Thorns of the crown

-

nteen: Blood

secrets. Alaric led the rebels through the catacom

ce gardens stood sil

e same place where Alaric's mother used

ashing in perfect rhythm. He watched her move-wild, gracefu

m split

had f

m impaled by a palace guard. His eyes m

d, blood bubbling on his lip

and, tears fallin

he wa

f the crow

-

een: The Thro

e palace gates

odied, breathless, unbowed. Queen Maerra stood at its cen

your kingdom for a

c said. "Fo

om exploded with light and pain

ng. "You killed my family. You tried

ose. Flames wrapped around her arms, golden and whit

rough guards with every ounce of roya

erra fa

"You feared the prophecy. B

s chest. "The fire doesn't dest

spell-and the queen collaps

le

ke through the s

ar wa

the new kingdom w