Heir to the Firstborn Series by Elizabeth Schechter

Worlds begin. Worlds end. Worlds begin again. So it is with worlds.The Creation myth behind the Heir to the Firstborn series.

Out of the dreams of the Mother Goddess came the four tribes of Adavar, each born from of the elements. And since the beginning, the tribes of Adavar have been ruled by the Firstborn, the descendants of Axia, the firstborn daughter of the Mother Goddess. And as Axia had her four companions by her side throughout her life, so to does the Firstborn have their Companions, chosen one from each tribe, so that each tribe has a voice... moreOut of the dreams of the Mother Goddess came the four tribes of Adavar, each born from of the elements. And since the beginning, the tribes of Adavar have been ruled by the Firstborn, the descendants of Axia, the firstborn daughter of the Mother Goddess. And as Axia had her four companions by her side throughout her life, so to does the Firstborn have their Companions, chosen one from each tribe, so that each tribe has a voice. On the day that the Firstborn takes the throne, their Heir is chosen by the Mother Goddess herself, and no one would dare to challenge that divine choice Until the usurper Mannon turns on Firstborn Tirine, her Council, and Milon, her Heir, stealing the throne of Adavar and throwing the world into chaos. Twenty-five years later, Waterborn Aleia and her mate, Earthborn Jehan, survive alone far out at sea, maintaining little contact with the Water tribe. It is the only life their son, Aven, has ever known. Then the storm comes, driving a storm-damaged ship into the deep waters. The only survivor on the deserted ship? A girl with wings, who Jehan and Aven discover unconscious and imprisoned in the hold. When she wakes, she knows Aleia and Jehan on sight, and what she tells them turns Aven's life upside down. Her name is Aria. She is Milon's daughter. She is the Heir to the Firstborn, charged by the Goddess to take back what was stolen. And Aven is her first Companion. less

Having slipped through Mannon's fingers, Heir to the Firstborn Aria and her two Companions – Waterborn Aven and Fireborn Owyn – have left Forge behind and are on the road to the Earth tribe lands. There they'll find the heart of the resistance. At least, that's what they've been told by Memfis, Owyn's adoptive father and Companion to Aria's father, Heir to the Firstborn Milon. They will also find Aria's Earthborn Companion, and take another step toward fulfilling the cryptic Vision of the Dove... moreHaving slipped through Mannon's fingers, Heir to the Firstborn Aria and her two Companions – Waterborn Aven and Fireborn Owyn – have left Forge behind and are on the road to the Earth tribe lands. There they'll find the heart of the resistance. At least, that's what they've been told by Memfis, Owyn's adoptive father and Companion to Aria's father, Heir to the Firstborn Milon. They will also find Aria's Earthborn Companion, and take another step toward fulfilling the cryptic Vision of the Dove. The Earth tribe lands are nothing like they were led to believe. The Healing centers have been destroyed, and Mannon's men are out in force, with orders to bring the Waterborn to Mannon. To evade the guards, Aria, Aven, Owyn and Memfis follow a young healer back to her home – a healing center hidden in the cliffs overlooking the sea. There, they find the surviving healers, the Chieftess of the Earth tribe, and the Senior Healer. They are offered sanctuary, and the Senior Healer offers to complete Aven's training as a healer. The Chieftess offers Owyn more – a link to his unknown past. But not everything is what it seems, and their safe haven may not be as safe as they thought. Memfis goes off to seek visions, and doesn't return. Then, in an instant, Aria and Aven both vanish, leaving Owyn racing against treachery and time to find them and uncover the truth…. A truth that might destroy their hopes for a future. less

Shattered by betrayal, Aria’s Companions have separated. Aven and Del have retreated to the safety of the Water tribe, leaving Owyn and Treesi behind on land to stand with Aria and help their wounded Heir heal. Despite their best efforts, Aria retreats, rejecting them both.Owyn knows that he and Treesi can’t do this alone. He starts riding out to the coastal villages surrounding Terraces, sending messages out to the deep, begging Aven to come back, telling him that the Heart can reach the Heir... moreShattered by betrayal, Aria’s Companions have separated. Aven and Del have retreated to the safety of the Water tribe, leaving Owyn and Treesi behind on land to stand with Aria and help their wounded Heir heal. Despite their best efforts, Aria retreats, rejecting them both.Owyn knows that he and Treesi can’t do this alone. He starts riding out to the coastal villages surrounding Terraces, sending messages out to the deep, begging Aven to come back, telling him that the Heart can reach the Heir. Then he returns from one such trip to find Aria and Treesi have left Terraces, leaving him behind.Abandoned, Owyn leaves Terraces. Instead of following Aria, he goes north, trying to find a way to contact the Water tribes. Trying to find a way to save everything before it’s too late.To do that, he must face his deepest fear, risk losing his heart, and accept help from the most unlikely of allies. less