A visible, physical mark on a human’s body that signifies the protection of an Eternal or demigod. Harming a Claimed individual is a direct challenge to the god who granted the Claim.

demigods/demigoddesses (demis):

Powerful beings ranking below Eternals. They are the subjects of Scillari.

Devaliant:

The ruling family of Luceni, whose bloodline brokered the Accords between gods and humans.

Enforcers:

Assassins sent by Alexios to execute those who break their oaths to him.

Eternal:

When the most powerful demigods ascend and gain their full power, they become Eternals. Most were killed during the god-human war. Every ascended begins as a

demigod, but few become Eternals. “Eternal” is also a title for Scillari’s rulers.

fleshtrade:

The illegal trade of divine body parts and blood in Vartena. In the past, this was used to temporarily grant humans god powers in battle.

gods:

A collective term referring to both ascended gods (Eternals) and demigods.

Hellevig:

The capital city of Luceni and the seat of the Devaliants.

Luceni:

The largest empire in Vartena, ruled by the Devaliants.

Lybräian

:

The formal dialect spoken by the Lucinian royal court and nobility.

Nyholm:

The territory in Scillari ruled by the Dark King.

oathbreakers:

Humans bearing the mark of Alexios’ revoked Claim. They are marked for death and killed by Enforcers, existing on the lowest rung of society.

Oracles:

The rare offspring of gods and humans, who reside in temples and act as the communication channel between Alexios and his Claimed. They collect blood tithes in temples all over Vartena.

Scillari:

The realm of the gods.

the Shroud:

The magical barrier that separates the realms of gods and humans. It was created as part of the truce to end the god-human war.

tithes:

Blood offerings from Claimed humans to maintain Alexios’ protection. Vartenans prick their fingers over the collection channels to shore up the Shroud’s foundations. Devaliants alone give their lives for the tithe and are resurrected in the act of “anchoring”.

Turpori weapons:

Blades created by Bastien for demigod soldiers to enhance their abilities in battle. These godkilling weapons are contraband in Vartena.

Unclaimed:

Humans without the protection of a god.

Vartena:

The human realm.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Wolf and the Crown of Blood has had such a wild journey. When I first started working on this book in 2022, fantasy romance was a little quieter in traditional publishing, so I wrote with the intention of self-publishing it. In hindsight, I was grateful for that process, which I think led me to write more fearlessly. And with fearlessness came an immense love for the manuscript, the characters, and the world.

I mentioned this book to Rosie de Courcy, my (now former) editor at Head of Zeus for my Katrina Kendrick romances. Rosie took it, and to my delight, Head of Zeus wanted it. So I am eternally grateful to Rosie for finding this book its US home, and to the team at Head of Zeus/Bloomsbury for their support and enthusiasm for my work, especially Aubrie Artiano, who is an absolute joy to work with.

This book’s home in the UK is with the brilliant Daphne Press team, which I’m so thankful to continue collaborating with. I owe so much to Daphne Tonge, more than words can say. Many thanks to Davi Lancett and Cat Aquino, whose brilliant notes helped guide this manuscript in directions that made it so much richer and deeper.

All my love to my agent, Russell Galen, who has been so supportive of my pivot into romance. And, of course, Danny Baror, who has been such an incredible advocate for my work and doesn’t blink when I surprise him with completed manuscripts.

I’m always so thankful for my husband, who does lovely things like making me coffee and bringing me chocolate when I’m in manuscript hyperfocus. I love you so much, and I’m the luckiest lady alive. And my readers, I love and adore each and every one of you. Thank you for joining me on this journey.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELIZABETH MAY is the #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of To Cage A God, the Seven Devils duology (co-written with L. R. Lam), The Falconer series, and romance novels under the pseudonym Katrina Kendrick. Originally from California, Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. from the University of St Andrews. She currently resides in the Scottish countryside with her husband, three cats, and a lively hive of honeybees.

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TO CAGE A GOD

By Elizabeth May

Join the rebellion to burn down a cruel tyrant in this heart-racing new fantasy duology, perfect for fans of Shadow and Bone and The Wolf and the Woodsman.

To cage a god is divine. To be divine is to rule. To rule is to destroy.

Using ancient secrets, Galina and Sera’s mother grafted gods into their bones. Bound to brutal deities and granted forbidden power no commoner has held in a thousand years, the sisters have been raised as living weapons. Now, the time has come for them to overthrow an empire—no matter the cost.

With their mother gone and their country on the brink of war, it falls to the sisters to take the helm of the rebellion and end the cruel reign of a royal family possessed by destructive gods. Because when the ruling alurea invade, they conquer with fire and blood. And when they clash, common folk burn.

Forced into a desperate plan, Sera reunites with her estranged lover who now leads the rebellion, while Galina infiltrates the palace. In this world of deception and danger, her only refuge is an isolated princess whose whip-smart tongue and sharp gaze threaten to uncover Galina’s secret. Torn between desire and duty, Galina must make a choice: work together to expose the lies of the empire—or bring it all down.

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BRIDE OF THE

SHADOW KING

By Sylvia Mercedes

For fans of The Bridge Kingdom and A Deal with the Elf King , this sweeping tale of love and betrayal is equal blends sweet and spice.

A SHUNNED PRINCESS.

A RELUCTANT KING.

A MARRIAGE THAT COULD SAVE BOTH