LOGINMILAOur baby boy, Samuel, was born in April, a few days after Felix’s 31st birthday. He was named for the first King of Fresonia and to commemorate the love that had brought his parents together. As the future King of Fresonia, he had an official naming ceremony in front of the entire kingdom, and
CHARLESLife in exile was surprisingly calm.Despite our conversation before being sent to this remote island, I’d had a harder time adjusting to a relationship with Isabella than I once thought. Perhaps it was the sadness I felt at being away from my home kingdom, or maybe I did not like the vulner
FELIXWhen I was growing up, I never imagined that I would enjoy being King.The whole thing looked dreadfully boring to a young boy. Although I knew I was the heir to the throne and would someday take over for my father, I always had far more interest in hanging out with Ignatius and running around
MILAThe last few weeks had been a blur. Meetings, ribbon cuttings, speeches. I spent countless hours in the countryside of Fresonia helping to relocate people who had been displaced by either the war or the dissolution with Abernathy. I cooked meals for homeless shelters and taught magic to young c
FELIXThe King of Abernathy had been placed in a highly-protected magical prison deep in the Dragon’s Teeth mountains, locked away with no hope of escape. His advisors and various family members were locked away with him, all facing sentences for their crimes against magic.The leaders from the othe
FELIXThe King was clearly shocked by my challenge. He slowly put down his wine glass, his eyes darting between me and Mila. I could tell that the idea intrigued him, as much as he wanted to seem disgusted by the offer.The curse might have been broken, but I could still feel the panic and tension s
MILA Nerves flooded my body. I had come so far, only for my cover to be blown by this supreme jerk. It felt like I was back in the restaurant all those years ago, his grip on me never loosening. “It’s Miya,” I said quickly. “I wear a mask due to a facial injury. I don’t believe we’ve met, sir. B
MILA Lady Isabella was on her feet and at the front of the crowd instantly. Her face was filled with spite and hatred, she waved her fan around for emphasis as she talked. Talked was too mild a verb. Yelled would probably be more accurate to what Isabella was doing. “That kitchen wench has vid
On the day of the competition, I awoke early. I’d barely slept, the anxiety of the day keeping me awake. I put on my mask and the stone necklace and made my way to the bus that was to take us to the castle. Fresonia was known for its royal castle. It looked like something out of a fairy tale–glitt
MILA By the start of my first day, I had twenty new ideas to incorporate into the menu, hoping to make my mark at my new job. But things were proving difficult. Samara, as executive chef and owner, was often busy, and did not have time to chat with me most days. She had been nice enough to tell







