Oath

Catherine LaCroix

Summary

In Lord Markov's absence, Josselyn leaves the estate behind in desperation of a brighter future. With her new ally beside her and assistance from a familiar face, they begin to unfurl the mystery behind the Terryn family murder. But what Josselyn finds will change everything she knows, and make her question everything she holds dear.

~~~~~ Excerpt ~~~~~

Cyprus, Isabelle and I lay across my bed side-by-side on our backs. I was positioned between them and took comfort in their warmth. I’d managed to reign in my emotions and steady my breathing. While I traced the designs of the ceiling with my eyes, a fond memory returned to me.

“I remember…one day Jeremi came home from work with six bottles of wine and a deck of playing cards. He set up a table with a huge plate of food and the drinks in this room, made sure Victoria and I were comfortable, and then ordered the servants to leave us be for the night.” I smiled, recalling how excited he’d been.

“What did you do?” Isabelle asked.

“I’m guessing Victoria taught him how to play Finan.” Cyprus replied.

“You’re right, she did.” I nodded. “And Jeremi wanted to bring me in on the game--with two new rules.”

“How do you play normally?” Isabelle asked, toying with a loose strand of my hair.

“Each card is assigned a value, and your end goal is to have the lowest score of everyone.” Cyprus summarized.

“Seems simple enough. What were the new rules?” She looked at me.

“If you win, you drink half of your glass.” I giggled. “And if you empty your glass, you lose an article of clothing.”

“That’s a lot of wine to get through,” Isabelle laughed, “and not very many pieces of clothing.”

“And playing a game that’s extremely in Victoria’s favor.” Cyprus joined her. “We played it all the time in Lorelyn.”

“Learning was easy, mastering it was harder, and I’m certain they let me win more than a few times. We spent the entire night in here, laughing and draining more wine than I think I’ve ever consumed in my life.” I remembered we’d all awoken on the floor the next morning, haphazardly covered in the blankets from my bed. Not one of us remembered how we had finished the night. But…that part never mattered. I just wanted to be near them always.

“Josselyn, tell me,” Isabelle whispered, “what is it like…to be a Ring?”

“Isabelle…? Are you sure?” I turned toward her, only to have her lips meet mine.

“Yes. Show me,” she murmured against my mouth, “both of you.”

Available since: 01/11/2023.

Print length: 16 pages.

Other books that might interest you

Learning Life Lessons Through...

Shayla Dowe

As a teacher, you pour your heart and soul into guiding the next generation. But who is caring for you? In this vulnerable and inspiring book, educator Shayla Dowe shares hard-won wisdom on the essential qualities that transform good teachers into great ones. From her mother’s quiet strength to the redemptive journey of a struggling student, Dowe’s personal experiences illustrate the power of patience, the rewards of resilience, and the non-negotiable need for self-care. By turns heartwarming and challenging, this book offers a roadmap for nurturing students at their own pace, with kindness and empathy; persevering through setbacks and finding joy in the small victories; and prioritizing your own well-being to avoid burnout and show up as your best self. Teaching is a calling that demands our whole selves. But with Dowe as your guide, you’ll learn to cultivate the essential qualities that allow you to make a lasting impact - not just on your students, but on your own life. Whether you’re a veteran educator or just starting your teaching journey, this book will inspire you to be the transformative force your students need. Prepare to be encouraged, convicted, and empowered to rise to the highest calling of your profession.

Show book

Lincoln's Rivals: The Political...

Duncan Hawthorne

Explore Lincoln's Mastery: A Deep Dive into His Political Brilliance
⭐⭐ Simplified Audio Guide ⭐⭐
Are you eager to advance in your comprehension of Lincoln's extraordinary political capabilities?
Looking for a thorough guide that reveals all critical aspects of Lincoln’s strategies and leadership?
Your search ends here!
This guide stands as your essential companion for deepening your knowledge, applying historical insights, and engaging in critical thinking exercises. With this, you're poised for mastery.
Updated structure for enhanced understanding.
Key features of this enriched guide:
- Profound insights into Lincoln's political acumen
- Detailed explanation of Lincoln's strategies for navigating political adversity
- Effective methods for analyzing historical events and leadership styles
Our guide distinguishes itself through comprehensive coverage, essential for grasping Lincoln's genius. Concepts are not skimmed over; they are explored with in-depth precision.
Please note that this guide is not affiliated with any official historical entities and is purely an independent resource for your benefit.
Designed with a clear structure and easy-to-understand language, our guide on Lincoln’s Political Genius ensures smooth transitions between topics. Say goodbye to dense jargon and embrace clear, precise, and historically accurate content.
So, why wait? Click the BUY NOW button, secure your guide, and embark on your journey to fully understanding Lincoln's political brilliance!

Show book

Divergent Mind - Thriving in a...

Anonymous

A paradigm-shifting study of neurodivergent women—those with ADHD, autism, synesthesia, high sensitivity, and sensory processing disorder—exploring why these traits are overlooked in women and how society benefits from allowing their unique strengths to flourish. 
As a successful Harvard and Berkeley-educated writer, entrepreneur, and devoted mother, Jenara Nerenberg was shocked to discover that her “symptoms”--only ever labeled as anxiety-- were considered autistic and ADHD. Being a journalist, she dove into the research and uncovered neurodiversity—a framework that moves away from pathologizing “abnormal” versus “normal” brains and instead recognizes the vast diversity of our mental makeups.    
When it comes to women, sensory processing differences are often overlooked, masked, or mistaken for something else entirely. Between a flawed system that focuses on diagnosing younger, male populations, and the fact that girls are conditioned from a young age to blend in and conform to gender expectations, women often don’t learn about their neurological differences until they are adults, if at all. As a result, potentially millions live with undiagnosed or misdiagnosed neurodivergences, and the misidentification leads to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and shame. Meanwhile, we all miss out on the gifts their neurodivergent minds have to offer. 
Divergent Mind is a long-overdue, much-needed answer for women who have a deep sense that they are “different.” Sharing real stories from women with high sensitivity, ADHD, autism, misophonia, dyslexia, SPD and more, Nerenberg explores how these brain variances present differently in women and dispels widely-held misconceptions (for example, it’s not that autistic people lack sensitivity and empathy, they have an overwhelming excess of it). 
Nerenberg also offers us a path forward, describing practical changes in how we communicate, how we design our surroundings, and how we can better support divergent minds. When we allow our wide variety of brain makeups to flourish, we create a better tomorrow for us all.

Show book

Courage for Caregivers -...

Marjorie J. Thompson

Drawing on the writings and wisdom of Henri J. M. Nouwen's themes of caregiving, Marjorie J. Thompson offers a vulnerable exploration of caregiving intertwined with both her own many years of intimate caregiving of family members and collected stories of caregivers in varied settings and stages of life.  While not shying away from the demanding physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of caregiving, Courage for Caregivers also celebrates the gifts of caregiving grounded in the belovedness both caregiver and care receiver share in God's eyes.
Practical leader guides and resources make Courage for Caregivers a tool that moves smoothly from individual encouragement to group and congregational ministry to develop support for the universal experience of caregiving.

Show book

Not Just for the Boys - Why We...

Athene Donald

Not Just For the Boys looks back at how society has historically excluded women from the scientific sphere and discourse, what progress has been made, and how more is still needed. Athene Donald, herself a distinguished physicist, explores societal expectations during both childhood and working life using evidence of the systemic disadvantages women operate under, from the developing science of how our brains are and more importantly aren't gendered, to social science evidence around attitudes towards girls and women doing science. 
 
It also discusses how science is done in practice, in order to dispel common myths: for example, the perception that science is not creative, or that it is carried out by a lone genius in an ivory tower, myths that can be very off-putting to many sections of the population. A better appreciation of the collaborative, creative, and multi-disciplinary nature of science is likely to lead to its appeal to a far wider swathe of people, especially women. This book examines the modern way of working in scientific research, and how gender bias operates in various ways within it, drawing on the voices of leading women in science describing their feelings and experiences. It argues the moral and business case for greater diversity in modern research, the better to improve science and tackle the great challenges we face today.

Show book

Storytelling Skills - The...

Jim Colajuta

An excellent narrative is remembered by everyone. Regardless of the subject matter, good tales stick with us, whether we hear them on the radio, read about them in the newspaper, or watch them unfold on live television. A good story can be pretty compelling when recounted by a great storyteller. Effective storytellers can captivate their audience, guide them in whichever direction they need, and leave listeners/readers with new information to absorb and a value to carry with them.There's an old adage that people who tell stories are the ones who dominate the world. Whether you're pitching an investor, conducting a meeting, or introducing a new initiative, storytelling should be at the heart of everything you do as a team. Even a phone chat with a potential client entails some form of narrative. You may connect with customers, engage with colleagues, and even start a movement by using the power of storytelling.People often believe that learning a lesson through observation is less painful than learning through experience. When we share and embrace our failures, we assist others in overcoming their own challenges. The story can invest a concept with meaning and emotions in a way that plain writing cannot. People are drawn to stories because they can grasp a concrete object. Stories elicit emotions and motivate people to act.Speeches, presentations, workshops, and even board meetings can all benefit from the use of storytelling. Don't forget about it; it's been one of humanity's most valuable abilities since the dawn of communication.

Show book