Queen of the Crossroads - Road's Beloved

Piper is a Road's Beloved, an eternal traveler who has been given power and destiny by the Road itself. The tangle of birthmarks that cover her skin represent the gifts of every road she has ever walked or will ever walk. They are the source of her magic, and they define her place in the world.  When Piper arrives at Worldsbridge to claim a message from its ruler, she expects a simple encounter. Instead, she finds herself threatened by a bitter king who holds secret grudges against her kind.  To survive, Piper must uncover the true nature of Worldsbridge and learn what the Road expects of those it loves. "Queen of the Crossroads" is a Road's Beloved short story set in the legendary city of Worldsbridge.