Courtships & Court Intrigue: Sunset at Dawn, #0.5

By Jes Drew

He's the Sacred Prince.

She's his fated love—

And his promised destruction.

 

Otello has always been set apart in order to protect his purity, and thus the Empire's holiness. As the Sacred Prince, he accepts his role. Though he anticipates the day when his paths will cross with the woman his magic will imprint on as his future bride.

 

And then she's there, an elvish noblewoman sweeping him off his feet— quite literally. Otello knows she's his future empress, and is ready to promise her forever. There is just one problem, though.

 

He doesn't have a forever to promise.

 

Fate drew them together. Only magic can save him from its clutches.

The prequel short story of an epic closed-door romantic fantasy that's Robin Hood meets King Arthur as the fate of an empire is shaped by two stubborn lovers. Perfect for fans of Shari L. Tapscott, Alisha Klapheke, and Elise Kova. It is available FREE to subscribres to the Jes Drew newsletter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Boo's Books Publishing
• Release date: Apr 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798227592446

Book preview

Courtships and Court Intrigue

Sunset at Dawn Prequel

Jes Drew

image-placeholder

Boo's Books Publishing

image-placeholder

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2023 by Jes Drew

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, 2023

ISBN: 9798392456307

Boo’s Books Publishing https://agencyofbooksandspies.blogspot.com/

Cover by @saintjupit3rgr4phic

Logo by Maddy Moore

Author Photograph by Amy S.

Edited by Maddy Nicole

Formatted by Atticus

Contents

Synopsis

1.Chapter One

2.Chapter Two

3.Chapter Three

4.Chapter Four

5.Chapter Five

6.Chapter Six

7.Chapter Seven

8.Chapter Eight

To be Continued . . .

About Author

Also by Jes Drew

Synopsis

He's the Sacred Prince.

She's his fated love—

And his promised destruction.

Otello has always been set apart in order to protect his purity, and thus the Empire's holiness. As the Sacred Prince, he accepts his role. Though he anticipates the day when his paths will cross with the woman his magic will imprint on as his future bride.

And then she's there, an elvish noblewoman sweeping him off his feet— quite literally. Otello knows she's his future empress, and is ready to promise her forever. There is just one problem, though.

He doesn't have a forever to promise.

Fate drew them together. Only magic can save him from its clutches.

Chapter One

T his rose bush is being very forward.

Heinrich glances at me from where we’re both crouched between a lot of thorns and a hedge designed to look somewhat like my grandfather.

I hold up my gloved arm to show him the way the bush moves with me, snagged on my sleeve. These roses were specially crossbred to make golden blooms. Only the finest thorns for me.

My partner in crime rolls his unfortunately blue eyes. Be glad you have some protection from the thorns. Some of us aren’t so lucky. He gestures to his own darkly colored tunic, breeches, and boots.

I’m wearing pure white versions of the same outfit, but I also have on matching gloves and a stifling veil that covers my head. There isn’t an inch of my skin exposed to the sun. It must not see me until I am of age in only a matter of months. Unfortunately, my purity is also protected from cool air to aid my breathing.

But when one is the Sacred Prince, there are rules that must be obeyed. That is the price to pay in order to someday be the one ruling.

You say that like you’re jealous of my ensemble, I mutter. Mayhap it’s time for another swap . . .

Chuckling, Heinrich shakes his head, making his chin-length hair dyed dark brown to match my shade flap around his jawline that’s not as strong as mine. Still, we’re a close enough match for us to exchange places every now and again. Especially when one of us is completely veiled. "The veil is your burden to bear today, my prince. There is, after all, a lady soon to be in our midst."

How many times do I have to tell you that you can just call me Otello?

Heinrich grins. As long as it draws your ire so, I suppose.

I roll my eye at him and tug at my snagged glove with no help from him. You know, as my First Valet, you’ll be the one cleaning and mending this.

I think it’s time to find a Second Valet so I don’t have to keep cleaning up after your outlandish outings.

I elbow him. I distinctly remember you dragging me into this outlandish outing.

Heinrich sniffs with mock outrage. I beg your pardon, but you are the Sacred Prince himself. Who can drag you anywhere?

My First Valet, apparently.

Yes, well— Heinrich holds up a hand, his gaze suddenly distant. She’s coming.

I smile behind my veil as