Book Description
A darkling with a lust for power…
Henry Saint
shouldn’t exist. Every year on his birthday, he kills someone and takes their
soul so that he may live another year. He is a darkling, not fairy… but not
human either. Yet he is bound by the laws of both worlds. With a new King on
the throne of Annwyn and the mortal world trying to rebuild after plagues
killed so many, Henry seizes the opportunity to carve out a place of his own.
He wants Detroit.
shouldn’t exist. Every year on his birthday, he kills someone and takes their
soul so that he may live another year. He is a darkling, not fairy… but not
human either. Yet he is bound by the laws of both worlds. With a new King on
the throne of Annwyn and the mortal world trying to rebuild after plagues
killed so many, Henry seizes the opportunity to carve out a place of his own.
He wants Detroit.
A spy without a soul…
Darah was
Felan’s spy before he became King of Annwyn. Now he has one last mission for
her. He wants her to join the darkling’s Court and discover what Henry’s
endgame is. No one trusts the Banished when they gather in great numbers. As
Darah gets drawn into Henry’s world she realizes he can give her the one thing
she could never find in Annwyn—love. But is love worth betraying her King?
~ EXCERPT ~
This time,
though, he’d have fairy magic on his side. Or at least in his possession, if
not exactly on his side. He glanced at Darah.
“So, Darah,
what did you do to end up here?” The cup warmed his hands. Summer was fast
becoming a memory as autumn took hold.
She paused,
the cup almost to her lips. After being surrounded by humans and the ugly and
awkward Greys for so long, her beauty was like a rose growing among the weeds
in sidewalk. Something rare that made him pause.
Her tongue
darted over her lip. He shivered, unprepared for the spark of lust the thought
ignited. He’d spent a long time keeping those kinds of thoughts deeply buried,
and he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to release them. Certainly not with a
woman he barely knew and didn’t quite trust.
Although to
be fair, most of his encounters had involved women for whom kissing wasn’t part
of the job. It was safer for everyone, even if it didn’t satisfy the ache.
Darklings didn’t get to love. Any human he did love would eventually die. And
Greys, he’d tried once. It was easier to go without.
“I stole
from the old Queen.”
“If you were
exiled before the power shift and the change of Kings, you’d be dead.” All
fairies caught on the wrong side of the veil had died, only the Greys had
survived because they were already cut off from the magic. “Don’t lie to me.”
He wasn’t a mortal fool who knew nothing of Annwyn.
“That wasn’t
a lie.” And she sounded offended that he would accuse of stooping so low. That
revealed a little more about her; at least she wouldn’t lie to him…merely
mislead. “I was a shadow servant for a year and day as punishment. However, the
taint of being one of the mad Queen’s ladies has stained my reputation.”
Henry
narrowed his eyes. Her words were too careful. She had never once actually said
that she was exiled, merely agreed with the assumption. “You aren’t exiled, are
you?”
She sipped
her soup but didn’t answer. No confirmation or denial. He was taking that as an
affirmative.
He leaned
back. This one had teeth and cunning; he was going to have to watch her
closely. It had been a long time since anyone had roused the thrill of a hunt
and the chance of a good game.
Damn his
fairy blood for that one too.
“Why
Detroit?” He smiled, and plucked some of the bread. It was always made fresh,
but it really needed butter.
“I could ask
you the same question.”
“Very well,
a truthful answer for a truthful answer.” All fairies loved a deal. Was she
enjoying the idea of a game as much as he was? How far was he willing to take
it? It was a delicate dance and he couldn’t afford to gamble too much, nor get
too distracted.
“That’s an
acceptable deal.” She smiled and her gaze sharpened.
He exhaled
as lust traced a razor edge over his skin. If he mis-stepped, dancing with
Darah was going to hurt.
~ REVIEW ~
5 STARS
I wasn't sure what to expect about this book after the last one and I enjoyed reading Henry and Darah's story too.
I had a feeling I would like Henry and I did especially when he decided to do something that would benefit others as well. I liked how he becomes a leader in his own right but not the cliche type that wants more than necessary. Henry is a Darkling, a child of human and a Grey. In order for him to survive he has to steal a soul every year on his birthday. I can't imagine the ordeal he has gone through especially not knowing what he was till he was 40. I felt his feelings, his remorse and guilt for taking lives in order for him to live. He questions himself whether he should live or die but living was always his option in the end.
Darah was okay but same with Henry, her past wasn't all sugary thanks to her husband. She has a chance to have her place in Felan's court, the only catch is that she would need to spy on Henry as it has reached Felan's ears that a Darkling is rising to power. Darah must spy on Henry to know his intentions whether for good or bad.
It's kind of funny when fate put them on the same fate. Them never realizing that they probably want- need more especially Darah. As she begins to question herself for what she truly wants.Their relationship wasn't easy, well most relationships aren't easy but you know what I mean. But I loved how steamy they could get. Although I wished Darah realized what she truly wanted sooner.
One thing I like about this as well, is that Felan never changed. He is a just king and that he gave Henry a chance and he is also trying to change the punishment given to the other Greys.
And I pity all Darklings. Their fate is just too sad especially when their first victim even if unknowingly might be someone close to them.
I can't wait for the next book in this series. I had a feeling there was more and this book doesn't have that conclusion feeling to it.
5 STARS
I wasn't sure what to expect about this book after the last one and I enjoyed reading Henry and Darah's story too.
I had a feeling I would like Henry and I did especially when he decided to do something that would benefit others as well. I liked how he becomes a leader in his own right but not the cliche type that wants more than necessary. Henry is a Darkling, a child of human and a Grey. In order for him to survive he has to steal a soul every year on his birthday. I can't imagine the ordeal he has gone through especially not knowing what he was till he was 40. I felt his feelings, his remorse and guilt for taking lives in order for him to live. He questions himself whether he should live or die but living was always his option in the end.
Darah was okay but same with Henry, her past wasn't all sugary thanks to her husband. She has a chance to have her place in Felan's court, the only catch is that she would need to spy on Henry as it has reached Felan's ears that a Darkling is rising to power. Darah must spy on Henry to know his intentions whether for good or bad.
It's kind of funny when fate put them on the same fate. Them never realizing that they probably want- need more especially Darah. As she begins to question herself for what she truly wants.Their relationship wasn't easy, well most relationships aren't easy but you know what I mean. But I loved how steamy they could get. Although I wished Darah realized what she truly wanted sooner.
One thing I like about this as well, is that Felan never changed. He is a just king and that he gave Henry a chance and he is also trying to change the punishment given to the other Greys.
And I pity all Darklings. Their fate is just too sad especially when their first victim even if unknowingly might be someone close to them.
I can't wait for the next book in this series. I had a feeling there was more and this book doesn't have that conclusion feeling to it.
SHONA HUSK is the author of the Shadowlands Series and the
Court of Annwyn Series. You can find out more information about Shona and her
edgy romances at www.shonahusk.com or follow her on Twitter @ShonaHusk,
Facebook www.facebook.com/shonahusk
or join her newsletter.
Author Links
0 comments: