Warhorse of Esdragon Series by Susan Dexter

Leith had been born under a curse, but when he found Valadan, a fabulous black stallion, he thought his luck and his life were about to change. He was only partly right. He wins the hand of a maiden who she doesn't want to be won. The maiden claims her missing mother is a witch and wants to look for her, not marry. And with Leith's help, she can. Perhaps when they finally find her, he can get rid of this curse. . . once and for all!

Book Two of "The Warhorse of Esdragon"Faithful wife to a small landholder, Druyan had lived her life in other people's shadows. And if she could sometimes hold the clouds at bay or whistle up a wind, Druyan made sure to keep that talent to herself. Then war came, and Druyan found herself a widow, with no one to help during the harvest but Kellis, the wounded prisoner her husband had locked in the root cellar the day he marched away... moreBook Two of "The Warhorse of Esdragon"Faithful wife to a small landholder, Druyan had lived her life in other people's shadows. And if she could sometimes hold the clouds at bay or whistle up a wind, Druyan made sure to keep that talent to herself. Then war came, and Druyan found herself a widow, with no one to help during the harvest but Kellis, the wounded prisoner her husband had locked in the root cellar the day he marched away. But when Druyan freed Kellis from the cellar, she unlocked a Pandora's box, for Kellis had secrets and magic of his own . . . less

The stallion, the swan, and the sorceressTitch had trained all his life in the ways of honor and of arms. Now he saddled his late father's warhorse, belted on his heirloom sword, and set off to win his knighthood. Unfortunately, his first challenge pitted him against a formidable foe on a glossy black charger, and winning wasn't in the cards for Titch -- though he'd see that horse again.Wren was an apprentice magician, a shape-changer and healer... moreThe stallion, the swan, and the sorceressTitch had trained all his life in the ways of honor and of arms. Now he saddled his late father's warhorse, belted on his heirloom sword, and set off to win his knighthood. Unfortunately, his first challenge pitted him against a formidable foe on a glossy black charger, and winning wasn't in the cards for Titch -- though he'd see that horse again.Wren was an apprentice magician, a shape-changer and healer. She chanced upon the wounded warrior, bushed and left to die. She took Titch in, nursed him back to health, then sent him on his way -- though she'd see that youth again.For a mad queen and an impossible quest would reunite Wren and Titch and the magical stallion Valadan. Together they would search out an enchanted swan, which Wren must somehow transform into a prince. Should she fail, she would pay with her life.The penalties would be higher yet should she succeed! less

Esdragon’s duke is bored. Dillan-Rhis should have been safe from administrative duties—he’s a third son, and free to please himself. But fate and plague intervene, and his freedom is curtailed. A duke of Esdragon has duties, and even a duke who is partnered with the immortal Warhorse Valadan finds those duties less than engaging... moreEsdragon’s duke is bored. Dillan-Rhis should have been safe from administrative duties—he’s a third son, and free to please himself. But fate and plague intervene, and his freedom is curtailed. A duke of Esdragon has duties, and even a duke who is partnered with the immortal Warhorse Valadan finds those duties less than engaging.So when a rainy night—and is there any other sort of night in Esdragon?—brings Marist Son of Marist, High King of all Calandra to his door, disguised and proposing a secret adventure, the duke is sorely tempted. Before duty recalled Rhis to Esdragon, he rode at Marist’s side for years, bringing one stronghold after another under Marist’s sway. Now Marist is called to Channadran by dreams sent him by a goddess, and who should accompany him but his boon companion?What harm? A month of adventuring in a new land, wandering, seeing new sights, and then safe back home on his swift, magical steed, before anyone notices he’s gone. Rhis says nothing about the dreams he has begun to have, of a red-haired woman standing atop a cliff in Channadran, begging him to rescue her.The duke does not believe that the king is called. He does not understand that his dreams are anything more than dreams. And he does not know that he is followed by a small black wolf with a scar on her nose…Wyndasha, whose grandmother’s voice ceaselessly tells her to “chase destiny.” less