Page 9 of The Mating Quest

Danu laughed. “Indeed.” Then the goddess was somber. “It is far too dangerous for Chloe to touch before Drust can absorb some of itspower.”

A wizard who was vulnerable. The thought botheredher.

“Will you accept this quest?” Danu asked. “The choice is yours to reject oraccept.”

Ilana drew in a breath, glad for the air surrounding her. “Iaccept.”

A mysterious smile touched Danu’s face. “I am pleased. You have a true warrior’sheart.”

Before she could respond, the goddess told her, “You will have to work with Ethan and his sisters, Ilana. Trust them. Get them to trust you and to do this, you will have to tell them yoursecret.”

Guilt flicked through her. “There’s nothing much to tell, except at the right time when we search for that, ah, specific, item. If it is what I think itis…”

She couldn’t bring herself to say the words aloud. The goddess knew. Of course she alwaysknew.

“Do not wait until what you deem the right time, Ilana. You may break a fragile trust.” She paused. “There is another task I have for you,Ilana.”

Always one more thing. “And?”

“I charge you with finding a special item, unknown to the others. The starlight diamond.” Danu’s gaze wasbright.

Confusion filled her. “What does it look like? What wizard is connected toit?”

“You will sense it, and know it when you findit.”

Terrific. With that knowledge, she shouldn’t have any trouble. “Can’t you give me a smallhint?”

Danu laughed. “You will find it in the Dark Kingdom. It is a in the shape of a star, a diamond as sparkling as starlight, with touches ofblue.”

The goddess studied her face. “As blue as your eyes, mydaughter.”

She checked an impulse to touch her face. The phrase “my daughter” suddenly made her eyes water. Must be all this sea water surroundingher.

“How about another tiny hint where to find it?” she askedhopefully.

“Ethan will help you. He is an excellent hunter andtracker.”

Ilana looked away. Good luck to her. She’d be better off hiring a bloodhound. Or ajeweler.

“Take heed, Ilana, with the starlight diamond. It has tremendous power to heal and can bring a person back from the brink ofdeath.”

What irony. “What do you want me to do when I findit?”

“You will know,” Danu saidserenely.

Certainly not use it for herself. “So soon as I find this diamond, I’ll cease walking this earth and finally go to my eternalrest?”

Danu looked troubled. “Ilana why are you so insistent on ending your life? Life should be cherished. You would break the hearts of those who would loveyou.”

“You should know that there is no one,” shemuttered.

No family. Or friends. They had died centuries ago. She was 700 plus years old and no one cared if she lived. Ordied.

She dared to look at the goddess, who emitted a lovely white light in the depths. “Will you grant my favor, if I complete this quest and help them find the other missingtalismans?”

“I will give you your heart’sdesire.”

With those cryptic words,Danu waved a hand and vanished. Ilana reappeared on the deck of the boat. Caderyn gave her a long, thoughtful look, while Ella and Ethan lookedsurprised.