The Lies They Tell

An empire on the brink of collapse, an emperor with no heirs, and a war on the horizon. Alura, the emperor's Right Hand is caught in the middle of a massive dilemma--does she betray the man that raised her in exchange for her freedom, or go down in flames with him?

Chapter 1: Her Eminence
 Alura stiffened when she heard the chapel door open behind her. From the doorway, she could hear Reverend Mother Vikta, th ...

Chapter 2: Tit for Tat
The silence in the throne room was suffocating, bearing down on Alura with its inescapable weight. The water still dripping fro ...

Chapter 3: License to Kill
“Easy does it,” Alura tutted to Matilde.“Don’t patronize me,” Matilde scorned. Hissing through cle ...

Chapter 4: The Black Sparrow
Alura awoke to the sound of her chamber door opening. Her hand slipped under her pillow to grab the hilt of the dagger she kept ...

Chapter 5: Golden Girl
Mara adjusted the focus of her spyglass to see the Imperial Embassy clearly. It was a gaudy, gross display of wealth: three stor ...

Chapter 6: The Long Road Ahead
 Alura tapped her foot impatiently on the floor and glanced out the window as what had to be the hundredth explosion shook ...