Daughter of the Wind - by Nora Carmody (Paperback)

About the Book

"Darkness lurks in the shadows as a betrothed princess navigates her newly manifested magic-and a forbidden attraction-that threatens to shatter the link she shares with her beloved bonded horse, only to discover that both might be the answer to winning her people's freedom. Zara has never felt worthy as the daughter of her tribe's Queen. She has inherited the duty as First Daughter, next in line to lead her people, but she hasn't inherited what matters most-her mother's Earth magic. Every day, her people and their horse companions are closer to losing the war against the Eagle Riders. They know if that happens, the enemy will ravage their land and destroy any remains of their culture. But when a rider attacks Zara herself, she suddenly manifests a Wind magic powerful enough to knock giant eagles from the sky. With this power, Zara could change the tide of the war. But her power comes at a terrible price: the slow destruction of the psychic bond with her horse. So when a treaty is proposed in exchange for her hand in marriage to the enemy's emperor, Zara makes the sacrifice. She soon finds that the emperor's palace is even more hostile than the battlefield. Lurking inside is a magic darker than anything she's ever seen-and one that her future husband is set on unleashing. Sworn to protect the future empress, Commander Talon of the Eagle Riders quickly realizes that Zara is more than she seems. She is the key to keeping the emperor from destroying the kingdom. But as they fight their growing attraction, Talon and Zara must unite their people and uncover the truth about her power...even if it costs them everything"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Darkness lurks in the shadows as a betrothed princess wrestles with a dangerous new magic that threatens her bond with her beloved horse--and a forbidden love for the enemy sworn to protect her.

Zara has never felt worthy of her title as First Daughter. Though next in line to lead her people, she hasn't inherited what matters most--her mother's sacred earth magic. While her people are tied to the land and their soul-bound horses, Zara has always felt a pull toward the wind.

As war rages against the empire's deadly Eagle Riders, her people edge closer to defeat. When a rider attacks Zara herself, she unleashes a wind magic strong enough to tear giant eagles from the sky. This power could turn the tide of war--but at a terrible cost: the slow unraveling of her psychic bond with her horse.

When a marriage treaty is offered in exchange for peace, Zara agrees, sacrificing herself to protect her people. But the emperor's palace is more treacherous than any battlefield. Hidden behind its gilded walls is a monstrous being long buried--and her power-hungry betrothed is determined to set it free.

Sworn to protect the future empress, Commander Talon soon realizes Zara is more than a political pawn--she's the key to stopping the emperor's dark ambitions. As their forbidden desire grows, they must face an ancient evil stirring beneath the throne. Even if it costs them everything.

About the Author

Nora Carmody lives in South Carolina with her husband and six kids. Before she became an author, Nora worked as a psychotherapist. An avid horsewoman, she grew up riding and competing on her Arabian mare. Her horse riding days may be over, but she's still a horse girl at heart! When she's not writing or spending time with her family, Nora takes care of a constantly growing menagerie of pets, including (but not limited to) two dogs, four cats, eleven chickens, and a bearded dragon.