In this prequel short story to “Emerald’s Fracture” (Isles of Stone Book One), Natalie Desmond struggles in her new role as a wartime Healer now that the nearby country of Lorelan declared war on the Isles. Her new duties prevent her from pursuing a mystery – one of the Abbey’s best Healers disappeared from the school, reportedly off to join the Royal Army. That Natalie has always had a crush on missing Healer Juliers Ravenwood is neither here nor there – or so she tells herself. Between her worry for her friends and the tending to the worst wounds she’s ever seen, Natalie must dig deep to remember why she became a Healer in the first place.

It’s the winter holidays and Healer Jules Rayvenwood hates coming home. His family has always hated that he became a Healer and not pursued the family trade. So no one could be more surprised than Jules when one of the best Healers comes to call for dinner. When the guest of honor asks to speak with him privately, Jules couldn’t refuse. Presented with a special mission meant for only the most talented Healers, Jules faces a difficult choice: return to the life he’s worked hard to make for himself or help turn the tide of the war that’s recently been declared upon his country. Eager to prove his skills, Jules makes his decision—and faces the consequences.

A deadly epidemic. A madman exploiting it. How will she save her people? Natalie Desmond has a hectic life as a Healer at Bridhe of the Isles Abbey: using magic to save lives, teaching young Healing students, and tending plants in the greenhouse. Jules Rayvenwood, Natalie’s handsome former professor, is the only thing missing. But when Jules comes back at last, it changes her fate forever. Jules Rayvenwood returns to the Abbey changed in body and mind—and unable to Heal. A mandate to work with his onetime student, Natalie Desmond, to restore his abilities only adds to his bitterness. When the pair receives orders to treat a fast-acting epidemic in a remote coastal city, both doubt their shaky relationship will withstand the test. As shadowy secrets swirl around them, Natalie and Jules must ultimately choose between obeying a treacherous Healer’s order to return to the Abbey and trying to save their people. What fate awaits them if they disobey and fight the epidemic? Assuming they can stop it in the first place…

Deprived of everything you are, who do you become? Exiled from her home. Healer status revoked. The man she loves in the hands of a madman. Natalie Desmond takes refuge amongst a group of spies and elite operatives, convinced life couldn’t get worse. Spies find her love unconscious and at death’s door. But when Natalie Heals him, she discovers he’s become a mage—one of the first in two thousand years. Broken mentally and physically, with his newfound mage powers raging out of control, Healer Jules Rayvenwood struggles to face life amongst friends. Unable to touch others—including the woman he loves—Jules retreats into himself. Determined to help Jules before someone gets hurt, Natalie and her friends set off across the sea only to find themselves on the run from deadly assassins. When they take the fight to the enemy, a new foe emerges from the shadows—threatening everyone in the realm. What will Natalie sacrifice to save her people?

It was a battle to save her country like any other. But this time, Natalie took a devastating blow to the head. Now every day is a difficult, heart-wrenching test. A madwoman holds Queen Charlotte prisoner. Against all odds, she must find a way to warn an army comes to destroy all they hold dear. With everyone looking to her, Natalie must forge a path that melds her old abilities with the new. Her success—or failure—will decide the fate of thousands. Read the gripping conclusion to the Isles of Stone trilogy now!