Nine months have passed since Brynne Sullyan helped forge an alliance between the realms of Albia and Andaryon. A fragile peace reigns as both sides recover from the events of the previous year. Then mysterious raiders strike Andaryon villages.
Attempts are made on the life of Albia’s High King. As Sullyan scrambles to find those responsible, unseen enemies threaten to pull apart everything she has worked for, including her marriage.
The alliance begins to crumble, and Sullyan finds herself caught between two monarchs: the king she’s sworn allegiance to, and the man she loves as a father. To betray either one would break her heart, but if conflict is inevitable, she must make a choice…
Cas lives in the lovely county of Hampshire, southern UK, where she was born. On leaving school she trained for two years before qualifying as horse-riding instructor. During this time she also learned to carriage-drive. She spent thirteen years in the British Civil Service before moving to Rome, Italy, where she and her husband, Dave, lived for three years. They enjoy returning whenever they can. Cas supports many animal charities and owns two rescue dogs. She has a large collection of cacti and loves gardening. She is also a folk singer/songwriter and is currently writing and recording nine folk-style songs to accompany each of her fantasy books. You can listen to and download all the songs from her website: www.caspeace.com
See the video of her performing live at the King’s Envoy book launch here: http://www.caspeace.com/cas-
Song List:
Circle of Conspiracy Songlist.
From The
Challenge: Meadowsweet.
https://www.reverbnation.com/caspeacewithntn/song/21511143-meadowsweet
From The
Circle: Larksong.
https://www.reverbnation.com/caspeacewithntn/song/22333132-larksong
Snippet from Book 3 Full Circle:
Sullyan’s eyes filled and a single tear slid slowly down her cheek. She stared at her hands in her lap. “And did you … did you see Robin?”
Taran’s uneasy silence was all the answer she needed. Another tear followed the first. She was forced to take a steadying breath.
“Taran, I do not intend to return.”
He had been afraid of this. She had hinted as much to Bull after she had left the Manor. “What, not ever?”
He was aware that her hybrid blood enabled her to live in either realm without suffering any ill effects, and, of course, Pharikian had already offered her a home at the Citadel. Now, it seemed she intended to take up his offer.
She raised her eyes to his, her face white and strained. “I have decided to stay here, Taran.”
He turned his head away, not wanting her to see the hurt this decision caused him. She sensed it anyway and leaned toward him.
“How could I return to the Manor? You saw Robin’s face today when we rode in together. He still believes me false. He does not want me back. And no matter what the King says now, no matter what his state of mind at the time, he still stripped me of everything I have ever held dear. He threw all my loyalty and all my years of service back in my face and declared me a traitor. How can I return there? It is not the place it was. It is no longer my home. There are too many painful memories.”
She slumped back into the pillows, spent. “Here, at least, I have something that feels close to a family. I was born in this room, in this very bed. My parents stayed here, my mother died here. I feel I am close to them while I am here. And I need that, my friend. I need that very badly.”
