The King's Widow

Book 3 in "The King's Bride" series.

The lie has been told; now, they must live it. To secure the throne and silence the whispers of illegitimacy, Everleigh and Henry have done the unthinkable: they have wed. What began as a strategic marriage of convenience, a "vow of iron and velvet", becomes a sanctuary as the quiet winter months pass. While Everleigh prepares for the arrival of the King's son, she and Henry engage in a deadly game of political chess to dismantle the Council from within. From a high-stakes confrontation at the altar to a ruthless "Purge" of their enemies, the Tavern Queen is no longer playing for survival, she is playing for a dynasty. The Shield of the West was meant to be a facade, but as the nursery fire burns and the enemies fall, Everleigh and Henry discover that some of the strongest foundations are built in the dark.