by M. J. Haag
“No. I think it best I remain aware for a while.” Kellen nodded and stood.
I watched in silence as she helped Heather and Catherine prepare a meal. Despite my efforts not to think of the past, memories slipped in. How we’d welcomed Maeve into our home. How we’d given her Mother’s room. My fists clenched. How we’d listened to her advice and allowed her to meet with callers on our behalves. The way I’d confided my suspicions about the Crown.
Ignorant. Naïve. Stupid.
There wasn’t an appropriate name for my level of self-loathing at that moment.
As I watched Kellen move around the kitchen, I wondered about our fates. Maeve had killed Mother, Judith, and Anne, not enslaved them. Why was Maeve keeping us? Why not kill us as she had the others? But more importantly, why was she doing any of this? There were far too many questions for my aching head and far too few answers to ease any of my anguish.
Catherine disappeared into the dining room with a tray while Kellen ladled out four more portions. I closed my eyes as Heather sat at the table with her portion.
“Are you well enough to sit up?” Kellen asked from nearby.
“What purpose does Maeve have for four maids?” I asked, meeting Kellen’s gaze.
I saw the answer in her eyes. Maeve had no purpose other than that which she’d already revealed with the deaths of those before us.
Kellen’s cool fingers stroked my cheek.
“I think we’re different,” Kellen said softly. “We have a part to play.”
“If only we could see it.”
“Perhaps it’s better we do not.”
I fisted my hands, wishing to hurt the woman who had injured me so grievously time and again.
Touching my throat, I raged against the curse that would prevent me from speaking her crimes and the chain binding me to the hearth. Unable to leave…unable to speak…Maeve likely thought I posed no threat to her. She didn’t know me.
Exhaling slowly, I let the cinder of my hate grow. I, Eloise Cartwright, would find a way to stop the woman who killed my mother. And, the fire of my rage would destroy whatever Maeve sought to build with her lies and magic.
Thank you for reading Defiant, the first book in the Tales of Cinder. Eloise’s story continues with Disdain. Keep reading for a sneak peak.
Author’s Note
Thank you for reading Defiant! I hope I kept you guessing till almost the end about who killed Eloise’s mother. Have you figured out what’s up with the pig yet? (Hint: Read the Beastly Tales! I love that I was able to write some character crossover.)
There were so many characters to introduce in this book that I created a character list for reference. This list will grow with each book so you can keep track of them all.
Eloise’s suffering is just getting started. If you liked book 1, you’re going to love book 2. It’s so much darker, and I’ll give you characters that you’re going to love to hate.
If you enjoyed Defiant, please consider leaving a review. It will mean the world to me and helps the story gain visibility on the retailer sites. Without visibility, other readers will never discover this book. Without readers, there’s not really a reason to keep writing. So, leave a review, tell your friends or local librarian about it, mow the title into your front lawn…whatever works.
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!
Happy reading!
Melissa
Character List
Eloise - *Cinderella* (Twin daughter of Margaret and Atwell).
Kellen - *Snow White* (Twin daughter of Margaret and Atwell).
Margaret Cartwright - Eloise and Kellen’s mother.
Atwell Cartwright - Eloise and Kellen’s father.
Hugh - A stablehand.
Judith - A housemaid.
Anne - A housemaid
Lady Maeve Grimmoire - Kellen and Eloise’s new guardian.
Elspeth - A caster who Margaret knew.
Rose - A caster/enchanter.
Catherine - A housemaid.
Heather - A housemaid.
Aftan - The King of Drisdall
Sevil - The deceased Queen of Drisdall.
Greydon - Prince of Drisdall.
Defiant is the first Tale 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.
Series Reading Order
Beastly Tales
Depravity
Deceit
Devastation
Tales of Cinder
Disowned (Prequel)
Defiant
Disdain
Damnation
Resurrection Chronicles
(zombies and hottie demons!)
Demon Ember
Demon Flames
Demon Ash
Demon Escape
Demon Deception
Demon Night
*More to come!
Connect with the author
Website: MJHaag.melissahaag.com/
Newsletter: MJHaag.melissahaag.com/subscribe
Excerpt from Disdain
Coming soon!
“Tell me everything,” Maeve said softly. “What did you say?”
I coughed a laugh, too hurt to care that such a move might provoke her or that it sent another wave of pain through me.
“I said nothing. I wrote in the soot.” It hurt to form those simple words with my bruised lips. “Told her to run. You control me through her.” I shifted my gaze to look at Maeve, a slow smile curving my lips despite the pain. “Wise to chain me.”
Rage filled Maeve’s eyes. Her face flushed and her hands fisted as she stared at me.
“Shall I hurt her more, Maeve?” Hugh asked.
Unconsciousness would be a blessing. Instead, she exhaled slowly and regained control.
“No. Our Eloise has nothing more to tell us. Go to town and find the best tracker you can. Bring him here quickly. Do not disappoint me, Hugh.”
Hugh nodded and left.
“Look after Eloise,” Maeve says. “If any ill fate claims her because of her punishment, the same will befall you.”
As soon as she swept out the room, Catherine and Heather both moved with speed. Heather ran outside, and Catherine grabbed the tub. I closed my eyes and drifted for a bit until strong arms gripped me.
“This will hurt, miss,” Catherine said.
Suddenly I was lowered into a frigid bath. I groaned weakly and tried to lift myself out.
“Not yet, miss,” Heather said. “Take a breath and go under. Let the water ease your pain.”
I blinked at her, wondering if she was encouraging me to drown myself.
“Big breath,” Catherine said.
I only had a moment to breathe shallowly before she pushed me under. The cold water soothed my throbbing face. Submerged, I realized most of my aches were benefiting from the treatment.
Hands tugged at me, and I emerged from the water gasping.
“Another big breath,” Catherine said a moment before she eased me back under.
My vision swirled as I looked up from the water. Flames danced with shadows and faces above me. It was quiet and peaceful where I was, and I tiredly wished I could stay. The cold welcomed me, and the small inhale I’d taken escaped on a sigh.
They pulled me up quickly, and I feebly inhaled. Closing my eyes, I waited for whatever would come next, no longer caring.
“She can’t rest on the stone,” one of the pair said.
“I’ll fetch my mattress,” the other said.
Arms pulled me from the tub and back onto the floor. Each move sent more waves of pain through me, but I began to feel disconnected from it. Darkness bled through my vision, closing around me in a comforting embrace of nothingness. I w
elcomed it.
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