Shard & Shield

He can save her life—if he sacrifices those he swore to protect. King's bastard Shianan Becknam buries himself in his military career to avoid the dangers of drawing political attention. When the artifact intended to end an interdimensional war is damaged, a mage is trapped on the other side of the rift with her servant—only the cheery young boy is really one of the monstrous enemy, disguised as a human. Shianan is desperate to rescue Ariana, one of his few friends, but to do so requires committing treason and betraying his people to attack. State mage Ariana struggles to survive as a prisoner of war in a world of deadly magic and unfamiliar customs. Her only ally is her former servant, once again a renowned warrior caught up in political machinations. To survive, he'll have to take up the fight against Ariana's world. As their people's wasted armies prepare for fresh battle, bastard, mage, and monster must set aside prejudices and rivalries to find an end to centuries of conflict, before they die as traitors. Book 1 in a new epic fantasy series The Shard of Elan. This new epic fantasy series by an award-winning author is recommended for fans of Patrick Rothfuss, Brandon Sanderson, and Brent Weeks. The prince-heir's life hangs by a thread, and the last person to see him conscious was the king's bastard, Shianan Becknam. As rumor grows of Commander Becknam's possible fratricide, Shianan pushes away Black Mage Ariana Hazelrig, lest her rise be destroyed by connection to him. Ariana has returned from her abduction to the Ryuven world, bringing an herb which could fight the plague reported through the countryside. Her efforts have resulted in unprecedented negotiations toward peace. But if the prince-heir dies, the tentative truce will fall into blood feud, and Ariana's new renown cannot help her to save Shianan. Luca, enslaved once more, is summoned before the queen to answer for Shianan's crimes. Abandoned by his family, his hope of salvation dims with each passing day. Tamaryl, again styled a traitor, is bound in a magic-sapping prison. He has given everything toward ending this war—and he will soon learn what price he must pay for it. The epic fantasy continues in the beloved Shard of Elan series!