Volume I: My Lady

Volume I: My Lady (completed)

Escaping from an uncle-king who murdered her parents and intends to murder her, Aeodhan flees her kingdom of Shansor.  Wanting to forget her past life and choosing to live her new life as a member of a reclusive society, Aeodhan rejects all entreaties that she depose her uncle and reclaim the throne that is rightfully hers by birth.

On her flight to freedom, Aeodhan stumbles into the hidden, mythical land of Talithia, inhabited by the Guardians—massive, black cats, and the divinely-appointed rulers of Aeodhan’s people from a thousand years ago.  The Guardians wish Aeodhan, as rightful Queen, to battle her uncle, and restore both the Guardians and Shansor to their former glory.  But Aeodhan wants no part of it, not even when told that her uncle has unleashed upon Shansor the old, forbidden magic of ages past—a magic she finds far too alluring for anyone’s comfort.  It is only months later, when she battles a vicious, destructive attack upon her new home and family, that she reluctantly concedes to the demands upon her, and leads in battle the Guardians, who alone possess the power to destroy the forbidden magic.

The battle goes poorly for the Guardians and their allies, and when all seems lost, Aeodhan is overcome with the temptation to use magic to aid their fight.  If she gives in, she will risk everything she and the Guardians have fought for, and may give her uncle the opening he needs to defeat them.

———————

My Lady won the 2007 Novel Excerpt Contest put on by award-winning author Tosca Lee, and received a critique by author, editor, and publisher, Jeff Gerke.