To those who’ve become friends and those who scream about my books constantly, I can’t thank you enough. It was so exciting to be able to meet so many of you at Apollycon this year too. You know how to make an author feel loved. A massive thank-you to Shaylin Gandhi for coming as my assistant, as well. I would have not survived without you. (I also can’t wait for your debut to come out soon too!)

And finally, to my husband Matt, who didn’t even blink when I asked him to take over literally everything in our household—meals, kids, bedtimes, etc.—when I had to do major edits on a time crunch. You are the real book boyfriend.

about the author

Nisha J. Tuli is a Canadian fantasy romance author whose books feature kick-ass heroines, swoony love interests, and slow burns with plenty of heat. When she’s not writing or reading, Nisha can be found enjoying travel, food, and camping with her partner, two kids, and their fluffy Samoyed.

Find out more about Nisha J. Tuli and other Orbit authors by registering for the free monthly newsletter at orbit-books.co.uk.

if you enjoyed
TALE OF THE HEART QUEEN
look out for
MISTRESS OF LIES
Age of Blood: Book One
by
K. M. Enright

The daughter of a powerful but disgraced Blood Worker, Shan LeClaire has spent her entire life perfecting her blood magic, building her network of spies and gathering every scrap of power she could. Now, to protect her brother, she assassinates their father and takes her place at the head of the family. And that is only the start of her revenge.

Samuel Hutchinson is a bastard with a terrible gift. When he stumbles upon the first victim of a magical serial killer, he’s drawn into the world of magic and intrigue he’s worked so hard to avoid – and is pulled deeply into the ravenous and bloodthirsty court of the vampire king.

Tasked by the Eternal King to discover the identity of the killer cutting a bloody swath through the city, Samuel, Shan and mysterious Royal Blood Worker Isaac find themselves growing ever closer to each other. But Shan’s plans are treacherous, and as she lures Samuel into her complicated web of desire, treason and vengeance, he must decide if the good of their nation is worth the cost of his soul.

Chapter One

Shan

It should have been more difficult to assassinate her father.

Not in the actual execution of it: that Shan had prepared for. Her father was a powerful Blood Worker and had once been considered the brightest of his generation. That had been many years ago, though, and Lord Antonin LeClaire had fallen quite far indeed. But still, he had guards, magical wards and a lifetime of training at his disposal. And she had accounted for all these things.