Jewl and the Jinx: Book 5 of the Earth to Irth Series

By Nan Whybark

As a princess in the Patriarchal Realm of en’Edlia, Jewl has grown up
close to her twin sister, Phyre. Born to a royal mother from nonmagical
Earth and a high patriarch father now ruling on magical Irth,
Jewl has inherited a birth-gift of magical power. Even though her twin has no
magic, Jewl feels her birth-gift is worthless.
Desperately wanting to have friends with birth-gifts, Jewl ventures into the
Shards—a dark, foreboding part of the city—and, with her new friends, begins a
journey she is soon desperate to abandon. Jewl is caught in a snare of dark magic
and tangled in a plot to kill someone in the ruling family—her family! Feeling
threatened and afraid, Jewl must find a way to stop a deadly jinx before someone
dies. Can she find anyone she can trust to help her before her involvement is
discovered?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jan 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781663215543

Nan Whybark

Nan Whybark is retired after 24 years teaching reading, writing, art, drama, and other subjects in the public school system. She has an Associate in Fine Arts degree. Returning to college for a BFA degree is her goal. Ms. Whybark has published four other books in the Earth to Irth Series. She has more than 20 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She loves dragons and lives with many, including her favorite named Harold.

Book preview

EARTH TO IRTH SERIES BOOKS

BY NAN WHYBARK

Book 1, The Weasel and the Wizard

Book 2, The Serpent and the Sorceress

Book 3, The Matriarch and the Magic

Book 4, Thairyn and the Thieves

JEWL

and the

JINX

Book 5 of the Earth to Irth Series

NAN WHYBARK

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JEWL AND THE JINX

BOOK 5 OF THE EARTH TO IRTH SERIES

Copyright © 2019 Nan Whybark.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

iUniverse

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

ISBN: 978-1-6632-1553-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6632-1554-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020925760

iUniverse rev. date: 01/12/2021

CONTENTS

Preface

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Irth’s Glossary for Off-Worlders

Dedicated to

my children,

Krystal, David, Marcus, Alita, and Nikki—

who have faced many challenges in their lives,

but have the power within themselves to overcome all

if they draw upon their God-given birth-gifts.

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PREFACE

This is Book 5 of the Earth to Irth Series. As in most series, the reader will better enjoy the story by reading the books in order. However, this book can stand alone as a complete story, and the reader can be guided by using the provided glossary in the back of the book for help in understanding things on the world of Irth.

As the series title indicates, we travel from mundane Earth in Books 1 and 2 to the magical world of Irth in Books 3 through 5. Krystin progresses from a sheltered ten-year-old to a mother of three living on another world as co-ruler of a prosperous realm. The first half of the series is about Krystin, her brothers, and their family. The second half of the series is about Krystin’s children.

As you can imagine, none of their lives are ordinary, dull, or without danger, adventure, magic, and some dragons sprinkled in.

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CHAPTER 1

A DJUSTING HER KNAPSACK over her shoulder, Jewl glanced back at the guard escorting her at a respectful distance. She looked up at the sky awash with pink and gold. The late afternoon air was cooling down. It seemed wonderfully fresh after spending the day inside the palace. She kicked a rock in her path, and then quickened her pace. It would soon be dark, and she didn’t want to be late. She was going to Zali’s house to spend the night. Zali was a good friend who could keep a secret. Jewl had a secret which needed keeping.

All at once, Jewl turned to the right and broke into a run, her dark-brown braid trailed out behind her. Running made her feel free and strong. She heard the escort-guard spit out a curse as he transformed into a huge spectar-cat to keep up. Jewl frowned, envious of his birth-gift. What freedom he must feel as a spectar-cat!

Jewl increased her pace. Her thoughts sped up too, tumbling wildly in her head. Alone I am nothing. I’m going to break free, even if it’s only for tonight. I want to be with others who have birth-gifts. Others who have more freedoms. Others who don’t have to be cooped up all the time, taken care of, watched over, and protected.

Jewl’s feet flew over the pebbled city lane. Her loose, white blouse and light-blue skirt flapped against her skin. She heard the soft, padding paws of the guard-now-spectar-cat following her. He was her protector; her escort to make sure she safely arrived at Zali’s. His only weapon was his birth-gift.

Jewl’s thoughts continued. What good is being a princess if I am caged in the palace? What good is a title with no power? There is nowhere to go. Nowhere to escape from my sister, Phyre. She may be my twin, but we are so different. I want to be different. Maybe tonight I can be different at least for a while.

Jewl and her twin, Phyre, shared a spacious bedroom. There was a time when she and her sister had their beds side by side, feeling the need to be close when they were younger. However, recently, Jewl insisted they rearrange the room. She wanted to break away and have her own space. The older Jewl got, the more different she felt from Phyre.

Jewl continued toward Zali’s house, taking a left turn into the city’s main housing area. After a few more minutes, Jewl slowed to a jog, and then a walk as she neared Zali’s house. The night air seemed suddenly cool on her flushed cheeks. She caught a whiff of the briny smell of the sea and looked up at the star-filled sky. The sea and the sky seemed endless and dark. Jewl felt the need to fling herself into that great expanse and be free. She sighed.

Her breathing calmed. Her thoughts slowed down. If only her birth-gift was levitation. Or teleportation. Or anything but what she was given.

Alone I am nothing.

Glancing back at the spectar-cat transforming back into the escort-guard, Jewl faked a sheepish grin. Sorry. She shrugged, and then quickly turned up the path to her friend’s front door.

The door to Zali’s house was simple—made of pale wood, with a winged scallop-shell carved in the upper center. Jewl stared at the carving. It was the symbol of her country. Touching it with one finger, Jewl felt a stab of guilt. I am Crown Matriarch of en’Edlia, possible heir to the throne. Am I worthy of that title? She knocked loudly to interrupt her own thoughts.

After a moment or two, the door cracked open.

Hi, Zali! Sorry I’m late! Can I come in? Jewl said before her friend could speak.

Oh, hi, Jewl . . . what. . . . are— Zali’s brown eyes flickered between Jewl and the guard.

Just let me in, all right? Jewl whispered.

Oh . . . sure, come on in, she replied a little too loudly, as she opened the door wider and stepped aside. Zali caught the eye of the guard. Though he kept back about twenty feet, he was watching her closely.

Is everything all right? the guard called out.

Oh, sure . . . sure! Everything’s fine, Zali called back.

See you in the morning! Jewl waved at her escort.

Zali closed the door and swung around to face Jewl. What are you doing? I thought you weren’t coming until later. Are you in trouble?

No, not yet… I mean, of course not. Just thought I’d come see you for a few minutes. You know, get away from palace life and all. Jewl glanced away from her friend.

You mean ditch the guard, don’t you? said Zali, her hands on her hips.

Okay, okay, I admit it! said Jewl, her bright, blue eyes flashing. Just keep it down.

Zali? Was someone at the door? A woman’s voice came from the next room.

Just Jew— Jewl’s eyes widened, and Zali realized her mistake. Ah . . . just a friend stopping by for a second, Matria.

Well, invite them in, Zali!

Ah . . . no, they have to go now, Zali said.

Oh, all right. I thought it might be Jewl, Zali’s matria said from the other room.

Jewl mouthed the word, Later!

Ah . . . no. Jewl isn’t coming until later. Zali frowned at Jewl.

Cracking the door open again, Zali made sure the guard had gone. She motioned to Jewl to step outside with her.

The girls stood together in silence for a moment. Then Zali crossed her arms and said, Well, are you going to tell me or not?

Zali, I… I…I’m going to see Coyer.

Coyer? Who’s that?

He’s a boy I met in—

Oh . . . a boy! Now I see! Zali smiled, and flipped her light-brown hair.

No, you don’t, said Jewl. It’s not like that. At least I don’t think it is. Well, maybe it is.

I thought so! Zali grinned.

Oh, Zali, I’ve been talking with him in the market place for a few days. Now, he’s invited me to a meeting tonight.

A meeting? Sure . . . uh-huh. What kind of meeting?

It’s just a group he belongs to. He and his sister and some others.

Uh-huh. Maybe I should go with you.

I want to do this on my own, Zali. You see how it is, don’t you?

Zali sighed. Sure. I guess so. You don’t want to look like a breakfast bug hauling along your best friend on your first date.

Zali, you’re the best! Jewl hugged her tightly. Don’t tell anyone I wasn’t here all night with you, okay?

I promise. Just be careful, okay?

I’ll be back in a couple hours. Then we can talk all night.

Zali paused and looked deeply into Jewl’s eyes. Are you sure you don’t want me to come?

Jewl smiled weakly, and nodded.

All right, but my matria always says you can’t choose what you find in the dark. It might not be what you want.

Jewl laughed. Or it might be something wonderful! She turned, and with a wave to Zali, she walked off into the dark of en’Edlia City.

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CHAPTER 2

A S JEWL WALKED toward the darkened marketplace, she thought back several days to when she had first met Coyer. She smiled as she remembered the details of that day.

*     *     *

That day, it was a bright, warm morning, with a whispering sea breeze. Jewl managed to escape, into the city of en’Edlia without her sister, Phyre. She was accompanied by one of the palace maids on market errands. As usual, the young princess was dressed in common clothes so as not to attract any attention. She wore a pale-blue skirt and loose, white blouse, with a brown shoulder bag for market purchases. She