Earthbound, p.39
Earthbound, page 39
Tehran let his hands drop from her face but held her gaze. “I felt Knox’s heart for you. He wanted you safe. He was almost gone when we fought those two at the end, but he must have heard you scream. That moment, his strength came back. More than anything, Knox wanted you to live. He made you speak the words and renounce your bond not because of a mystical power, but because he wanted you to be free.”
She remained silent, tears streaking down her cheeks.
“I can’t be him, won’t ever be him, but—” His voice turned husky with emotion. “But my heart is yours.”
She sucked in a shaky breath. “You deserve more. I’m nothing more than a hollowed-out shell.”
He leaned back into the corner of the couch and held his arm open. “You are still you, that’s all I need.” The words ensconced her like a cocoon, safe and enveloping. She slid over to his side and he kissed the top of her head. “There is no expectation. We’ll take it one day at a time.”
A thread of warmth stirred in her chest and she leaned back to meet his liquid gaze. Her fingertips traced his jaw line. “I can do that.”
He smirked and gently leaned in, pressing his mouth to hers. She wove her fingers through his hair and breathed him in, sinking into his kiss. Surprise met her. This was no empty flame that only burned at his touch, but a full inferno, fuelled by its own light. She smiled against his lips.
Tehran rumbled a laugh and lightly kissed her again.
The world may be set to burn, but in that moment, Emilia knew she could burn brighter.
Epilogue
The Sky’s Fire
Knox awoke to fire.
Flames caressed his skin and coloured his vision. Around him, burning embers piled high among blackened logs tipped at offset angles. What in the Sky?
He pushed himself up, hands sinking into ruby coals as he looked around. Pale white bones glowed fragile with heat next to him. Three skulls lay in a row, vacant sockets staring skyward. Knox followed their empty gaze, looking up into the night sky. The twin moons were absent but for ghostly shadows hinting at their forgotten glory. Lights flickered in the distance, challenging the stars with their brazen amber glow.
Knox rolled his shoulders and ran a hand down his forearm experimentally. His skin tingled like he had scrubbed himself with sand, fresh and new. He touched his face. A short beard covered his jaw. He hadn’t shaved in weeks, and yet it lay neatly trimmed. His brow compressed as the questions continued to pile up. Where in the Mercurial am I?
Frantic Tumultian words rolled through the stillness. A soldier stood at the edge of the fire, eyes wide, pointing his long pole towards him. Knox stepped forward, feet wading through the deep bed of coals. The soldier screamed, dropped his pole and ran into the night.
As the sound faded, a voice whispered into his mind. Once.
He looked around but knew he wouldn’t find the source.
As he stepped from the fire, his foot caught on something buried deep within the coals. Knox bent and brushed aside ash to reveal a charred handle. The leather wrap was gone, but the gnarled contours of his petrified weapon greeted him like an old friend. He clung to the grip and the familiarity it echoed as he stepped clear of the fire.
The tingling eased as the cool night air curled in eddies around him, causing goosebumps to jump on his skin. Where the soldier had stood, a long cloak lay on the ground. He moved with languid ease to the wrap and after he had covered himself, he turned and gazed back into the fire.
It’s a funeral pyre. He’d died? The thought felt wrong somehow. He didn’t feel dead. Quite the opposite, in fact. Although, maybe that was the truth of dying; it was merely coming into a truer life. He searched for the heat at his core and instead felt his whole body alight with warmth. He let loose a full-bellied laugh, shaking free the dewy silence of this awakening.
This pyre was no doubt meant as a final insult. In death, Tumultians wanted to be held forever as captives of the Earth. He snorted and took in a clearing breath. Not so for the people of the Sky; they were released into smoke and ash. Unknowingly, the flames meant to rob him had instead reunited him with his goddess. For all the Commander’s boasting, it showed how little she understood of the Mercurial.
His eyes settled on the bones glowing within the heart of the conflagration.
But ignorance could be deadly.
The bones gave no hints of who they were in life. A twist of pain gripped his chest. Emilia? Tehran?
In shocking clarity, a memory spun through him. “Hang on, Knox—” Tehran’s voice echoing through his mind. There had been one last pull tugging on the thread of power between them as Tehran crashed through the barricade, before it had snapped clean, and he had been lost to darkness.
They made it out.
He looked east, towards the Capital. Did he follow? The Order would implode at what Knox represented. They were about stability, predictability. The laws, the oaths, all set-in stone; complete and immovable.
A lopsided grin cracked his features at the thought of Dareous and the others trying to figure out what he was. Something new. An Overseer no longer, of that he was certain. His skin carried with it a constant flush of heat, a reminder of his connection to the Sky.
As tempting as it was to march himself to the Capital and see their shocked faces, he found he had no desire to walk that path.
He turned west. This invasion was now an occupation. Those left in the Reaches needed leadership and protection. He could offer both.
◆◆◆
“Oy, hands to the Sky, and turn slowly,” A familiar voice said.
Knox heaved an exaggerated sigh and turned, unable to keep the smile from his face. It had been a long couple of weeks making his way into the Skybound Range. Before he could complete the rotation, a small boulder crashed into his legs.
“Kipp!” Loghin shouted, clearly worried. Recognition took only a moment longer. “By the Sky, Knox!”
Knox flashed Loghin a crinkled grin before he dropped to his knees, level with Kipp. He nudged her chin with a knuckle. “I told you I’d be back.”
Her curls bounced in their pigtails, a smile stretching across her face. “I know,” she said, her voice clear and light. “The Sky told me.”
Continued in…
Skysworn
Coming 2025
Glossary
The Sky: The elemental power worshipped in the Mercurial as a god that binds the power of oaths for all Avowed.
The Earth: The elemental power believed to be responsible for giving earthbound their ability to change earth, and worshipped by the Tumultian people as a god.
Mercurial: Geographic region from the western edge of the Tumult to the eastern edge of Euryale Lake, and from the northern tip of the Wyvern Lake to southern reach of the Skybound Range. Region ruled by the Order of the Sky.
Reaches: Geographic region within the Mercurial from the Resolute Mountains east to the edge of the Tumult.
Central Mercurial: Area within the Mercurial directly around Wyvern and Euryale Lakes.
Tumult: Plains east of Sheerwall Ridge. Largely uninhabited but for nomadic clans of Tumultian peoples.
Order of the Sky: Religious ruling order over the lands of the Mercurial.
Oath: Words and intent paired into a vow that binds individuals to power and purpose.
Primary Oath: Initial Oath sworn by all Avowed to the Sky. When sworn, power is gifted in return.
Oathtorn: When one of the Avowed holds multiple oaths that are directly, or indirectly, in conflict with one another. Mental splintering and/or broken vows are the most common result.
Avowed: Any who have sworn the Primary Oath to the Sky.
Elevated: Avowed voted from the existing Elders to lead Conclave.
Elder: Avowed voted from the Conclave to make up the ruling body over Mercurial. Power is laid down in exchange for new gifts of leadership.
Conclave: Governing body made up of Overseers and Acumen, voted to serve by fellow Avowed.
Overseer: Avowed with physical gifts of strength and invulnerability, charged with keeping peace and order within the Mercurial.
Acumen: Avowed with gifts of mental acuity and intelligence, charged with stewarding knowledge within the Mercurial.
Acolyte: Children who have sworn preliminary oaths and are mentored under a Patrem/Matrem but have yet to swear the Primary Oath.
Patrem/Matrem: Avowed who swear themselves to raise and train Acolytes.
Assurance: A detailed set of requirements that demonstrate the ongoing commitment to the Primary and Secondary Oaths. Failure to uphold any assurance manifests as an instant loss of power.
Setka: A long, coloured sash worn around the waist or over the shoulder to denote rank within civic councils and members of the Order. Setkas worn by Elders and members of the Conclave are more pronounced and narrow down through the hierarchy.
Quot: A segmented fruit with a thin purple skin. Grows in bunches of six to seven on leafy bushes throughout the Mercurial.
Pomea: A sour tasting fruit, rich in vitamins but often mixed with sweeter ingredients to make it more palatable. The pomea tree is cultivated for its vibrant flowers in the spring.
Corba: A nut tree found in the old growth forests by the tell-tale mat of husks left behind from foraging creatures. Collected, dried, and ground, these husks can be used to create a rich tasting drink with restorative properties.
Whet: A local grain, commonly ground into flour or rolled into flakes.
Earthbound
Skuttle: Small, rodent-like earthbound. These prolific scavengers are the size of a large melon with an extended, bulbous belly and disproportionately small legs.
Rigsha: These slow moving, bloated earthbound are one of the most dangerous species to humans. To hunt, they lie in wait beneath the surface, creating a narrow but deep liquefaction to trap their prey. Their liquefactions can swallow a fully- grown adult in an instant. Once their prey are trapped within the earth, they devour their meal slowly with a beak-like mouth hidden behind fleshy lips.
Racin: Drawn to the minerals accessible in the footings of buildings, these adaptable earthbound build dens below houses, compromising foundations. They have lithe bodies and longer limbs, allowing for movement on the surface as well as within the earth.
Deccam: Pods of these herbivores can quickly decimate a field of crops. They thrive off of creating wide, shallow liquefactions that pull vegetation below the surface for them to eat. With four broad, almost elegant lateral fins, the liquefaction from a single deccam is significant, often triple their body length.
Vicers: Moderately sized predators, roughly the length of an average adult, that hunt in large, organized packs. The liquefactions they create are not typically deep but are used to trap and slow prey, giving the pack time to tear the victim to pieces. Their long bodies and thick tails are designed for speed, and they have sharp teeth for tearing flesh.
Granits: Predatory earthbound that hunt with quick surface attacks. Their arrow-shaped heads and twin dorsal ridges are defining features. While attacks on humans are rare, their liquefactions are deep enough to cause considerable danger to the unsuspecting.
Brecka: Creatures of the Tumult, these solitary earthbound are monsters of the deep, reaching mythical sizes. They seem to be opportunistic feeders, drawn to the surface by vibration. The destruction they can cause with their liquefactions is the single most cited reason why the Tumult plains remain uninhabited.
Acknowledgements
I write this filled with the deepest gratitude.
Always first and foremost to our Creator, who breathes life and has given me days, the drive to create, and whose love has carried me through deep waters.
For my husband, partner-in-all-things, and best friend, Edward. His never-flagging encouragement and belief in my work is the reason this book is in your hands. Not only this, his tireless dedication to our family is what allows me the space to write. It’s a gift I do not take for granted, and one I want to steward well.
My children are truly the kindest, most creative, loving people on the planet. Not only do they put up with a mother who has her head in the clouds and loses track of time, but they enthusiastically cheer me on. They asked to be in this story way back when it was first drafted, and it was my joy to introduce Ehlle and Gavriel to Knox and Loghin.
My family is my home and where I launch from. That all started with my amazing parents, Pat and Jim, and my siblings, Jackie, James, and Meighan. I love each of you. Thank you for embracing me, in all my awkward glory.
To Leanne and Linda, my dearest, tried-and-faithful friends. Thank you for keeping me sane and walking through this life with all the ups and downs of the day-to-day.
My primary critique partners, Emily Barnett and Bonnie Maisen, have walked with me on this story since day one. I am so thankful to have these amazing women to bounce ideas off of, and who continually root for me and these stories.
My sisterhood-of-all-mischief has been the equivalent of a cheer squad, technical support, creative think tank, and emotional support group all in one. I love you ladies.
Similar titles would belong with my larger writing communities of The Cottage, Realm Table and my writing groups on Insta and Discord. You all inspire me.
Editing 120,000 words is no small undertaking. Thank you to Bonnie Maisen for developmental edits that dug deep and didn’t let me get away with proverbial hand-waving.
To Cheyanne Cooley and Aubri Porter for their respective line/copy edits, we all should be grateful. Not only did they work their magic line by line, but they also kept me going with encouragement all along the way. Finally, Emma Hill and Emily Barnett: thank you for jumping in for a final proofread and double check. Knowing your eyes were on it, eased many anxieties.
Beta Readers are an invaluable resource, and to each of you who dedicated time to not only read but also share your thoughts and feedback—thank you. You have made this story better. I hope you can take pride in this final draft, knowing you were a part of building it into what it is. Beta Team: Dave Bootsma, Keeley Faulkner, Amber Kirkpatrick, Rachel Lawrence, Andrea Renea, Alyssa Smothers, and Jyron, Linda and Jaden Traub—thank you!
Which brings me to ARC readers and the ‘Earthbound Crew’ Street Team. After all of the work to write this story, it’s your efforts in reading, reviewing, and sharing that have helped it launch into the world. You have my deepest gratitude for jumping in and supporting me and this book so selflessly.
Endorsements can be daunting. These are authors and story-tellers I look up to, and yet, here I am again blown away by their humility and generosity. Thank you for giving of your time to not only read and review Earthbound, but to lift up other authors. I know I am not alone in benefiting from your investment of care.
For this amazing cover, all the credit goes to Maria Spada. She made a nerve-racking proposition easy and the final product so fantastic. Annika Crum patiently worked with me to bring the Mercurial to life with the map you see in the opening pages. Emily Barnett created the perfect chapter graphics, marrying the symbolic and organic so beautifully. Eliana Stein imagined the earthbound with her creature paintings found in the Earthbound compendium. Gabe Stein designed the header for the Epilogue and both he and Ellie Tran have designed pieces for merchandise that are stunning. I am always blown away at how artists can bring words and ideas to life, and I’m thankful to partner with these amazing individuals.
Having Earthbound also available as an audiobook is a dream come true and it brings me so much joy to hear Tehran, Knox, and Emilia brought to life through the vocal talents of Magnus Carlssen. Thank you for the passion and dedication you bring to your craft—you’ve elevated this story into something really special.
Finally, dear reader, I’m grateful to you. Thank you for taking a chance on a new book, and maybe even a new-to-you author. I hope I have earned your trust, and I look forward to bringing you many more stories.
About The Author
Legend has it, Katee Stein was born with a book in her hand. Although never officially confirmed, reports suggest her earliest years were spent haunting the local library. It is unclear what profound thoughts led Katee to writing her first book, The Happy Stegosaurus, in elementary school, but her love of storytelling took root in that moment.
Once grown, Katee travelled, met the love of her life, had two amazing children, and started working in special education. Through it all, the words never stopped begging to be shared. Finally, when the ache in her chest became too much, she started to write the stories that had lived so long in her head.
So it was Katee learned the value of the long way around—the uncharted course that spun a lifetime of experience into the foundation to dream up worlds. Of course if you were to meet her, you’d find she’s of an ordinary sort who loves coffee and slow mornings, chickens and sunrises, and most of all, her people.
Websitewww.kateestein.com
Instagram@katee.stein
Katee Stein, Earthbound
