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With Chayce Maynard on the run, Ryleigh and Jackson can finally begin rebuilding their kingdom. But when a cryptic message suggests Chayce was seen in Argonas, chaos creeps back into Cymmera once more . . .
Jackson knows Cymmera will never be safe until Chayce, guilty of treason, is detained and executed. After ordering Cymmeran guardsmen to scour the land, he and the Death Dealer team brave wild Argonas in search of the informant who spotted his foe. And in his absence, Jackson not only leaves the throne empty, but the kingdom vulnerable to attack . . .
As a vicious army descends on Cymmera, Ryleigh is forced to flee to an uncharted realm with a small group of survivors—a place Jackson has no chance of discovering. Alone, but for the few people she was able to save, Ryleigh must decide whether to reclaim her kingdom or remain in the new realm forever, forsaking all she left behind . . .
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Books by Dani-Lyn Alexander
Kingdom of Cymmera
Reluctant Prince
Lost Princess
Battle For Cymmera
Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation
Lost Princess
Kingdom of Cymmera Series
Dani-Lyn Alexander
LYRICAL PRESS
Kensington Publishing Corp.
www.kensingtonbooks.com
Copyright
Lyrical Press books are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2016 by Dani-Lyn Alexander
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First Electronic Edition: November 2016
eISBN-13: 978-1-60183-994-7
eISBN-10: 1-60183-994-4
First Print Edition: November 2016
ISBN-13: 978-1-60183-995-4
ISBN-10: 1-60183-995-2
Printed in the United States of America
Dedication
Logan, your energy and imagination inspire me. I love you with all of my heart.
Acknowledgements
This book would not have been possible without the support and encouragement of my husband, Greg. We’ve built a wonderful life together, and I can’t wait to see where our journey will lead next.
I’d like to say a big thank you to my children, Elaina, Nicky and Logan for their understanding and help while I spent long nights at the computer. The three of you have brought more joy to my life than I ever could have imagined. My husband and children are truly the loves of my life.
I also have to thank my best friend, Renee, for all of her support, long conversations and reading many rough drafts. I still wouldn’t know how to use Word without your help.
I’d like to thank my sister, Debby, who is probably my biggest fan and has read every word I’ve ever written.
To my agent, Dawn Dowdle, thank you so much for believing in me and for being there in the middle of the night every time I have a question.
Words cannot express my gratitude to my editor, Penny Barber, for her wonderful advice and assistance in polishing this manuscript.
Chapter 1
Needing a moment to gather her thoughts before their conversation escalated into another argument, Ryleigh Donnovan stroked Max’s thick fur and avoided her little sister’s steady stare.
The enormous gray and white wolf sat beside her throne and lowered his head onto her lap. Intelligent, deep blue eyes offered compassion, but unfortunately, held no answers.
Mia had grown quiet and secretive over the past few months. Maybe it was living under the constant threat of attack, or maybe she was having a hard time adjusting to the reality of living in another realm.
Whatever the problem, Ryleigh had no clue how to reach the sister she’d once been so close to. Though she only stood a few feet away, there may as well have been an ocean between them. “I don’t understand what’s going on with you lately, Mia.”
Mia rolled brilliant blue eyes like only a fifteen-year-old could. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She massaged her temples, not bothering to hide her third headache in four days.
That Ryleigh knew about. “Have you spoken to Kiara about the headaches?”
“No.” Sighing, she lowered her hand. “I took ibuprofen.”
“Maybe you need to return to the human realm for a while.” She’d have to speak to the healer herself. They’d already been in Cymmera longer than they’d stayed last time, when Mia had gotten so sick she’d almost died.
“How many times have we been through this?” Blood dribbled from Mia’s nose. She pulled a blood-stained handkerchief from the back pocket of her jeans and wiped her nose. “I’m fine. Just busy.”
“Busy doing what, Mia?” Ryleigh couldn’t sit still any longer. Giving up hope that Mia would accept her invitation to sit together and discuss whatever was happening, she shoved to her feet.
Max jerked his head back and stood beside her, his flank at her right hip, as always.
She descended from the platform, desperate to connect with Mia somehow. “Where is it you keep disappearing to for hours, sometimes days, at a time?”
“I already told you.”
“You’ve already told me you’re studying. Studying what?”
The blood flow increased. Mia pinched her nose and shrugged. “Stuff. History mostly.”
“History?”
“Yeah.”
Lifting a brow, Ryleigh cocked her head and held Mia’s gaze, an expression that had always worked when Mia was younger. She waited patiently, sort of, for her to elaborate.