they all chorused, sounding not at all serious, but voices threaded with laughter.
Yes, far from our first kiss, but as Con’s lips settled over mine with a hunger and feeding as old as time and as fresh as the morning dew, it was a beginning. We’d come a full circle, with sorrows and painful endings between us. Now we’d begin anew.
And begin the world anew with us.
Acknowledgments
I started this book at the beginning of February 2020, when the COVID-19 global pandemic seemed like something that would stay on the other side of the world. I finished the first draft at the end of April, while we in New Mexico were in the fifth week of a two-week stay-at-home order that would end up lasting until mid-May. By the time I was tackling developmental edits, it was mid-July and the state was shutting down again to prevent the ever-increasing spread of the virus. As I write this, after reviewing copyedits, we are in the last few days of December 2020. Hope is in sight as the vaccine is distributed, but the impact has been staggering beyond anything most of us imagined. I suppose all this makes The Promised Queen my pandemic-year book. When it releases, it will be May 25, 2021. I imagine the world will again look very different. I’m not quite sure why I put this message in the Acknowledgments, except that I feel I should acknowledge the enormous upheaval of this year, and the way we have come together to rise above. The ways that the pandemic changed our lives leaked into this book in many small ways. It’s fitting that this trilogy, which first took shape in my mind in the wake of the disastrous 2016 U.S. election, finished for me with the 2020 U.S. election that came as a much-needed triumph—but also the first steps in another long battle. The books echo this.
So, I acknowledge all of you out there who went through this, too.
Many thanks to my editor Jennie Conway, who is a hugely talented editor and forever a delight to work with. To the rest of the team at St. Martin’s Press: thank you for working so hard on behalf of this series.
Much love and gratitude to my agent, Sarah Younger, who helped bring this trilogy into being.
Many heartfelt thanks and love to my writer friends who are always there for me at the other end of the phone, internet connection, or Zoom meeting, as we adapted to this year: Amanda Bouchet, Grace Draven, Jennifer Estep, Darynda Jones, Katie Lane, Emily Mah, Jack Mitchell, Leslye Penelope, Kelly Robson, Jim Sorenson, and Sage Walker. I’m really looking forward to seeing your actual, IRL faces again.
Special thanks to Megan Mulry and Charlie Whittock for socially distant outdoor cocktails.
As always, many thanks to my professional writers organizations, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) and the Romance Writers of America (RWA)—especially my local RWA chapter, the Land of Enchantment Romance Authors—for being a port in the storm, a rising tide that floats all boats, and fellow travelers on the sea of publishing. Special shout-out to the SFWA Slack chat for daily advice and nonsense.
Hugs and gratitude to my fantastic assistant Carien Ubink, who always provides the perfect combination of efficiency and snark.
Love always to my mom. Thank you for wearing your mask.
Finally—first, last, and always—love to David, who is there every day. I’d totally survive any pandemic with you, but let’s not do this again, huh?
Also by Jeffe Kennedy
The Orchid Throne
The Fiery Crown
Praise for Jeffe Kennedy’s
The Fiery Crown
“Kennedy’s worldbuilding is attentive and luxurious in this middle volume of a trilogy … Readers looking for a well-balanced blend of romance and fantasy with a gradually building relationship and ever-increasing stakes should give the series a try.”
—Booklist
“Kennedy’s second in the ‘Forgotten Empires’ trilogy … does an excellent job of setting the stage for the conclusion.… Readers will be fascinated by the secrets revealed.”
—Library Journal
“A thrilling tale of two strong-willed souls discovering what is truly important to them.”
—Romance Junkies
The Orchid Throne
“An enchanting world awaits in The Orchid Throne … With detailed worldbuilding and an intriguing cast of characters—especially a warrior woman and an enigmatic and amusing wizard—this captivating story will have readers holding their breath.”
—BookPage
“I highly recommend this for lovers of fantasy romance who like intricate but not overly complicated worldbuilding, strong characters, and exciting action-packed scenes to go along with a sexy love story.”
—Harlequin Junkie (Top Pick)
“An immediately absorbing and original novel by an author with a distinctive and thoroughly reader-engaging narrative storytelling style, The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy will become an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community libraries’ Fantasy Fiction collections.”
—Midwest Book Review
“The Orchid Throne was a moving tale of choices, fate, and loss.… Beautifully written and such a moving love story.”
—The Nerd Daily
“The Orchid Throne is a captivating and sensual fantasy romance you won’t want to miss! High stakes. Remarkable worldbuilding. Unique and compelling characters. A slow-burn romance that’ll make you combust.”
—Amanda Bouchet, USA Today bestselling author of The Kingmaker Chronicles
“Jeffe Kennedy’s The Orchid Throne is an epic tale of grand scope with its battles and political machinations, and, above all, its relentless pursuit of hope in the face of suffering. Con and Euthalia, united in their goal of destroying a usurper emperor, are a perfect match for each other. A beautifully told story of loss, endurance, and abiding devotion from a master of fantasy romance.”
—Grace Draven, USA Today bestselling author of Phoenix Unbound
“Captivating characters and lush descriptions transport readers to the perilous and passionate world of The Orchid Throne. Jeffe Kennedy weaves a potent tale of passion, prophecy, and political intrigue.”
—Jennifer Estep, New York Times bestselling author
“In Jeffe Kennedy’s new book, The Orchid Throne, she offers fabulously intriguing worldbuilding that combines sophisticated decadence with a brutal fight for survival, and sprinkled with a delicious dose of the otherworldly that is sure to delight romantic fantasy readers.”
—Thea Harrison, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
“The Orchid Throne captures from the first page and doesn’t let go as Jeffe Kennedy weaves a timeless tale of love and survival amidst a lush backdrop teeming with greed and deceit. You will fall for Lia and Con and root for them with every breath you take. This is a book that will linger in your thoughts for a very long time.”
—Darynda Jones, New York Times bestselling author
About the Author
Jeffe Kennedy is an award-winning, bestselling author who writes fantasy with romantic elements and contemporary romance. She serves on the Board of Directors for SFWA as a Director at Large.
Her most recent works include the high fantasy trilogy from Rebel Base books, The Chronicles of Dasnaria, in the same world as her award-winning fantasy series The Twelve Kingdoms and The Uncharted Realms. She is a hybrid author, and also self-publishes a romantic fantasy series, Sorcerous Moons. Her books have won the RT Reviewers’ Choice Best Fantasy Romance of 2015, been named Best Book of June 2014, and won RWA’s prestigious RITA® Award in 2017. The newest novella in The Uncharted Realms, The Dragons of Summer, is also a RITA finalist in 2019.
She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with two Maine coon cats, plentiful free-range lizards, and a very handsome Doctor of Oriental Medicine.
Jeffe can be found online at her website: JeffeKennedy.com, every Sunday at the SFF Seven blog, on Facebook, on Goodreads and on Twitter @jeffekennedy. She is represented by Sarah Younger of Nancy Yost Literary Agency. Sign up for email updates here.
Thank you for buying this
St. Martin’s Press ebook.
To receive special offers, bonus content,
and info on new releases and other great reads,
sign up for our newsletters.
Or visit us online at
us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup
For email updates on the author, click here.
Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Acknowledgments
Also by Jeffe Kennedy
Praise for Jeffe Kennedy’s
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
First published in the United States by St. Martin’s Paperbacks, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group
THE PROMISED QUEEN
Copyright © 2021 by Jeffe Kennedy.
All rights reserved.
For information address St. Martin’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
eISBN: 9781250194367
Our books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, ext. 5442, or by email at MacmillanSpecialMarkets@macmillan.com.
St. Martin’s Paperbacks edition 2021