Novels by Nora Black

“Aria.”The voice echoed through the First World.Aria stood completely still.She had heard that voice before.Not with her ears.In dreams.In visions.Inside the ancient chamber beneath Blackwood.The First Queen.The woman whose blood flowed through Aria's veins.The woman whose choices had shaped the prophecy.The woman who had disappeared from history.And now she was calling Aria's name.“Come to me.”Aria looked toward the enormous opening above the First World.A figure slowly emerged from the golden darkness.She wore a long white gown that moved as though it were floating on water. Her hair seemed to carry strands of silver light, and her eyes held the same golden glow Aria had seen in the ancient visions.The entire First World became silent.Even the First King lowered his head.Kael stepped closer to Aria.“Is that really her?”Aria swallowed.“I think so.”The First Mother stared at the woman descending from the darkness.“It is.”First Guardian looked shocked.“The Fir

The darkness rushed toward them.Aria barely had time to react.Kael grabbed her hand, while the third heir stood between them. White light burst from the child's body, meeting the darkness before it could reach them.The entire chamber shook.The First King stood at the other side of the room, his expression hard.“You think that little light can stop me?”The child did not answer.Instead, the white light expanded.It spread across the floor, climbed the walls, and reached the ceiling of the First World.For the first time, Aria could see beyond the chamber.The First World stretched endlessly before her.Ancient cities.Silver forests.Golden rivers.Mountains covered in mist.And thousands of beings standing beneath the sky, watching the light.Some looked toward Aria.Some looked toward Kael.But all of them looked at the child.The First Mother stepped forward.“The choice has been heard.”The First King raised his hand.“Enough!”A wave of dark energy struck the white light.Th

The Fourth Gate opened completely.A wave of white light swept through Blackwood, forcing everyone to step back.Kael stood at the center of the chaos, staring at the enormous doorway.“Aria!”His voice disappeared into the light.Then he heard it.A heartbeat.Thump.He froze.Another followed.Thump.Then the third.Thump.Three heartbeats.Not two.Three.First Guardian stared at the gate with disbelief.“This cannot be.”Aurel slowly shook his head.“It has begun.”Kael turned toward him.“What has begun?”Aurel looked at him.“The birth of a new age.”Kael's expression hardened.“I don't care about a new age. I care about Aria.”He stepped toward the gate.First Guardian immediately grabbed his shoulder.“Wait.”Kael turned sharply.“Let go.”“You cannot enter yet.”“Why?”“Because the Fourth Gate is no longer a doorway.”First Guardian pointed toward it.“It has become a living passage.”Kael looked at the swirling white light.“What does that mean?”“It means the gate is choosi

The ancient eyes opened.Aria froze.The golden forest around her had gone completely silent. Even the strange wind that had been moving through the trees had disappeared.She could still hear the three heartbeats.Thump.Thump.Thump.They were not coming from three different directions.They were coming from within the same place.Within her.Aria slowly placed a hand over her chest.“What is happening to me?”The First Mother stood several steps away, her expression unusually serious.“The prophecy was never about two heirs.”Aria looked at her.“Then why have I always heard about two?”“Because that was the prophecy the First King wanted everyone to believe.”A cold feeling passed through Aria.“The First King changed the prophecy?”“He did not change it,” the First Mother replied. “He hid part of it.”Aria looked toward the white door behind her.“What is the third heir?”The First Mother did not answer immediately.Instead, she walked toward the four symbols floating above the g

Aria disappeared.One moment, she was standing beside Kael.The next, the Fourth Gate closed around her, swallowing the golden light and leaving nothing behind.“ARIA!”Kael rushed forward.His hand struck the stone where the gate had been.Nothing.No opening.No crack.No trace of her.“Aria!”His voice echoed through the valley.The First Guardian slowly stood.“Kael…”“Open it.”The Guardian stared at the mountain.“I can't.”Kael turned sharply.“You opened the First Gate.”“I did.”“Then open this one!”“I can't.”Kael grabbed his cloak.“Then find someone who can!”The Guardian looked into his eyes.“There may be no one.”Kael released him.His breathing became heavy.“No.”He turned back toward the sealed gate.“She is still alive.”The Guardian nodded.“Yes.”“How do you know?”“Because if she had died…”The Guardian looked at the mark that remained glowing faintly on the stone.“…the Fourth Blood would have disappeared.”Kael stared at the symbol.“What is the Fourth Blood?”

The mountain shook violently.Snow poured from the cliffs, covering the ground in a thick white cloud. Massive stones broke loose and crashed into the valley.“GET BACK!” Ronan shouted.The warriors scattered.Kael didn't move.Aurel stood before him, surrounded by golden light. His wings stretched behind him, casting a massive shadow across the battlefield.Kael's silver eyes burned brighter.Aria watched them face each other.The First Guardian grabbed her arm.“Aria, we have to move.”She pulled away.“No.”“It's too dangerous.”“I can't leave Kael.”The Guardian stared at her.“You don't understand what you're watching.”Aria looked at Aurel.“The First Father.”“Yes.”“And Kael carries the blood of the First Alpha.”The Guardian nodded.“Those two bloodlines have not faced each other since the beginning of the First World.”Aria looked toward Kael.“Then this battle isn't really about them.”The Guardian's expression darkened.“No.”“It's about the twins.”A deep rumble came from