“Rowan,” Margaret said, throwing her arms around me. “Why are you doing this?”

I touched her cheek and smiled. “I can’t pretend to understand how things ended up this way, but trust me when I say I’m happy.” Ellis watched us both, his eyes flicking to my sister, and it was then I knew what I’d always suspected.

The circumstances of our birth had promised him to me, but that had never been what either of us truly wanted. “Margaret,” I said, holding her hands in mine. “I want you to be happy, too.” I looked at Ellis and she followed my gaze before I whispered in her ear, “This works out for all of us, I think?”

As my sister and my oldest friend looked at each other, they realized what this meant.

“I’ll miss you,” she said.

“I’ll see you soon.” She nodded, and Ellis came to stand beside her. “I hope you’ve been practicing your hunting,” I said to him, and he huffed out a small laugh, his eyes shifting to Wicked.

“I might need a few pointers,” he said to the strange dark Fae who waited for me, his hands full of my clothing. I smiled at them both as Wicked’s brows drew together, a crease forming between them. He dipped his head in acknowledgement, and then gave me a look that begged us to please leave now.

With one last round of goodbyes to my family, I followed him out of the castle and into the winter air. We traipsed into the trees, and Wicked stopped, spinning to face me.

“This is your last chance to change your mind.” His shoulders tensed as though he was really expecting me to turn around and leave.

I stepped closer, pressing myself against him, and arched on to my tiptoes. “Where do you want to go first now that you’re finally free? Find your brother and take back what should have been yours?”

The corner of his mouth ticked up as he looked out to the horizon and then back to me. “Maybe someday, but first I want to experience more than this fraction of a life before I’m embroiled in a war I probably can’t win. As long as you’re with me.”

I smiled at him. “Anywhere. Everywhere. Always.”

Want more steamy fantasy romance with strong female leads, hot (hot) love interests, and fairy-tale feels?

Then pre-order To Wake a Kingdom, a standalone full-length novel.

This Sleeping Beauty retelling is filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing to the end.

Coming September 20, 2022.

Connect with me at nishajtuli.com

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About the Author

Nisha has always been obsessed with worlds she cannot see. From Florin to Prythian, give her a feisty heroine, a windswept castle, and true love’s kiss, and she’ll be lost in the pages forever. Bonus points for protagonists slaying dragons in kick-ass outfits.

When Nisha isn’t writing, it’s usually because one of her two kids needs something (she loves them anyway). After they’re finally in bed, she’ll usually be found with her e-reader or knitting sweaters and scarves, perfect for surviving a Canadian winter.

Read more at Nisha J Tuli’s site.

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