Markle Vanrick is cursed by the gods. Nothing in his life has ever worked out. So, when he works up the courage to leave home with only his lute, it’s only natural his money is stolen and he’s stuck without a way to get to his cousin’s farm.<br><br>Enter Frye Indori, a mischievous man who lives life to the fullest -- only because he’s a few steps away from being caught and killed. Blessed with magic from the goddess Magana, Frye fled his hometown to escape the clutches of the corrupt priestess performing evils in the goddess’s name. When he runs into helpless Markle, he feels obligated to show Markle there is some good in the world.<br><br>Like it or not, Markle gets caught up in Frye’s game of fox and hare. When the priestess finally catches them, Markle may have a few surprises of his own.

Music and Magic

Markle laughed mirthlessly. “My mother loved me so much, Frye, I know she did. She knew I hurt, that I longed to fit in. She really hoped that one of the fishermen would eventually take me as a wife. She wanted me to stay. It broke her heart when I left.”


“She taught you all she knew? About sewing, music, herbs?”


“Yeah. She passed along all her teachings, as she would have to a daughter.”


The mother, Frye thought. Maybe she’d passed on magic too? But then why see the herb witch if she could perform the spell herself? It made no sense.


“What of your family?” Markle asked. “You have siblings? You sort of strike me as an only child.”


“All my family is dead,” Frye confessed. “That’s why I left my home. I didn’t have anyone to keep me there.”


Chapter 19