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From one of the original masters of romance, New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Bertrice Small invites you back to the magical, sensual world of Hetar.
The time of peace is over. After the murder of her husband, Lara—half faerie, half human—must leave the home she has made in the Outlands and follow the destiny that has long called her. Using her brilliant sword and even sharper mind, Lara must journey toward the coast, seeking alliances to protect the future of her land. But when treachery binds her once more in chains, the green-eyed beauty is taken far beyond the world she knows. Only there will she discover that destiny has a mind of its own—and that true passion knows no boundaries.
Praise for the World of Hetar series and
New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author
“Readers who enjoyed the first in [this] new series will devour Lara’s latest adventure.”
—Booklist on A Distant Tomorrow
“Small’s newest novel is a sexily fantastical romp.”
—Publishers Weekly on The Sorceress of Belmair
“Rich in colorful characters, brimming over with Small’s unique sense of erotic passion and a plot filled with mystery, the fourth title in the series is another masterpiece.”
—RT Book Reviews on The Sorceress of Belmair, Top Pick
“Small is not only a queen of erotic/adventure historicals, with the fifth book in the World of Hetar series, she is a grand mistress of erotic fantasy… With this newest story, the author demonstrates that we can ‘have it all.’”
—RT Book Reviews on The Shadow Queen, Top Pick
“The final volume in the World of Hetar delivers a fantasy lover’s delight.”
—RT Book Reviews on Crown of Destiny
A Distant Tomorrow
Bertrice Small
For Tom and Megan with love from Ma
THE PROPHECY
From the darkness came a maiden.
From the golden light came a warrior.
From a distant tomorrow will come
Hetar’s true destiny.
Contents
Prologue
VARTAN, LORD OF THE FIACRE and head of the Outlands High Council was dead. Treacherously slain in his own hall by his jealous younger brother, Adon, who coveted the lordship.
“Now I am the ruler over the Fiacre!” Adon boldly declared, his gaze sweeping the hall. “My brother was a weak fool, but I am not.”
Adon’s wife, Elin, smiled by his side, proud to have encouraged her mate to murder.
The lady Bera, mother of the brothers, fell to her knees cradling her firstborn, glassy-eyed with shock as she stared at the blood staining Vartan’s tunic. She began to wail her mourning. But Vartan’s wife, the half-faerie woman, Lara, called silently to her sword. Andraste flew from its place above the great hearth and into her waiting hand. Her fingers closed about the sword’s hilt, and the weapon began to sing in its deep voice a song of death.
“I am Andraste, and I drink the blood of the betrayer and his ilk!”
Adon’s handsome head was immediately severed from his body. Elin’s quickly followed. Each face wore the same stunned look of astonishment as it tumbled to the floor. Greedy and stupid, they had believed a swift surprise attack on Vartan would quell any opposition. For years afterwards the Fiacre would wonder why neither Adon nor Elin had not considered what Lara would do to avenge her mate. To protect their two children.
But on that terrible day, as Bera’s bitter keening filled the air with its deep sorrow, Lara walked from the hall, her blade, dripping blood, still in her hand. Andraste was now singing low of vengeance satisfied. Suddenly all was darkness about her. Lara stopped, able to see nothing but shadows surrounding her. And then she heard Adon’s voice speaking to her from the gloom.
“Do you really believe that by killing me you have stopped it? Hetar will come, no matter. Your children will be enslaved, and the legend of the Outlands, of Vartan and Lara, will be expunged, and cast into the very darkness in which you now stand frozen.”
“I have a destiny,” Lara told the invisible voice.
Adon laughed. “To fulfill it you must leave your children. You must give them up to others, and go. I do not believe you have the courage to do that, Lara, daughter of Swiftsword, widow of Vartan. You have become soft living among the Fiacre. You are no more now than an ordinary mortal.”
She felt a new anger racing through her veins. “I will do whatever I must to protect Vartan’s son and daughter!” she cried.
He laughed again. “We will see,” he said mockingly.
“How typical of you, Adon, to hide yourself from me in this darkness,” Lara said scornfully. But silence greeted her words as the darkness that surrounded her began to fade away. As it did she was filled with deep sadness. Lara realized that her time with the Fiacre was almost over.
Chapter 1
A MAN HAD RUN from the hall crying the terrible news. Lara walked on.