Tangled Crowns

Four years ago, I fled from my wedding to four fiancés. These men hate me and magically hunt me through the realm as they rule without me. But after overhearing a plot to destroy my little sister, I have no choice. I have to convince them to trust me. Her life and the life of the kingdom depend on it.

I've got a missing sister, a rebellion, and enemy nations chomping at my heels. I don't need any other riddles to solve. But I have one: A mysterious visitor who is more than he seems. Luckily, I have my knights at my side. With them, I feel certain I can face anything. Until long-buried secrets surface and everything I ever knew starts to unravel. I reach a tipping point. My nation reaches a tipping point. Will we both plunge into darkness? Not if I can help it.

Curses fly through the air around me, magical barbs set to skewer. As the kingdoms of Kenmare plunge into war, my greatest weapon is cunning. That, and the five knights who've pledged their life and love to me. Together, we raise armies and allies. Until magic sabotages everything we've done. Sabotages us. In this world, magic has a price. But I'm not sure it's one I can afford to pay.

To maintain my place as Queen of Okeanos, I need someone to quite literally take my broken heart into their body. So... I'm hosting a tournament to find a willing puppet—someone who will let me pull their strings. But who should I choose? The sweet, funny courtier? The seductive stranger? The rebel who hates me as much as his next breath? The options weigh me down as all around me, threats emerge. Attacks. Someone doesn't want me to rule the depths. I need to change the tides to keep from being dragged under, but can I survive long enough to choose my own fate?

Relinquishing my heart allows me access to my pent-up magic. But it has a side effect. Now, as I swim through the sea kingdom, I find myself randomly consumed by dark thoughts. Sometimes when I stare at the men competing in the tournament for my hand, I get a random itch—the urge to reach out and snap their necks. To hear that brittle crack of bone and watch their eyes fade to gray. It doesn't matter how sweet, funny, or handsome they are. The desire to hurt them is nearly overwhelming.