NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “The next installment in the Bridge Kingdom series is not to be missed. Do not walk to pick up this book. Run.”--Jennifer L. Armentrout, author of In the third novel of the iconic Bridge Kingdom series, forbidden romance blooms between two sworn enemies who must choose between their thirst for vengeance and their love for each other--from the A soldier raised as heir to an empire, Zarrah is motivated by two truths: The first is that the Veliant family murdered her mother. The second is that her pursuit of vengeance will put every last one of them in their graves. The Endless War between Maridrina and Valcotta has raged for generations, leaving thousands of Zarrah’s people dead and still more orphaned. So when she’s given command of the contested city of Nerastis, Zarrah is prepared to do whatever it takes to destroy the Maridrinian forces who oppose her--and to kill the Veliant prince who leads them. Yet a chance encounter with an anonymous and handsome Maridrinian causes Zarrah to question whether the violence she’s perpetrated is justice or a crime. And as she continues to meet the nameless man each night, she finds common ground--and fiery passion--in his arms. But when identities are revealed, Zarrah must decide whether to embrace a chance at peace or march to the drums of war. Includes the bonus Bridge Kingdom novella Don’t miss any of Danielle L. Jensen''s Bridge Kingdom series: THE BRIDGE KINGDOM • THE TRAITOR QUEEN • THE INADEQUATE HEIR • THE ENDLESS WAR • THE TWISTED THRONE

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Danielle L. Jensen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood, A Curse Carved in Bone, and the Bridge Kingdom, Dark Shores, and Malediction series. Her novels are published internationally in twenty-one languages. She lives in Calgary, Alberta, with her family and guinea pigs.

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**The third novel of the nationally bestselling Bridge Kingdom series, now in a stunning deluxe hardcover edition, featuring:

• Designed sprayed edges
• A deluxe jacket with new cover art
• A full-color illustrated book case with new character art
• An interior black-and-white map (included in previous volumes)
• Designed endpapers
• A spine design that will stretch across future deluxe hardcover editions in the series

In this sweeping, sizzling romantasy, forbidden romance blooms between two sworn enemies who must choose between their thirst for vengeance and their love for one another—from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Fate Inked in Blood.
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A soldier raised as heir to an empire, Zarrah is motivated by two truths. The first is that the Veliant family murdered her mother. And the second is that her pursuit of vengeance will put every last one of them in their graves.

The Endless War between Maridrina and Valcotta has raged for generations, leaving thousands of Zarrah’s people dead and countless more orphaned. So when she’s given command of the contested city of Nerastis, Zarrah is prepared to do whatever it takes to destroy the Maridrinian forces who oppose her. And to kill the Veliant prince who leads them.

Yet a chance encounter with an anonymous, and handsome, Maridrinian causes Zarrah to question whether the violence she’s perpetrated is justice or a crime. And as she continues to meet the nameless man each night, she finds common ground—and fiery passion—in his arms.

But when identities are revealed, Zarrah must decide whether to embrace a chance at peace . . . or march to the drums of war.

Includes the bonus Bridge Kingdom novella The Calm Before the Storm, from the points of view of Lara and Aren, also in the paperback reissue

Leseprobe
**1

Keris**

Keris Veliant, latest heir to the throne of Maridrina, followed his father down the gangplank and onto the pier of Southwatch Island. They hadn t spoken a word to each other during the short crossing, his father remaining on deck while Keris closeted himself in the captain s quarters. Though in truth, even if they d stood side by side the entire voyage, the result would ve been the same: the taciturn silence of two men well aware that each wished the other dead.

A masked Ithicanian, his shoulders stooped with age, approached, bowing low. Welcome back to Southwatch, Your Majesty. Then he inclined his head toward Keris. Welcome, Your Highness. I understand this is to be your first venture through our bridge?

Keris opened his mouth to answer, but his father interrupted, Are they here?

His Grace sends his regrets, I m afraid. His presence was required elsewhere.

A flicker of disappointment passed through Keris at the Ithicanian king s absence. Aren Kertell was a man much discussed, though the rumors surrounding him were at odds with his recent actions. Actions that had the Maridrinian people singing his name in the streets, claiming him a king that all rulers should aspire to emulate.

And Keris s father hated him for it.

Yet King Silas Veliant showed none of that ire, his tone steady as he asked, What of my daughter?

Lara. She was Keris s younger sister ­his only full-­blooded sibling in the sea of half sisters and brothers produced by his father s harem. He hadn t spoken to her in over sixteen years ­not since she d been taken away to be raised in secret. Keris had believed her dead until the day she d passed through Vencia on her way to be married to the king of Ithicana as part of the Fifteen-­Year Treaty. A bride of peace, they d said.

Keris didn t believe that for a heartbeat.

The Ithicanian said, It is the queen s preference to remain at His Majesty s side, though she sends her regards.

I m sure.

On the surface, his father s voice was cool, but for the sake of his own self-­preservation, Keris had long ago made a practice of reading the tiny tics and tells that gave away his father s true sentiments. As such, he heard the hint of amusement in the king s voice, the tone causing Keris s skin to prickle. What amused his father tended to elicit a rather different reaction from everyone else.

The Ithicanian s eyes narrowed slightly, and wary of anything that might jeopardize his escape to Harendell, Keris said, I m sorry to have missed my sister, but pleased to hear of her loyalty to your king. Give them both my best wishes.

His father huffed out a soft chuckle, giving Keris a condescending pat on the cheek. My son is sentimental. Gets it from his mother.

That would be the mother you murdered, you cold-­blooded reptile? Keris wanted to say, but today was not the day to test his father s patience. Not when he was so close to finally escaping him. We all have our faults, Your Grace.

His father s azure eyes, which were twin to Keris s own, regarded him, unblinking. Some more than others. Then he clapped his hands sharply. I came only to see your sister and her husband. Given they are absent, I don t care to belabor my presence. Let s get this over with.

Sentiment was not one of King Silas Veliant s faults.

The pier turned into a flurry of activity, two dozen young Maridrinian men in tight coats made with vibrant fabrics disembarking, the stiff breeze tugging at their sli