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Chapters (50)
  1. Praise for
  2. Title Page
  3. Dedication
  4. City of Mariit: Capital of Maynara Map
  5. One
  6. One
  7. Two
  8. Three
  9. Four
  10. Five
  11. Six
  12. Seven
  13. Eight
  14. Nine
  15. Two
  16. Ten
  17. Eleven
  18. Twelve
  19. Thirteen
  20. Fourteen
  21. Fifteen
  22. Sixteen
  23. Three
  24. Seventeen
  25. Eighteen
  26. Nineteen
  27. Twenty
  28. Twenty-One
  29. Twenty-Two
  30. Four
  31. By Order of General Ojas,On Behalf of Her Majesty Hara Duja
  32. Twenty-Three
  33. Twenty-Four
  34. Twenty-Five
  35. Twenty-Six
  36. Twenty-Seven
  37. Twenty-Eight
  38. Twenty-Nine
  39. Thirty
  40. Thirty-One
  41. Thirty-Two
  42. Thirty-Three
  43. Five
  44. A Coronation Prayer
  45. Thirty-Four
  46. Epilogue
  47. Acknowledgments
  48. Thank You
  49. About the Author
  50. Violetear Books x Bindery Books

From high up on her obsidian throne, the queen liked to pretend she was a pillar of duty and sacrifice. But Imeria knew that beneath the steady veneer, Duja was calculating and selfish and cruel. She had preyed upon Imeria’s devotion in the past when she’d cast her out of the palace. Scathingly, Imeria wondered if she’d summoned her to the throne room to humiliate her one last time.

Duja frowned. “That isn’t fair. What you ask, Imeria, is no small thing. If we can speak rationally for once, perhaps we can⁠—”

“No, Duja. You’ve said your piece.”

The queen called out her name, but Imeria had already turned her back on her. She could no longer listen to Duja’s reasons. No longer play this game. No longer pretend that, in the hollow stone of Duja’s heart, Imeria had ever carved out a place.

crown fleuron

Three

Lost Elegies

Dear Luntok,

I have no words, my darling, other than to tell you how my heart aches on your behalf. Bulan is no sister of mine. Know that I will hate her forever after what she did today.

The healers assured you a speedy recovery, but I need to see you to be sure. The moment you feel well enough, you must come to me. Dash the guards. Come through the palace gates if you must. I long, more than ever, to be with you.

Since the tournament, I have asked myself over a hundred times how you could ever love a woman like me⁠—a woman who is selfish and cruel, and who has never treated you with the kindness you deserve.

Do you still love me, Luntok? I pray to the gods that this sentiment has not changed, given how awfully my family has treated you.

I have not been fair to you in the past. So generous you’ve been with your promises and poems, while I’ve kept mine strapped inside my chest, hidden from view. Would you come if I asked?

These are the words you have long yearned for, Luntok. I’m finally ready for you to hear them.

All my love,

Laya

Seventeen

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Duja

Duja’s hands trembled as she steadied herself on the mahogany railing that wound around the main staircase. Her body shook from more than the tremors. Imeria’s shadow followed her from the main halls. Haunting her, after all these years.

She continued, one careful step at a time, until she reached the upper floor. Night had fallen over Mariit. Moonlight slanted over the gleaming floorboards in riverlike streams. Most of the staff had retired for the evening. To Duja’s relief, a stillness had settled over the palace. The upstairs corridor leading to the royal family’s private chambers was empty, save for a serving girl, who bowed as Duja passed.