Daindreth's Assassin

Daindreth Fanduillion has learned to live with it after inheriting the curse that drove his father mad, but a sorceress’ assassination attempt changes everything. She fails, but temporarily frees him from the demon that has plagued him for more than half his life. To his surprise, Daindreth learns that she is Amira Brindonu, half-sister to his betrothed and daughter of a sworn enemy. Guilty of high treason, she should be sent to the gallows, but Amira is his only hope and Daindreth is willing to pay any price for the chance at a cure.

Magic has two immutable rules - every spell requires a sacrifice, and every curse can be broken. Amira Brindonu is a sorceress turned assassin, bound in a curse that forces her to obey her father, even to the point of high treason. When he orders her to kill the future emperor, she fails, but discovers a secret that could bring the whole of the empire to its knees. The archduke is stricken by a curse that could sentence him and his people to damnation, but Amira could be the only key to breaking it.

Amira Brindonu has done the impossible—she broke her own curse and rescued the imperial archduke from Empress Vesha’s witchcraft. Saving the man she loves should have been a good thing, but by doing so, Amira has upset the delicate pact between the cythraul demons of the Dread Marches and the Erymayan Empire, with far-reaching consequences she and Daindreth can only begin to understand.

Against all odds, Amira and Daindreth found the Istovari sorceresses deep within the perilous Cursewood. But that turns out to be only the beginning. They find the sorceresses greatly weakened and lacking the power they once had. The Istovari claim to be unable to free Daindreth from the curse they placed on him.

Amira Brindonu has won. The man she loves has been freed from his curse, and her mother’s people have chosen to ally with their cause. Even as Amira and Daindreth celebrate victory and Thadred grows in his power as a sorcerer, trouble stirs on the horizon. Not everyone is ready to recognize the rightful heir. Vesha’s reign brought the empire peace and prosperity. Many lords and barons must be convinced if they are to swear allegiance to Daindreth. Meanwhile, Vesha seeks out greater power. In a desperate effort to protect the empire, she will make yet another deal with a fallen goddess.

Amira Brindonu Fanduillion has been crowned alongside her husband, the rightful heir to the Erymayan Empire. They have survived assassination attempts and schemes within the palace to retake the throne and begin their reign. It appears to be their moment of victory, until reports of a rampaging demon horde reach them from the countryside. Vesha, Daindreth's mother and the former empress, has made a deal with a fallen goddess for the empire's protection.