Master of Crows

By Grace Draven

What would you do to win your freedom?

This is the question that sets bondwoman, Martise of Asher, on a dangerous path. In exchange for her freedom, she bargains with her masters, the mage-priests of Conclave, to spy on the renegade sorcerer, Silhara of Neith. The priests want Martise to expose the sorcerer's treachery and turn him over to Conclave justice. A risky endeavor, but one she accepts without hesitation--until she falls in love with her intended target.

Silhara of Neith, Master of Crows, is a desperate man. The god called Corruption invades his mind, seducing him with promises of limitless power if he will help it gain dominion over the world. Silhara struggles against Corruption's influence and searches for ways to destroy the god. When Conclave sends Martise as an apprentice to help him, he knows she's a spy. Now he fights a war on two fronts--against the god who would possess him and the apprentice who would betray him.

Mage and spy search together for a ritual that will annihilate Corruption, but in doing so, they discover secrets about each other that may damn them both. Silhara must decide if his fate, and the fate of nations, is worth the soul of the woman he has come to love, and Martise must choose continued enslavement or freedom at the cost of a man's life. And love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Grace Draven
• Release date: Aug 4, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466032064

Grace Draven

Grace Draven is a USA Today bestselling author and the winner of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice for Best Fantasy Romance of 2014 and 2016. Having loved storytelling since before she can remember, she is a fan of the fictional bad boy. A Louisiana native, she currently resides with her husband, kids, and a big, doofus dog in Texas. For more information, visit gracedraven.com.

Book preview

MASTER OF CROWS

…I can't gush enough about this book!...Master Of Crows is a lush, enthralling tale I'll read again and again!...The deep and darkly sexy Silhara is one of my favorite heroes ever! Every time I eat an orange, I think of him with a sigh…Martise is everything you could hope for in a heroine."

—Robin L. Rotham

Author of Alien Overnight

_________________________

... Martise sucked in a sharp breath, enthralled by her first sight of the Master of Crows.

A living flame in the begrimed room, he burned with a cold, still fire. Long scarlet robes swirled around his ankles like bloodied smoke. Taller than most men and lean, he wore his black hair in a tight braid that fell over his shoulder. The severe style accentuated a sun-burnished face neither handsome nor kind but carved from the same rock strewn across the courtyard. His black eyes and aquiline nose reminded her of those Kurman nomads she’d sometimes seen in the markets, selling their rugs and weaponry. Her belly tightened in dread as he gazed at her and Cumbria with sloe-eyed malevolence.

I see you didn't get lost. A pity…

MASTER OF CROWS

__________________

BY

GRACE DRAVEN

* * * * * * *

Smashwords Edition

* * * * * * *

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.

All names, characters, locations, and scenes are products of the author's imagination, or have been used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.

Copyright 2009 by Grace Draven

Cover Art Beyond Neith Copyright 2009 by Louisa Gallie

Published by Grace Draven at Smashwords

Previously published by Amber Quill Press 2009

PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

This book is dedicated to my editors, Lora Gasway and Mel Sanders. Ladies, without your help, I would have never been able to write The End. Thank you for your time, your patience, your suggestions, and most of all for your wonderful friendship.

To my sister, Kim Sayre, who has read nearly everything I've written and been one of my most enthusiastic fans. Thanks, kiddo.

Last but definitely not least, an enthusiastic thank you to Louisa Gallie who found the heart of this book and brought it to vivid life in her stunning painting Beyond Neith.

CHAPTER ONE

Yield to me, Master of Crows, and I will make you ruler of kingdoms.

Silhara of Neith groaned and doubled over, clutching his midriff. Blood streamed from his nose and dripped on the balcony’s worn stones. The god’s voice, familiar and insidious, wrapped around his mind. Transfixed beneath the rays of a jaundiced star, he huddled against the crumbling parapet, fighting an evil the priests assumed long vanquished.

The god seduced him, filled his head with images fantastic and horrific—sacrificial blood pooling on a killing stone, armies marching across a sun-scorched desert, a sea of starving people kneeling in adulation. Magic surged through him, a colossal power bred of hate. Unstoppable. Terrifying. He was drunk on the knowledge that the armies moved on his orders, and the people worshipped at his feet. The victims sacrificed were offered to the god, and Silhara reigned over all before him.

The voice sang its malevolent song. You will be an emperor unchallenged, a sorcerer unequaled.

Silhara ground his teeth against the agony splitting his skull. And be a thrall to a beggar god? His lips bled with the question. I will not yield.

Soft laughter echoed within him. You will, Avatar. You always do.

The god released him suddenly, a wrenching pull that almost sucked the marrow from his bones. He cried out and dropped to his knees. The visions and the voice faded, leaving an unseen foulness in their wake. The saltiness of blood burned his throat; sweat and urine drenched his robes. Poisonous light pulsed from the yellow star above him.

Silhara collapsed on the balcony floor. Help me, he prayed to no one.

His servant found him hours later as the rising sun set fire to the eastern horizon. Silhara clambered to his feet beneath Gurn’s steadying hands. The giant gazed in sympathy, gesturing at the mage’s face. Silhara touched his nose, tracing a rough, crusted line from nostril to jaw.

Blood?

The servant nodded and nudged him toward his room. Silhara ignored him and gazed at the star suspended like a cats-eye moonstone on an invisible cord. No true illumination flowed from the star’s center, only a turbid haze that suffocated the sky.

Gurn, can you see the star?

Gurn shook his head, blunt features wary. His hands traced intricate patterns, and Silhara sighed, his suspicions confirmed. While anyone possessing a thread of intuition might sense the god’s presence, the Gifted alone saw the physical manifestation. The priests of Conclave were surely running around in their seaside fortress, panicked over the knowledge that their illustrious forbearers had ultimately failed to defeat the god called Corruption.

Suspicious of Silhara’s activities and resentful of his refusal to swear allegiance to them, the priests—pretentious clerics who couldn’t scratch their backsides without uttering an incantation—would turn a baleful eye on him now. Still, the malevolent force hovering at his back and slithering into his consciousness with promises of untold power and subjugation made Conclave nothing more than a nuisance by comparison.

Silhara picked at his soiled robes, disgusted. Corruption’s presence lingered in the smell of his sweat, his clothing, even his hair. He spat twice, ridding himself of its taste. That parasite has reduced me to a babe, he said. I pissed myself.

He stripped off the ruined garments, dropping them in a damp pile at his feet. Naked and shivering in the cool, pre-dawn air, he motioned Gurn back and recited a spell. His clothes burst into flame, leaving a circle of blackened ash on the stone pavers.

Gurn’s mouth turned down in disapproval. Silhara smiled. He knew that look. Paupers did not destroy good clothing, no matter the justification. They had Corruption’s stench on them, Gurn. Just as he did now. Power like that defiles whatever it touches.

He strode to his room, grateful for the warmth from the hearth fire blazing in the corner. Gurn had brought wash water and laid a clean, threadbare shirt and breeches across the bed. Silhara went directly to the wash bowl, desperate to scrub Corruption’s taint off his skin. He reached for the sponge, hands still trembling from the residual shock of the god’s assault.

The subtle voice returned, whispered in his mind. Welcome me, servant reborn.

Silhara growled low in his throat. He couldn’t deny such seduction, more deft than the practiced hand of any painted whore. The visions of empires at his feet and limitless power at his fingertips were the god’s bait. Greater men than he had fallen before such temptation, and there were many men greater than he.

Gurn’s light touch on his shoulder brought him back to earth, and he banished the enticing thoughts. Blood from his nose trickled onto his hand and ran across his knuckles.

Peace, Gurn, he said. I’m not broken yet. The servant’s eyes narrowed at his words, but he stepped away and allowed his master his bath.

Water sluiced over Silhara’s arms and torso as he issued instructions. Prepare one of the chambers on the third floor—whichever one doesn’t have a hole in the roof. Gurn’s eyebrows rose. I’m inviting a guest to Neith.

The giant servant’s eyebrows lifted higher.

Gurn’s reaction amused him. No one visited Neith. The manor’s reputation as the home of a dark mage—a crow wizard—kept all comers at bay, and Silhara encouraged that reputation, uninterested in entertaining dull aristocrats or killing young sorcerers intent on making names for themselves by challenging the notorious Master of Crows.

Circumstances had changed. As much as Silhara despised the idea, he needed Conclave’s help. Nothing was immune to destruction, not even a god. The priests returned his contempt in full measure, but they might each use the other in the common goal of defeating Corruption. Conclave was known to turn a blind eye to crow mages and their forbidden arts if such practices aided them. Silhara wanted one of Conclave’s novitiates, a cleric-scribe versed in ancient tomes, one with knowledge of forgotten and arcane languages. Killing a god required magic far older and much darker than a Conclave ritual, and such knowledge was often buried in dead languages or ancient scrolls. Conclave had its strictures, but its scribes were unmatched in their skills for translations. He had little doubt an exception to the ban on reading the black arcana would be granted if necessary.

Morning brought burgeoning sunlight streaming through the open window as he finished his bath. A discordant caw greeted the day, followed by a symphony of like calls. A black mantle of crow wings burst from the orange grove, blotting the sky before veering north to circle the manor.

The mage smiled. He’d send his letter by messenger crow. The priests would cluck, conjecture and wonder why the Master of Crows, who had always rejected their overtures and insistence for allegiance, suddenly asked for aid. They would answer, eager for the chance to place a Conclave spy in his house.

He turned away from the window, from Corruption’s star still hovering low on the horizon, and sat at his writing table. The surface lay buried beneath scrolls, inkwells and broken quills. Finding one quill still whole, he pulled a piece of blank parchment from beneath a stack of manuscripts and dipped the quill in a nearby inkwell. For a moment, the tip hovered over the paper. Silhara smirked and wrote.

The old gods are not dead. Your demon has awakened…

CHAPTER TWO

Martise studied the long path leading to Neith manor and considered whether she was an apprentice or a sacrifice. The scent of curse magic streamed from the fog-shrouded road, making her nostrils twitch.

I still allow you the choice, Martise, but there’s no turning away once we take this road.

She gazed at her master, saw the silver chain holding her spirit stone threaded through his fingers. Cut into flawless facets that caught the sunlight and bounced rainbows into her eyes, the azure jewel was the cage for a part of her soul. Memories assailed her. At seven years old, she’d been terrified of the stern, beak-nosed priest who’d assessed her with an icy, measuring eye and bought her from a starving mother with a handful of coins. He’d enslaved her with a magic that had made her scream in agony, one that ensured she would serve the house of Asher until her death or until Cumbria sold her and passed on the secret of the stone to a new master. Or until she won her freedom.

Her resolve strengthened. Desperate people didn’t have the luxury of fear. There were things worth dying for, even if the endeavor failed.

I haven’t changed my mind, Your Grace.

She didn’t lower her eyes as Cumbria, the High Bishop of Conclave, stared at her, his graven face harsh in the late afternoon light. Whatever he saw in her expression satisfied him. He motioned to his three retainers waiting nearby with the horses. One approached, bearing a large crow on his forearm. The bird hopped to Cumbria’s outstretched arm, fluttering dark wings until he ran a gentle finger down the feathered back.

Micah. My best watcher. He will act as the messenger between us. Silhara’s groves are infested with crows. One more won’t be noticed. When you have information, call Micah down using the Nanteri lullaby. He will deliver your message.

The crow squawked once in protest as the bishop lifted his arm and sent him skyward. He flew south, over the gnarled Solaris oaks guarding Neith’s road, toward Corruption’s star.

Cumbria relayed his instructions to the retainer. Stay here and tend the horses. They won’t walk the path willingly. I should return in no more than two hours. He frowned, a spark of anger flitting through his gray eyes. I doubt Silhara will do anything foolish, but if I don’t return at the appointed time, summon my brethren. They’ll know what to do.

The servant bowed. Martise might have pitied his lot and those of his comrades. Dressed in the heavy livery robes of the Asher household, they would broil in the merciless summer heat as they waited for their master’s return, but the reciprocal pity in the servant’s eyes squelched her own. He and the others might sweat like mules, but they remained behind in a far safer place.

Cumbria tapped her shoulder. Come, Martise. It will be dark soon, and I’ve no wish to linger here.

A seeping cold penetrated her layered clothing the moment they stepped onto the road, and the scent of dark magic blanketed the air. She peered over her shoulder, half expecting the sun-filled plain behind her to have disappeared, cut off by more of the sinuous mists caressing her ankles.

Bathed in natural light, the sea of swaying grass remained, beckoning her away from the gloom and a dangerous task. She turned her back before temptation took hold.

Cumbria sneered. Typical of him. Silhara would find a means to scare off visitors or lost travelers who come too near Neith.

They continued on, their steps strangely muffled on the gravel as they passed beneath the thick canopy of Solaris oaks. Martise had always admired the stately giants with their widespread branches and thick foliage. Most wealthy manors had them planted along their grand entrances—avenues preparing guests for even grander homes.

The road to Neith, however, left a different impression. The great oaks offered respite from the heat but cast the surroundings in semi-darkness. Black, crippled limbs arched overhead, twining together in a grappling dance, as if each tree sought to wrench its adversary from the roots.

Not only did the trees quell the light, but so did those smaller things growing beneath them. Weak sunlight pierced the gloom in a few places and faded midway to the ground, snuffed by stunted shrubbery dressed in gray leaves and menacing thorns.

She hugged herself for comfort and warmth. This is a dark place, she whispered.

As if punctuating her words, a lean phantom shape burst from a stand of bushes, running low and fast before disappearing into the forest depths. Martise gasped and closed the gap between her and the bishop.

What was that? She peered into the wood’s murk, half afraid of what she might see.

Cumbria’s voice, normally forceful and carrying, was stifled. He shrugged. Who can say? A leopard. A fox. He scowled. Something more unnatural. Silhara is a dark mage, and his mentor, the first Master of Crows, experimented with…things. Any number of horrors may roam these woods.

He noted her shudder. The manor will be your greatest protection, Martise. Never seek sanctuary in this wood.

Her skin danced around her body at his words.

They completed their journey without further incident, though she sensed something watched them–either a shadow of the wood or the misshapen trees themselves.

The forest gave way to a treeless courtyard flooded in sunlight and framed by dilapidated metal gates. A hot breeze spun off the plain, dissipating the unnatural chill permeating the forest.

The gates swayed and creaked in the wind like bones hanging from a gallows tree. A rusted chain and lock fastening them struck the metal with a dissonant clang.

Beyond, the remains of a large manor sprawled across a stretch of rocky terrain and withered grass. The structure’s western half was reduced to rubble, as if smashed by a giant hand. Broken stones and mortar littered the courtyard, and the skeleton of a winding staircase spiraled into nothingness. Rotting fabric clung to the splintered risers, fluttering in the wind. She was hemmed in by the bleak and the dead.

Martise turned away from the ruins and surveyed the part of the manor still intact. Graceful arches and spires, silhouetted against the setting sun, reflected an age before men reigned supreme, when those who built Neith and laid the path to it had not yet vanished into history.

Her eyes widened when a figure suddenly emerged from the remnants of the west wing, as if rising from the parched ground. No one had lurked in that spot moments ago, and the giant approaching them couldn’t have stayed hidden from view long. Dressed in a tunic sporting the Neithian coat of arms, he crossed the courtyard in graceful strides despite his gangly form and size. His bald pate glistened in the afternoon light.

He smiled a greeting and motioned with huge hands that they step aside so he could open the gates. Martise considered his strange sign language and wordless commands. A mute. Somehow that didn’t surprise her, here in this eerie place forgotten by the living world.

The chain and lock fell away as the gates swung open on a thin scream. Martise stayed close as Cumbria strode into the courtyard. The bishop ignored the servant, but she smiled shyly and nodded as she passed. He grinned in return.

He overtook the bishop, directing them to the part of the manor still intact. They halted in front of an ornately carved door weathered by the elements. A trickle of nervous sweat slid between her breasts.

She stiffened in self-reproach. Images of her spirit stone in Cumbria’s hand flashed in her mind, and she admonished herself. So far they had seen shadows in the wood, a ruined estate and a mute servant. Nothing truly frightening. But she couldn’t rid herself of the tiny voice that said They are all ruled by a crow wizard, and soon he will rule you as well.

To her relief, nothing attacked them when they entered the house. Bursin’s wings, when did you become such a coward? She reddened, shamed by her fright. Braver souls were more suited for this work. Again that inner voice taunted her. But few are as motivated.

They moved from an empty vestibule into a more spacious room suffused in muted sunlight. Martise blinked until her eyes adjusted, then gasped at the sight before her.

Lost beneath a shroud of dust, the main hall’s faded grandeur left her breathless. Blackened timbers soared above her head, their beams crossing in a massive spider's web of support for the lofty ceiling. An enormous fireplace stretched across one wall, the mantel and surround carved into the shapes of mythical beasts entwined in eternal combat. This was once a grand place, far larger than Cumbria’s estate–a place built for kings and their fighting champions.

How low the great had sunk. Brittle rushes snapped beneath their feet. The few pieces of furniture stood gray with dirt, and the tapestries bore moth holes. Light filtered through windows caked in layers of grime, creating a false gloaming. Though the walls still stood, the hall was abandoned as surely as the west wing’s battered ruins.

The servant bent, patting a cushioned stool in a coaxing gesture. A cloud of dust swirled into the air. Cumbria's lip curled in disgust.

No, I don’t want to sit. He gathered his robes around him and took in his surroundings. No better than a hovel. Why should have I expected more?

Martise stared at the bishop, shocked by his rudeness. She glanced at the servant and saw his smile fade to a blank, waiting stare. She knew that look—had used it often with her master.

Cumbria frowned and kicked the stool out of his path. Well, he snapped. Get on with it, man. I won’t linger at your master's pleasure. Fetch him!

The servant shrugged before disappearing into a corridor dimly lit by tallow candles in bent sconces. Their flames flickered as he passed.

Cumbria’s voice resonated with loathing. An insolent servant to an insolent carrion mage. See what happens when you elevate street filth?

He touched her arm. Guard your words and remain silent unless he addresses you, Martise. Silhara is fond of entrapment. He possesses a sharp tongue and has eviscerated more than one hapless opponent in a conversation. You’d be no match.

Martise lowered her head and hid her smile. Cumbria had chosen her for this endeavor because of her abilities, among them the talents for staying silent and unnoticed. His warning amused her and revealed a hint of his unease in the upcoming meeting. How interesting that a man didn’t always admire his own traits in another.

The mute servant reappeared, followed by a slender shadow silhouetted against the hallway’s weak light. Cumbria stood rigid next to her as their host emerged from the shadows. Martise sucked in a sharp breath, enthralled by her first sight of the Master of Crows.

A living flame in the begrimed room, he burned with a cold, still fire. Long scarlet robes swirled around his ankles like bloodied smoke. Taller than most men and lean, he wore his black hair in a tight braid that fell over his shoulder. The severe style accentuated a sun-burnished face neither handsome nor kind but carved from the same rock strewn across the courtyard. His black eyes and aquiline nose reminded her of those Kurman nomads she’d sometimes seen in the markets, selling their rugs and weaponry. Her belly tightened in dread as he gazed at her and Cumbria with sloe-eyed malevolence.

I see you didn't get lost. A pity. To what do I owe the honor of your august presence, Your Grace? I expected a Conclave minion. Instead I get the High Bishop himself.

His deep voice grated against her ears, broken and harsh, as if he forced the words from a ruined throat. Contempt laced his greeting, and a scornful half-smile curved his lips.

Cumbria’s face froze. The antipathy between the two men swelled in the room, seeping into the walls and floors.

Still ruler of your squalid little kingdom, Silhara? Cumbria’s derisive stare raked the servant. You and your army of one.

Silhara’s rough laughter drifted through the room. King of Filth, Master of Crows. What will be my title tomorrow, Your Grace? As usual, Conclave can never reach a final decision.

The bishop’s eyes burned. 'Tis a shame they didn't choke the life out of you all those years ago.

In her years of serving Cumbria and the house of Asher, Martise had never seen the patriarch on the edge of losing control. His counsel for silence made more sense now. Even he found it difficult maintaining a level head around the sorcerer.

Silhara’s dark eyes narrowed; his tanned features paled. Cumbria's curious statement had drawn blood.

'Tis a testimony to the will and longevity of wickedness, Your Grace. It does not go down easily.

Silhara’s hard face suddenly relaxed, and Martise’s instincts buzzed in warning. Mercurial and shrewd, he’d make a deadly adversary. Suddenly the price of her freedom seemed too high, and she wished herself back in the familiar warmth and comfort of the kitchens at home.

Suspicion glittered in that obsidian gaze as he scrutinized her. He addressed Cumbria without looking away from her, and her burgeoning fear of him transformed to instant dislike.

Never let it be said this emperor cannot be gracious. You have made a long journey. Gurn will bring tea. You can tell me of your trip and the pet you have brought for my entertainment.

CHAPTER THREE

Silhara admired an accomplished liar. He was one himself. The skill was among the few things he could stomach about Cumbria of Asher. So why did the High Bishop of Conclave, a master at fabrication, weave a tale so poorly constructed?

In the comfort of his study his guests drank their tea. The woman, a small, drab creature, perched on the edge of her seat. For an apprentice, she was long in the tooth. Nor did she seem interested in her future teacher. Her gaze traveled the room, resting briefly on the table containing his potions then to the scrolls stacked haphazardly in one corner. Cumbria’s ward? Not likely. This was no poor relation dependent on Asher generosity. Still, Cumbria had selected her as Silhara’s apprentice for a reason, and Silhara never underestimated the wily cleric.

The silence in the room thickened until Cumbria frowned and abandoned any show of enjoying his tea.

Well? Will she do? You’ve requested an apprentice. I have brought you one. Martise is a good girl, obedient and intelligent. She will serve you well.

Silhara drummed his fingers on the desk. I asked for a cleric with a strong back and knowledge of the arcane languages. You bring me your…ward. She has no extended training, no noticeable manifestation of the Gift, no hint of any talent. He flicked a sharpened quill with thumb and forefinger and watched it roll across a stack of parchment. My dog is obedient and my servant intelligent. What use will this girl be to me? He’d expected a spy from Conclave, just not an inept one with no magery.

The bishop stiffened in his chair, If you wanted a farm hand, you shouldn’t have applied to Conclave, he snapped. He took a steadying breath. Martise is a skilled scribe and translator and has the Gift. She was once schooled at Conclave. The mage-finders sense her magic. We have put her in a room crowded with Conclave priests, and the dogs seek her first. He paused, his expression souring. Despite your reputation as a carrion practitioner, you’re also a sorcerer of renown. The Luminary believes if anyone can make Martise’s Gift manifest, you can.

Silhara studied his new apprentice. She returned his gaze, her plain features placid. Not likely. He’d deal with a Conclave minion, but not one hand-picked and delivered by his most hated adversary.

An intriguing puzzle, to be sure, but I have little time for indulging in the vagaries of the Gift’s blessings. I require an apprentice capable of complex translations and simple enchantments that take more of my time than I can now give. Like Conclave, my first priority is defeating Corruption.

Is it? Skepticism peppered Cumbria’s question.

Silhara smirked. He’d wagered with Gurn over whether or not the bishop might reveal his suspicions. Concerned, Your Grace? Even a carrion mage like me can help in some small way. Or do you represent the entire canonry in your doubts?

Cumbria’s voice turned sly. Surely, the god speaks to you, tempts you with all manner of promises, if only you give the loyalty you refuse Conclave?

Silhara’s amusement evaporated. If Cumbria knew what dreams plagued his slumber at night, what whispering evil seduced him, even in the light of day, Conclave’s unease would turn to outright witch-hunting.

Martise had remained silent since first entering his domain, offering no hint of her character. If he refused her, it would alarm the priests even more.

Martise of Asher. He smiled when she stiffened. His Grace has spoken for you during this entire meeting. Have you no words? Or did you suffer as my servant and have your tongue cut out?

He followed her gaze to Gurn. The servant gave her an encouraging nod. Silhara might have considered her easily intimidated, save for that calm demeanor.

No, sir, I’m no mute. It is rude to speak out of turn, is it not?

He stilled at her question. Bursin’s wings, what generous god blessed this woman with such a voice? Refined and sensual, it possessed a silky quality, as if she physically caressed him.

The contrast between her dulcet tones and bland appearance startled him. Before she spoke, Martise had faded into her surroundings, forgotten. Now she shone, riveting the attention of anyone within hearing distance. He glanced at Cumbria who treated him to a smug smile.

He didn’t like being caught off guard and lashed out. Far be it from me that I compromise the deportment of a lady. I wouldn’t tempt a well-trained dog into forgetting the commands of ‘Fetch’ and ‘Sit’.

Her jaw tightened. She dropped her gaze, but not before he saw the sparks of anger in her eyes. Not so docile as one might first believe, yet his new apprentice exercised admirable control over her emotions. Behavior of a long-time servant. Cumbria had indeed brought him a spy.

He rested his elbows on the desk. Negotiations were at hand. I will take your ward, he paused for effect, for three months, no more. If I cannot find what Gift lies within her, I will send her back to you. I have no interest in feeding an additional mouth any longer than necessary.

Cumbria frowned. Six months, and I will pay her keep.

The coins clinked as he placed a small velvet bag atop a stack of parchment. The girl visibly flinched and blushed to the roots of her hair.

Four, Silhara said, And I keep the entire amount. He hefted the sack in his palm, ignoring the bishop’s derisive smile.

Cumbria stood, brushing imaginary dust from his robes. A bargain is struck then. Four months. He wasted no time taking his leave, his concern for his ward now a thing of the past.

Martise rose stiffly from her chair and faced Cumbria.

Silhara stood as well and leaned against the edge of his desk. The bishop frowned at his informality. Silhara raised an eyebrow. You are High Bishop of Conclave. I’ve sworn no allegiance to Conclave, Your Grace. You are nothing more than a mage like me.

Martise stepped back in alarm at Cumbria’s murderous expression. Thin lines of crimson light coiled around his twitching fingers.

Never compare yourself to me, crow wizard! His face was skeletal in the fading light, hatred blackening his gray eyes.

Silhara waited, his hands and arms tingling with defensive magic. Do it, old man, he thought. Give me a reason, so I may blast you into oblivion.

Cumbria took a deep breath and raised his chin in haughty dismissal before turning his back and striding to the door.

Silhara couldn’t resist goading him a final time. Have you no farewell for your beloved ward, Your Grace?

The question halted the High Bishop. He returned to Martise, grasped her hand in a courtly gesture and bowed stiffly.

Good fortune favor you, Martise.

The statement’s fervor surprised Silhara, but it was Martise’s reaction that fascinated him most.

Her hand jerked in the bishop’s grip, and her thin smile wavered. A fair moon above you, Mas... Sir.

Her eyes widened at her blunder, and Cumbria winced. Silhara smirked.

Cumbria glared at him. "I take my leave of you. You will keep Conclave abreast of any

Reviews for Master of Crows

[pnrlist · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Honestly, this should probably be a four-star rating, but I think it moved too slowly for the format that I "read" - audiobook. It was well done and all, just felt like it took a lot of time for things to happen. I really did like it, there was a wiff of angst but not quite enough to land on that shelf (or maybe it felt watered down due to the length of time the book stretched over for me). I liked the plain heroine, and the hero, and the world was fascinating, though I could have used a bit more context and world-building. The book kinda just throws you into this nique world, and while you can pick some stuff up as you go, it is a different enough book that you can't rely on information from other fantasy novels. (3.5 stars)

[waclements7 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have to say that while I liked this book, I feel conflicted about it as well, mostly due to the nature of the relationship between Silhara and Matrise. His behavior towards her is awful--he terrifies her to the point she regards him with fear. Not that he doesn't have good reason to be angry for the real reason for her presence, his behavior is just so absolutely horrible--I don't think calling it abusive is an understatement.

Yet, as in many scenarios such as this, she ends up falling in love with him. Silhara has kept his real feelings hidden for so long it could be argued in his defense that he doesn't know what he's doing. But, all evidence points to the fact he does and is deliberately trying to drive her away. The unspoken tension between them regarding the lies and omissions they tell each other is interesting and sometimes painful to watch.

Matrise is an interesting character as she is, in some ways, smarter than Silhara. They are both incredibly stubborn. I simply believe I would have liked it better if Silhara hadn't been so harsh. She wasn't a wilting flower, though she did get stronger--she still almost never truly defied him. Despite his selfishness, he was willing to sacrifice himself for her, but should we really trust that his motivations are the truth? I think they are...

Other than that, which is something that's a personal issue but still something I don't think sets a very good example--the writing is smooth and flows well. I liked the interchanges between characters, and I also liked Gurn. It was an entertaining read that kept my attention, with an intriguing plot that was a little different than the ordinary fantasy romance. It was just some of the elements of the relationship between Silhara and Matrise that were a little disturbing to me at times.

[ghilbrae · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I don't remember how I got this book or why, I found it on my phone when I realized I had left my current book at home and decided to gave it a try.I must say that I am pleasantly surprised by it. I usually don't read this kind of books, they bore me to tears and every time I have tried to read one I have left them fairly soon. Master of Crows is not very surprising or even original but somehow it managed to keep my interest.The main characters are your typical plain, shy but with something more girl (very Jane Eyre-ish) and the scary, mysterious and gorgeous guy. In truth, I got a bit bored of reading how fine looking he is but, as I said, something kept me interested and I kept reading.The story is told alternating between the two main characters Martise and Silhara and follows how they intend to pursue their conflicting goals and how their relationship evolves from fear and disdain to curiosity and love through time and their interactions. Fortunately there is also a plot going on and not just the romance, it is not a very complex one but it is well developed and delivers what it promises with moments of a very welcomed tension.What I have missed the most is some world-building. I may be too accustomed to stories with some more details on how the world works, the history, cultures or magic, but I think it would have given the story and the characters a bit more depth. Not that the characters are as flat as I expected them to be, on the contrary, they have more to them than it seems despite being quite stereotypical, but knowing more of the world they live in would have helped in understanding their position in society, because we are more than once told that they are outcasts but never really shown.So, in the end it has proved to be a very simple and entertaining story with non-flat characters and a bit more than mere romance going on.

[wendyclements · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I have to say that while I liked this book, I feel conflicted about it as well, mostly due to the nature of the relationship between Silhara and Matrise. His behavior towards her is awful--he terrifies her to the point she regards him with fear. Not that he doesn't have good reason to be angry for the real reason for her presence, his behavior is just so absolutely horrible--I don't think calling it abusive is an understatement.

Yet, as in many scenarios such as this, she ends up falling in love with him. Silhara has kept his real feelings hidden for so long it could be argued in his defense that he doesn't know what he's doing. But, all evidence points to the fact he does and is deliberately trying to drive her away. The unspoken tension between them regarding the lies and omissions they tell each other is interesting and sometimes painful to watch.

Matrise is an interesting character as she is, in some ways, smarter than Silhara. They are both incredibly stubborn. I simply believe I would have liked it better if Silhara hadn't been so harsh. She wasn't a wilting flower, though she did get stronger--she still almost never truly defied him. Despite his selfishness, he was willing to sacrifice himself for her, but should we really trust that his motivations are the truth? I think they are...

Other than that, which is something that's a personal issue but still something I don't think sets a very good example--the writing is smooth and flows well. I liked the interchanges between characters, and I also liked Gurn. It was an entertaining read that kept my attention, with an intriguing plot that was a little different than the ordinary fantasy romance. It was just some of the elements of the relationship between Silhara and Matrise that were a little disturbing to me at times.

[J Watercats · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully written, imaginative and evocative with a right balance of suspense and romance.

[Biva Siddiki · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent, loved it. Great characters, the story developed well. An unusual setting... But very exciting to read.

[Nmesomachukwu · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Took a lot of time for things to get done but good read in all.

[Natty Sapong · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fantasy?! I really love it; this is one of my favorite genre. The books are totally deserving. I loved them, and I think they are must read. If you have some great stories like this one, you can publish it on Novel Star, just submit your story to [e-mail] or [e-mail]

[Night Princess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Author’s way of storytelling is so good; I suggest you join Novel Star’s writing competition on April.

[rabidgummibear-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really loved this book! I highly recommend it. The first chunk was a bit slow but after that it picks up. I was nearly in tears from the end it was very intense but read this book!

[les121 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Master of Crows is the second book by Grace Draven that I've picked up, and while it’s a decent read, I didn't enjoy it quite as much as Radiance. In Master of Crows, the romance seems more formulaic, and the characters didn't work their way into my heart quite as much. Martise is a bit meek and Silhara a bit of a jerk for my taste. Even so, I liked the way their relationship developed gradually over time. Ms. Draven clearly knows how to write a romance that flows naturally, and I enjoy her storytelling.This book also left me with a lot of questions about the magical elements in the story. I couldn't help wondering, how does a god who has been around for centuries let himself be tricked so easily? Wouldn't he be smarter, more knowledgeable, more skilled in the art of deception? The spirit stone is another element I didn't fully understand. How does it even work? And what's supposed to happen once the spell is broken and the piece of Martise's soul returned? Even though this book is a romance at its core, I still wish the fantasy aspects had been better fleshed out. The worldbuilding is creative and intriguing - I just wanted more.In short, Master of Crows isn't as wonderful as Radiance, but it's still a well written, entertaining fantasy romance. Ms. Draven's works have made me more open minded about romance novels. I'm definitely going to keep my eye on her and continue exploring the fantasy romance subgenre in hopes of finding more talented writers.

[thepageparamour · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Loved it! This totally got me out of my reading funk.

[Kaitlyn Wilson · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The romantic couple was not my cup of tea. Master of Crows was a total ass way too deep into the book towards her. Dropped this before I got even more angry with it.

[Elianara · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Romance, fantasy and magic. Many interesting characters but also a few worn out tropes. Not a good reread, I noticed the weaknesses better the second time around, liked the book better during the first read. But still worth a try if romance and fantasy is your thing.

[amaliagavea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An excellent fantasy novel with charismatic protagonists, nicely flowing dialogue and enough twists to hold the reader's interest. Martise is a wonderful character, an example that a heroine can be deeply in love and retain her clear mind without ending up being a dreadful Mary Sue. Silhara is...well..I may sound really superficial, but he is a dream, and the relationship between the two main characters is one of the finest and best developed I've ever come across in a novel of any genre.

Now on to The Brush of Black Wings and I seriously hope there will be more stories of Silhara and Martise very soon.

[has_bookpusher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Every once in a while a book comes along that pleasantly surprises you, and surpasses your expectations. Master of Crows by Grace Draven was certainly that. I ‘heart’ this book so much and its characters that it’s definitely in the top ten books I have read this year.
Martise of Asher is a slave and is asked to spy whilst she is loaned to the rebel mage Silhara, the Master of Crows. She is to work as an assistant to help with his quest to defeat the God Corruption, who is gaining more influence in their world. Her master and owner, the mage, Cumbria along with his cabal of mages, who fears and loathes Silhara. They hope Martise can discover Silhara’s weakness to which they can use to defeat him. But their plans crumble when Martise – who has the chance to win her freedom – finds out that there is more to Silhara than his reputation has suggested, and she develops feelings for the sardonic and cynical mage.
I have to start with how awesome, memorable and well developed Silhara is. Seriously! I think he is one of the best heroes I have read about in quite some time, and I am a huge fan of dark anti-heroes especially if they do push boundaries. And Silhara definitely does push them but doesn’t cross that line of being a right out unlikable bastard.
Silhara is not a happy bunny when he is faced with the choice of Martise as an assistant who has previously not shown any ability to practice magic, and he wonders at the motive on why the conclave and Cumbria had sent her. However, she was tested for being positive for the Gift so Silhara tests her repeatedly to coax out her gift. I loved how she remained steadfast and calm despite the fact that these tests were increasingly getting dangerous and pushed her to the limit whilst knowing that Silhara is dubious and suspicious about her motives.
Martise’s character was a great foil and a strength to Silhara, and I loved how she wins him over with her calm resolve and quiet stubbornness. Their exchanges are funny and witty and helped to build on the burgeoning attraction and tension between them.
The layers that were unveiled within the characterisation showed different facets of the characters. Not only do we get to see Silhara’s motivations and torn feelings about Martise and his desire to defeat Corruption, but also the danger of being seduced by him and there was times in the book that I felt he could have become lost into that dark side. But I LOVED that his saving grace was Martise, who soon becomes his life-line and that became a core focus for the romance. It really added emotional depth and layered the romance with a quiet intensity which I think is that special X factor for successful romances.
I did find the world-building and setting a bit less developed in the beginning, and it took a couple of pages to get the gist of the story. I wished it was expanded a bit more because I did initially found it confusing. But I was soon sucked in and as the story progressed, the world and setting was explored more fully, and I loved how darkly imaginative it is. Such as the Kurman nomads who help out Silhara, to the creepy soul sucking lich’s Keep and conclaves of arrogant mages.
Master of Crows is a wonderful, dark and vivid fantasy romance with one of the best anti-heroes I have read about in a long time. It has well fleshed out and rich characterisation, but at its core there is a lot of heart and soul in the story that is the hero and heroine that becomes a rich and memorable romance. I especially loved how Silhara and Martise’s vulnerabilities turned into their strengths and how that added more richness to the story.
If you are a fan of Anne Bishop, Patricia Briggs, and Lois McMaster Bujoid, then you will love this heartwarming and memorable fantasy romance! I am planning on glomming on the rest of the backlist from Grace Draven because with this book she has certainly made me a fan!

[carpathian1974 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Riveting

As usual Grace Draven delivers a five star story. Master of crows captured my attention from the first chapter and kept me riveted till the final curtain came down, I cannot say enough goods things about this authors ability to weave a tale that ensnares the reader from its opening lines. I adored the slow simmer of passion that slowly crept up on Martise and Silhara I think it took Silhara as much by surprise as the reader, it was lovely to see the love that blossomed not through amazing looks but a deep abiding regard that built through admiration and a connecting of souls, Plain then becomes beautiful in the right eyes. I loved our secondary players Gurn and our Magefinder the smelly Cael, this was an amazing story with magic interwoven throughout sorcery,fantasy and true love abound off the pages drawing the reader in, I am so glad to have discovered the talented Grace Draven , I now have another auto buy author, can't wait to read more by this fantastic writer.

[Smileforsummer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book- it does take a while to get going but it's definitely worth it!

[bookaholiccat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3 ½ Stars

It took me a long time to get into this book, more than 60%!! The last 30% of this book was what saved it for me.

[readingbeader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

High fantasy, one that I quite enjoyed. I'm reading the back list of Grace Draven having started with Radiance and loved it.

[Pamela Cummins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just the right combo of sorcery, romance, and interesting characters for me! Never a dull moment in this book.

[ladydarbanville · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a tricky one to rate. It’s somewhere between 3 and 4 stars, but Goodreads won’t allow me to give out half-stars so I guess I’ll settle for a 3…?

Master of Crows is a romantic fantasy that tells the tale of the slave-girl Martise who is sent to serve a notorious, dark mage named Silhara. She thinks he will be her doom, yet she becomes his lover. And in the sky the god of Corruption awaits an opportunity to make Silhara his avatar.

The plot overall is good and interesting, but also a bit longwinded. The book is not bad, but way longer than it should be. As far as romance goes, it moved at a nice pace; our main couple doesn’t jump into bed the day after meeting, instead Draven gives them time to get to know each other and be friends before anything else happens. I appreciated this, yet at the same time the actual plot – slaying a god – doesn’t really get started until halfway through the book.

Martise and Silhara are nice characters, who both, because of their pasts, start out hiding their true selves. In many ways they offer each other redemption, but the question is at what cost?

I really, really liked the setting. The world seemed to me like something you’d see in an anime. Sort of like Princess Mononoke mixed with some Arabic/Middle Eastern influences. But maybe that’s just me projecting what I want the setting to be, rather than what it actually is, because I don’t actually think Draven explained very well what the environment looked like. Or the world-building in general. I think she (the author) knows very well how her world functions, but I (the reader) often wanted to ask why and how things came to be what they were in the story.

And having now written this review, I have convinced myself that 3 stars is the right rating from me. It is a good story and fascinating world, but the book overall needed tighter editing.

[Ahri · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book made it to my favorite list. Ms Draven is one talented writer. Discovered it after reading “Radiance” of the same author. I find it hard to find a fantasy-romance that isn’t cringey or characters turning cheesy and emotional. Good thing the book didn’t turn into a dud. I was half nervous to finish the book because I don’t want to be disappointed but happily ‘Master of Crows’ satisfied til the last page.

[ireneattolia · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“And will you love me for a day? A year? A lifetime?" She knew the answer but wanted to hear him say it in that beautiful, shattered voice.

"Beyond that," he whispered, eyes shining with the tempest of emotion he'd held in check until now. "Beyond the reign of false gods and meddlesome priests. Beyond al Zafira when her bright stars fade.”
― Grace Draven, Master of Crows

that's some good shit right there 👌👌👌

[mlleehreen · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Here's the premise that got me really excited about MASTER OF CROWS: a black wizard, threatened with possession by an evil god, must ask for help from his worst enemies. The enemies send him a young woman, a spy, who serves as his apprentice while scheming to betray him. Against all odds, and by slow degrees, the black wizard and the spy fall in love. Also, kill the evil god.

Here's what I actually ended up reading: painfully noble wizard castigates himself over his many evil acts, commits none (he's more the perpetually-guilty, hairshirt-wearing monk type). Rather than evil wizarding, he mostly occupies himself with tending an orange grove and making perfume. The spy is a really, really nice girl who does very little spying and a whole lot of brewing tea, picking oranges, and mooning over the wizard.

Here's what I wanted from the romance: a battle of wits or wills or magic. The fun of seeing an intense power disparity - Silhara is master of his domain; Martise is his minion, so long as she lives under his roof - slowly tip into a union of equals.

Here's what I got: Silhara's wit, will, and magic remain at all times the superior. At no point are these characters ever in any way equals. Martise is mostly servile but her occasional flashes of sarcasm or, even more daring!, occasional stubborn, silent disagreement with Silhara's edicts impress him to no end; he thinks her very brave.

The romance, to be fair, evolves gradually. But one of the primary obstacles to an HEA is that Martise doesn't feel pretty enough for Silhara. She's insecure and needs to be praised and cherished and reassured. In return for Silhara's praise and reassurance, Martise becomes even more servile, self-sacrificing, and sweet.

MASTER OF CROWS also happens to contain one of my least favorite plot tropes ever. Silhara is an accomplished wizard distinguished by his self-discipline. Martise, by contrast, has a powerful magical gift that she cannot control. She can give her power away - give and give and give, that's her special Gift! - but she can never control it. Her power is literally and figuratively not her own.

I do not think that MASTER OF CROWS should be described as a fantasy; I think that it is primarily romance. The subplot about the evil god of Corruption is just that - a subplot. It exists to bring the hero and heroine together in the same location, to separate them (he can't trust her with his secret!) or push their relationship along to the next major turning point (she'll put her own safety at risk for his!).

I also found myself skimming through the endless descriptive passages where nothing was happening story-wise. The writing just wasn't strong enough to hold my attention on its own.

This just isn't the book that I expected or hoped for. Not the sort of story or romance I enjoy reading.

[stefferoo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

In truth, Master of Crows was pretty much guaranteed to get a high rating from me, given the fact it probably comes closest to the kind of book I'd been seeking for a long time -- that is, a romance that takes place in a fantasy setting along with mages, magic and all that good stuff. Better yet, there was a decent story and never once did we lose that fantasy element, not even amidst the lust and romance...which was HOT, by the way.I loved this book, though it wasn't without its cheesy parts (but then again, I'm a firm believer that any good romance story must have its fair share of cheese). Speaking of which, I do wish the romantic aspect of the book hadn't been so "traditional". For example, in my opinion the hero-as-the-master and heroine-as-the-apprentice love story theme has been done to death. And while I liked Silhara of Neith, I was disappointed that he ended up not being so different from your typical, archetypal male love interest, i.e. the tall, dark, handsome, aloof, brooding, misunderstood and privately tortured lone wolf that I'm so very used to seeing in romance novels by now.Still, I'm very impressed, especially since this book appears to be self-published by the indie author. That probably explains the typos and other errors in my Kindle version, and there was also an overuse of certain words and descriptions (the author seemed especially fond of describing characters smelling of male or female warmth) but they were minimal and did not detract from my enjoyment. Master of Crows could have benefited from a bit of editing, but other than that it was beautifully written and I'm glad I stumbled upon the Amazon forum where I initially found the recommendation.Definitely check this out if you're a fan of the romance and fantasy genres, and would like to see both wrapped up and delivered in one neat little package.

[elwen_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I don't remember how I got this book or why, I found it on my phone when I realized I had left my current book at home and decided to gave it a try.I must say that I am pleasantly surprised by it. I usually don't read this kind of books, they bore me to tears and every time I have tried to read one I have left them fairly soon. Master of Crows is not very surprising or even original but somehow it managed to keep my interest.The main characters are your typical plain, shy but with something more girl (very Jane Eyre-ish) and the scary, mysterious and gorgeous guy. In truth, I got a bit bored of reading how fine looking he is but, as I said, something kept me interested and I kept reading.The story is told alternating between the two main characters Martise and Silhara and follows how they intend to pursue their conflicting goals and how their relationship evolves from fear and disdain to curiosity and love through time and their interactions. Fortunately there is also a plot going on and not just the romance, it is not a very complex one but it is well developed and delivers what it promises with moments of a very welcomed tension.What I have missed the most is some world-building. I may be too accustomed to stories with some more details on how the world works, the history, cultures or magic, but I think it would have given the story and the characters a bit more depth. Not that the characters are as flat as I expected them to be, on the contrary, they have more to them than it seems despite being quite stereotypical, but knowing more of the world they live in would have helped in understanding their position in society, because we are more than once told that they are outcasts but never really shown.So, in the end it has proved to be a very simple and entertaining story with non-flat characters and a bit more than mere romance going on.