The Queen of Burning Roses

I won’t keep secrets anymore. I’ve hidden my true, fiery nature from the people of the Gaia Realm for too long. It’s time to do this right.

I’m home now, but when I look around, this isn’t the place I left. Or, maybe I’m just growing up. My mother’s death hit my father hard. He lashes out and plans to execute people. He’s never done that, and I’ve never had the gall to defy him. Until now.

Ares stands by my side, and I feel a little stronger for it. I’m about to take the throne, and I’ve had eighteen years to decide what kind of queen I’ll be, though I still don’t have that answer. But I won’t let people die. I need to use my strength, my position, to help my people. Including Matthew. He’s been different since we returned, his mind plagued with memories of his possession.

Despite everything we’ve been through, after our ordeal with Persephone, Cristian’s keeping things from me, I can feel it. Since the moment I knelt to him after the warehouse went up in flames, his father dying inside, he’s pulled away from me. Now that we’re home, he’s drinking, and his forge has burnt down. He’s haunted by what happened with Persephone, and the darkness in his eyes worries me. What dark secrets isn’t he telling me?