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eBook Category: Erotica/Fantasy
eBook Description: Secret love and forbidden liaisons mix with deadly implications in this sensual story of danger, passion, and intrigue with the exotic allure of 1001 Arabian Nights. Elishiba, the daughter of the leader of Aleem, seeks to secure the land of her beloved people through a quest that harnesses her powerful inner strengths for the good of all. Betrothed to the ineffectual son of the evil Empress of Karseedia, her planned marriage is to be a symbolic pact sealed between the two countries. But nothing is as it seems. Elishiba find herself enmeshed in a growing web of political intrigue as magic and romance weave their own vibrant and inexorable threads. Elishiba's love for a man considered an enemy may enable her to recognize her own inner powers...or contribute to the jeopardy she faces.

eBook Publisher: Juno Books/JUNO BOOKS, Published: 2007, 2007
Fictionwise Release Date: January 2008

6 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [MultiFormat - What's this?]: Adobe Acrobat (PDF) [724 KB], eReader (PDB) [257 KB], Palm Doc (PDB) [233 KB], Rocket/REB1100 (RB) [206 KB], Microsoft Reader (LIT) [249 KB] - PocketPC 1.0+ Compatible, Franklin eBookMan (FUB) [242 KB], hiebook (KML) [550 KB], Sony Reader (LRF) [330 KB], iSilo (PDB) [195 KB], Mobipocket (PRC) [257 KB], OEBFF Format (IMP) [313 KB]
Words: 71870
Reading time: 205-287 min.
Microsoft Reader (LIT) Format: Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
Adobe Acrobat (PDF) Format:  Printing DISABLED, Read-Aloud ENABLED
All Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
ISBN: 9780809557813

"Lush and exotic. I was pulled into the story, unable to set the book down as the kingdoms of Aleem and Karseedia came to life on the page. With haunting imagery and strong characters the story is filled with intrigue and romance. The supporting characters are just as finely drawn as the main characters--each is unique and holds a thread that weaves through this intricate tale of intrigue and magic.... If you are looking for a quick read that will carry you away to somewhere else, Saskia Walker will take you there with Unveiling the Sorceress."--BlogCritics

"Saskia Walker is a master at creating haunting beautiful images. The lush scenery of Unveiling the Sorceress draws the readers into this mystical world. The eerie atmosphere makes one believe that sorcery really does exist as Ms. Walker brings this fantasy world to life.... Saskia Walker proves with Unveiling the Sorceress that she has a true knack for writing superb fantasy novels. I cannot help but hope that she continues writing in this genre as I think she has carved her own niche here. Thank you, Ms. Walker, for yet another splendid tale from your talented and creative mind! 5 klovers!"--Kwips and Kritiques

"This book was an absolute gem. I was absorbed into the tale from the very beginning and found it extremely difficult to tear myself away to deal with the mundane details of life, like eating, sleeping. I literally could not stop reading. 5 stars and a recommended read!"--Serena, Fallen Angel Reviews

"Exciting action and heated passion describe many scenes found in Unveiling the Sorceress, the highly imaginative fantasy by Saskia Walker that takes place in an exotic desert setting.... It held me spellbound, awaiting the outcome. 4.5 blue ribbons!"--Anita, Romance Junkies

The foreboding cry of a lone desert hawk echoed through the foothills. Elishiba, daughter of the Emperor of Aleem, sensed danger in the air and watched the hawk's flight across the tawny sky. Her senses were on high alert. A storm approached. In the distance, the sky had begun to splinter with shards of vermilion and amethyst light. She unlatched her flowing headdress where it was drawn across her face to conceal her identity, and lifted her chin, knowing instinctively the incoming storm was but a precursor of things to come.

Her mount reared up and whinnied, losing its footing amongst the loose rocks and boulders. She clutched at him and soothed the large beast with a hand on its silver-streaked mane, murmuring words of comfort as she looked over her shoulder, protectively, toward the precious land behind her. Suzin, the city that was her home, was just visible in the wide valley set below the Zaneesie Mountains. Beyond the massive walls of the city itself, she could see dust clouds scurrying low on the horizon, rolling in across the desert sands. If the dust storm gathered strength, it would sweep into every household, insidiously creeping beneath the wooden doors and across the stone floors, ruining the crops in the stores.

Worse still, if it had grown strong enough in its birth in the far deserts, the dust storm would have awakened the dust devils, the demon shayatin who slumbered in the dirt of the barren lands. Under the power of unrest, be it a storm, a war, or spiritual fears, they could travel through the sands as far as the outer city walls, taking form through the sand to rise and claim a few souls at will, before returning to their lair deep in the sands.

Elishiba sighed heavily. In the scheme of things, this was far from her biggest problem, but she prayed to the gods it would not happen, not with so much else at stake. Troubled times were upon them. War was on the horizon, and she and her ailing father were doing all they could to avert it. She had braced herself, for she had to be a strong and fearless leader, if her people were to survive.

Cursing the storm rolling in across the skies, she urged her mount onward, throwing the loose material of her headdress over her shoulder and across her face. The horse, encouraged by its mistress, picked its footing carefully over the rocks. The route was familiar, and the small shepherd's hut that was her destination was soon within view. A steady glow of light seeped beneath the heavy, wooden door from within, warding off the dark skies and demons. It pleased her to see it, although she would not be able to visit for long.

"Hush, Fidda," she murmured to the horse as she quickly dismounted and tethered him under the shelter at the rear of the cottage, out of the path of the storm, stroking his white and gray mottled coat affectionately. She rearranged the saddle cloth as she pulled a bundle from its binding across Fidda's hindquarters, adjusted its weight, and took it with her.

She knocked at the heavy wooden door, and then pushed it open. A clattering sound emerged from within the one-roomed shelter. Basim, the elderly shepherd who lived there with his wife, stood up from his place by the fire, his stool falling over as he did so. He stared at the robed figure in the doorway with wide, frightened eyes, his hands straightening his belted tunic and loose trousers as he did so.

Elishiba stepped inside and pushed back her headdress, revealing her identity, smiling broadly. Her long hair tumbled free of the headdress as it came to rest around her shoulders, and she shook it down her back as she moved.

The old man's lined face lit with untempered joy as she walked across the small space and embraced him with her free arm. "My Empress..." He held her for a moment, then called, "Fahima, it is Elishiba."

His wife emerged from the darkness of the store cupboard, a young goat kid clutched in one arm, her pale blue eyes straining to see.

"Is it really you?" She looked at her tall empress with curious eyes as she set the goat down.

Elishiba lifted the bundle of goods she had brought from Suzin down from her shoulder, offering it to them. "Yes, it is only me, come to see how you fare."

Basim shook his head, smiling warmly at her. "You should not be coming up here worrying about us, when the gods of the elements are as restless as this." He gestured outside, but took the bundle into his arms gratefully. Fahima embraced her in greeting and guided her visitor toward a stool by the fireplace.

Elishiba shrugged off their concern. "The storms are the least of my worries, as I am sure you have heard."

The provinces surrounding Aleem, their precious homeland, were jockeying for alliances. It was time for commitment if they were to strengthen against outside enemies. She had taken action, made a tentative pact. The neighboring province of Karseedia--although a previous enemy on the battlefield--was the most obvious ally, and the coupling of Aleem to Karseedia had been agreed. If the plans for the alliance were realized, centuries of tradition would be sacrificed: Aleem, the smaller of the two countries--but the wealthier--had always been vulnerable to invasion from its formidable neighbor. And although an uneasy truce had lasted more than two decades, to "trust in Karseedia" still meant, colloquially, to expect betrayal and deceit.

Elishiba had agreed to marry Hanrah, the Emperor of Karseedia, to seal the pact, but in truth it was an opening for Elishiba, a chance to get close to Hanrah and negotiate. She didn't plan to allow her country to be swallowed by his or anyone else's.

It was a dangerous situation to walk into, but there was no other, easier solution, so she had pursued it, but with caution.

The couple exchanged worried, knowing glances. They knew of Elishiba's dilemma. News from the city of Suzin passed from person to person, and eventually reached even the most outlying inhabitants in the province of Aleem.

"I cannot visit with you for long today, for there is much to be arranged. But we have a while." Elishiba smiled at them reassuringly.

"You will surely drink tea with us and wait for the storm to pass," Fahima asked, "before you return to the city?"

"I will, gladly." Elishiba took her seat by the fire, setting her sandaled feet on the small woven rug she had brought them several visits before, the one item of luxury they owned--and treasured. She had tried to give them more, but they were proud people. Everything else in the small home was simple, from the cooking implements to the mattress they slept upon.

Tucking the skirts of her robe around her shins, she watched the couple help each other with their tasks, content to be in their simple home. She had known them since she had stumbled upon their shelter as a small child out riding with her father. The emperor and his young daughter had been parted from their guards and companions during a rare rainstorm. The couple had welcomed the grand strangers, and shared tea with them by their fireplace. The young Elishiba had delighted in the couple and the goats they reared.

Her father, Ramsis, was a ruler who appreciated the most humble and heartfelt gestures of all his subjects. He knew that wisdom and loyalty could be found more easily among the modest than the mighty, and Elishiba had followed suit. At least once during the thirty day moon cycle she would ride up to visit the shepherd and his wife, bringing them wine, fruits, and leavened bread from the city.

She watched as Fahima took some precious jasmine leaves from a carved box and sprinkled them into a metal pot, which she handed to her husband. The young kid followed her, bumping against her legs as she went. Basim filled the pot with water from a jug and latched it over a hook, which he swung over the lighted fire, before pulling two more stools closer toward its hearth.

"He is a headstrong young fool, this one," Fahima chuckled, lifting the restless goat between her capable hands and gesturing with him. "He butted his mother until she would have no more of him and we had to bring him in here instead." Fahima rested the jittery kid down by Elishiba's side, and she fondled the creature, which nuzzled up to her in return.

Fahima brought dishes to the fireside and then settled beside them. "Tell us, how is your father? We have heard little news of him."

Elishiba shook her head. "It is not something we wish spread to our enemies, so we speak little of it. I'm afraid his health continues to weaken. I was hoping he would be able to travel with me to Karseedia, and to stay while I negotiate, at least for a while. But he will remain in Aleem when I leave."

"We did not expect to see you at all," Basim said.

"I had to come, to say goodbye." Elishiba hurried on, but noticed the tears glistening in Fahima's eyes. It made her heart stronger though, for it was for people like this for whom she made her quest. "I will ensure that someone calls on you from the city, as I have, but this will be my last visit, at least for some time."

Fahima wrung her hands. "Karseedia is a treacherous country, my Empress, a place ruled through evil and wrongdoing--it will be our saddest day when you go there."

"What you say about Karseedia is true," Elishiba agreed, with a soft laugh. "But there are worse threats further afield, and we must strengthen Aleem in defense against them." Her thoughts turned briefly to the many half-made plans she harbored, plans of gaining security for her people, without sacrifice.

"This union between you and the Emperor Hanrah," Basim ventured, his eyes watchful. "It is something that was first spoken of when you were just a child."

Elishiba nodded. "Oh yes, my father and the Emperor of Karseedia considered the implications of such an alliance, but so many lives had been lost on the battlefield. The wounds were still fresh. The match was unpopular with the people on both sides, and it was never promised."

"So why is it that you must go now, Mistress Elishiba?" Fahima asked, impatiently.

"It is not without a great deal of thought that I have come to this decision." Elishiba accepted a dish of tea from Fahima's hand. "It seemed at first the only way to ensure negotiations move forward, on relatively friendly ground. Although I think ... I hope," she glanced at them, "that there may be other ways to resolve the situation. I promise you, I will find the best way forward, for us all." She sipped the warm, fragrant liquid and nodded appreciatively at Fahima.

Fahima sighed. "I do not want you to marry this man."

Elishiba smiled at her simple statement. "You should understand that I renewed consideration of the match myself. It was a matter of necessity. Aleem has always been vulnerable; our place on the trade routes has deemed it so."

She shrugged lightly before she continued. "Allying ourselves with an enemy we have the measure of is the more sensible thing to do. The envoys of Karseedia informed us they would not enter into further discussions on the matter, without some grand gesture on our part, some ... sacrifice." She rested the dish down on the floor.

"My father did not encourage it, but he understands why I have chosen this path, and he respects my efforts. A little while ago, he began communication with the new Emperor of Karseedia, Hanrah. The union has been agreed. In the passage of a few moons the escort party will arrive to take me there. Once arrived, I will begin to assert my own demands, in earnest."

Elishiba noticed it was easier to be strong and focused when she was in the city, living her sophisticated, decadent court life, surrounded by her followers and with Aleem's elite army, the Immortals, nearby. Away from there she had to be braver, but she still had to face it. This is what life would soon be like all the time--full of doubt and not a little fear. Leave her home, she must. Fight, she must. Besides, Fahima and Basim were as much part of Aleem as they all were, and she had vowed to find a way to draw a protective shield over the land and people she and her Father governed.

"If you must marry this man, will you ever be able to return to your homeland?" Fahima asked, with a note of reluctance, as if she did not even want to voice the question.

Elishiba nodded. "If the union takes place--although it is my will to find another way, if it is possible--I will have it written in the contracts that I shall be able to govern Aleem, as before--and alone. I will travel back and forth, if necessary."

In her heart of hearts, Elishiba knew that another way had to be found. If the pact were sealed by marriage, she would be bound to Karseedia forever. Marriage, to a man she did not know, who came from a long line of power-hungry warmongers--if she thought on it for too long, her belly tensed. But no matter how difficult, if it were the only way to protect her people, she would do it.

The wind wailed outside, rattling the door on its hinges, and a somber silence descended over them. The young goat leapt to its feet as if it, too, had been listening and butted up against Elishiba, making her heart soften. She smiled and fondled the soft locks beginning to sprout around its ears. "If the gods are willing, I will be back in my homeland before this little one is full grown."

She turned back to Basim and Fahima. "How many trips have you taken to the Souk these past weeks, Basim?" The conversation turned to the more everyday news they shared on her visits, Elishiba secretly treasuring each moment in their company. Her will was fiercely strong, but she knew her promise to them wasn't built on the certain knowledge of what might actually transpire. She could only guess what lay ahead. They must be prepared for everything and anything.

When the winds died down, she took her leave of the couple, drawing her headdress low on her brow and across her face to hide her identity. Her father and others at the palace thought she shouldn't travel alone this way, and she didn't wish to draw attention to herself. She untied Fidda's reins, glancing toward the distant outline of the city.

Dust hung in a gray pall around the outer walls, beginning to settle. Mercifully, it had been a shallow windstorm, after all, but it would wreak havoc enough among her beloved people. She mounted up, setting off as quickly as Fidda could negotiate the path, praying to the gods.

"How I wish I could protect my people from the insidious dust, and from every other foe and tribulation that exists," she said to Fidda, her hand tangled in his silver mane. The horse whinnied, tossing his head left and right.

As she stroked him and reiterated the prayer, a massive peal of thunder rolled across the skies and a flash of light broke through the darkness. She started, her hand lifting to shield her face. The gray sky illuminated strangely from within, and the clouds opened. Soft rain began to patter around her, splashing onto the rocks, cleaning the dust from their surfaces. Relief seeped into Elishiba's bones.

Fidda lifted his head, enthusiastically snorting the fresher air. She urged the horse on, faster, thanking the gods of the elements for hearing her prayers. Sometimes Elishiba's faith in the gods waned, but in that moment she almost believed she had the power to make them hear her words. She smiled to herself, wishing it were true. "A power such as that I could surely use," she murmured.

Good fortune had been theirs and one danger, at least, had been averted. The dust would soon be mud on the ground. The people would be brushing it from the streets by the time she reached Suzin.

"If only my enemies were wished away so easily," she reflected, with a wry laugh.