The Unwilling Consort of the Twin Kings
Aeger—a vassal kingdom both rich and ruined. A land of warriors and excess, ruled by twin kings who revel in debauchery yet remain unmatched in power. The empire seeks control, and the diarchs' elder sister, the Crown Princess, plays her own game—using Aeger to strengthen her hold on the court while trying to tame the brothers who threaten it.
Marina Velkas, an Imperial Guard and reluctant governor, is sent to bring order. Instead, she is met with mockery in court, resistance in governance, and two kings who refuse to yield. Ruyi, sharp-tongued and reckless, enjoys breaking her defenses. Ruyel, cold and calculating, waits for her to surrender.
But Marina does not break. She bends Aeger to her will, yet the kings remain watching, waiting. The court sees her as a passing intrigue, but whispers grow—of a bond that cannot be undone, of a governor who stands at the edge of something far greater.
With the empire closing in and the kings tightening their claim, Marina must decide—continue fighting for a kingdom that will never be hers, or rise as its reluctant queen.
[Formerly Sovereign of the Beasts. The first volume is seductive feline courtship and rather wholesome, but the first chapter is a throw forward to what would happen later.]
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Excerpt:
The Courtroom Duel
Ruyi: “Denied.”
Marina: “Of course it is.”
Ruyel: “Try again with something less useless.”
Marina: “Oh, I didn’t realize starving citizens were a matter of inconvenience to Your Majesties.”
Ruyi: “They’re not starving. They’re simply unmotivated.”
Marina: “Perhaps if you put more coin into infrastructure instead of your endless banquets, motivation wouldn’t be an issue.”
Ruyel: “Careful, Governor. That sounds dangerously close to insubordination.”
Marina: “And what will you do? Execute me for stating facts?”
Ruyi: “Tempting, but then it would be too much paperwork?”
Ruyel: “Answering another one of elder sister's calls isn't on my agenda.”
Marina: “I just want a fair negotiation.”
Ruyi: “It was, until you became insufferable.”
Marina: “How terrible for you. A woman you can’t silence.”
Ruyel: “Not yet.”
(Laughter ripples through the court.)
The Tiger’s Sparring Ground
Marina: “Stop touching me like that.”
Ruyel: “I’m correcting your stance.”
Marina: “Find another student.”
Ruyel: “I can’t.”
Marina: “Why?”
Ruyel: “Because no one else is worth my time.”
Marina: “Then suffer alone.”
Ruyel: “Oh, but I enjoy watching you suffer with me.”
Marina: “You’re insufferable.”
Ruyel: “And yet, your legs tremble every time I step too close.”
Marina: “That’s from exhaustion.”
Ruyel: “Liar.”
Marina: “Get off me.”
Ruyel: “No.”
Marina: “I hate you.”
Ruyel: “I know.”
(Silence. Still trapped in his arms.)
The Lion’s Den
Marina: “Stop distracting me.”
Ruyi: “But you’re so cute when you’re angry.”
Marina: “You humiliated me today.”
Ruyi: “And now I’m making up for it.”
Marina: “By crawling into my bed?”
Ruyi: “By holding the most important person in Aeger.”
Marina: “I hate you.”
Ruyi: “I know. Now, let me warm you up.”
Marina: “You rejected my proposal.”
Ruyi: “And I will approve it first thing in the morning.”
Marina: “You—what?”
Ruyi: “The only reason Aeger has more welfare programs than the empire now is because of how cute you are when you argue.”
Marina: “That is not how governance works.”
Ruyi: “That is exactly how governance works.”
Marina: “You—”
Ruyi: “Shh. Sleep, Marina.”
(Tomorrow, the court will call her Governor. But tonight, she holds the true power.)
