Foxes & Poisons (The Queen’s Favor #1)

Prologue

Lovers’ hearts are equally powerful, as they are pathetically weak. The bond formed between individuals is one difficult to sever, but if managed, it can cause destruction to not only one heart, but two.

Queen Cayleen knew this when her most loyal spy and her greatest apothecary fell in love. She saw it before they ever did—in the slightest of glances, the way they tensed when the other’s name was spoken, even in the sly touches exchanged as they passed one another in the corridors.

It came as no surprise when the couple had requested to marry and live out the rest of their days away from court.

Anger exploded inside the Queen, for all members of the Foxes knew love was against the rules.

She knew her response had to be calculated.

Any sign of condemnation and she could destroy two yearning hearts.

Of course, she cared little for their affection, but a saddened heart would wither away their skills, skills that made them ever so valuable.

Instead of denying their request, she granted the couple permission to marry and leave court, but they had to stay within the boundaries of her kingdom.

As payment for her graciousness, she made them vow that if ever there came a time, whether a year or a hundred from now, in which she needed their assistance once more, they would offer it with no hesitations.

The couple agreed, but love is blinding and gives little visibility into the future. In their adoration, they forgot that all debts must be paid, especially a debt with the Queen of Haymel.