My throat hurts as I sing the death song. It's not the perfect tune the official mourners will sing at the True Prince's funeral. Mine is the song of a real mourner, a real lover, and it's the one he deserves. 'The king will pay for what he's done to you, this land, my ancestors. For what he's taken from me. I promise that. And I promise you, I will love you forever.' I place these words on his cold lips and with blood, he seals my vows.
All Niah's ever wanted is to see the king pay for massacring her ancestors, banning her religion, and stealing the throne. When the True Prince fell in love with her it seemed her future was assured. Now he's dead, killed in another of the king's pointless battles and Niah must risk everything to fulfil her promises.
Raen, the king's disowned son, is back from exile. A man as bitter and ruthless as her, he's determined to have everything that was his half-brother's. Including Niah. Drawn together by shared trauma and a desperate need for revenge, they find themselves embroiled in a scheme bigger than themselves. And the dead aren't playing fair.
They'll face the ultimate test: can they let go of the past and embrace love?
The Waiting Usurper is a heartbreaking love story with gothic tones. It explores forgiveness, loss, and our obligations to the dead.
