2,99 €
Mehr erfahren.
- Herausgeber: Montana Publishing
- Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
- Sprache: Englisch
When a King Finds His Queen…
King Or'Ang LaNault’s search for a bride has left him weary and disheartened. As the powerful ruler of a prosperous kingdom—one rich in both wealth and a hidden, mythical power—he must tread carefully, knowing that few can be trusted with his heart. Yet a chance encounter with a spirited human woman, whose boldness, kindness, and thirst for adventure catch him off guard, has him wondering if a shifter king could truly choose a human as his queen.
The Kingdom of Or'Ang is one of the rare shifter realms open for trade with humans. On her first journey there with her father, Elizabeth is captivated by the kingdom’s splendor. Slipping away while her father attends to business, she revels in her own adventure, especially when she stumbles upon an enchanted garden—and the intriguing shifter who tends it.
Unaware that this gentle yet powerful shifter is the king himself, Elizabeth finds herself drawn to him. He listens to her dreams, shares wondrous tales, and makes her laugh in a way she never has before.
As war looms on the shifter’s horizon, can love between a shifter and a human survive the turbulent storms to come?
A USA Today and NY Times bestselling author, the internationally acclaimed S.E. Smith presents a story with her signature humor and unpredictable twists! Exciting adventure, sweet romance, and iconic characters have won her a legion of fans. Over TWO MILLION books sold!
Das E-Book können Sie in Legimi-Apps oder einer beliebigen App lesen, die das folgende Format unterstützen:
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025
Ähnliche
THE SHIFTER’S QUEEN
MORE THAN HUMAN PREQUEL
S.E. SMITH
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I would like to thank my husband, Steve, for believing in me and being proud enough of me to give me the courage to follow my dream. I would also like to give a special thank you to my sister and best friend, Linda, who not only encouraged me to write, but who also read the manuscript. Also, to my other friends who believe in me: Julie, Jackie, Christel, Sally, Jolanda, Lisa, Laurelle, Debbie, and Narelle. The girls that keep me going!
And a special thanks to Paul Heitsch, David Brenin, Samantha Cook, Suzanne Elise Freeman, PJ Ochlan, Vincent Fallow, L. Sophie Helbig, and Hope Newhouse, Allison River, Jonathan Strait, and Bethanne Reid—the outstanding voices behind my audiobooks!
– S. E. Smith
The shifter’s queen:
more than human prequel
Copyright © 2024 by S.E. Smith
First E-Book Published December 2024
Cover Design by Laurelle Santamaria
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission from the author. No parts of the author’s work may be used for AI training without express written permission from the author.
All characters, places, and events in this book are fictitious or have been used fictitiously, and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, actual events, locales, or organizations are strictly coincidental.
Summary: A shifter king’s love for a human will spark a legacy that will last forever and become a legend dreamed of by future generations.
ISBN: 978-1-963823-38-7 (eBook)
ISBN: 978-1-963823-60-8 (Paperback)
Romance (sweet) | Fantasy | Paranormal (Shifters) | Action/Adventure | Novella
Published by Montana Publishing, LLC
& SE Smith of Florida Inc. www.sesmithfl.com
SYNOPSIS
When a King Finds His Queen…
King Or'Ang LaNault’s search for a bride has left him weary and disheartened. As the powerful ruler of a prosperous kingdom—one rich in both wealth and a hidden, mythical power—he must tread carefully, knowing that few can be trusted with his heart. Yet a chance encounter with a spirited human woman, whose boldness, kindness, and thirst for adventure catch him off guard, has him wondering if a shifter king could truly choose a human as his queen.
The Kingdom of Or'Ang is one of the rare shifter realms open for trade with humans. On her first journey there with her father, Elizabeth is captivated by the kingdom’s splendor. Slipping away while her father attends to business, she revels in her own adventure, especially when she stumbles upon an enchanted garden—and the intriguing shifter who tends it.
Unaware that this gentle yet powerful shifter is the king himself, Elizabeth finds herself drawn to him. He listens to her dreams, shares wondrous tales, and makes her laugh in a way she never has before.
As war looms on the shifter’s horizon, can love between a shifter and a human survive the turbulent storms to come?
PROLOGUE
The screeching of gulls mixed with the crashing sound of waves and the rhythmic beat of hooves on wet sand, creating a cacophony, as the heavy breathing of the beast disrupted the early morning calm. The storm’s wreckage was everywhere: twisted branches, tangled seaweed, and driftwood scattered across the beach. Or’Ang had to weave his horse through the debris, forcing him to slow his pace.
The incoming wave propelled icy water from the Atlantic up against his form-fitting trousers, sending a mixture of sand and sea water showering down on him and the black stallion under him. He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the gentle lapping of waves against the shore or the clear, azure sky above. The pounding of his companions’ horses' hooves was a distant echo in his mind, drowned out by the waves of grief that crashed over him.
The stallion stumbled, its hoof sinking deep into the soft sand, and its rider nearly toppled over its neck. A wave of rational thought washed over him, and he gently guided the stallion to a walk, feeling the animal's muscles relax under his touch. Guilt gnawed at him as the massive black stallion, its flanks heaving, struggled to catch its breath. The stallion was not to blame for what had happened.
Why? Why did they not wait just a few more days?
Tears welled up in his eyes, blurring his vision, and he impatiently wiped his hand across them, trying to clear the stinging moisture. Kings did not cry. The thought hit him like a physical blow, and he drew in a shuddering breath as the terrifying realization filled his mind.
Two horses, their coats glistening with sweat, drew up beside him, the rhythmic sound of their heavy breathing filling the air. Polar, a polar bear shifter, newly anointed knight, and a close friend rode silently at his side on a white steed while Oliver, a human and a brother to both him and Polar, rode a chestnut mare on his other.
They carefully steered their mounts onto higher, more compact sand, avoiding the loose, treacherous patches below. The confirmation that his parents had perished when their ship sank three days ago had come in the wee hours of the night. In the distance, the heavy, somber tolling of the kingdom's bells filled the air with a sense of sorrow.
“I’m sorry for your loss, Or’Ang,” Polar said, his voice tinged with sorrow.
“I’m sorry,” Oliver added.
Or’Ang’s nod was barely perceptible, his face a mask of sorrow, as he struggled to contain his grief. They rode for several hours, the wind whipping through their hair as they climbed higher, until they reached the top of the cliffs. Once they arrived, he brought his horse to a halt with a sharp tug on the reins, the leather creaking, then slid gracefully down, the reins landing with a soft thud on the saddle. The horses, their flanks heaving from the long ride, eagerly munched on the sweet, tall grass that grew along the cliff, their ears twitching with contentment.
The salty breeze whipped at his face as he walked to the edge and looked out over the vast ocean. His eyes followed the elegant flights of seagulls, their white wings catching the sunlight as they swooped in and out of their nests on the sandy cliffs, their cries piercing the air as they searched for food. Blinding sunlight glinted off the dark blue water, casting a million shimmering diamonds that danced on the waves. The beauty of his surroundings seemed muted; the vibrancy of the colors dulled by the ache of his parents' absence.
That duty now falls on my shoulders.
Oliver and Polar flanked him, staying several feet back to respect his space. They were vigilant, watchful of their new king, ready to react to any command. He swallowed hard, trying to push down the bitterness that threatened to overwhelm him, and then spoke. His words were a quiet, commanding presence, resonant with the strength and wisdom of a true ruler.
“I will need advisors that I can trust. I know of no others I could trust more than the two of you,” he said.
“Or’Ang… I thank you for your consideration, but… you must remember that I’m a lowly human. There may be some that would not be happy with your decision,” Oliver replied, his voice cautious.
The ocean stretched out endlessly before them, much like the responsibilities he now faced. Or’Ang continued to stare at it, his face growing taut with determination before he turned to face both men. His gaze swept over Oliver's face, taking in the worried lines etched around his eyes. The more Oliver hesitated, the more certain the King felt that he was making the right decision. Oliver's heart was prioritized on the kingdom's welfare and prosperity, not his own personal gain.
“If they have issue, they can make their case to me. I’ve made my decision,” he stated.
Oliver bowed his head and knelt on one knee. “Yes, sire.”
He turned his attention to Polar. “You will be in charge of my personal guards. The safety and security of the kingdom and its king now fall on your shoulders.”
Polar sank to one knee and bowed his head. “Yes, my king. I will protect both with my life.”
“Rise.” He waited until both men stood again. His lips twitched with wry amusement. “You’ll also call me Or’Ang in private and be a royal pain in my ass. I’m going to need all the honest help I can get. If I’m to do this, I need you both to tell me when I’m making a stupid decision and you can’t do that if you have a corncob up your asses.”
