The Blessing Giver

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Published by Florid Romance an imprint of LMBPN Publishing PMB 196, 2540 South Maryland Pkwy Las Vegas, NV 89109 Version 1.00, June 2023 ebook ISBN: 979-8-88878-105-0 Print ISBN: 979-8-88878-325-2 THE BLESSING GIVER TEAM Thanks to my Beta Readers Kelly O’Donnell, Jan Hunnicutt, Malyssa Brannon, Karla Hull, Lex Robertson Thanks to my Critique Group Amy Walker, Jamie Bryant, Kristen Gandy, Scott Gunderson, and Stacie Mason Thanks to my JIT Readers Veronica Stephan-Miller Jan Hunnicutt Lex Robertson Editor SkyFyre Editing Team DEDICATION To my husband, Scott. I’ve never been more grateful I married a grammar nerd. CONTENTS Prologue Book of Ariathne Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Book of Ariathne Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Book of Ariathne Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Book of Ariathne Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Book of Ariathne Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Book of Ariathne Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Book of Ariathne Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Epilogue Author Notes - Cindy Gunderson Books By Cindy Gunderson Other Florid Romance Books Connect with The Author PROLOGUE Elora cradled her firstborn child against her chest. A daughter with rosy cheeks and a dark shock of hair. She was perfect. The midwife tucked a feather quilt around them before shuffling to the door and opening it for Caius. Her husband peeked into the room and swallowed hard, then roamed inside to stand beside the bed. He lifted the white muslin draped over the babe’s cheek. “She’s healthy?” Elora nodded. Even through the cramps in her abdomen, she couldn’t help but smile. “Your daughter needs a name. The blessing companions will be here soon.” “I thought you had a name in mind?” Caius brushed his thumb across the child’s velvety head. “I thought you disapproved.” Caius frowned, still inspecting every inch of the child. “I didn’t say that.” Elora smirked. His opinions had certainly softened after hearing her groan in labor for the past twenty hours. “Rayelle. That was the name.” Caius nodded. “Rayelle.” The corners of his mouth lifted. “I accept.” He sat in the chair next to the bed as the midwife bustled around, piling dirty rags and sheets into pails and directing servants to wipe down the room to prepare it for their special guests. The occasional footstep and soft bump against the door told them someone was already waiting in the hall. Normally, Elora would’ve been horrified at complete strangers entering her home under these circumstances, but she’d been a Blessing Giver for four years now. She knew the importance of binding the magic as soon as possible after birth, and she’d personally been in dingier rooms than this. A maid knocked on the door. The midwife leaned into the hall, then tucked her silver hair back into her cap and turned to the two of them. “They’re here. Are you ready?” Caius drew a deep breath, and Elora nodded. She took in Rayelle’s pouting pink lips and the gentle slope of her dainty nose. She dreaded removing the sleeping babe from her chest but hoped she was exhausted enough to stay quiet and still. The midwife opened the door and ushered Shamir into the room. Her violet eyes shone as she strode forward with an excited smile. Elora beamed at her childhood friend, and gratitude swelled in her chest. Shamir had been wise to listen to her. To put her questions aside and accept her assignment in the south of Areth. Yet though they saw each other almost weekly, this morning felt brand new. As if another layer had been peeled from the lives they’d been living to reveal fresh, pink skin underneath. Moments from their life in the Northern Mountains pulsed through Elora’s consciousness. Two girls born and raised in one of the most unforgiving environments in the realm, and yet they’d made it out. Together. Now, look at them. Elora had married a Blessing Giver, and Shamir would be the one to bless their firstborn child under the Order. Elora’s expression clouded as another woman followed on Shamir’s heels. Tall and brooding with long, silver hair slicked against her head. This was the Balancer. Her charcoal eyes roamed over the tiny bundle in her arms as if thirsting for a taste of the child’s soul. Elora suppressed the urge to roll over and hide her from the woman’s sight. How could an infant so innocent and fresh to the world have a dark aura? The Order of Ariathne still required that a curse be given on blessing day, but she’d never been shy about her opinions on the subject. The practice was outdated and barbaric, carried out in the name of tradition. A tradition she hoped to bury someday. “You’re glowing.” Shamir placed a gentle hand on Elora’s cheek. Her touch was cool, and Elora leaned into it. While Shamir hadn’t given birth to any children of her own, she’d seen plenty of beleaguered