The apparition spoke on. “The twins might seem the scariest in the lot, but they grow bored easily. Don’t give them cause to find their entertainment in you. The Red Queen is a tiring nuisance; keep an eye always glued to her. The laughing man of Cheshire, a kitten compared to the one who moves the pieces across the board. The Hatter will call me his White Queen, but I’ll tell you a secret. My true name is Alice, and I’m not as mad as they say. Now, calm yourself. Come here and share my tea.” The bride lifted a cup from her lap, steam rising from the chipped china. “I can keep the rest away for tonight. I will not let them in.”
Whining, little face puffed and red with exhaustion, the boy hiccupped. “Madam, I don’t want tea. I am so tired... I only want to sleep.”
“Then lay back, shut your eyes, sweet boy.” Tea cup and saucer dropped, their contents left to splash and stain the carpet as the bride glided forward like a ghoul. “I’ll stand over you and watch.”
***
Thank you for reading THE WHITE QUEEN.
I hope you enjoyed the raw horror. Are you ready for more? How about a taste of bestselling Dark Romance?
He will have her.
Even if he must crush empires. Even if he must harm her for her own good.
Even if he must share her with his brothers.
Sigil will be his.
Turn the page for an excerpt of SIGIL: IRDESI EMPIRE BOOK 1…
Sign up for my newsletter to find all my books, giveaways, and secrets. addisonlcain.com
Join my Facebook group, Addison Cain’s Dark Longing’s Lounge, for sneak peeks, free loot, and a whole lot of fun! Ask me anything…
If you relished The White Queen, you might be brave enough to take a drink of my Omegaverse bestselling series. Knotting, the most twisted true love, and a world on fire. Over 800 reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. BORN TO BE BOUND awaits.
If your tastes run to brooding alpha males and regency taboo, my hit dark romance, Dark Side of the Sun, will scratch your itch.
Love good, old fashioned desire? The prohibition era romance, A Trick of the Light, is waiting for you.
Now, please enjoy an extended excerpt of SIGIL: IRDESI EMPIRE BOOK 1…
SIGIL
Part One of the Irdesi Empire Series
Arden observed a drip of perspiration fall between the nearest collared human’s cleavage. The enslaved female offered a tray topped with a cool, extravagant beverage, she had offered a smile, and she had offered stillness so he might inspect her. One sip from the silver cup, and the tartness faintly reminded him of old-Earth lemons. The smell reminded him of something a bit more carnal. Looking pointedly over the cup’s rim, he smiled at his hostess, the Tessan lounging on her couch, and the emissary sipped again. Wry expression confirmed their mutual understanding. The Mistress of Pax was aware there had been no scan of the goblet for poison. The offering of good faith made the inky eyes of the smirking ruler narrow in approval.
“He has quite offered you up, hasn’t he?” Drinta teased, taking a sip of her own frosty cup.
A deep breath of humid air, a pleased, practiced smile, and the guest genuflected. “Quite.”
A low extended hum vibrated from the Tessan, her green scaled skin expanding and contracting to maintain the rattle. “Sovereign thinks to persuade me with gifts… and a silver-tongued emissary.”
Golden head bowed subtly, he replied, “I have yet to offer gifts.”
“But you will.” Her brow ridges, with their small shapely spikes, rose in a very human gesture.
Arden pulled another breath of air that was too moist, too warm to be comfortable, running a quick appraisal over the grand view his seat allowed.
Two words: backspace shithole.
From the sly curve of scaled lips, it was clear the Mistress of Pax agreed. Pressing back into the plush couch, facing the man seated across from her, the tip of her tail swished and all pretense ended. “There are things I want.”
“Sovereign will provide them,” the envoy of the human Irdesian Empire assured her. “In exchange for absolute access to your byway.”
“I don’t deal in”—Drinta cocked her head, quick-moving lids shuttering around the black of her eyes— “absolutes.”