Royalty

The moment Vad crowns me as his queen, everything changes. Magic vanishes across the entire realm and everyone blames us. Now we're hunted through the ruins of our own coronation, betrayed by the guards who once swore loyalty to the Shadow King and Queen. But the enemy doesn't want just Vad's throne. He wants to conquer every kingdom and carve his vengeance into anyone who stands in his way. I never chose this war, but to survive it, I'll have to become someone else entirely. All I know for certain is that Vad and I will set the stars on fire before we ever bow… even if it costs us everything.

Spring, 1805. Nineteen-year-old Allegra Constantine is under pressure to choose a husband, but none of her suitors inspire her. Lord Milton is respectable but passionless, Sir Harry is charming but witless, and the dangerously handsome Mr Englishby has designs she cannot trust. The only man who truly interests her is Max Severin – cynical, scandal-shadowed, and not at all a suitable prospect. But when a stolen kiss ignites a fire between them, Allegra realises she is in more danger from her heart than from society's gossip.

I am home, yet it does not feel like home. The chains on my wrists and ankles are gone, but those around my heart tighten. Is the world truly black and white, or is it just my vision failing? Does all food turn to ash, or is it merely my mouth forgetting how to taste? When the crows call, and the moon hangs heavy, does everyone else drown their sorrow in pillows, or am I the only one? Urai is hell. A kingdom of devils. Yet hell is my heaven. My dark devil—through these falling eyes—is my angel. I breathe, but I do not exist. I exist, but I do not live.

Not every "once upon a time" ends in a happily ever after. My fairytale, for instance, didn't come with a handsome Prince Charming, a night at the ball, or a magical pumpkin carriage. Instead, I got a bearded, bad-tempered king, a sex party for rich people, and a driver waiting to take me home after the royal asshole was finished with me. And they lived not so happily ever after. The end. That should be it, right? Even missing some conventional fairytale elements, it's clear no one is riding off into the sunset in the tale of the grumpy king and the naïve, much younger actress.

Growing up fifth in line for the throne, Elizabeth never thought she would have to rule the small island nation of St. Rais. When a plot to take down the monarchy also takes her entire family from her, Elizabeth is thrust into the role of reluctant Queen. Not only did she lose most of her family, but she also lost the only love she’d ever known.