The Reluctant Empress

Evadne Seliora, a discarded princess from a fragile kingdom, is sent as a living offering to the ruthless Emperor Lucien of Caldor. Whispers say every beauty who entered his palace met a tragic end—but Evadne is not so easily broken. With wit as sharp as her tongue and an odd fondness for gardens and chickens, she survives court intrigue in the most unexpected ways. Lucien, cold and calculating, finds himself drawn to her unflinching honesty, though the line between affection and obsession blurs dangerously. Amidst assassins, rival consorts, and the looming shadow of war, Evadne must decide whether to cling to her past or embrace a future that terrifies and entices her in equal measure. A tale of reluctant love, cunning survival, and the twisted devotion of an emperor awaits.

©2025 David Grasman (P)2025 David Grasman