The Queen’s Crown
by Jennifer Anne Davis
(League of Rulers, #1)
Publication date: October 19th 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Eighteen-year-old Princess Sabine Ludwig of Backley thought her biggest problem was finding a man remotely interesting to dabble with while trying to fill her days with something other than knitting or drinking tea. But when her dear sister is brutally murdered in a foreign kingdom a week before she’s to be married, Sabine suddenly wishes for boring, ordinary days again.
Seeking retribution, Sabine decides to take her sister’s place and marry the mysterious king of Lynk. It’s the only way she can hunt down and find the killer. It’s the only way she can get revenge. When she finds the king far more appealing than she’d intended, it becomes difficult to keep her wits about her and remember why she’s there.
Thrown into a world of lies, power struggles, and seduction, Sabine must learn to navigate through the foreign kingdom’s dangerous court as she seeks her sister’s killer. The closer she gets to discovering who it is, the more she questions who she can trust—including herself.
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EXCERPT:
“I really don’t feel like dancing right now.” Sabine needed to be alone to think over everything the man from Avoni had just said.
“Neither do I.” He clasped his hands behind his back and headed toward the balcony. He tilted his head and raised his eyebrows, the invitation clear.
Being away from the dancing couples sounded like a good idea, so she followed him. No one else was on the balcony. She rested her arms on the railing and looked out over the dark valley below, trying to calm her rattled nerves.
“Interesting outfit,” Axel said as he mirrored her position beside her. His mask was a deep purple, matching his pants and shirt.
“Weren’t you supposed to be an eagle?” she asked.
“I changed my mind.”
“What are you?”
He shrugged. “Nothing.”
She could almost hear the unspoken words: because that’s what I am. She shivered. Nothing about tonight was going the way she thought it would.
“Since I planned this event,” he continued, “I didn’t have time to have an extravagant mask made.”
“I thought Rainer planned this?”
“He told me to arrange a masquerade, so I did.” He turned, looking at her. “Does it matter who planned it?”
She shook her head. Gazing back out at the night, she couldn’t help but wonder why Axel was out here with her instead of inside dancing.
“Sometimes I want to fall into the silence of the night,” he whispered.
Surprised by the admission, Sabine twisted to face him. “Why is that?”
“The silence demands nothing but silence in return.”
Though it might be quiet at night, that was when most dark deeds were done. That was when Sabine planned on breaking into the Avoni’s rooms and snooping around. Night provided cover for things that shouldn’t happen. The daylight exposed them.
The corners of his lips rose. “Of course, there are plenty of other things I enjoy doing in the night.”
And there was the Axel she’d come to know. “I’m sure your nights are rarely spent silently.”
He laughed. “I do love your candor.”
“Prince Axel,” a woman said from behind them.
“Duty calls,” he whispered. With a wink, he turned and strode away, joining the woman and heading back into the throne room.
Author Bio:
Jennifer Anne Davis graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. She is currently a full-time writer.
Awards:
Cage of Deceit: Winner 2018 Kindle Book Awards
The Key: Finalist 2014 USA Book Awards
The Voice: Finalist 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
The Voice: Winner 2013 San Diego Book AwardsFor more information, visit www.JenniferAnneDavis.com.
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