“There is only one true king, one true lord of these lands. It is not some man whom I have never heard of before,” the head of the Charem family announced.
Aldrik turned to face the burly woodcutter, his eyes wide and expressionless.
“And that lord stands before me.” The man dropped to a knee, bowing his head. “Long live the Emperor Solaris.”
Aldrik blinked at Orel, still at an utter loss for words.
“Long live the Emperor Solaris.” Tama repeated her husband’s words dutifully, and the matriarch sunk to her knees.
“Long live Solaris,” Elecia announced proudly. Jax echoed the same, and both Westerners dropped to a knee, their heads bowed.
One by one, the Charem children began to follow suit. Each proclaimed their loyalty before sinking into the snow. To Vhalla’s shock, she witnessed the Northerners drop to their knees as well. The princess’s eyes were fixed on hers, and they spoke silent volumes, reminding Vhalla that their loyalty was on contingency. That their deal now mattered more than ever.
Vhalla turned back to Aldrik.
It was not a grand coronation in the Chapel of the Sun. There were no Crones to lead oaths. The wind replaced trumpets and snow replaced confetti of gold. He did not stand upon the Sunlit Stage, swathed in gold and white. There was no blazing crown of the sun to be placed upon his brow.
His succession came washed in the blood of his father and all who dared support his name. His gifts, his prizes of leadership, were loss and hardship. There was no mantle of the sun to settle upon his shoulders, only pain.
But she had lived to see that day. Vhalla was there the moment her prince became her Emperor. He turned back to her helplessly. For the first time in the whole of knowing him, Aldrik looked lost, shell-shocked. She tried to offer him an encouraging smile, but there was only one thing to be done. She had something more important to give him than her smiles. Vhalla dropped to her knee before the Emperor of the realms.
“Long live Solaris.”
COMING IN JULY 2016
Long live Solaris.
One bloodthirsty ruler has been overthrown by another, casting the shadow of death over the Solaris Empire. Vhalla Yarl stands upon the stage of fate, prepared to do battle one final time. Fragile alliances will be tested and new bonds will be formed as the world is reshaped. She fights as the champion of peace, but when the night is darkest will she be able to pay the price of a new dawn?
JAMIE, DANI, AND IRIS—you three prove to me that true friendship doesn’t know the limits of time and space. You three are all so important to me as an author and, just as friends.
Danielle L. Jensen, author of the Malediction Trilogy—darling, you’re wonderful. I don’t know how you tolerate me some days, but I couldn’t have asked for a better friend. From industry insights to simple encouragements, you really help me hold it together.
Nick—I can’t wait to sit with you again and have you tear apart my manuscripts. You constantly make me a better author and take time to do it just becaue you are an amazing friend, so thank you.
My cover artist, Merilliza Chan—I can’t believe we’re almost at the end of this journey together. I feel like we’ve been through so much and have learned so much as creators. I hope you know how much working with you has meant to me.
My editor, Monica Wanat—your professionalism and understanding of my odd situations and way too regular manuscript delays has been invaluable on this journey.
Jeff—your eternal love and support is essential to not only my success, but my survival in this process. There are many more nights ahead of my staring intensely at a computer screen. But, I hope that you too can find joy in the worlds I create.
Aunt Susan—I’m still in wonder at your love, support, and time for reading each of my manuscripts with your careful eye. It makes all the difference and I greatly appreciate it.
The Tower Guard—each and every one of you are amazing. I hope you believe me when I tell you this. As of writing this there are 147 of you in our little group and I couldn’t have asked for a better batch of people. Thank you for your support and for believing in me.
ELISE KOVA has always had a passion for storytelling. She wrote her first novella, a high-fantasy, in sixth grade. Over the years she’s honed her love of literature with everything from fantasy to romance, science fiction to mystery, and whatever else catches her eye.
Elise lives in Saint Petersburg, Florida, where she’s currently working on the next installment in her debut YA fantasy series: Air Awakens. She enjoys video games, anime, table-top role playing games, and many other forms of “geekdom”. She loves talking with fans on Twitter and Facebook. Visit her website, EliseKova.com, for news and extras about her books!