Tales from the Gemstone Kingdoms

Every Winter Solstice, the Emerald Kingdom sends the dreaded Ice King a sacrifice—a corrupt soul, a criminal, a deviant, or someone touched by magic. Prince Reardon has always loathed this tradition, partly because he dreams of love with another man instead of a future queen. Then Reardon's best friend is discovered as a witch and sent to the Frozen Kingdom as tribute. Reardon sets out to rescue him, willing to battle and kill the Ice King if that's what it takes. But nothing could prepare him for what he finds in the Frozen Kingdom—a cursed land filled with magic . . .

Created by the alchemist Braxton, Levi was "born" fully grown and spends his early days learning about the monster-filled kingdom he calls home. Even though he is just a construct pieced together from cloned parts, Levi longs to fit in with his mythical neighbors, but more than that, he wishes he could say two words to the Shadow King without stuttering.

Feeling betrayed by his parents' lies about his true lineage, Nemirac embarks on a quest to visit all five Gemstone Kingdoms and drain the stones of their power to ascend as a new being. But until he obtains that magic, he's vulnerable. Enter Janskoller the warrior bard. Janskoller has just returned to the Gemstone Kingdoms, drawn by stories of broken curses and lands open for travel. He doesn't expect a pretty young mage to hire him as a bodyguard, but it's a good gig for a bard—lots of adventure to fuel his stories, and plenty of travel to spread his fame.