The Royal Secret
By @Erin (Rin)
For years, Elara hid her royal lineage, embracing the life of a revered Priestess-Saint in the neutral kingdom of Eldoria, battling demons with divine fire. But the sudden death of her estranged royal father's only legitimate heir shatters her peace. Now, the northern kingdom of Veridia, desperate for a successor, summons her. Her mother, barren after multiple miscarriages, offers no hope for a new heir, and Elara's disabled half-brother is deemed unfit for the throne. Complicating matters, two powerful twin princes from a neighboring empire arrive, seeking a marital alliance, their eyes set on any potential royal spouse. Elara must now choose between her sacred vows and the thorny crown, knowing her existence alone could either save or doom a realm teetering on the brink of war, all while navigating a court of vipers and ancient magic she barely understands.
6
The Sunstone's Shadow
By @john1208
Elara Varis, Mistress of the Sunstone Artisans, entered into a political marriage with Lord Kaelen of House Obsidian, intertwining their powerful lineages. Her life's purpose was to uphold the Varis legacy and secure her son, Finnian, as the rightful heir to the Obsidian Seat, a bond that was meant to solidify generations of peace. This fragile alliance shatters with the unexpected return of Lyra, Kaelen's former flame, presenting a boy named Caden whom she claims is Kaelen's firstborn from before their union. The Obsidian court is thrown into turmoil as old loyalties resurface and a bitter struggle for succession begins. Stripped of her courtly influence, her workshops, and even the respect of her husband, Elara finds herself battling not just for her own position, but for Finnian's very birthright. In a world where lineage is power, she must navigate treacherous political currents and reveal hidden truths to safeguard her son's future and prevent the complete unraveling of her house.
4