As the threat of the witch hunters grows, the fae warrior Bri and the princess she protects must work closely to uncover the secret plot of their enemies…
We’re thrilled to share an excerpt from The Rogue Crown, book three in A.K. Mulford’s romantic, action-packed epic fantasy series, The Five Crowns of Okrith—now available from Harper Voyager.
The action moves west in A.K. Mulford’s romantic, action-packed epic fantasy series, The Five Crowns of Okrith, as young fae warrior Bri investigates the murder of her queen while protecting the beautiful princess she may be falling for.
Determined to uncover who killed the Western Queen, fae warrior Briata Catullus sets out on a mission to defeat the witch hunters and safeguard her princess. But when she arrives at the Western Court, things are even worse than she feared. The icy reception from the fae is the least of her problems—they’ve heard the prophecy that Bri will seize the crown from its sovereign, and the last thing they want is for her to usurp the throne. No, the witch hunters are out for royal blood, and it will take everything Bri has to keep them at bay.
It doesn’t help that, still grieving the loss of her mother, Princess Abalina Thorne is reluctant to allow Bri into her confidence, only agreeing to let her serve as one of her guards at the behest of the princess’ cousin.
As the threat of the witch hunters grows, they find themselves thrown together, working closely to uncover the secret plot of their enemies. Along the way, the princess realizes that Bri is one of the few people she can trust. But Bri is determined to forge her own path and prove the prophecy wrong, not letting the beautiful Lina distract her from defeating the witch hunters. She has a duty to the princess, a duty to the Western Court, and a duty to her own destiny.
But what about the duty to her heart?
Bri put on her calm, cavalier mask as she finally spotted Lina.
“And what exactly is Airev up to tonight?” Bri said as she swaggered up to the open tavern window.
Lina whirled and, despite her shadowed hood, Bri could tell by the slump of her shoulders she was glowering back. The tavern in the center of town was much finer than the seedy ones in Southside. Fae in delicate dresses and furs chatted in a riot of sound, but Lina clung to a far doorway, hidden in the shadows.
Bri grinned, leaning her elbows onto the window ledge. “Surprised to see me?”
“Why are you here?” Lina muttered.
Bri raised her eyebrows and placed a hand on her chest in mock offense. “Am I not allowed to frequent taverns in my free time?”
“Why this tavern?” Lina stepped closer to the open window frame, the torchlight illuminating her full lips as a frown pulled them downward. “There’s mostly fae here, loyal to the Crown. I can’t imagine a Catullus would have a warm reception.”
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The Rogue Crown
Bri waved away the thought. “I’m used to the mean looks that your mother so readily encouraged.”
“My mother wouldn’t have needed to if your mother wasn’t constantly plotting to overthrow her.” Lina scoffed. “I’m sure she’s holding feasts right now to celebrate the death of the Queen.”
Bri lowered her head, careful not to hit the sill as she leaned through the window. “I am not my mother.”
Lina’s hood slipped back an inch, revealing her fiery eyes. “Nor am I.”
A smirk pulled at Bri’s mouth as she cocked her head, scanning Lina’s smooth skin and painted lips. “So why are you here?”
“I’m busy,” Lina said, turning and leaning against the wall beside the window. “And you’re distracting me.”
Bri grinned. “I have that effect on people.”
“Please.” Lina snorted. “If your head got any bigger it might explode.”
A tall, slender fae at the end of the bar moved toward the back door and Lina straightened. “Is that your target?” Bri asked, tipping her head toward him. “You’re going to steal from him?”
“Go get a drink, or find a maiden, or go back to the castle; I don’t care,” Lina snapped. “Just leave this to me.”
Bri guffawed. “What did he do to deserve the wrath of Airev?”
Lina pushed off the wall as the fae disappeared, exiting the door beside the window. Bri took a single step, pivoting in front of her.
“Move,” Lina hissed.
“Let me come with you,” Bri implored. “I told Delta I’d protect you.”
“You told her you’d look out for the Princess.” Lina folded her arms. “She knows nothing about Airev.”
“That is a dangerous distinction, one I’m sure Delta won’t care about if Airev gets killed.” Bri leaned in and whispered, “I promise you I’m more at home with thieves and bandits than I am with Princesses.”
Lina craned her neck past Bri, trying to spot the figure she was tracking, and Bri sidestepped her again.
“Fine.” Lina grimaced, clenching her fists. “Just don’t get in the way.”
Bri flourished a bow, stepping out of Lina’s path and following her into the moonlit alley. The spring air was crisp— frost clung to doorways and their breath whirled steam from their mouths. Bri wished she’d thought to bring a cloak.
She kept in step with Lina. “What did he do?”
“He stole something,” Lina muttered. “I’m going to steal it back.”
“What did he steal?” Bri chuckled as Lina gave her a sideways glance and pulled her hood lower. “Something you don’t want to share with me?”
“Because I already know what you’re going to say,” Lina growled.
Their target wove through the back alleys behind the fine fae restaurants and inns that made up the wealthiest part of the city. They kept several paces behind, dawdling at the turns to give him enough of a lead. They were about to turn the corner when Lina grabbed Bri’s sleeve and yanked her to a halt.
The fae had stopped at a back door, midway down the alley. He laughed loudly to the woman who opened the door. When the creaking door slammed shut again, Lina and Bri leaned down the alleyway.
Bri sighed, spotting the red lantern hanging inconspicuously above the door. “A brothel. Of course.”
Lina peered up at the second-floor window, where candlelight flickered beyond the half-drawn curtains. “You go distract the matron and I’ll sneak in and grab the necklace.”
“Necklace?” Bri tilted her head. “He stole a necklace?”
“He nicked it from Tem in the bathhouses,” Lina whispered. “I saw him wearing it this morning in the castle. It’s Tem’s necklace, the lying thief.”
“Right.” Bri snorted.
Lina’s lip curled as she leaned closer. “What?”
“Aren’t you a hero, rescuing your betrothed’s stolen necklace,” Bri teased. Lina’s hot breath skimmed Bri’s cheek as Bri held her hard stare.
“This is why I didn’t want to tell you.” Lina turned the corner, looking back over her shoulder at Bri. “Now, do you want to help me or not?”
Bri frowned but followed. Lina rapped on the brothel door, shoving Bri in front of it and disappearing into the shadows. Bri’s scowl into the darkness morphed into a feral smirk as the matron opened the door.
“I know you,” the matron said, clasping her hands in front of her and blocking the narrow threshold. “You’re that one they call the Golden Eagle. The one they say is here to steal the crown.”
Bri let her eyelids droop, pretending drink had overtaken her senses. She dropped into a swaggering bow. “The one and only.”
The matron cocked her head. “I thought you were a twin?”
“Well, ‘the two and only’ doesn’t sound as good.” Bri leaned her forearm against the frame, pinning the matron with her smoldering gaze. “I heard your establishment is the best place to come for those with a pocketful of gold who are looking for a good time.”
The matron grinned at the word “gold,” dropping her eyes to Bri’s pockets. She stepped backward, permitting entry into the foyer. With a drunken guffaw, Bri stumbled forward, pretending to trip into the matron. Her hands bracketed the woman’s body as the matron gasped. Caging her in, Bri dipped her head down into her neck and breathed deeply, making her shudder. The whoosh of air behind her told her that Lina had successfully snuck inside, and she pushed away.
“Apologies,” Bri said, straightening her tunic with a playful laugh. “I might have had a few glasses before I came here.”
“It’s quite all right,” the matron said, brushing a brown curl off her forehead and swallowing. Her cheeks were flushed as she pressed her hand to her chest and took a steadying breath. Bri grinned at her flustered expression.
“Please, do come in.” The matron gestured to the sitting room.
Bri sat on the red satin couch and crossed her ankle over her knee, the picture of ease. A woman entered in nothing but a sheer, gauzy slip. Her dyed red hair spilled over her shoulder and covered most of her chest. She carried a golden tray with a single silver goblet, gracefully gliding across the lush crimson carpet and proffering the drink to Bri.
Taking it, Bri grinned at the woman, who peeked at her through her curtain of hair.
“Abigail is free tonight, should you so wish,” the matron said, gesturing to the redhead.
The courtesan’s eyes flickered a brilliant scarlet, and Bri’s mouth dropped open.
“A red witch?” Bri cocked her head at the witch and then turned to the matron. “How?”
“My staff are all witches,” the matron said with a proud smirk. “And if you’ve never been with a red witch before, believe me, you’re missing out.”
Abigail flashed a carnal grin.
“I thought all the red witches were gone from the West,” Bri murmured. “Weren’t the only ones who survived hidden in the High Mountains?”
“Not those with powerful enough employers to protect them.” The matron lifted her chin, her face hardening. “This lounge became a safe haven over the past many years. Even now that witches no longer need a refuge, many have chosen to stay. People fear looking in the dark corners, afraid of what they might find, but that is where we have thrived.”
Abigail nodded, perching herself on Bri’s knee and biting the corner of her lip as she leaned back into Bri’s chest. She was overly perfumed but still had that magical scent of the witches hiding underneath. Bri’s hand snaked around to her belly as she gave the matron an approving nod.
She took a long swig of wine, spotting Lina’s peeking hood from the stairwell. She snorted into her drink, coughing to cover her surprise. Lina tipped her head in a gesture that indicated she had gotten what she’d come for as she gave Bri a pointed look.
Bri let the goblet slip from her grip, wine pouring down both her and Abigail. The courtesan leapt up as Bri muttered a string of apologies. The matron rushed over, grabbing a napkin from the side bar, and Lina bolted back to the door unseen.
“I’m so sorry,” Bri said again, wiping down her stained tunic.
“It’s no problem,” Abigail cooed. “It happens all the time.”
“I think I’ve had a bit too much.” Bri chuckled, dropping four gold coins onto the table.
The matron’s eyes widened at the coins, far more than Bri would have been charged. Bri hugged Abigail one last time, pressing two more gold coins into her palm and giving her a look. The matron would take most of the gold on the table for herself. These coins would be Abigail’s alone.
Abigail smirked and nodded. “I do hope you visit us again.”
With a wink, Bri headed toward the door and waved over her shoulder. “Have a lovely night, ladies.”
She heard Abigail’s excited whisper from behind her. “I can’t believe that just happened. Briata Catullus!”
She’d never get used to people’s excitement at seeing her, as if she were an oddity, her fame and reputation preceding her actual personality. In Swifthill, she was infamous—a threat to the Crown.
She stumbled back into the alleyway but Lina was already gone. She cursed, scanning the vacant road and jogging off in the direction she suspected Lina was heading.
Excerpted from The Rogue Crown, copyright © 2022 by A. K. Mulford
