{"product_id":"the-mist-thief-isbn-9780593955086","title":"The Mist Thief","description":"\u003cb\u003eThe third in the TikTok sensation Ever Seas series, now with bonus material!\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe tried to kill him, so he made her his wife.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSkadi first met her husband-to-be with blades in hand on the opposite side of a battle. She lost, and he claimed his prize.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo her horror, the king of the shadow elven agrees to marry her off to Jonas, a prince in the fae realms, as a way to unite their kingdoms against a shared enemy—the light elves. Skadi knows the marriage is nothing but a political game. Feelings won’t come into play.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExcept her new husband makes not falling in love . . . challenging.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen new threats arise, Skadi must decide to either love her enemy or keep him alive by betraying him to another.“\u003ci\u003eThe Ever King \u003c\/i\u003eis one of the most enchanting love stories I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. The world building is unique and captivating.”—\u003cb\u003eR.L. Caulder, \u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eBite of Loyalty\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e “Sexy, dangerous, and dark, The Ever King kept me hooked from the first page to the last.”—\u003cb\u003eJM Kearl, author of \u003ci\u003eBow Before the Elf Queen\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“LJ Andrews is redefining the romantasy genre and the definition of what it means to be a morally gray book boyfriend, and we are so here for it.”—\u003cb\u003eElle Madison \u0026amp; Robin D. Mahle, \u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling authors of the Lochlann Feuds Series\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e“\u003ci\u003eThe Ever Seas\u003c\/i\u003e instantly gripped me as the first few pages unfolded; I am in awe of how vivid a picture LJ Andrews creates with her magical writing! The Serpent and Songbird will forever remain 2 of my favourite characters- the slow burn, passion and ending was to die for.”\u003cb\u003e—EJ Lindell, author of \u003ci\u003eThrough Mists of Time\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“If you’re looking for a heartbreaking romance that leaves you yearning for a broken fae male, just so you can stitch your own heart to his while being whisked away in a fantasy world that feels like home, The Ever Seas needs to be at the top of your list. This is one of the top romantasy reads I’ve ever encountered.”\u003cb\u003e—Stephanie Blair, author of \u003ci\u003eWhen the Stars Were Devoured\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003eThe Ever King \u003c\/i\u003eswallowed my heart and soul. I loved this book.”—\u003cb\u003eMaggie Brown, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Gatekeeper Duet\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e“A mesmerizing tale of love and loyalty set in an immersive world. Erik and Livia's story will capture your heart and linger long after the final page!\"—\u003cb\u003eEllie Fowler, author of \u003ci\u003eBattle of Ash and Flame\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e“LJ Andrews is a powerhouse within the romantasy genre.”\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e—\u003c\/i\u003eOlivia Rose Darling, \u003ci\u003eUSA Today \u003c\/i\u003ebestselling author of\u003ci\u003e Fear the Flames\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eLJ Andrews\u003c\/b\u003e is a \u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of fantasy romance. She mystically brings to life worlds of dark Nordic and Viking myths bound by conflicts that bring together impassioned heroes and heroines. In her non-author moments, she is courageously corralling her four children to the myriad of life activities that involves, along with spending time with her favorite hero, her husband. Add two high maintenance dogs and a sassy conure to the mix and that sums it up. LJ Andrews thrives spending time in the Rocky Mountains where she lives in Utah.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTo learn more about LJ Andrews and her series, including The Ever Seas, Broken Souls and Bones, Broken Kingdom, and more, please visit her online at https:\/\/ljandrews.net1\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe Mist Thief\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBeing on the losing side of a battle was shit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVictors always chose the reparation prizes, and they were wretched, in my limited experience. Prizes like unwitting brides to vicious princes with a score to settle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI blew out a long breath. Some of the elven plum wine I kept tipping over my lips churned in my belly. One palm braced against a stone wall, I waited for it to settle before continuing down the dark, cobbled path. With the moon half-hidden by soupy clouds, now was my only chance at freedom.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen fae armies attacked the isle of the shadow elven-my folk-there'd been no choice but to raise a blade. Now my life had been purchased for glory and a bit of petty revenge.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBy tomorrow's sunset, I would have a husband.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI was already drunk enough that the thought now brought out despondent chuckles more than hidden tears in the night.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat a tale I would recite to the littles someday-for there was no doubt heirs would be part of this damning alliance-bright-eyed young ones looking up at me as I told them the romantic tale of the day their father came for me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaj, tell me your love story.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAh, little one, let me tell you how your father whisked me away into the sunset, complete with shackles and promises of blissful hate for the rest of our days.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI snorted and took another foolish sip of wine before tossing the small vial into the dark leaves of a briar shrub, then pulled the woolen hood over the starlight silver of my braids.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy future husband was taking me as a wife for no reason save my former betrothed was the prince of the Ljosalfar, the light elven clan. Prince Arion was the one who raised battle against the sea fae-allies to my future husband.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll I could puzzle through was since Arion fled after the battles, it meant I became the next best target for enemies to exact revenge.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHeated frustration boiled in my veins. I nearly stumbled when I tried to kick at a pebble in the soil, wine still heady in my skull.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy crimes in all this were being wholly naive and not seeing Arion's moves before he made them. But I was dangerous in my own right.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eArion desired me as his wife for the same reason as the fae-to use the darkness in my blood as his blade. Doubtless, my future husband would claim my affinity for himself after he'd broken me.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy affinity-the magic the gods saw fit to curse me with-was too unstable, too treacherous, to be left untethered. But to bind me through vows would create an unbreakable bond with my new kin.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere was a long-standing belief in our lore that elven could not bring harm to their kin without marking their souls in darkness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI wasn't certain I believed it anymore. Seemed like there was plenty of kin-harming going around as of late.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy fists clenched until my fingernails ached across my palms.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFae and other curious clans of magics were tangles of familial connections throughout their kingdoms. To make me their kin, in theory, would keep the whole of their realms protected from any threat of my dark affinity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI ducked into the hedge, careful to avoid any main roads; I cursed Arion with every prick of a thorn, every snag of a branch in my silver braids.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis was his bleeding fault. Perhaps the cowardly prince should be the one being sold off as the pawn in a vow alliance. But Arion was tucked away in his glittering palace in Grynstad, the isle of the light elves, probably still sulking he didn't get his way while leaving me to shoulder his stupidity.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTomorrow fate would deliver her sharp knife, but tonight was mine to live as I desired.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI emerged from the thorny hedgerow on the backside of a longhouse made of pale stones. Perhaps, if I were to get caught, my new clan would see me as too disorderly and rescind their offer of vows.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI snickered with bitterness.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo doubt, should I be caught by my future husband or his people, they would simply tighten the tethers.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOutside the back door, I removed the hood and secured a linen scarf over my head, the way most of the sea fae kept their hair free of their eyes. I plucked out the silver rings lining the whole edge of each of my sharply pointed ears.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith the tip of my thumb, I ran inky kohl under my eyes-a style of most sweaty sailors on the ships of the Ever Kingdom.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe land of sea fae was playing host for the alliance signing in a show of good faith, so it was the sea folk I would pretend to be tonight.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy borrowed boots were too large, and heavy buckles clinked on each step. With a silk scarf, I fashioned a patch over one eye.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen a twig snapped in the hedgerow behind me, I spun around. The night was empty. There was nothing but the vibrant stars, the glitter of the tiered golden palace of the sea fae on the hill, and a few splashes from playful merfolk in the surf near the docks.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInside the tavern, boisterous sea fae sang cheery shanties of sirens and spirits of the far seas. Privateers, merchants, off-duty guards, dockmen, and a few unashamed pirates filled the tables. Some tossed wooden dice, others clanked polished drinking horns against the other. There were women who sat on the laps of lovers, while others looked as brutish with their blades and trousers as any man.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSince the Ever Queen stole the heart of the wicked king and was crowned, the women of the Ever Kingdom were bolder.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOr so I heard.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI took a bit of strength from them tonight.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe docile, obedient elven princess could crawl into the shadows for now and make way for a bold sea fae woman fresh off the tides who was looking for a bit of debauchery and diversion.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen no one glanced my way, when no palace guards rushed from the alcoves to drag me back to my chambers, I accepted my disguise as adequate and approached the long counter, sticky with spilled ale and what smelled like old bile.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTables were filled, but most seats at the counter were empty. Only the aleman stood behind the edge, scrubbing drinking horns. On the last seat, leaning one shoulder against the wall, was a hunched man in a thick canvas cloak with a straw hat tipped low on his brow.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI aimed for the far end away from the drunkard.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA man with a floppy brim hat grunted a rough \"Pardon\" when we collided.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI skirted around him, on the path nearer to the center seats. Fine enough. All I needed was a bit of bold sea fae rum and a few game pieces to join in at one of the tables.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe moment I carved between two game tables was the moment the players decided to verbally attack each other.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"You be damn cheats!\" A man with a matted beard and two heavy rings pierced in his tapered ears shot to his feet.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe blocked my path, so I dodged him.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Calling me a cheat?\" The second voice was younger, smoother. He stood at the opposing table, forcing me to sidestep.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn another breath, the two opposing players lunged at each other. Chairs skidded over wooden floors, tables rocked as men raced for the tussle. With a shriek, I spun away from the chaotic tables to avoid being yanked to the floor in a rowdy battle.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Move,\" a disapproving voice said. Strong hands took hold of my arms, shoving me aside so another fae could slip around me. He wore a black scarf over his head, a gold ring in an ear, and a vicious gleam in his gaze.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis might've been too reckless.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBack home on the isle of Natthaven, I was not allowed a great deal of independence to wander. In the palace of sea fae-former enemies who trusted few things about elven folk-I certainly was not left alone without a watchful eye.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI blew out a long breath. No doubt, I was merely overthinking, unsettled by the noise and being alone for the first time in turns.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith all the shuffling, I was now three seats away from the drunkard at the counter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe likely wouldn't even know I was there. Still, I shouldered him out and took my place on a crooked stool.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"What'll it be, lady?\" asked the aleman, scrubbing the same horn when he approached.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI cleared my throat, lowering my voice to sound like a smoke-soaked rasp to match many of the sailors. \"Brown rum. And a few pieces.\" I tossed over the only coin I had-a juvel, elven currency.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf the aleman cared, he made no note of it. Then again, with the approaching alliance, more and more Dokkalfar elven had stepped foot on fae lands whenever the king came to visit me, his somber granddaughter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI was the caged creature when all I had done was try to keep my folk safe. I should've known, if I fought and revealed how my mists could swallow entire lands, the fae folk would see me as the fearsome princess the same as many elven.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhat was I to do? My grandfather had been bespelled by one of Arion's minions into a sleep. He was defenseless, vulnerable. I had to stand between the fae warriors and the king.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"What's a wee lady doin' out here in a place like this?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt took me a moment to realize the drunkard hunched three seats down had spoken.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI frowned, scanning my disguise. \"Do I not look like I fit? Just got off the sea.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Did you now?\" He chortled, thick and rough. \"Most folk come here when there're troubles on the heart. What's troublin' you?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"There is nothing troubling. Merely want a drink, if you please.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe drunkard slapped the table. \"Drink for milady, Tonguetaker!\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTonguetaker. The aleman perked at the name. Sea fae had the strangest surnames. Each one different and named for the magic they kept in their song or their prowess with a blade.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTonguetaker could be skilled at anything, but none sounded entirely pleasant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"I was getting to it.\" The aleman clapped a horn in front of me in the same moment the drunkard scooted down a seat.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI swallowed, embarrassed how the hair lifted on the back of my neck, and raised the drinking horn to my lips. Gods, it burned. I winced against the satin fire, feeling it drop down my throat to my belly.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"You runnin' from something, lady?\" asked the drunk. \"Looks like you might be.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI forced down a second sip. \"There is nowhere I can run. I came to enjoy my last moments of independence. Not that I had much of that before.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Always the good girl then?\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Always.\" Another drink. It was getting simpler to stomach.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"What be so horrid that you chose to spend your last bit of independence, as you say, in a piss-hole as this?\" The man waved his hand at the aleman. \"No offense meant, Tonguetaker.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI clapped the drinking horn over the tavern counter, gasping through a swallow. \"I'm to be sold off in vows.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Hmm.\" The man paused. \"Thought most of the lady folk liked the notion of a mate.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Ha.\" The laugh broke from my chest like a kind of warbling seabird. \"A mate? More like a jailer.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Now that's taking it too far.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWas it the rum, or did the drunkard's voice shift to something smoother, something dark and deep?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA rush of air fled my lungs when the man crowded me, nearly spilling me off my seat. He tossed the hat onto the counter and tugged the thick wool scarf away from his chin.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAll the bleeding gods, no.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVerdant eyes held mine, so green they looked like I could step into a sprawling meadow. His tousled brown hair was dark in some strands, then almost auburn in certain light.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen I had seen him across from me during the fighting, blade in hand, his eyes were black as pitch from his own horrifying magic.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNow, he wore a smug, stupidly handsome grin on his lips when he leaned in close. \"I draw the line at being called a jailer, Princess.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy future husband.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJonas of House Eriksson.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"H-how?\" The word struggled over my tongue.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"We'll need to work on your sneaking. You're quite obvious, but your lack of discreetness gave us plenty of time to think up this little scheme.\" He chuckled and opened an arm to the ale room.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDammit.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEvery man who'd stood in my way, from the man with a matted beard that was clearly false, to the brawlers, to the sea fae who'd shifted me out of his path, pulled away shrouds and scarves to reveal faces I'd often seen wandering the corridors of the palace.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey were friends and allies of the damn prince.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI faced the aleman, still scrubbing that drinking horn.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHe popped one shoulder. \"Sorry, lady. You're not to be out of the gates.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"You know.\" Jonas leaned closer, the scent of his skin-parchment, oak, and deranged man-burned through my nose. He tugged at my false eyepatch, holding my gaze. \"I thought you were supposed to be rather . . . empty. They say you're unable to feel since the battle.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOn instinct, I stiffened, allowing the cold mists of my affinity to draw me back, to shield up my emotions. Difficult to do when my heart would not stop pounding.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe gods-awful prince laughed. \"No, don't do that. Don't even try.\" He had the audacity to lean his lips close to my ear and whisper, \"I've already seen the fire in your eyes.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith a flourish of his hand, the prince backed away, but boots shuffled and floorboards creaked.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Princess Skadinia.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI closed my eyes and fought the urge to groan. Jaw tight, ire burning toward the nightmarish prince at my side, I turned on the simple stool. \"Dorsan.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMy grandfather's inner guard stood at the back of the alehouse; a dozen Dokkalfar royal guards with their dark blue tunics and bronze spears were positioned at his back.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThere was not a line on Dorsan's pale face that hinted the man had ever laughed. Stern as marble, but loyal as the tides, Dorsan approached my side, taking hold of my arm. \"Time to return, My Lady. The negotiations are set to begin.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt my other side, the prince strode past me. \"See you shortly, Wife.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI leveled him with what I hoped was a dagger-sharp glare, allowing the elven guards to drag me from the alehouse, back to my unavoidable fate.","brand":"Ace","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48233714352357,"sku":"NP9780593955086","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780593955086.jpg?v=1767740540","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-mist-thief-isbn-9780593955086","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}