Tarna'Hala: Touch of Insanity, #9

By Rosa Marchisella

After the false king captures Elrom, Kharee and Foss must team up with a spy to free him. The urgency to return to the East increases when the flaming crown in the sky declares the One King dead and Foss disappears.

 

On the run from the false king's men, Kharee gambles on an old legend and strikes a deal with the ghost crew of a derelict pirate ship to get back to East Besamie. But to get to Tarna'Hala, where Kharee hopes to find her mother's earrings, they'll have to survive a dragon-riding assassin.

 

Touch of Insanity is a complete series with cliffhangers that require the books to be read in order.

 

Book 1: First Steps

Book 2: Abbey Isle

Book 3: Forging Ahead

Book 4: Each According Their Worth Book

5: Into Darkness

Book 6: The Fallen

Book 7: The Birth of Pain

Book 8: The Great Divide

Book 9: Tarna'Hala

Book 10: From Ashes

Book 11: Blood of Darkness

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ember Park Imprint
• Release date: Sep 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781989016121

Rosa Marchisella

Rosa Marchisella is the author of the gripping Touch of Insanity series and bone-chilling novella, The Greatest of Books. Her stories focus on fantasy, paranormal, and thrilling adventures. A dynamic and prolific story-teller, Rosa has earned critical praise as a writer, stage actress, vocalist, public speaker, and artist. Her hobbies include gardening, hikes, and playing games with her kids.

Book preview

Chapter 1

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After the Guardian of the Divide returned Elrom and me to the camp, I should have returned to bed. The rush of meeting a dragon, being married, and obtaining new powers was enough to knock me on my behind, but our companions had questions. Then, they had celebrations.

Then, they had questions about how we were supposed to get to Jalar. Everything had happened so fast that I didn’t have a chance to ask the Guardian about it. Now, the gateway to her was gone — no more glowing river in the sky over the mountains.

I pulled my camel skin cloak tighter to ward off the late-night chill. So this friend of yours in Ban Dao knows a way we can get around the Divide?

Yes, Jeks replied. His caravan found the ship in a cove when they took shelter from a storm.

But it’s haunted.

Only by the crew.

Gor shivered and dug his fingers into Ferean’s fur.

If things are as bad as the rumors say, it might be our best choice, Foss offered.

I stroked Pip’s silky ears to calm myself. I don’t like the idea of parading into the home city of this self-proclaimed Western King. As a Knight of the One King, I should bust down his door and remove his head for treason, but my gut tells me we don’t have time for a war on this side of the Divide. We need to get to Jalar and let the gods sort this out when I’ve healed Mischa.

Foss growled. No war. Just a pile of ash on his blasphemous throne as a message for anyone else stupid enough to flaunt the gods.

"Not stupid, Daka Foss. Mad."

I dropped my head in my hands, and Elrom rubbed my back.

You need sleep, love. We all do. We can’t make smart decisions with tired brains.

Take our tent, Vance offered. It’s still our watch, and we can get the other back up while you rest.

Thank you. Elrom gathered me to his chest. Come on, Wife.

He led me to the soldiers’ tent and my feet dragged from exhaustion.

We met a dragon, I murmured.

We did. He held the tent flap open and kissed my head as I entered.

We got married, right? I’m not dreaming? My life had taken such a dramatic turn it felt like a strange dream most of the time.

We did. Energy tickled through me as Elrom used magic to rearrange the bedrolls to accommodate us.

That was my favorite part, I whispered.

Mine, too.

She said I’m Dragon Kin now.

You are.

Elrom scooped me in his arms. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he brought me to the bedroll. He lay next to me, propped on his elbow. I rolled toward him and stroked his chest.

I’m not sure what that means.

It means the dragons evaluated your experiences and found you worthy enough to be counted among their family. Elrom ran a finger along the ridge of my ear, and I shivered. "You adhere to zvat, which brings honor to Dragon Kin. There’s more, but this isn’t the time to discuss it. Sleep now. Save the world tomorrow."

Elrom kissed my forehead and settled with his arms around me.

I snuggled closer. This is real?

If it’s a dream, let me sleep a while longer, he mumbled.

I slept with a dreamless peace and woke to tiny kisses along my eyebrow.

Sighing happily, I lifted my face to catch Elrom’s lips against mine.

Good morning, Wife.

Good morning, Husband.

Breakfast is ready, and the camp is mostly packed. We need to give the men their tent back.

Already?

How long did I sleep?

Mm-hm. I brought your things so you can dress and groom privately, but you should hurry if you want breakfast before it’s gone.

I rolled him onto his back and straddled him. What if I want you for breakfast?

Elrom grinned, and someone cleared their throat loudly behind me.

Yes, Tres?

Tres fidgeted at the entry. Lord Foss wants to know—

—how far he can push me before I thump him? I grumbled, climbing off Elrom.

Tres glanced over his shoulder nervously, and my teeth ground together. What petty game was Foss playing this time?

I remembered the antics his servant, Begley, suffered due to Foss’s moods. I had allowed him leeway for his grief, but here? Now? Everyone in our company was under my care, and I didn’t look fondly at this petty abuse of authority.

What did he threaten to do if you didn’t disturb us? An eternal itch? Suspend you upside down over the campfire?

Tres shifted and dropped his gaze. I growled and brushed past him.

Foss watched me approach, shaving mirror and razor in hand. The amused quirk at the corner of his mouth burned the last of my patience. I shoved him with a blast of holy power, and he stumbled backward.

If you want to vex me, push your luck in person. Don’t send someone in your place to take the backlash.

Foss snarled. Blue lightning crackled up his arms.

Pip cowered and whined, looking between us. Our companions watched in apprehension.

A roar shook the air, and the form of a golden dragon streaked past me. Elrom stood between us, back stiff, fists clenched, and teeth bared. Foss hung suspended in the air, their eyes locked in silent battle.

"That is my wife you threaten. Elrom’s voice vibrated in my chest. She is also a Knight of Besamie. What is your law?"

We’d been having evening lessons to educate our friends from the Drift on Besamie’s laws, religion, and various cultures. Elrom was a fastidious student.

T-to strike out against a Knight of Besamie is to strike out against the king himself, Foss croaked.

"Thus, it is treason. Remember that before you take a stand against her. Elrom released his magical hold, and Foss dropped to the ground. Speak your grievance, and let us resolve this quickly, Lord Bard. We have important work to do and little time for games."

You stole her from me. Foss stood and dusted himself off, leveling a burning glare at Elrom. You offered us sanctuary, and the moment I was gone, you courted my fiancée.

What happened to He loved you better in three weeks than I have in all the time I’ve known you? In a disappointing return to pettiness, Foss moved from a sincere confession of I didn’t deserve you, and I knew it to the childish cry of You stole her from me. I clenched my jaw to keep silent. This issue was between them, and I needed to let them sort it out.

"I showed her the same courtesy, respect, and kindness I offer all under my