The Desolate Bond — D.K. Holmberg

Following the events in Keeper of the Forest: Newly named keeper of the forest, Eris Taeresin struggles to understand what her new role â€" and new powers â€" mean for her. A keeper can use the energy stored within the forest, can learn from ancient lessons woven into deeply buried roots, but Eris doesn't fully control it. As she fails to use that power, she begins to wonder if she really is a keeper of trees. With the Conclave of Magi attacking along the southern border, Eris must learn the key to her abilities or everything she knows will be lost. To help, she decides to return home to learn from the Lira, the Mistress of Flowers, knowing it will put a strain on her growing relationship with Terran. There she discovers her mother is dying and Lira cannot save her. As Eris works to learn whether her connection to the forest can save her mother, she discovers a mysterious message hidden in flowers around the palace. Before she can decipher its meaning, she is betrayed and taken from the palace. Eris must discover the key to her abilities in order to save herself, help her mother, stop the magi, all without losing Terran, but can she do so in time?