Desert Rose (A Tale of Nälu, 1)

By J. L. Mbewe

Can a desert princess find love with a foreign king?

Johari lives in the shadow of her beautiful sister until a foreign king notices her, but in her haste to prove herself worthy of affection she finds herself compromised and on a difficult journey to make things right.

This is a short story set in the world of Nälu years before the opening scene of Secrets Kept, a fantasy novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. L. Mbewe
• Release date: Apr 17, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311914767

J. L. Mbewe

Writing as J. L. Mbewe, Jennette is an author, artist, mother, wife, but not always in that order. Born and raised in Minnesota, she now braves the heat of Texas, but pines for the Northern Lights and the lakes of home every autumn. She loves trying to capture the abstract and make it concrete. She is currently living her second childhood with a wonderful husband and two precious children who don’t seem to mind her eclectic collections of rocks, shells, and swords, among other things. Here, between reality and dreams, you will find her busily creating worlds inhabited by all sorts of fantasy creatures and characters, all questing about and discovering true love amid lots of peril. She has two short stories published in The Clockwork Dragon anthology, and four short stories set in the world of Nälu. Her debut novel, Secrets Kept, was nominated for the 2014 Clive Staples Award. For more information about her journey as a writer mama and all things creative please visit her at http://jlmbewe.com/

Book preview

A Tale of Nälu

Desert Rose

J. L. Mbewe

a division of Pala Press

Lindale, TX

Desert Rose

A Tale of Nälu

2nd Edition

© 2014 J. L. Mbewe

Published by BrokenSeed Books

P. O. Box 335

Lindale, TX 75771

BrokenSeed.palapress.com

BrokenSeed Books is a division of Pala Press, Lindale, TX

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This is a work of fiction. All characters, places, and events are a creation of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to reality is entirely coincidental. Enjoy the adventure!

Cover design by Master Design Solutions

Stock images by Shutterstock, LydiardWildlife, and the Public Domain

Desert Rose

A Tale of Nälu

NOTHING GOOD WILL come from this, her sister said, standing in the doorway. The evening sun burned red behind her, casting the sand dunes in shades of dark purple. The crystals adorning her delicate gown flung prisms on the interior walls.

Jealousy sliced through Johari like a knife. Her sister couldn’t understand what it was like standing in the shadow of a Haruzo goddess who had caught the eye of the king. Now swathed in veils and jewels, Emmi had swept back into her life only to crush her dreams, but Johari wouldn’t let her this time. She would have a king as well just not among the Haruzo. She placed her hands on her hips. You don’t know that, Emmi.

"He is a przanth. Emmi cocked her head, and her tight curls bounced around her face. Has he seen you as a true Haruzo?"

He knows what we are. Johari twisted one of her braids in her fingers.

Knowing is one thing, but seeing the transformation is something entirely different. Emmi frowned. He doesn’t understand our ways, nor do you understand his.

Johari crossed her arms. She would not lose her temper and give her sister an edge over her. I am not a child.

I know. Her sister sighed. Her eyes softened, revealing a muddied look of sorrow or pity.