Book Info
Title- The Key
Series- The True Reign Series #1
By- Jennifer Anne Davis
Publication Date- November 15th, 2103
Published By- Clean Teen Publishing
Blurb
Within these pages lie kingdoms with castles and princes who
fall in love with fair maidens, but make no mistake−this is no fairytale.
His father’s kingdom is on the brink of upheaval and at the
center of it all is an ordinary girl who could be the key to its undoing. When
faced with the ultimate choice, will he choose the girl he’s falling in love
with or the kingdom he has sworn to protect?
An ordinary girl with an extraordinary past. All she wants
is to be free. What she doesn’t realize is that freedom comes with a price she
can’t afford to pay. She’s forced to accept the proposal of a prince she
despises, even though her heart belongs to someone else . . . his brother.
Seventeen-year-old Rema lives in a brutal kingdom where
travel between regions is forbidden, people are starving, and looking at
someone the wrong way can mean death. Nineteen-year-old Darmik is the king’s
son and Commander of the King’s Army. He spends his days roving the island,
doing his father’s bidding and trying to maintain control over the people.
When a chance encounter throws Rema and Darmik together,
they share an instantaneous connection, but any sort of relationship between
them is strictly forbidden. Darmik’s brother, the Crown Prince, notices
Darmik’s interest in Rema and, in a calculated, political move, blackmails her.
Faced with an impossible choice, Rema is forced to sacrifice her heart in order
to save her family.
As Rema is taken to the palace with the Crown
Prince, Darmik confronts the growing rumor that a legitimate blood heir to the
throne exists and is trying to overthrow Darmik’s family. In Darmik’s quest to
hunt down and kill the threat, he discovers that nothing is as it seems. Locked
in the king’s castle, Rema finds herself a key player in a massive power struggle.
When Darmik shows up, she’s not sure if she can trust him. The line between
friends, enemies, and loyalty becomes blurred. As truths are unlocked, Rema
understands that she just might be the key to finding the rightful heir and
restoring peace to the kingdom… if she can manage to stay alive long enough.
Excerpt 1:
Rema
politely curtsied. Prince Lennek stepped forward, closing the distance between
them. The music started and he placed his hands on her, expertly gliding her
around the dance floor. At first Rema was afraid she would trip over her own
feet and fall, embarrassing herself and probably meeting everyone’s
expectations, but she didn’t. Surprise washed through her, especially since she
hadn’t danced with anyone other than her aunt and uncle. But Lennek was dancing
a basic four-step foot pattern of which she was well acquainted.
“We
haven’t properly met,” Prince Lennek commented. His voice was soft and smooth,
like butter. She had the urge to reach out and caress his handsome face. He
looked very much like his brother, Prince Darmik. Even Prince Lennek’s tattoo
was similar to his brother’s, although Lennek’s black swirls appeared more like
knives than flames, especially when the light shone on the silver in the marks.
Rema forced herself to focus on the prince’s face, instead of his body.
“No,
we haven’t met, Your Highness,” Rema said sarcastically, wanting to stand her
ground. She wouldn’t allow him to see the slightest amount of infatuation or
intimidation on her part. “So I find it rather interesting that you would
summon me here. You are aware that I am engaged to be married?”
He
twirled Rema around and pulled her back to him, his eyes sparkling with
amusement. Rema felt everyone watching and appraising her. She tried to focus
on the dance and Lennek, not allowing the people’s silent judgments to
overwhelm her thoughts.
“I am
Prince Lennek and you are Rema, the local horse merchant’s niece.” His voice
was seductive. “And yes, you are currently engaged.” His head bent forward, his
lips only inches from her ear. “But things can change. Nothing is set in stone,”
he whispered.
She wasn’t
sure what he was implying. Did he know she secretly didn’t want to marry? His
strong arm slid lower on her back. Rema stumbled, but Prince Lennek changed
directions, keeping her upright. She quickly regained her footing, only missing
one beat.
“Who
taught you to dance?” he pleasantly asked.
Her
thoughts refocused on Lennek. “My aunt.”
“Interesting.
Most people in the merchant class do not know the dances of the upper
class—especially dances done with royalty.” His eyes held a questioning look,
awaiting her answer.
“We are
dancing ‘The Courting Dance,’” Rema replied. “It was so named because it is
only danced at court, also because it is usually done when a member of the
royal family has decided to court someone. It reveals his intentions to his
court.”
Lennek’s
eyebrows lifted up, surprised. “Why do you know the dance, then?” he inquired.
Was he
insulting her? Before she could think her response through, she said, “Perhaps
my aunt thought such a beautiful dance shouldn’t be wasted on a select group of
people who truly can’t appreciate it.” She smiled sweetly.
“Do you
have an answer to everything?” he asked, amused.
“Usually,”
she replied, holding her head high.
Prince
Lennek laughed and twirled her around again. This time, he pulled her in a
little closer. Rema’s chest touched his. His warm hand held her tight. Without
meaning to, she glanced up into his eyes. There was something hypnotic about
them, and she was unable to look away.
“I am so
glad you wandered into my life.” Prince Lennek chuckled, like it was a private
joke. “You are the key to everything.”
The
music ended and the prince glanced away from her, breaking the spell. She
stepped back, about to return to her seat when Lennek grabbed her arm.
Shocked,
Rema stared at him. His smile vanished. His eyes were cold, as if a mask had
been ripped from his face. She tried to step away, but his grip only tightened.
“What
do you want?” she whispered.
“You.”
It
felt like spiders crawling over her skin. “You can’t have me,” she said.
His
features softened. “Really? We’ll see.” He snickered, his mask of charm
instantaneously back on and the harshness gone.
Prince
Lennek motioned for his steward.
“Rema
is leaving the party now.”
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About the Author
Jennifer graduated from the University of San Diego with a
degree in English and a teaching credential. Afterwards, she married her high
school sweetheart, worked as a legal assistant, and taught high school English.
Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three young children.
Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids'
creativity.
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