In the kingdom of Veraim, societal divisions are as stark as the castle walls. The royals and nobles live in opulence while the peasants toil in the shadow of their prosperity. Amidst this stark contrast, Elara, a spirited and compassionate young peasant girl, struggles to make ends meet for her family. Her dreams extend no further than the boundaries of her small village.
Prince Leonidas, the dashing heir to the Veraim throne, feels trapped by his royal responsibilities and the expectations placed upon him. Seeking a brief escape from the rigid constraints of his life, he disguises himself as a commoner and ventures beyond the palace walls.
Fate brings Elara and "Leo," as the prince introduces himself, together in an unexpected encounter. Drawn to Elara's warmth and kindness, Leo finds himself captivated by her authenticity and the simplicity of her world. As their secret meetings continue, their feelings for each other deepen, defying the social chasm that separates them.
However, when a sudden crisis threatens the very foundation of Veraim, Elara's bravery and determination draw her into a world of intrigue and danger she could never have imagined. She must navigate the treacherous politics of the kingdom, confront betrayals, and uncover hidden secrets that could change the course of history.
"Beyond the Thrones" is a tale of love and sacrifice, as Elara and Leo must decide whether their love is worth the sacrifices it demands. Can a lowly peasant girl and a prince from two different worlds bridge the gap between them and, in doing so, heal the divisions of their kingdom?
As Claire aims to leave her oppressive stepfamily behind, she befriends Zion. Will he be her ticket to freedom or a distraction in achieving her dreams?
*****
Claire Olsen has had a crush on Zion Petrakis since the first time she laid eyes on him, but he never noticed, instead only having eyes on the school's it girl, Maddie Jennings. Knowing she couldn't compete with Maddie, Claire hid her feelings for Zion, satisfied with admiring him from afar. However, when a series of events led Claire closer to Zion, her feelings for him grew from infatuation to love. And despite fighting hard to keep her feelings contained by distancing herself from Zion, he was determined to show her that he's earned a spot in her life.
[[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]]