Having a Gift is supposed to be good. But Edileth's feels more like a curse. Vowing to hide her abilities post-catastrophe, she leads a simple, disciplined life as Captain of the Guard in Kerindh. But this is all thrown into chaos when she is summoned by the Ferlian Order to transport an ancient relic for them. Edileth accepts, not knowing that it will lead her to participate in a power struggle much bigger than herself. On her journey, she is aided by a spontaneous elf who tests her patience, a healer who soothes more than physical ailments, an enchanter who is more than he seems, and an elite ranger with all the personality of a rock. Their common goal to prevent Gael-Narenth from falling to Si-ol's tyrannical sorcerer-king brings them together in more ways than one, and Edileth starts to care for her companions. But it is impossible to ignore the war approaching, and Edileth must embrace her scorned gift, or watch her companions perish. ~~~~ Won 2nd place in the Fantasy genre for The Lotus Awards 2020. Adept Pen Semi-finalist Chapters One through Fourteen are more heavily edited. The remaining chapters are still early-draft versions and are quite messy. Thank you for your patience and understanding as I work to polish this story!

Aerith always believed she was an ordinary mortal-clumsy, geeky, and completely out of place in the world. But on the eve of her 18th birthday, she discovers a shocking truth: she's no ordinary girl, but the long-lost daughter of the Fates, destined to rule the Underworld as Hades' queen. Thrown into the realm of gods and monsters, Aerith must learn to navigate her new life among immortal beings, where loyalty and power shift like the winds. Tutored by gods, pursued by ancient rivalries, and bound to Hades-a brooding, powerful god who's been waiting for her for centuries-Aerith faces the daunting challenge of learning how to rule an entire realm while still figuring out how to be herself. Can she rise to the challenge of ruling alongside the enigmatic Hades, or will the forces that oppose her destiny tear their fated union apart? With humor, heart, and a touch of magic, Aerith must learn the ropes of royalty and love in a world where even the gods themselves play by their own rules. How to be a Queen is a fun and fresh take on Greek mythology, blending romance, adventure, and self-discovery into an unforgettable journey through the immortal world.

Centuries ago, in the realm of the 13 Kingdoms, an evil Darkness spread through out the land. No magic or power in the universe was able to stop it. After years of war, chaos and destruction, over half of the Kingdoms were wiped out completely, with not a single trace of their existence. Satisfied with the damage done, the Darkness receded into the deepest pits of the universe, swearing to one day return, finishing what it started until the rest of the Kingdoms fell. All was quiet. There was once again peace in the remaining Kingdoms. Until one day... A prophecy was written, telling of two children who would someday be born from two of the Kingdoms. The two were destined to fall in love, using their diverse powers and unity to bring down the Darkness, once and for all. The realms went into a frenzy. No one knew who, no one knew when, and no one knew which Kingdoms. They all held their breath for the fated saviors to one day come to them. Vowing to stop the prophecy from unfolding, the Darkness spent years preying on innocents, and seeking out the young lovers, to ensure the two never crossed paths. It made its mistakes, but what were a few mere lives to them? So long as it's foretold doom never found their way. The only clue anyone had, including the Darkness, was so minor, yet more important than anyone could foresee... "For on the 13th year, it shall all come to be..."