Doyle glanced down at Riley. “You’re going to need training.”
“Yeah, yeah, but I’ve got a magick sword.” She drew it, lifted it toward the sky. “And look.”
The sword glinted as it pointed to the three stars under the moon. “There they are. We did that. And what do you think astronomers are going to have to say about it?”
“Only you,” Doyle said with a shake of his head. Then he cupped her face, looked into the eyes he loved. “Only you.”
“I call for a moment. Gather up, team.” Sawyer managed to grab Annika.
“A major moment.” Riley clasped Doyle’s hand, slid an arm around Sasha’s waist. Waited while the others moved in close, joined.
So the guardians could stand, above the sea, under the Stars of Fortune.
United.
READERS GUIDE
Doyle is an immortal who has lost everyone he’s loved to time and death. Do you think immortality is a curse or a blessing? If it’s a curse, why do you think so many people want to live forever?
As a soldier for centuries, do you think that Doyle can truly give up the fight even if the war against Nerezza is over? We’ve seen the difficulties many veterans face in reality—do you think Doyle can adapt to a civilian life?
The setting of the novel is Ireland, which is Doyle’s ancestral homeland as well as Bran’s current home. What is the importance of home to these characters?
As a werewolf, Riley is a creature of myth and legend who also happens to be a scientist. How does she reconcile such opposing sides in her own nature?
Riley is willing to give up an essential part of herself—her wolf—to be with Doyle. Sacrifice made for love is an eternal theme explored in art and literature as well as something that everyone has struggled with. What sacrifices would you or have you made for love?
Each Guardian gets their heart’s desire as a reward for their services. What is your heart’s desire?
Keep reading for an excerpt from the first book in the Guardians Trilogy
STARS of FORTUNE
by Nora Roberts
Available now from Berkley Books
PROLOGUE
Once, in a time long ago, in a world beyond our own, three goddesses gathered to celebrate the dawn of a new queen. Many who’d traveled across the land and skies, through time and through space, had brought gifts of gold and jewels, of rich silks and precious crystals.
But the goddesses three wished for more unique gifts.
They considered a winged horse, but news came that a traveler had flown in on one, making it a gift for the new queen.
They debated gifting her with beauty beyond compare, with wisdom or uncommon grace.
They couldn’t make her immortal, and knew from those who were that this was both blessing and curse.
But they could give her an immortal gift.
“A gift that will shine for her, for all time.” Celene stood with her friends, her sisters, on the sand, white as diamonds, on the verge of the ink-blue sea, lifted her face to the night sky, to the swimming moon.
“The moon is ours,” Luna reminded her. “We cannot give what we are pledged to honor.”
“Stars.” Arianrhod lifted her hand, palm up. She closed her eyes, her fingers. And smiling, opened them again. Now in her palm a jewel of ice glowed. “Stars for Aegle, the radiant.”
“Stars.” Now Celene held out her hand, opened it. She held a jewel of fire. “Stars for Aegle, who will shine like her name.”