A prophecy names one true moon. 
-----

Lyria has spent her entire life in the shadows — scorned, scarred, and invisible. The illegitimate daughter of a king who pretends she does not exist, she has learned to want nothing and expect less.

But when fourteen alpha suitors arrive to compete for her sister's hand, five of the most powerful men in the kingdom cannot seem to stay away from the girl they were never meant to notice.

Each one is powerful enough to shake kingdoms. Each one is drawn to her in ways that defy reason. But Lyria can only choose one, and the road to that choice will cost more than she ever imagined.

And Jacinta will burn the kingdom down before she allows Lyria to take what she believes is hers.

I did not grant my maids the opportunity to protest.


I merely followed the maid, bidding my own remain behind with a quiet gesture of my hand. Bridget appeared to have a great deal she wished to say, her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes burning with objection. But she held her tongue.


I followed the maid, who led me through corridors familiar enough at first, the well-worn passages of the palace, the same I had walked a numerous times before. But then she turned, and we proceeded by an entirely different way.


This route did not lead towards the Queen's chambers, as I had supposed it should. For it was always there that I had met with Her Majesty before.


Yet perhaps she had resolved to change the place of meeting on this occasion, particularly given the hour, and her evident wish that none among the suitors should learn of it.


Chapter 421 - The Descent