Series: The Cursed Queens #1
Publication date: October 6th, 2020
Publisher: City Owl Press
Synopsis:
Chosen of the Moon Goddess. Destined to rule. Fated to marry.
A quest to save her family, kingdom, and heart.
For the past five years Princess Eira has run from her impending wedding. As much as she loves her goddess and kingdom, she's searched the kingdoms for another way to rule as queen someday while also choosing her own husband.
Yet, Eira's claim to the crown falls into jeopardy when her father, King Brennus, is poisoned and fated to a sleep of living death and Eira is next on the assassin's hit list -- who happens to be her stepmother, Queen Amelia.
After Eira escapes Queen Amelia's clutches she journeys to the northern Paravian mountains in search of an enchanted cup to save her father.
Her quest is more than she anticipated with evading Queen Amelia's guards, traveling with the one man she shouldn't be with, and having to bargain with the ancient dragon guarding the enchanted cup.
She'll have to decide how to save her family and kingdom, even if it means sacrificing her heart and all she's wanted her whole life.
If you like Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer Estep, and Maxym Martineau, then you'll love this adult fantastical retelling of the classic Snow White fairy tale.
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Excerpt
As she entered the grand hall, dread crept down Eira's spine to the tune of the flautist's song, like a spider leaving a trail of silk. Her pace slowed, palms sweating, as she ascended onto a high platform. She tried to fixate her focus on the Efare priestess's tattooed fingers, which danced over the keys and glowed to create images of the notes that swirled around her deep purple robes--instead of how all those in attendance were focused on her.
Eira breathed in the gentle fragrance of the mums, and the beauty of the hydrangeas decorating the room, and could smell a hint of the decadent meal wafting in from the kitchens, waiting to be enjoyed once the ceremony was over. The grand hall was awash of deep autumnal colors of purples and oranges and yellows, celebrating the changing of the seasons when days grew shorter and night grew longer. This was when Eira should be connecting with her power and goddess the most, and embrace the cold and darkness. It was said that this time of year the love between Luana and Ray was the most powerful, which was why the colors of nature were so deep and vibrant. Why the wedding was held during season.
Eira closed her eyes and sighed. Finally, she allowed herself to glance over the crowd. All the council members were there--the lords and ladies of Cresin, nobles from Oxare and the other surrounding kingdoms were scattered through the room. Lady Evony, along with the other ladies-in-waiting, had their own table, and she raised a glass toward Eira.
Rose went to the huntsman Cal's side and adjusted the sword attached to her belt while muttering something to him, oblivious to how he looked at her.
Father and Queen Amelia were seated on the far side of the room, next to Alvis' parents. In past years, they would take turns performing the ceremonial dance to reenact the story of Luana and Ray's love. Not this year. They were passing the tradition onto Eira and Alvis now, so they stayed in the background.
Eira took comfort in Father's beaming face toward her, and decided not to focus on how the others would be watching her every move.
On the other side of the room stood Prince Cadeyrn, Alvis's younger brother. Eira attempted to unclench her jaw as he wrapped his muscular arm around a younger woman. She wasn't sure if Cadeyrn would be there until the day of the wedding, as he often was away on some mission with his soldiers.
Or warming some woman's bed.
For a brief moment, he met Eira's gaze with his golden eyes, and winked. Her breath caught in her throat, but she couldn't help offering him a smile in return before looking away.
High Priestess Nyx stood on another high platform above everyone's heads, and spoke over the music, her voice strong as she narrated the love story of Luana and Ray.
"Before there was the world, there was Luana and Ray. One in the dark, and one in the light. Yet each could see one another from afar. The bright light of the sun in the distance, and the sparkling stars in the darkness."
The flute's music faded, and in its place a trumpet sounded as Eira and Alvis descended the stairs to meet one another in the center of the room. Her stomach sank as they moved toward one another, and she tried to let everything else in the room disappear so she could focus on Alvis.
He wore a sleeveless golden tunic with rich embroidery and sun crystals lining the fabric. His tawny arms and face were painted gold the way Eira's was painted in silver. The swirls emphasized his dark brown eyes and the curves of his muscles like he'd been made from sparkling sand.
Emily is an author of fantasy novels who has had a life long love affair with stories and the written word. Her debut novel, The Night's Chosen, a retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, will be published with City Owl Press October 6th, 2020.
She's a Chicago South-Sider, aunt to the best niece ever, expert at the fan-girl flail, a wheelchair "part-timer" with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, dog mom, Hufflepuff, coffee addict, and has a degree in youth and theatre ministry.
When not devouring or creating books, you can find Emily watching Gilmore Girls (for the 20th time), belting out showtunes, attending the latest con, brainstorming how she can go to Disney World (again), or figuring out how to make the perfect combination of chocolate and nachos.
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