eath ragged, crystal clutched to her chest. The mark on her arm th

mother wa

heavy drapes. Then, with surprising strength, she took the crystal from Kaela'

begun," she

gasped. "Why did

ies of unspoken truths. "I hoped it would neve

her chair and

kind. Its rulers, the Crystal-bearers, wielded the heartstone of the world. But when the last queen fell in the

e its chosen protector-the last blood of Eldara's line. The others w

mbled. "What am I

the lost Guardians. And a

. There was no t