Poison in Their Hearts

Immerse yourself in the final book in the epic fantasy trilogy from the author of the They were promised for marriage since birth, and raised to bring down kingdoms, but the triplet princesses of Bessemia’s true destiny has always been to die--and one already has. Since Sophronia’s murder Princesses Daphne and Beatriz have discovered the truth: that they are pawns in their mother’s game. A scheme that will see her empress not just of Bessemia, but the entire continent of Vesteria. But the princesses have their own plans. Beatriz and Daphne are still separated by a continent, and there are enemies everywhere, but now they have allies, and they stretch across the borders of Vesteria. Sophronia’s husband, the deposed King Leopold; Violie, a former spy for Empress Margaraux; and Beatriz’s missing husband, Pasquale and his lover, Ambrose. Now, with their help and the magic of the stars above, the princesses are ready to make their final stand. But whispers of an ancient prophecy follow them--there are secrets from the their past that have yet to be revealed--and every move they make, the empress seems to always be one step ahead them. If there’s any hope for the princesses, the girls will need to use every skill their mother taught them, trust in the magic in their veins, and defy fate, itself--or all is lost for the people of Vesteria.

Autorentext
Laura Sebastian grew up in South Florida and attended Savannah College of Art and Design. She now lives and writes in London, England, with her two dogs, Neville and Circe. Laura is the author of the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series: Ash Princess, Lady Smoke, and Ember Queen, as well as the Castles in Their Bones series: Castles in Their Bones, Stardust in Their Veins, and Poison In Their Hearts; Half Sick of Shadows, her first novel for adults; and Into the Glades, for middle-grade readers.

Leseprobe
Daphne

From where Daphne sits in the little-­used parlor in the north part of Eldevale Castle, she has a perfect view of the main gate. All morning while she sips her tea, people have come and gone. A mail carriage, a produce wagon, several dozen courtiers on horseback off to shop on Wallfrost Street or hunt in the woods. Each time anyone approaches the gate, Daphne sits up straighter, but each time she slumps back again, disappointed.

Something s wrong, she says aloud, stirring her tea and tearing her gaze away from the gate just long enough to glance at Cliona and Violie. The three of them have been sitting around the small table by the window since breakfast, Cliona and Violie chatting and Daphne pretending to listen. If she were less distracted, she might find herself bemused at what fast friends Cliona and Violie have become despite how different they are ­Cliona the privileged Frivian lady secretly working for the rebellion her father is the head of, Violie a common-­born Bessemian maid who d been secretly working as a spy for Daphne s mother until her allegiances changed. If Daphne were less distracted, she might even be unnerved by their friendship. After all, not long ago, Daphne considered both girls her enemies.

Not anymore, but Daphne is far more accustomed to having enemies than friends, so the adjustment is taking some time.

That s what I ve been saying, Cliona answers with a sigh. But something tells me you aren t talking about King Bartholomew s plan to move the court to Notch Castle a month ahead of schedule.

That distracts Daphne for only a second before she shakes her head. The winter has been unseasonably warm, as I understand it. Perhaps he means to enjoy the weather better.

She looks out the window again as two armored guards ride through the gates. Alone.

Bea­triz should have been here by now. She should have been here two days ago, Daphne says.

It s been a week since Daphne used stardust to speak with her sister in Bessemia, and Bea­triz said she was on her way to Friv. She was taking a more circuitous path than Daphne followed when she left home to come to Friv ­Bea­triz had to in order to avoid their mother, who would surely be looking for her ­but even allowing for delays, she should be in Friv by now.

Any number of things could have delayed her, Violie says, setting her teacup down. No, Daphne thinks. Not Violie. Even in her own thoughts, Daphne should think of her by the alias she s living under, and as far as most of Friv knows, the girl sitting across from her isn t Violie, she s Sophronia ­Daphne s other sister, who was murdered by a mob in Temarin. Daphne needs to get used to calling her by her new name ­or at least Ace, the nickname Violie had as a child that they agreed Daphne could call her to avoid suspicion ­but it s more difficult than she thought it would be. The idea of the ruse still sours Daphne s stomach when she thinks about it, about someone else living Sophronia s life, but it was the only way to keep Violie from being executed for attempting to murder Queen Eugenia ­a murder Daphne herself ended up committing.

Daphne shakes her head. No, I just . . . I feel it. Something is wrong.

Are you thinking to use stardust again to talk to her? Cliona asks, frowning. I can ask my father for another vial, but I think he s getting suspicious.

Daphne considers it for a moment. No, she says finally. It ll be the same as it s been the last few days, and I m not keen on facing the repercussions again.

Every time Daphne has tried to talk to