Sneak Peek Wednesday: Renegade by Mallory McCartney

Renegade
(Black Dawn 0.5)
by Mallory McCartney
Publisher: Clean Reads Publishing
Publication date: Aug. 21, 2018
Genre: Young adult fantasy

“The time for Kiero’s reign in prosperity is over.”

Six years before the Black Dawn Rebellion, Adair Stratton and Emory Fae are following in their parent’s footsteps and living at The Academy, a home for those who are gifted. The pressure to uphold the future of their parent’s dream falls on them. An outcast and feared by most, Adair longs to break away from the expectations dictating his future. Even if Emory tries to make him see differently. An unexpected group of friends keep him there, but as whispers of unexplained disappearances start reaching from the capital, Adair starts to doubt The Academy is all it seems.

An unexpected visit ignites new tensions as the roguish king from across the Black Sea, Tadeas Maher of the Shattered Isles, and his heir, Marquis Maher sail to Kiero. Notorious for their pirating and wrath- for the first time in years, they demand the Fae’s listen to their proposition for a new treaty, holding the news of Nei’s father’s abrupt death over them. Caught in the middle of politics- Adair and Emory, with the help of their best friends Brokk and Memphis search for the one thing that matters most- finding out the truth.

In this gripping prequel to Black Dawn, their world is tipped upside down as unlikely alliances are made. War ravages through Kiero and is torn apart by acclaimed Kings. Through the throes of betrayal, lies, hidden magic and love, Adair is faced with a life changing decision- to fight or to bow to the darkness within him.

 

 

Sneak peek

One. Year.

It was a strong union, she was told. One that would end her people’s suffering. Kiero could unite with the Shattered Isles to ensure the longevity in their trading companies and to turn a blind eye to the illegal pirating. So here she was, prettily packaged, trying to quell a full country’s fire. It had surprised her at first, how angry the people were. So, she was a rover, a pirate. More warrior than princess. But every day in this court proved just how deep-rooted the suffering went, everyday accusations of the government not

providing the security and protection the people wanted, that they needed. Sighing, Nei Fae stood stretching, her joints popping. Beneath her simple garb, bruises peppered her body, reminding her with every step who she was. She had fiercely promised herself that.

Her only friend in this forsaken court, Bresslin Stratton, took it upon herself to encourage evening walks together. Instead of dresses and gossip, they filled their time with clashing steel and aching muscles. Smirking at the thought, Nei reminded herself what her sisters had always said, that amongst them all she was born with the fury of the sea, with the resilience of the rocks the water crashed upon. She would not break beneath the pressures of being a hated queen, beneath the lies and the riots. Her sisters had been so sure she had what it took to be here. Their excitement, their hope of a better life, one that didn’t require constant fighting for survival, is what kept her from running away and disappearing into nothingness. Besides Bresslin, that’s what everyone here thought of her. That she wasn’t as cunning and didn’t have the potential to rule beside Roque.

A sharp knock sliced through her thoughts, and she stood quickly, tucking the note flush against her wrist and out of sight. The door swung open to reveal Roque leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed and mischief dancing in his cutting green eyes. Their outfits were matching, black loose pants and shirt, a deep plum cloak fastened at his throat.

Swallowing hard, Nei bowed her head, rasping, “My King.”

Three hundred and sixty-five days later, she was still not used to saying those two words. Two words that chained her, confined her. Lifting her dark gaze, she got a lifted brow in response as Roque stepped into her office. “Are you ready? They won’t wait forever, you know.”

The council.

And like every other day, Nei plastered that splintering grin, making her cheeks hurt. “Of course.”

The note felt like flames dancing up her arms, a flare underneath Roque’s pinning gaze. His brows furrowed for a moment before he offered his arm to her, the gentleman he was dictated to be. She was grace and poise as she accepted his gesture, and they left behind her sanctuary.

 

 

Meet Mallory McCartney

Mallory McCartney currently lives in Sarnia, Ontario with her husband and their three dachshunds Link, Lola and Leonard. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found day dreaming about fantasy worlds and hiking. Other favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.

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