Disowned
Page 10
Disowned is just a taste of what’s to come. While Defiant might start out light, the trilogy will get dark quickly. I can’t wait to share it with everyone!
If you want to keep up to date on what I’m working on, sign up for my newsletter at mjhaag.melissahaag.com/subscribe or join my facebook fan group, MJ’s Curvy Cartel. Hope to see you there!
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Happy reading!
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Melissa
Series Reading Order
Beastly Tales
Depravity
Deceit
Devastation
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Tales of Cinder
Disowned (Prequel)
Defiant
Resurrection Chronicles
(zombies and hottie demons!)
Demon Ember
Demon Flames
Demon Ash
Demon Escape
Demon Deception
Demon Night
*More to come!
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Connect with the author
Website: MJHaag.melissahaag.com/
Newsletter: MJHaag.melissahaag.com/subscribe
Character List
Margaret Thoning - The girl who saves the kingdom.
Atwell Cartwright - Margaret's love interest.
Judith - A housemaid.
Elsepth - The caster and Margaret's mentor and friend.
Aftan - The King of Drisdall
Sevil - The Queen of Drisdall.
Greyden - Young prince of Drisdall.
Eloise - Twin daughter of Margaret and Atwell.
Kellen - Twin daughter of Margaret and Atwell.
This is a prequel to the Tales of Cinder, which takes part in the Beastly Tales world. If you haven’t yet read the Beastly Tales, you’re missing out on a seductively dark Beauty and the Beast retelling. There’s character cross over between the two trilogies that you’re going to love.
Excerpt from Defiant
Coming soon!
“Stop smelling dinner, Eloise, and tie your shoes,” Kellen said without rancor.
“This is why you’re four inches shorter. If you don’t appreciate your food, you don’t grow.”
She snorted, and I knew I’d amused her even if her face didn’t show it.
Together, we went to the parlor. Anne was sitting quietly in the corner, reading from a primer.
“How are your studies?” Kellen asked.
“Well and good,” Anne said. “I would like to try reading to her tomorrow.”
Kellen nodded. It was Kellen’s job to read to mother in the morning. I read in the afternoon. Or sang. Or played the piano. Whatever mother seemed to want. She’d scolded us often that we need not wait on her or entertain her. Kellen was always quick to say that we weren’t entraining her but honing our entertainment skills for our future endeavors. Since Mother always had marriage on her mind, the answer usually appeased her.
Anne put her primer away and left us to sit and wait for Mother to wake. Her afternoon naps usually only lasted an hour or two.
When she opened her eyes, she smiled at us.
“Did you watch me sleep long?” she asked.
“Ages,” I answered. “One doesn’t often see a sleeping princess.”
Her smile widened.
“Speaking of royalty,” Kellen said. “It seems the hounds belong to the king. He has finally decided to visit his royal retreat.”
The royal retreat was more than just a massive stretch of land north of Towdown. It was also the name of the sprawling home the royal family used for some time away from the castle.
“This is not good news,” Mother said, looking concerned. “It would be best if you stayed out of the woods while the king is in residence at the retreat.”
Most mama’s would be excited, especially since we lived on royal land and were allowed to hunt it when others were not. Not our Mother.
“I cannot imagine needing two homes,” I said, trying to distract her from the worry in her eyes. “It’s not fun cleaning one.”
“Do honestly think his highness cleans anything?” Kellen asked, an aloof note in her voice.
I grinned.
“Certainly his privy. It wouldn’t be fair to ask someone else to do that.”
Kellen nudged me with her elbow and I realized what I’d said. Mother used nothing but a chamber pot that Anne, Kellen, or I cleaned every day.
“They would rob him blind,” I added smoothly.
“How so?” Kellen asked.
“Come now. It’s obvious.” I paused for a moment and glanced between Mother and Kellen. “His shite is gold.”
Mother burst out laughing and Kellen shook her head.
“Eloise, I hope that you find your beau soon.”
“Why is that, Mother?”
“Because you’ll soon out swear him. A lady shouldn’t speak so.”
“Too right. But any man worthy of my interest will need to take me as I am. Filthy mouth and all.”
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