continual kindness and gentle nourishment. Also to MJJ, EU, and RAO for your support and understanding.

Another group of people who have my deepest thanks are the wonderful bloggers who shared
Whirl
and this series with their readers. Your encouragement of a first-time author's story helped me take the next step forward.

Additional thanks goes to Aeicha for your generous, continuous support and for revealing this book's cover to the world. Thank you also goes to Ana who premiered its trailer.

Once again, special thanks to my wonderful editor, Lisa Hazard, for helping to improve this story and providing much needed encouragement.

But above all, I would like to thank you, the Reader. Your messages and kind words have meant the world to me.

I continue to write in the hope that Kendra's journey resonates with you.

About the Author

Emma Raveling is a fantasy author who leads a slightly eccentric life traveling throughout the world with her accommodating husband and charming, neurotic dog. She is currently busy at work writing
Crest
, the third book of the Ondine Quartet series.

You can connect with Emma online at:

- Her website:
http://emmaraveling.com

- Her blog:
http://writingventures.com

- Twitter:
http://twitter.com/emmaraveling

- Facebook:
http://facebook.com/emmaraveling

• Title Page
  
• Copyright Page
  
• Note on Terminology
  
• Dedication
  
• Epigraph
  
• PROLOGUE
  
• ONE
  
• TWO
  
• THREE
  
• FOUR
  
• FIVE
  
• SIX
  
• SEVEN
  
• EIGHT
  
• NINE
  
• TEN
  
• ELEVEN
  
• TWELVE
  
• THIRTEEN
  
• FOURTEEN
  
• FIFTEEN
  
• SIXTEEN
  
• SEVENTEEN
  
• EIGHTEEN
  
• NINETEEN
  
• TWENTY
  
• TWENTY-ONE
  
• TWENTY-TWO
  
• TWENTY-THREE
  
• TWENTY-FOUR
  
• TWENTY-FIVE
  
• TWENTY-SIX
  
• TWENTY-SEVEN
  
• TWENTY-EIGHT
  
• TWENTY-NINE
  
• THIRTY
  
• THIRTY-ONE
  
• THIRTY-TWO
  
• THIRTY-THREE
  
• THIRTY-FOUR
  
• THIRTY-FIVE
  
• Terminology
  
• Acknowledgements
  
• About the Author