Their focus not on the man they see as their reviled “Dark Lord”, but on her as the young woman who supposedly carries his heir.
Published: October 31st, 2019
A royal wedding. A fiery heroine. And a brazen act of sabotage that could topple a kingdom.
It has been five months since Clarabelle Weaver saved the life of the infamous Great Lord and happily accepted his unexpected marriage proposal. With their wedding less than a week away, she is finally stepping into the unfamiliar world beyond her village to face nobility she never knew existed.
But it’s not only them who are interested in her presence.
The enemy is also stirring for this historic occasion. Their focus not on the man they see as their reviled “Dark Lord”, but on her as the young woman who supposedly carries his heir.
Clara must weave a path through attempted assassinations and poisonings whilst also proving to the court that she’s suitable to become their ruler’s Great Lady… all before taking their vows. But has her training prepared her for an attack that could send the kingdom into war?
EXCERPT
The door took them out into a
narrow, vacant corridor. Cool air caressed her face and took the edge off the
wretched sogginess that had grasped her limbs. Clara breathed deeply as they
walked, willing her stomach to stop fluttering and disgusted it wouldn’t obey
such a command. It was empty bar a half-cup of liquid. What was left for it to
protest?
Lucias ran his hand up and
down her back in light, reassuring strokes. The action was somewhat at odds
with the concern plastered across his face and the anger evident in the flicker
of silvery-blue light in his eyes. Small though they were, the sparks still
flashed in the gloom. “How are you feeling now?”
“Still terrible,” she mumbled.
Even away from the warmth of the kitchens, the unbearable heat continued to
plague her.
He nodded as if expecting that
very reply. There was a hitch in his stride as he fumbled with something in a
small pouch on his belt. “Here,” he whispered, pressing a slim glass vial into
her hand. “Drink this. It should fix that.”
Clara uncorked the vial and
downed the brown sludge without a second thought. Her very hair seemed to
shudder at the bitterness coating her tongue. She gagged. Her stomach rolled,
still deciding on whether to reject this strange concoction. “What was that?”
The words barely escaped her without her biting her tongue.
“It’s the antidote for a large
variety of poisons.” He took the vial back from her and returned it to the
pouch. “I always keep a few on me.”
Heat drained from her face.
She wasn’t certain if it was due to the vial’s effects or the implication that…
“Someone tried to poison me?” She hadn’t even been here a day. How could there
already be people in place to make an attempt on her life? And why hadn’t they
gone straight for Lucias?
“Well, it’s was either that or
the food was far too rich for you. But I’d prefer to err on the side of caution
when it comes to your wellbeing. I’ll bring a few vials for you in the morning.
Right after I send a few of my people to interrogate the kitchen staff.”
About the author:
Aldrea Alien lives in New Zealand with their family, including a menagerie of animals, most of which are convinced they're just as human as the next person. Especially the cats! By day, they wrangle the family, often writing romantic fantasy by night.
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2 comments:
Sounds interesting
I enjoyed the excerpt and think the story sounds great. Thanks for sharing.
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